Minnesota Twins
The Twins have had a very strong season to date, looking like legit contenders at 70-44. They’ve got an outstanding home record at 35-22, going 6-4 in their last 10 contests overall. Kepler and Cruz are the two offensive engines of this squad, both going over 30 home runs and 75 RBI this season. Pitcher Kyle Gibson has been stellar all season, managing an 11-4 record with a 4.03 ERA.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians have also been outstanding this season, going 68-46 so far. They’ve been a particularly strong road side, going 31-22 away from home and winning 7 of their last 10 overall. Carlos Santana has been their main man offensively all season, totalling 24 home runs and 64 RBI. Mike Clevinger has been stellar when called upon, going 6-2 with a 3.07 ERA so far.
Prediction: Twins $1.96
While Clevinger is a solid pitcher, I’m not sure his presence warrants Cleveland being favourites on the road. Minnesota are still the better of these two sides and I think their batting lineup is much stronger and deeper. Kyle Gibson is no slouch either and another strong performance from him should result in a Minny win here.
San Diego Padres
The Padres have really faded of late, now sitting at just 52-61. They haven’t been a particularly good home side, going just 25-30 in front of their home fans. Manny Machado has had a very good offensive season with 26 home runs and 69 RBI, while Hunter Renfroe has gone for 30 homers and 59 RBI of his own. Eric Lauer will pitch here, going a pedestrian 6-8 with a 4.43 ERA.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have been similarly poor of late, now at just 52-62 after a thrashing by Houston. Their road form has been pedestrian all season, going just 23-35 away from Colorado. Nolan Arenado continues to carry an otherwise stagnant offence, going for 25 home runs and 85 RBI on the campaign. Veteran Jon Gray will pitch here, going 10-7 with a 4.03 ERA this season.
Prediction: Padres $1.92
While the Rockies have a slight pitching edge here, they’ve been an atrocious road side all season. Jon Gray’s performances have also tailed off of late and I’m not sure he breaks out of that against the hard-hitting Padres. If Lauer has a solid day at the office, even money for the Padres at home looks like good value.