Cleveland began the season as a baseball odds today favorite to win the American League Central. Under manager Terry Francona they have three post season appearances. Just two years ago they lost a seven game World Series to the Cubs. Last year they lost the divisional playoffs. Success has become routine. Stability with the roster is a big reason why. Last fall Minnesota made the post season for the first time since 2010. Expectations are high for the rebuilt Twins. Manager Paul Molitor is a Twin Cities local boy made good. He is matched perfectly with Minnesota.
Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
2018 MLB Betting Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indians | -1½ (+145) | 7½ (-105) |  |
| Twins | +1½ (-165) | 7½ (-115) | |
| |||
Indians vs. Twins TV coverage: ESPN
Carlos Carrasco vs. José Berrios
Right hander Carlos Carrasco will get the start for Cleveland. Minnesota will send out right hander Jose Berrios. Carrasco has provided plenty of baseball odds today value. So far in 2018 he is 3-0 with a 3.48 ERA and a WHIP of 0.87. Last year Carrasco was 18-6 with a 3.29 ERA and WHIP of 1.20. It was the most wins of his career. Berrios has even more impressive numbers so far in 2018. In three starts he is 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA and WHIP of 0.63. For 2017 he was 14-8 with a 3.89 ERA and WHIP of 0.75.
Minnesota
Minnesota won seven of their first 11 games. First place in the AL Central belongs to them. Under the total also paid in seven of those games. First baseman Joe Mauer bolted out the gate strong. Mauer is hitting .412 with six runs and six RBI. He also has four doubles. Second baseman Brian Dozier added four home runs with 12 runs scored. Dozier is hitting .289 with an OPS of .985.
Cleveland
Cleveland is in the red with a mark of 8-6. As a perpetual chalk just a few losses can be expensive. Run production has been a problem for the Tribe. Bats have been quiet with MLB ranks of 30th for batting average and OPS. Saving the day is baseball’s sixth ranked pitching staff. Cody Allen quickly picked up three saves. Allen posted a dominant WHIP of 0.50. Jose Ramirez and Edwin Encarnacion had bizarre starts. Each has three home runs despite hitting under .161. Under the total has paid in nine of 14 games for the Indians.
Team vs. Team
Cleveland has won 13 of their last 20 online sportsbook matchups against Minnesota. Nine of the last 11 in this series have gone under the number. Target Field has been quite hospitable to the Tribe. Indian backers have been paid in 14 of their last 17 games at Minnesota. Nine of the last 12 between these teams at Target Field have stayed under the total. Terry Francona is a truly elite manager. Paul Molitor is emerging as one of the best. Wheels will spin in both dugouts.
Matchup to Watch
Pitching will be at a premium in this one. Few games will match up such quality starters. Consequently, it is reasonable to expect a low scoring game. Minnesota’s hitting is the baseball odds today matchup edge.
MLB Betting Odds Picks
Cleveland’s cold bats don’t inspire an investment. Minnesota has been the more complete team.
MLB Betting Online Pick: Minnesota Twins
MLB Betting Online Score Prediction: Twins 4, Indians 2
Watch Minnesota’s Joe Mauer pick up his 2,000th hit.