MLB picks: Twins vs. Indians, Rockies vs. Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado sends a pitch deep. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire)
August 24th, 2020
A pair of divisional games catch the eye in Monday’s MLB picks column. Join us as we break down the matchup between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians as well as the late-night tilt between the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Minnesota Twins (19-10) at Cleveland Indians (17-11), 7:10 p.m. ET
The Twins’ Kenta Maeda and the Indians’ Aaron Civale, both of whom have registered quality starts in four of their first five outings in 2020, will take the hill at Progressive Field on Monday night. This looks like an automatic play for Under bettors.
Maeda (3-0, 2.27 ERA) took a no-hitter to the ninth inning against the Brewers on Tuesday, striking out 12 batters along the way. When he last faced Cleveland (Aug. 1), Maeda blanked the Tribe over six frames in a 3-0 victory. Maeda is backed up by a bullpen that’s seventh in ERA at 3.44 this season.
Loved Kenta Maeda’s reaction here after losing his no-hit bid. Obvious disappointment but you can see how proud and happy both he and his teammates are for him.
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) August 19, 2020
Total class act. 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/ZgMwWG7PrT
Civale (3-2, 2.91 ERA) allowed just one run on five hits in his complete-game victory over the Pirates on Wednesday. He fanned nine Minnesota batters when he faced this lineup most recently (Aug. 2). Civale can lean on an Indians bullpen that’s third in ERA this season at 2.73.
MLB pick: Under
Colorado Rockies (13-15) at Arizona Diamondbacks (13-16), 9:30 p.m. ET
A pair of slumping NL West rivals in the Rockies and Diamondbacks will likely continue their offensive dry spells in the desert on Monday night.
After getting off to a promising start, Colorado has now lost nine of their last 10 games. Even Nolan Arenado looks lost at the plate lately. The Rockies’ offense has not traveled well in 2020, mustering just 3.54 runs per game away from Coors Field. Their opposing starter is Merrill Kelly, who’s having a solid season thus far (3-2, 2.59 ERA, 0.99 WHIP).
The knuckle-curve from Merrill Kelly. He is throwing that pitch for a strike tonight but has yet to find his fastball. His 2,628 spin rate is well above the league average of 2,515 rpms. #Dbacks #RattleOn pic.twitter.com/mY8FAXeUCm
— Joe Jacquez (@joejacquezaz) August 20, 2020
Meanwhile, Arizona has lost five straight, scoring a grand total of just six runs in that span. They’ll be matched up with rookie Ryan Castellani, who looked good in his first two starts of the season before getting tagged by the Astros’ potent lineup on Wednesday.
Neither bullpen has been particularly effective this year – the D-backs are 21st in ERA (5.16) while the Rockies are 22nd (5.28) – but this betting total offers enough leeway for these sagging offenses to stay Under.
MLB pick: Under
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