The Cleveland Guardians (68-49) and Minnesota Twins (65-51) will complete a four-game series on Sunday. The first pitch at Target Field is scheduled for 2:10 PM ET. Break down FanDuel Sportsbook's Guardians vs. Twins odds and make your best betting predictions and forecasts with MLB experts.
Season series: Guardians lead 6-2
Cleveland restored order Saturday with a tough 2-1 victory in a pitcher's duel at Target Field, the Guardians snapping their season-long seven-game losing streak in the process and moving back into the American League Central lead at 2.5 games after suffering a shutout loss in Friday's doubleheader.
Despite the win, offense continues to be an issue for the Guardians as they have scored three or fewer points in each of their last five games and are averaging just 2.6 RPG per game in that span. It’s no wonder the under is 3-1 in their last four games and has won two of three in this series.
The Guardians will welcome back right-hander Tanner Bibby (shoulder) to the starting rotation, after he was injured but never officially placed on the 15-day disabled list.
The Twins' single point total on Saturday was their lowest this month, having averaged 6.1 rebounds in their first nine games in August before Saturday's 2-1 loss.
Projected starting pitchers for the Twins Guardians
RHP Tanner Bibby vs. RHP
Bibby (9-4, 3.48 ERA) is making his 23rd start and has a 1.09 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 121 2/3 innings.
Last Start: July 29, 8-4 road win vs. Detroit Tigers, 6 innings, 2 runs allowed, 7 hits, 0 walks, 2 strikeouts 2024 Road Record: 5-2 in 11 starts, 3.00 ERA (63 innings, 21 runs allowed), 1.06 WHIP, .224 Opponents Batting Average (OBA), 15 walks, 66 strikeouts 2024 vs. Twins: 1-0 in 2 starts, 1.46 ERA (12 1/3 innings, 2 runs allowed), 9 hits, 2 home runs, 1 walk, 17 strikeouts Career Record vs. Twins: 1-0 in 5 starts, 2.96 ERA (27 1/3 innings, 9 runs allowed), 1.21 WHIP, 11.5 strikeouts (9 innings)
Festas (2-2, 5.55 ERA) will be making his fifth career start and sixth appearance on the mound and has a 1.27 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 11.1 K/9 in 24 1/3 innings.
Last start: W, 5 innings, 0 runs allowed, 2 hits, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts, 3-0 win vs. Chicago Cubs. 2024 home record as of Monday: 0-1, 7.71 ERA (9 1/3 innings, 8 runs allowed), 4 home runs, 1.61 WHIP, .317 batting average, 2 walks, 13 strikeouts, 1 start (2 appearances). Never faced the Guardians.
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Guardians vs Twins odds
Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub. Lines last updated at 1:36 a.m. ET.
Money Line (ML): Guardians -118 (bet $118 to win $100) | Twins +100 (bet $100 to win $100) Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+138) | Twins +1.5 (-166) Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Guardians vs. Twins predictions and forecasts
prediction
Guardians 5, Twins 2
Money Line
The Guardians (-118) will likely leave the Twin Cities 3.5 games back in the division, and the return of Bibby, one of the team's most consistent starting pitchers, would be a big encouragement for the team.
The Twins (+100) are 7-3 in their last 10 games, but Saturday's loss was tough, and Minnesota will be relying on rookie Fiesta to help them beat a guy looking for his 10th win. Things aren't looking good for the Twins.
Against run line/spread
If you want to be a bit more adventurous, forget the moneyline and go for the Guardians -1.5 (+138) instead.
It's a risky game, as Cleveland had lost seven straight prior to Saturday's win and has struggled offensively of late, but the Guardians should be able to make a good showing against Fiesta, who has a 7.71 ERA in two starts at Target Field this season.
Over/Under
UNDER 8 (-105) is trending, but roll with at most a half unit of play stake.
The first three games of this series have seen results of 2-under, and with Bibby on the mound, it's likely Cleveland will post another low score.
Under has been successful in nine of the Guardians' last 11 away games and has scored in six of Bibby's last 10 starts.
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