Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions August 3rd 2025

Cleveland Guardians vs Minnesota Twins August 3rd 2025

The Minnesota Twins will take on the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The Twins have had a tough stretch, losing their last four games. They hold a record of 51-59 and are ranked fourth in the AL Central. José Ureña will start on the mound for the Twins, bringing an ERA of 5.40.

The Guardians come into this game with a record of 56-54, sitting in second place in the division. They are on a four-game winning streak and have been strong in their last ten games. Joey Cantillo will start for the Guardians, with an ERA of 4.14. The game will be played in clear sky conditions, making for a pleasant afternoon of baseball.

Twins vs Guardians Key Information

• Sport: Baseball
• Teams: Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Guardians
• Venue: Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH
• Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
• Betting Odds: Twins Moneyline +142, Guardians Moneyline -168, Twins Runline +1.5 (-151), Guardians Runline -1.5 (+126), Total Over 8.5 (-101), Total Under 8.5 (-120)

The Twins Can Win If…

The Minnesota Twins are looking to bounce back after a close 5-4 loss against the Cleveland Guardians. In that game, Matt Wallner hit a home run and drove in two runs. Royce Lewis also contributed with two hits and an RBI, showing the Twins’ potential to score runs.

The Twins have shown strength in hitting home runs, ranking 11th in the league with 126 homers this season. Their lineup includes power hitters like Matt Wallner and Kody Clemens, who have 14 and 12 home runs, respectively. This ability to hit long balls can be a game-changer, giving them an edge over their opponents.

José Ureña will start for the Twins with an ERA of 5.40. While his numbers may not be the best, the Twins’ bullpen has been strong, with only 15 blown saves, ranking 4th in the league. If Ureña can deliver a quality start, the bullpen can help secure a win.

The Guardians Can Win If…

The Cleveland Guardians are coming off a close 5-4 win against the Minnesota Twins. José Ramírez played a big role with a home run and two RBIs. Daniel Schneemann and Bo Naylor also contributed with key hits, helping the Guardians secure the victory.

The Guardians have shown strong pitching and hitting in recent games. Their team ERA of 3.86 ranks 13th, while their batting average against is .241, ranking 11th. These stats indicate their ability to limit opponents’ scoring, which can be crucial in securing another win.

Joey Cantillo will take the mound for the Guardians. With an ERA of 4.14 and a WHIP of 1.44, he has the potential to keep the Twins’ hitters in check. The Guardians’ lineup, led by José Ramírez, aims to continue their winning streak with consistent performances at the plate.

The Lean

The Guardians are favored with a moneyline of -168. Their pitching has been stronger with an ERA of 3.86 compared to the Twins’ 4.28. Given the Guardians’ better pitching stats, the recommendation is to pick the Guardians to win. The model projects a score of Guardians 5, Twins 3.

The total for the game is set at 8.5. The Guardians have a solid batting average of .228, while the Twins have a .241 average. Considering both teams’ offensive and defensive stats, the projected total score is 8. The recommendation is to take the under 8.5 at -120.

New-Look Twins Eye Fresh Start in Finale vs. Guardians

After trading away nearly 40% of their roster before the weekend, the Minnesota Twins find themselves in full rebuild mode but still searching for signs of life. Despite back-to-back losses in tight contests, Minnesota enters Sunday’s finale against the Cleveland Guardians with a sense of possibility — and urgency.

Sunday’s pitching duel will feature journeyman Jose Urena (0-0, 5.40 ERA) for the Twins against young lefty Joey Cantillo (2-1, 4.14 ERA), as both teams close out a tightly contested series at Progressive Field.

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Twins Battle On After Fire Sale

Minnesota’s post-deadline transformation has opened the door for new faces and fresh energy. The team dealt away stars like Carlos Correa, Jhoan Duran, and outfielder Harrison Bader, forcing manager Rocco Baldelli to rely on untested arms like Kody Funderburk and Pierson Ohl in late-inning situations. Unfortunately for the Twins, both relievers took losses in the first two games of the series.

Yet catcher Ryan Jeffers sees opportunity in the roster upheaval. “Some of us now get a second chance with this,” he said. “I don’t think we’re going to go out there and play terrible baseball.”

The Twins have shown they’re willing to embrace the challenge, even calling up Urena on short notice from Triple-A St. Paul. Originally signed as veteran rotation depth, Urena is now thrust into a key role as Minnesota tries to halt its slide.

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Cleveland Keeps Rolling Behind Ramirez

While Minnesota resets, the Guardians are making a serious push for the postseason. They’ve won 16 of their last 22 and now trail the final American League Wild Card spot by just two games. Their surge is fueled by the MVP-caliber play of Jose Ramirez, who continues to deliver when it matters most.

On Jose Ramirez Jersey Day, the All-Star third baseman crushed a game-tying two-run homer and later scored the go-ahead run in a 5-4 win. Over his last 25 games, Ramirez is hitting .312 with nine homers, 21 RBIs, and 27 runs scored.

“He knows when we need homers and singles, and he just gets on base to make things happen,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “We don’t take it for granted that we get to watch him every single day.”

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Pitching Outlook: Urena Returns, Cantillo Gaining Ground

Urena makes his return to the majors with something to prove. The well-traveled 33-year-old has pitched for three different clubs already this season, and his call-up represents the unpredictable nature of the Twins’ new era. His career record vs. Cleveland includes a 0-1 mark with a 3.95 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

Cantillo, meanwhile, has shown flashes of promise since his recall from Triple-A in early July. In five starts, he’s 1-1 with a 4.57 ERA and has held the Twins to just a 2.77 ERA over four previous appearances. He’ll need to continue limiting hard contact against a scrappy Minnesota lineup that’s still adjusting to life after the deadline.

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Final Word

The Twins are embracing their rebuild, while the Guardians are surging toward October. Sunday’s matchup offers both clubs another test of identity — Cleveland with momentum and postseason goals, and Minnesota searching for silver linings in a reset season.