The Minnesota Twins (65-50) seek to clinch the series victory against the Cleveland Guardians (67-49) in the concluding game of their four-game matchup scheduled for Sunday afternoon. This pivotal game will take place at Target Field, starting at 2:10 PM ET.
David Festa, holding a record of 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA, is slated to pitch for the Twins. The Guardians will respond with Tanner Bibee, who boasts a 9-4 record and a 3.48 ERA.
Recent encounters show Cleveland leading 6-4 in the last ten games against Minnesota.
**This preview was prepared prior to the results of Saturday’s game.**
For those interested in MLB predictions, insights are highly reliable.
Cleveland’s Struggles Amidst a Tight Race
The Guardians entered this series reeling from five consecutive losses, which were compounded by dropping the first two games against the Twins, extending their slump to seven games. This downturn has narrowed their lead over Minnesota in the AL Central to just 1.5 games, with only six weeks remaining in the season. Sunday’s contest presents an opportunity for Cleveland to reverse their fortunes and solidify their divisional standing.
Cleveland currently averages 4.61 runs per game, with a batting average of .241, ranking 18th in the league. Their on-base percentage mirrors this position at .310, while their slugging percentage stands at .399, also placing them 17th.
Steven Kwan leads the Guardians with an impressive .327 batting average. In power categories, Jose Ramirez shines with 30 home runs and 96 RBIs.
On the pitching front, the Guardians have maintained a solid performance, allowing just 3.73 runs per game. They rank ninth in the league with a .235 opponent batting average. Their ERA of 3.79 is seventh, and a WHIP of 1.23 ranks eighth overall.
In his previous outing, Bibee allowed seven hits and two runs over six innings, contributing to an 8-4 victory against Detroit. A repeat of this form will be crucial for Cleveland’s hopes of success on Sunday.
Minnesota’s Momentum in the AL Central
The Twins have been on a roll lately, winning seven of their last nine games. This surge has propelled them up the AL Central standings, positioning them just 1.5 games behind the Guardians. Currently, they occupy the second spot in the AL Wildcard race, with a two-game buffer over Kansas City. A win against Cleveland would not only narrow the division gap but also mark their first series win against the Guardians this season.
Offensively, Minnesota averages 4.89 runs per game and ranks ninth in batting average at .253. Their on-base percentage of .325 is eighth in the league, while their slugging percentage of .429 positions them sixth.
Willi Castro leads the Twins with a .260 batting average, while Ryan Jeffers tops the team with 17 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Defensively, Minnesota’s pitching staff has allowed 4.10 runs per game. They rank fourth in the league with a .233 opponent batting average, while their ERA of 4.15 is 20th, and their WHIP of 1.17 is second.
Festa’s last appearance saw him yield only two hits and no runs over five innings, aiding the Twins to a 3-0 victory against the Cubs. Another strong showing will be vital to their success against Cleveland.
Best Bets for Guardians vs. Twins Clash
The Guardians have shown resilience on the road, winning three of their last five away games. Their offense has been firing, scoring 18 runs over their past four road contests. Given their success against right-handed pitchers and Festa’s recent struggles on the mound, Cleveland may find opportunities to capitalize.
Conversely, the Twins have won seven of their previous nine games, yet their offense has been underwhelming, managing only 15 runs in their last four outings. With Bibee’s solid recent performances, including limiting runs in his last three starts, the Guardians’ bullpen may maintain control over Minnesota’s offense. The recommendation is to back Cleveland to win outright.
