Struggling Twins Face Tough Task against Indians Cliff Lee

The Chicago White Sox in the AL Central with just 11 regular season games remaining.

Minnesota has also dropped six of their last ten games overall and looks to avoid getting swept by the Cleveland Indians (74-77 SU, 71-76-3 O/U, 74-76 RL) in tonight’s matchup.

Beating the Indians however will certainly be a tough task as the Twins will face likely 2008 Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee, (22-2, 2.36 ERA).

Lee has won 11 consecutive decisions and owns the lowest ERA in all of baseball, not to mention the fact that he has posted a spectacular 10-0 record at home in 13 starts.

"It's not over yet," Lee said. “So far, it's going pretty good. But I'm not going to start patting myself on the back yet."

Lee picked up a victory in his last start despite allowing four earned runs and a season high 11 hits in 8.1 innings of Cleveland’s 12-5 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

After losing to Cleveland 12-9 on Tuesday on a walk-off home run by Indians catcher Victor Martinez, the Twins will turn to veteran right-hander Scott Baker (9-4, 3.57) to help the club get back in the win column.

Baker limited the Baltimore Orioles to one run on four hits in six innings in Saturday’s 12-2 victory. Baker will pitch on three days’ rest tonight.

Here is a look at tonight’s key online MLB betting Free Picks:

The Twins are 4-1 in Baker’s last 5 Wednesday starts.
The Twins are 11-4 in Baker’s last 15 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Indians are 4-0 in Lee’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Indians are 5-0 in Lee’s last 5 starts vs. American League Central.
The Over is 7-0 in Baker’s last 7 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Under is 4-0 in Lee’s last 4 starts vs. a team with a winning record.

MLB Odds

Minnesota Twins +1½ -155

Scott Baker-R +145

Cleveland Indians -1½ +135

Cliff Lee –L -165

Over 7½ -120

Under 7½ Ev

Analysis: It’s a shame the Twins are faltering at the worst possible moment, but I just don’t see them beating the Indians tonight with Cliff Lee on the mound. Take Cleveland to push the Twins one step closer to the brink of postseason elimination with a solid win tonight.

MLB Free Picks: Indians 5 Twins 2