Series Preview: Indians vs. Twins

Coming into this match-up these two teams are playing like their positions in the standings are completely switched. The Twins are winners of four straight and scored 26 runs in a sweep of the Royals. The Indians, well not so much. Swept by the Rangers in a rather convincing fashion and are looking to rebound and get back on the winning track. Their lead atop the division has been trimmed to a slim 2 1/2 games over the Tigers while Minnesota still sits in the basement of the central.

June 6-8, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

• Minnesota – The Twins are coming off of a sweep of division foe Kansas City and they did so in convincing fashion. The Twins put up 26 runs over the four day affair and no win was closer than three runs. When these two teams met up in April the Twins took two out of a possible two after the first game of the series was rained out. One of those wins was a 10-3 drubbing of the Tribe.

• Cleveland – The Indians were shut out in the final two games of their series. Manager Manny Acta moved Orlando Cabrera into the second spot and put Asdrubal Cabrera at No. 3, shifting slumping outfielder Shin-Soo Choo down three spots to sixth in Sunday’s 2-0 loss. The Tribe also wasn’t as sound defensively as they have been all season and errors were a contributor in their 6-3 loss in the first game of the Rangers series. All season this team has been able to put tough losses behind them and we will see if they can do so after getting swept.

Pitching Match-up(s)

Game 1 –  Scott Baker vs. Josh Tomlin

• Scott Baker  2-4, 3.86 ERA

Baker was his own worst enemy against the Tigers on Wednesday, walking two batters before giving up a crucial three-run homer to Miguel Cabrera. He ended up allowing four runs over six innings.

• Josh Tomlin  7-2, 3.27 ERA

Tomlin has made five starts at home this season, going 4-0 with a 2.53 ERA for the Tribe. In a road outing on Wednesday, the right-hander won despite allowing six runs on eight hits over six innings against Toronto.

Game 2 – Francisco Liriano vs . Carlos Carrasco

• Francisco Liriano  3-5, 5.73 ERA

Liriano, who has been battling back from left shoulder inflammation, is scheduled to make his return. He has been on the disabled list since May 30, retroactive to May 23.

• Carlos Carrasco  4-3, 5.18 ERA

Carrasco has gone 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA since returning from the disabled list after a right elbow issue. On Thursday, the righty yielded six runs (five earned) in six innings in a loss at home against the Rangers.

Game 3 – Carl Pavano vs. Justin Masterson

• Carl Pavano  3-5, 4.83 ERA

Pavano recorded his 100th career win in his last start at Kansas City with a complete game effort. He allowed nine hits but only two runs.

• Justin Masterson  5-4, 3.28 ERA

Masterson’s winless drought continued on Friday with a loss against Texas. The righty was charged with four runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings, in which he fanned seven. Masterson is 0-4 with a 4.05 ERA in his last seven starts.

Probable Lineups (Game 1)

Minnesota

1. RF Ben Revere
2. SS Alexi Casilla
3. CF Denard Span
4. 1B Michael Cuddyer
5. DH Justin Morneau
6. LF Delmon Young
7. 3B Luke Hughes
8. 2B Matt Tolbert
9.    C Drew Butera

Cleveland

1. LF Michael Brantley
2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera
3. CF Grady Sizemore
4.    C Carlos Santana
5. RF Shin-Soo Choo
6. 1B Matt LaPorta
7. DH Travis Buck
8. 2B Orlando Cabrera
9. 3B Jack Hannahan