Mark your calendars for September 17, 2024, as the Minnesota Twins square off against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The evening game, starting at 6:40 PM, unfolds under a sky of overcast clouds.

The Twins will send Zebby Matthews to the mound, carrying an ERA of 7.105, while the Guardians counter with Gavin Williams, who has an ERA of 5.235. In this season’s AL Central competition, the Twins currently stand 6th with a record of 79-71, displaying a winning percentage of .53 and holding 3rd place in divisional games with a 28-21 record. Their performance has been uneven recently, with just three wins in their last ten games and a current losing streak of one game. The Twins have shown stronger form at home with a 42-33 record than on the road with 37 wins and 38 losses. Meanwhile, the Guardians are performing well, positioned 2nd in the AL Central with an 87-64 record, translating to a .58 winning rate and leading their division games. On a winning streak of three, they have captured six of their last ten games, with standout records of 46-27 at home and 41-37 away.

In light of betting odds, the Guardians are favored with a point spread of -1.5 and a total over/under set at 8.5 runs. Sportsbooks list the Guardians with a preferable -129 money line, indicating stronger confidence in their victory, while the Twins are considered slight underdogs with an away team money line of +110. This positions the Guardians as strong contenders at home, underpinning the need for strategic gameplay from the Twins to secure a win.