The Cleveland Guardians (25-31) are on the road to face the Minnesota Twins (30-27) at Target Field on Friday.
The Twins took Thursday’s series opener 7-6, their second head-to-head victory in four games this season. Griffin Jax threw one scoreless inning out of the bullpen to get the win.
Christian Vazquez went 2 for 3 with a double and one run in the win. Donovan Solano added a double, one run, and one RBI. Gabriel Arias was 2 for 4 with one run for the Guardians.
ON THE MOUND
Aaron Civale (1-1, 2.84 ERA) is in line to get the start for Cleveland. The right-hander allowed four runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 5-3 home defeat against the Mariners on April 7. He took the loss, scattering nine hits while striking out five and walking one.
Civale is making his first appearance against the Twins this season. Over two starts against the Twins in 2022, Civale was 0-1 with a 7.45 ERA over 9.2 innings. He had 12 strikeouts and three walks. Righty Bailey Ober (3-2, 2.68 ERA) takes the mound for Minnesota.
He has made one prior start against the Guardians this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over seven innings in a 2-0 road win on May 5. He gave up three hits and walked one while striking out six in the win.
In his last start on Sunday, Ober took the loss at home against the Blue Jays. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 3-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cleveland has averaged 6.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.7, while slashing better across the board (.308/.357/.449).
Against right-handed pitchers like Ober this season, the Guardians have a .647 OPS, second lowest in the league. Jose Ramirez is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .927 OPS in 136 at-bats.
Minnesota is averaging only 4.6 runs per game in the last five, consistent with their season average. The Twins have a .730 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .871 OPS over 110 at-bats, Joey Gallo has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is 13-16 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Minnesota has gone 17-12 at Target Field this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Cleveland is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Target Field between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 5.2-5.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Tigers. The Guardians are third in the AL Central, four games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (+110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
