American League Central Leaders Meet in Double-Header Showdown

The American League Central leader and second place team meet on Saturday when the Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Indians in a double-header. The current line for the second games has Cleveland favored at -150, with Minnesota at +130 and the over/under run total sitting on 10.5.

Entering this game, Cleveland is 33-31 overall and 18-14 on the road. The Indians are 5-5 in their last 10 games played. Minnesota is 34-30 overall and 14-21 at home. The Twins are 5-5 in their last 10 games played.

Cleveland has played well this season at Target Field and can leapfrog Minnesota into first place in the AL Central with when they face the Twins in a double header. The Indians won the opening game of this four-game series on Friday 8-1 and have now won five straight at Target Field.

Four of the five consecutive wins at Target Field for Cleveland have come this year with the Indians outscoring Minnesota 28-8.

Cleveland’s Edwin Encarnacion has heated up following a slow start and hit a three-run homer on Friday, which was his fourth home run in his past seven games. Jose Ramirez is hitting well for the Indians going 8 for his last 13 over this past three games.

The loss on Friday was Minnesota’s fourth in its past six games. The Twins pitching staff has given up 41 runs in the four losses. Joe Mauer’s hitting streak of 15 straight games ended in Friday’s game against Cleveland.

In the second half of the double-header, Cleveland will send Mike Clevinger to the mound. The Indians right-hander is 2-3 with an ERA of 4.09. Minnesota will counter with Adalberto Mejia. The Twins left-hander is 1-2 with an ERA of 5.75.

Clevinger struggled in his last outing for the Indians giving up five runs in just four innings while losing to Colorado.

Mejia struggled in his last outing on Monday versus Seattle. The southpaw gave up eight earned runs while walking two in just 3 2/3 innings of action.

Minnesota infielder Eduardo Escobar did not play Friday but is 10-for-14 in his past three games played.

Cleveland is 4-1 in its last 5 games versus opponents from the AL Central.

Minnesota is 8-3 in its last 11 games against opponents from the AL Central.

Prediction: Cleveland has Minnesota’s number at Target Field. Lean toward the Indians to take over first place in this one.