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Guardians vs. Twins prediction and odds for Thursday, June 1

By Josh Yourish

May 27, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (61) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (61) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Last season it was the Cleveland Guardians that took the AL Central crown, but as June begins they are 25-30, 3.5 games back of the 29-27 Minnesota Twins, but with a chance to erase that entire deficit this weekend. The Guardians lead the season series 2-1 over the Twins as they begin this four-game series which could be crucial to how the divisional race plays out.

For Game 1 the Twins will hand the ball to Pablo Lopez at home while the Guardians counter with Tanner Bibee. Lopez is 3-3 with a 4.11 ERA and Bibee comes into his seventh start with a 2.88 ERA and a record of 1-1.

It’s an AL Central rivalry, so let’s get right into the odds for the first of four in Minnesota.

Guardians vs. Twins odds, run line and total

Guardians vs. Twins prediction and pick

Tanner Bibee has been a revelation for the Guardians who are in need of a boost to their pitching staff. The rookie has a 2.88 ERA with a 3.02 FIP and a 2.85 xERA. He had one rough start back on May 5, four earned runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings, but since then he’s allowed four total runs in 19.2 innings with 19 strikeouts to five walks. Despite his excellence, the Guardians are 2-4 in his six starts. He has gotten very little run support and Cleveland could struggle to score against Pablo Lopez today.

In May, the Guardians were 27th in runs scored and had a .641 OPS which was 29th in baseball. Only the A’s were worse for the past month in terms of OPS and that is not good company to keep this season. Even worse, they hit the fewest home runs in baseball with 16 last month, five came off the bat of Josh Naylor which led the team.

The offense for the Guardians is concerning, but eventually they have to give Bibee some sort of support and I’ll bank on them to turn over a new leaf in June. Bibee is pitching too well to bet against, especially when Lopez has allowed 11 earned runs across his last three starts.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change