MLB picks: Twins vs. Indians, Mariners vs. Astros

Let’s make our top two picks from an intriguing Tuesday night slate of games!

First we’ll highlight an AL Central showdown between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. Then it’s off to “Space City” for a matchup between the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros.

Minnesota Twins (7-14) at Cleveland Indians (10-11), 6:10 p.m. ET

The Indians should hand the freefalling Twins their 14th loss in a 16-game span when they host their AL Central rival at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.

Kenta Maeda (6.11 ERA) has been just one of many disappointing players on the Minnesota roster in 2020. He’s fresh off his worst start of the season, in which he served up seven earned runs on eight hits – including three home runs – in only three innings of work. His WHIP is a sky-high 1.87 through four outings.

Maeda can’t fall back on his bullpen either, as that unit is the sixth-worst in baseball by ERA (4.86) this year.

He’ll have to pitch carefully to Franmil Reyes, who has 11 hits in his last 31 at-bats (.355) with one home run and seven RBI.

Countering for Cleveland is Aaron Civale, who boasts a solid 3-0 record, 2.42 ERA, and 0.88 WHIP on the season. He surrendered four walks in his shortest outing of the year (5 1/3 innings) when last seen, bringing his quality start streak to an end at three. Fortunately for him, the Twins are just 22nd in walks drawn this year.

Civale can also rely on an Indians relief corps that’s fourth in the majors by ERA in 2021 (2.67).

MLB pick: Indians -104

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Seattle Mariners (13-10) at Houston Astros (11-11), 8:10 p.m. ET

The Mariners dropped the series opener with Houston at Minute Maid Park on Monday night, but they can bounce back with Marco Gonzales on the mound.

Gonzales is fresh off a masterful start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which he held that dynamic offense to one run and only two hits over seven innings. His first two efforts of 2021 (12 earned runs allowed in 10 1/3 innings) appear to be in the rearview mirror.

Seattle can confidently hand things off to their bullpen – which owns an MLB-best 0.79 ERA over the last two weeks – in the later innings. The Astros (4.60 bullpen ERA in the same span) can’t say the same.

Houston starter Christian Javier enters off consecutive performances of five shutout innings, but Seattle can wait him out and pounce on the bullpen late. However, with the way Kyle Seager and Ty France are playing at present (.400 average last four games combined, two home runs, nine RBI), it may not matter who the ‘Stros send out to pitch.

Trend bettors should note the Mariners are 6-1 in their last seven games following a loss, while Houston is 2-5 in its last seven games against left-handed starters.

MLB pick: Mariners +165