Weekend MLB preview: Twins battle Indians for AL Central supremacy

The Minnesota Twins (89-57) will try to put some distance between themselves and the Cleveland Indians (86-61) in the American League Central race when they begin a three-game series at Progressive Field on Friday night. Here’s what bettors should be anticipating for the weekend series.

Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians, Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET, MLBN

Bettors should expect a similar outcome to the September 7 meeting between the Twins’ Jake Odorizzi (14-6, 3.60 ERA) and the Indians’ Aaron Civale (3-3, 1.93 ERA), in which Minnesota prevailed 5-3.

Odorizzi has been a tough nut to crack for Cleveland this year. He is 2-0 in four starts against the Tribe, with a 1.61 ERA and .177 opponent batting average. The Twins’ bullpen has been reliable over the last two weeks, with a 3.11 ERA (third in the majors in that span).

Civale was removed after five solid innings against Minnesota in which he allowed only one run. But the Twins’ talented lineup (second in OPS at .832) should have a better idea of what to expect from the 24-year-old rookie the second time around. Cleveland’s bullpen is unlikely to provide much relief; they’re 25th in ERA over the last two weeks at 5.35.

MLB free play: Twins moneyline

Saturday, 7:10 p.m.

The Twins have yet to name a starter for Saturday’s contest in lieu of the suspended Michael Pineda. No matter who they post, Mike Clevinger (11-2, 2.72 ERA) will give the Indians a great shot of forcing a rubber match Sunday.

Clevinger is 4-0, with a 1.41 ERA and 0.844 WHIP, over his last five starts. He is 2-0 in three starts against Minnesota this season, with a 2.45 ERA and .169 opponent batting average. Clevinger has struck out 22 batters and walked only five in those contests.

Brad Hand, second in the AL in saves at 34, is unlikely to be available this weekend, after he underwent an MRI on Wednesday. Hand, who has a second-half ERA of 5.68, is dealing with a “tired arm,” per manager Terry Francona. Cleveland could go with a closer-by-committee approach. Expected to be called up in relief is James Karinchak, who has registered 74 strikeouts in just 30 1/3 innings in the minors.

Sunday, 1:10 p.m.

The Twins’ Jose Berrios (12-8, 3.63 ERA) and the Indians’ Shane Bieber (14-7, 3.17 ERA) should keep the opposing offenses under control for most of Sunday afternoon.

Berrios’ ERA is an inflated 4.78 since the All-Star break (11 starts), but he looked like his usual self Tuesday against the Nationals, when he shut them out through seven innings (two hits, one walk). Three of his four efforts against Cleveland this year have been quality starts. Shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez are a combined 11-for-55 (.200) off Berrios all-time with no home runs.

Bieber, third in the AL in strikeouts (241) and WHIP (1.002), has turned in a quality start in each of his last three outings against Minnesota. First baseman C.J. Cron, right fielder Max Kepler and DH Nelson Cruz are a combined 5-for-31 (.161) off Bieber all-time and all have failed to register a home run.

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