Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins Picks and Prediction for Thursday, July 9, 2026
Use Code SSWC The Cleveland Guardians visit the Minnesota Twins on Thursday at 1:40 PM ET at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cleveland enters at 47-45 and sits second in the AL Central, one game behind the division-leading White Sox, while Minnesota is 45-47 and third in the division. The Twins opened this three-game series with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday and have now won three straight games. Cleveland has dropped three consecutive contests after briefly climbing into the division race. Cash in big with our free MLB picks.
Cleveland Guardians Looking to Snap Three-Game Losing Streak
Cleveland has struggled to produce offense consistently this season, batting .229 as a team, which ranks near the bottom of Major League Baseball. The Guardians have scored 363 runs while recording 691 hits, 85 home runs, a .310 on-base percentage, and a .366 slugging percentage. Chase DeLauter has been Cleveland's most productive hitter, batting .276 with eight home runs and a team-high 41 RBI. Brayan Rocchio owns a .273 average with 81 hits, while José Ramírez has contributed 10 home runs despite missing time. The loss of Angel Martínez also removes another power threat after he hit 11 home runs before landing on the injured list.
Despite the offensive inconsistency, the Guardians continue to stay competitive because of their pitching. Cleveland ranks ninth in MLB with a 3.77 ERA and owns a 1.27 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .238 batting average. Guardians pitchers have recorded 828 strikeouts, one of the better totals in the American League, and have consistently kept games within reach.
Injuries: José Ramírez (10-Day IL), Angel Martínez (10-Day IL).
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Minnesota Twins Looking to Build Momentum
Minnesota has been one of the stronger offensive clubs in the American League despite sitting below .500. The Twins rank 12th in MLB with a .248 batting average and have scored 451 runs while collecting 772 hits, 117 home runs, a .322 on-base percentage, and a .416 slugging percentage. Byron Buxton has powered the lineup with 25 home runs while batting .271, although he is currently on the injured list. Josh Bell leads the club with 60 RBI, while Trevor Larnach is hitting .289 and Kody Clemens has added 16 home runs.
The Twins have relied more on their offense than their pitching this season. Minnesota ranks 26th in MLB with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP while opponents are batting .252 against its staff. The pitching numbers have been inconsistent throughout the season, but the offense has helped compensate by producing one of the better home run totals in the league.
Injuries: Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews, Ryan Jeffers, Byron Buxton, Cole Sands.
Pitching Matchup
Cleveland Guardians – Gavin Williams
Williams enters with a 9-4 record, a 3.89 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP across 106.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed only 90 hits while striking out 123 batters and walking 36. Williams has been one of Cleveland's most dependable starters this season and has consistently worked deep into games.
Minnesota Twins – Mike Paredes
Paredes is 0-2 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 29.1 innings. He has surrendered 27 hits, six home runs, and 11 walks while striking out 15 batters. The young right-hander has been solid but has struggled to miss bats consistently.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins Game Pick
- Cleveland Guardians
Williams gives Cleveland a clear advantage on the mound, and the Guardians continue to own one of the better pitching staffs in baseball. Minnesota has played well offensively during its recent winning streak, but Paredes has struggled to deliver consistent outings and has already allowed six home runs in limited innings. Cleveland's offense has been quiet lately, yet Williams is capable of controlling this matchup long enough for the Guardians to end their losing streak.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins Over/Under Pick
- Under
Williams has consistently limited opposing hitters, while Cleveland's pitching staff ranks among the top 10 in MLB in ERA. The Guardians have struggled offensively throughout the season, averaging fewer than four runs per game, and Minnesota could have difficulty producing against one of the better strikeout pitchers in the American League. Expect pitching to dictate the matchup, making the under the stronger play.
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