Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions August 1st 2025

Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins August 1st 2025

The Minnesota Twins will visit the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The game is set for Friday, August 1, 2025, at 7:10 PM. The Twins have a record of 51-57 and are ranked fourth in the AL Central.

The Guardians hold a 54-54 record, placing them second in the division. The weather forecast suggests a warm day with a light breeze. Joe Ryan will start for the Twins, while Gavin Williams will take the mound for the Guardians.

Twins vs Guardians Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians
• Venue: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
• Date: Friday, August 1, 2025
• Betting Odds: Twins Moneyline -105, Guardians Moneyline -113, Twins Runline -1.5 (+161), Guardians Runline +1.5 (-199), Total Over 7.5 (+101), Total Under 7.5 (-122)

The Twins Can Win If…

The Minnesota Twins are coming off a tough 13-1 loss against the Boston Red Sox. Despite the loss, Matt Wallner showed power with a solo home run. Harrison Bader also contributed with two hits, providing some hope for the Twins’ lineup.

The Twins have the potential to win with their home run capability, ranking 13th in the league with 125 home runs this season. Joe Ryan will be on the mound, boasting a strong 2.82 ERA and a 10-5 record. His performance could be a game-changer, as his WHIP of 0.92 is among the best.

Brooks Lee and Ryan Jeffers are key players to watch, both contributing significantly in recent games. Lee has hit 10 home runs, while Jeffers has a solid .255 batting average. With their hitting and Ryan’s pitching, the Twins have a good chance to bounce back.

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians are coming off a strong 5-0 win against the Colorado Rockies. Kolby Allard pitched well, allowing only one hit in 3 1/3 innings with five strikeouts. David Fry had a standout performance, hitting a home run and driving in two runs.

Cleveland’s recent success can be attributed to their solid pitching and timely hitting. Their team ERA of 3.90 ranks 14th, showing they can keep opponents’ scores low. José Ramírez is a key player, leading the team with a .298 batting average and 21 home runs.

Gavin Williams will start for Cleveland, bringing a 3.51 ERA into the game. The Guardians have been effective at home, winning four of their last five home games. With a lineup featuring hitters like Ramírez and Manzardo, they have the firepower to score runs against any opponent.

The Lean

The moneyline pick for the game is the Guardians at -113. The Guardians have a slightly better team ERA at 3.90, which ranks 14th, compared to the Twins’ 4.29, which ranks 23rd. This pitching advantage gives the Guardians a better chance to win, with a projected score of Guardians 4, Twins 3.

For the over/under, the recommendation is to take the under at 7.5 (-122). Both teams have solid pitching, with the Guardians ranking 11th in batting average against at .242. The projected total score is 7, which supports the under bet.

Following Stunning Fire Sale, Rebuilding Twins Visit Guardians

The Minnesota Twins open a three-game road series Friday against the Cleveland Guardians, but most of the attention isn’t on the standings — it’s on who’s left in Minnesota’s clubhouse.

In a stunning two-day fire sale, the Twins traded away 10 of their 26 active players, including franchise cornerstone Carlos Correa, closer Jhoan Duran, and outfielder Harrison Bader. Correa returns to the Astros, along with $33 million in cash to offset his remaining contract.

“There are moves and decisions we have to make in this game that are the best for the team,” said manager Rocco Baldelli, whose depleted squad now leans heavily on top prospects and journeymen call-ups.

Minnesota’s teardown netted eight promising prospects, signaling a shift toward long-term rebuilding. The only constants? Joe Ryan (10-5, 2.82 ERA) and Byron Buxton — although Buxton was placed on the injured list with a rib injury just hours after the dust settled.

Joe Ryan Aims to Stop Slide vs. Cleveland

Ryan will take the mound Friday night trying to steady the ship. He’s 3-4 with a 2.58 ERA in 10 career starts vs. Cleveland, but has lost four of his last five against them. He’s coming off a rough outing against Washington, surrendering five runs (four earned) in five innings.

Looking for insights into Ryan’s recent trends and where he might stack up against Cleveland’s lineup? Check our full slate of MLB picks and predictions to dig deeper.

Guardians Hold Steady and Go for Playoffs

While the Twins offloaded stars, Cleveland kept its core intact, resisting trade inquiries for Steven Kwan and other key pieces. At three games out of a Wild Card spot, the Guardians are looking to climb the standings behind solid pitching and disciplined at-bats.

Gavin Williams (6-4, 3.51 ERA) starts for the Guardians. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has a 3.24 ERA in six career starts vs. the Twins and is 1-1 against them this season. He’s had three no-decisions in his last four starts due to late bullpen collapses.

Track every starter’s recent form and matchup edge using the MLB scores and odds dashboard for Friday’s slate.

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Bieber Shipped Out, Rotation Youth Movement Begins

Cleveland did make one notable move, sending former AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber to the Blue Jays in exchange for pitching prospect Khai Stephen. Bieber is nearing a return from Tommy John surgery and was not expected to pitch meaningful innings down the stretch.

“Ross [Atkins] continued to reach out and express interest,” said Guardians exec Chris Antonetti. “Technology gave us a good read on where Beebs was in rehab.”

Explore how this affects the Guardians’ postseason push in the expert betting guide for MLB.

Series Outlook

The Twins are playing for the future, while the Guardians are chasing October. Expect a contrast in energy, urgency, and motivation. The series begins Friday night in Cleveland, where the Guardians are expected to be heavy favorites against a shell-shocked Minnesota roster.

Want a full overview of team trends, injuries, and depth charts after the deadline? Visit the MLB teams page for detailed breakdowns.