Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Pick & Prediction MAY 1st 2025

Preview and Prediction

The Cleveland Guardians have recovered nicely from being soundly defeated by the visiting Minnesota Twins at the start of the current four-game series.

On Thursday, the Guardians will aim to secure the series from the Twins with a third consecutive triumph.

Cleveland lost the final two games of a three-game home series against the Boston Red Sox before being beaten 11-1 by the Twins on Monday.

However, after Kyle Manzardo's walk-off homer in the ninth inning led the Guardians to a much-needed 2-1 victory on Tuesday, Bo Naylor's second home run in as many nights, a three-run shot over the right field wall, highlighted their four-run seventh in a 4-2 win on Wednesday.

"We will have our highs and lows," said Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt, whose team is 5-4 on a season-high, 10-game homestand. "But I am really pleased with the direction this team is heading in."

Meanwhile, Minnesota had scored a total of 32 runs during their season-high four-game winning streak before Tuesday. However, the Twins' bats were held in check, recording just 13 combined hits over the last two nights after a season-high 17 on Monday.

The Twins, who have a record of 4-12 on the road this season, also struck out 13 times on Wednesday.

Despite the Twins' cooling off at the plate, Minnesota's Trevor Larnach had two hits on Wednesday and is batting .324 (11-for-34) with nine RBIs in his last nine games.

Scheduled Minnesota starter Simeon Woods Richardson (2-2, 4.07 ERA) has earned a winning decision in two of his last three starts. In Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, the right-hander allowed one run, four hits, and no walks while striking out a season-high seven batters over 5 1/3 innings in the Twins' 5-1 victory.

"I just have to stick to the game plan and execute," Woods Richardson said. "It's still 60 feet, 6 inches, and you still have to stick to your game plan."

Woods Richardson was impressive against the Guardians last season, posting a 2.12 ERA in three starts, despite Minnesota losing all three games. Those were the only times he has faced the Twins in his career.

Cleveland star Jose Ramirez is 0-for-8 against Woods Richardson, but he had two hits on Wednesday after going 1-for-7 in the first two games of the series. Naylor, Steven Kwan, and Manzardo have all hit home runs against Woods Richardson.

Scheduled Cleveland starter Ben Lively (1-2, 4.40 ERA) will be looking to be more efficient than in Game 1 of a Saturday doubleheader against Boston, where he allowed four runs, including a three-run homer and a solo shot, as well as four other hits and three walks over five innings in a no-decision.

Although the right-hander has yet to record a quality start in any of his six outings this year, the Guardians have won four of those games.

"I just have to be aggressive and throw competitive pitches no matter what," Lively said. "You just have to dig deep. Of course, I want to go longer. ... You just have to bear down and get as much as you can."

Lively has never started against Minnesota, but he has a 9.00 ERA in two relief appearances against the Twins.

Minnesota's Edouard Julien and Christian Vazquez have a combined 4-for-5 record against Lively.

PREDICTION

Minnesota Twins

4

5

Cleveland Indians

Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians Recap SEP 19TH 2024