The Twins have outscored the Indians by a significant 55-16 margin in winning six straight in the season series, including an 11-run victory in the series opener. Let’s find out where we should place our MLB picks in each game, and if we should expect more of the same in the final two contests at Progressive Field.
MLB Pick for Wednesday's Matchup
Masterson has been hammered by the Twins in 2012
Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson (7-10, 4.78 ERA) has fallen on hard times in his last two efforts, allowing 17 runs (15 earned) and 17 hits over 9.2 combined innings in back-to-back road losses to the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. The right-hander will have a tough time turning things around in this spot, posting an 0-2 record and 8.49 ERA in two outings against the Twins this season.
Brian Duensing (2-6, 4.39 ERA) isn’t going to cause a rush to the betting windows, but sports bettors need to take notice of the situation at hand. The left-hander has compiled a 5-1 record and 2.81 ERA in 14 career appearances (six starts) versus the Indians, including a 5-1 home victory in this series on July 29. He lands in a tremendous spot on Wednesday afternoon, facing an opponent that ranks 29th in the majors with a .225 batting average versus southpaws.
Wednesday Prediction
I am expecting most of the MLB betting shops to establish the Indians as a slight home favorite (-110 to -118), which gives us a nice underdog price on the Twinkies to close out this American League Central series in style.
MLB Pick: Take the Twins
Review Tuesdays Pick
The Cleveland Indians
are getting dangerously close to matching the franchise record for most
consecutive losses, as they dropped their 10th consecutive game in suffering a
14-3 blowout loss at home to the Minnesota Twins on Monday night. The
club record for futility is 12 games, which was established in 1931. Starting pitching has gone amiss for the series host over the recent run, with
the group posting an 0-8 mark and 11.66 ERA.
Deduno must keep his
control
Twins starting pitcher
Samuel Deduno (3-0, 2.48 ERA) has won three consecutive decisions, including a
12-5 home victory over the Indians two starts back on July 28, allowing one run
and two hits over seven frames. The right-hander has tallied a perfect
2-0 record and 2.04 ERA in three road efforts, with opposing batters hitting
.230 against him. Deduno has been effectively wild on the mound this
season, issuing 20 walks and striking out 19 batters in 29 innings, which could
prove troublesome in facing a lineup that ranks third in the majors in base on
balls.
Corey Kluber (0-0,
12.46 ERA) didn’t factor into the decision of a 7-6 road loss to the Kansas
City Royals five days ago in his first MLB start of the 2012 campaign. The 26-year-old right-hander may be a candidate to bounce back due to winning
seven of his last eight decisions in the International League, while leading
all pitchers with 128 strikeouts.
Tuesday Prediction
The MLB odds
clearly show that sharp action landed on the Tribe early, which may be
attributed to the Twins going 7-13 on the road in games with a total of 9 to
9.5. I recommend backing Cleveland (-115) in this spot, as I believe the
offense will break through in facing Deduno for a second time in less than two
weeks.
MLB Pick: Take the Indians