We have the first matchup of this three-game AL Central intradivisional series with the Minnesota Twins hosting the Cleveland Guardians. This game is the 12th meeting between these two clubs this season with Cleveland winning six of the first 11 matchups.
Will Minnesota even up the season series, or can Cleveland grab a victory on the road? Find out in our free MLB betting picks and predictions for Guardians vs Twins on Friday, September 9.
Guardians vs Twins best odds
Guardians vs Twins picks and predictions
Right-hander Dylan Bundy is taking the mound for Minnesota in this contest and should be an excellent candidate to back. Through 24 starts this season, Bundy is 8-6 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
While those are not the strongest numbers, he has been much better during the second half of the season, finding a rhythm with his new team. Over his last six starts, Bundy is 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, allowing two or fewer earned runs in all six of those outings.
We should expect this strong stretch of pitching to continue against Cleveland, a team that Bundy has dominated throughout his career.
Across six career outings against the Guardians, he is 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Bundy has allowed two or fewer earned runs in five of those six games.
Through 49 career plate appearances against Bundy, this current Cleveland roster possesses a mere .233 BA, .302 SLG, and .273 wOBA. Since August 1, the Guardians rank just 16th in the league in BA, 26th in SLG, 25th in OPS, and 26th in wOBA when facing right-handed pitchers.
This line is way juicier than I typically like to lay. However, I just cannot pass it up as this is a bad matchup for Cleveland due to the fact it has struggled against right-handed pitching and specifically against Bundy.
My best bet: Bundy Under 2.5 earned runs allowed (-180 at DraftKings)
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Guardians vs Twins betting preview
Jump to:
•Side analysis •Over/Under analysis •Starting pitchers •Injuries •Weather •Trend to know
Moneyline analysis
Both of these teams enter this series in relatively poor form, losing 12 of their last 20 combined games. As highlighted above, Minnesota is going with one of its better arms.
However, the Guardians are doing the same with right-hander Cal Quantrill slated to take the mound. Through 26 starts this season, Quantrill is 11-5 with a 3.55 ERA and 1.20 WHIP and enters this game in especially good form.
Over his last six starts, he is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. I would not be shocked at all if this strong stretch of pitching continues against the Twins. Through his last four starts against Minnesota, Quantrill is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and 1.03 ERA, so we could get a great pitching duel in tonight’s game.
That being said, I want no part in taking a side in this game with how strong these two starting pitchers have been.
Over/Under analysis
As you can probably guess by now, I would lean towards taking the Under. Both pitchers enter this game in good form and have fared well against tonight’s opponent.
The first five Under is a strong play to make, but Minnesota’s bullpen scares me away from taking the full game Under. Since August 1, the Twins’ relief pitching ranks in the bottom half of the league in ERA, BA, SLG, and wOBA.
Entering this series, the Under has been a decent play for both teams. Over the last 20 combined games between these two clubs, the Under has hit 12 times.
Guardians vs Twins game info
• Location: Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
• Date: Friday, September 9, 2022
• First pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET
• TV: Apple TV+
Starting pitchers
Cal Quantrill (11-5, 3.55 ERA): Right-hander Cal Quantrill has not only been a strong pitcher all season, but he enters this game in tremendous form. Over his last six starts, he is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA and 0.80 WHIP. While Quantrill boasts a five-pitch arsenal, he heavily relies on his sinker and cutter as he throws those two pitches 81.2% of the time.
Dylan Bundy (8-6, 4.34 ERA): Making his 25th start of the season for Minnesota, right-hander Dylan Bundy will look to continue his much better second half of the season. Over his last six starts, Bundy is 2-1 with a 2.17 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Boasting a five-pitch arsenal, Bundy typically relies on his 4-seam fastball to set up either a slider or changeup to retire hitters. The slider is his most effective weapon with hitters possessing a mere .206 xBA against it this season.
Key injuries
Find our latest MLB injury reports.
Weather
Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our MLB weather info.
Betting trend to know
Dylan Bundy has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last six starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Guardians vs. Twins
