Twins-Cleveland series preview
June 15, 2018 at 3:03AM
Friday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Kyle Gibson (1-4, 3.45) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (10-2, 1.99)
Saturday, 3:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Fernando Romero (3-2, 3.92) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.90)
Sunday, 12:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 4.19) vs. RHP Adam Plutko (3-1, 5.09)
Twins update
The Twins are 12-19 away from Target Field, but have not won a road series since May 7-8 in St. Louis. … They are 4-2 against the Indians this season, 1-1 in Puerto Rico and 3-1 at Target Field. They went 6-3 in Cleveland last year, and have not lost the season series in Progressive Field since 2014. … RF Max Kepler has hit six home runs in 16 career games at Progressive Field, more than any other road stadium. … Closer Fernando Rodney has converted 12 consecutive save opportunities, and has allowed only one run in that stretch. … RHP Matt Belisle was a member of the Indians organization until Tuesday, when he opted out of his contract and signed with the Twins. … 1B Joe Mauer, a lifetime .323 hitter in Cleveland, will rejoin the team this weekend after missing a month because of a cervical strain.
Indians update
The Indians closed May with six consecutive victories, but are only 6-6 since then after beating Chicago 5-2 on Thursday. But they still lead the AL Central by 4½ games, the largest lead of any first-place team. … They are 20-11 at home, and have won seven in a row at Progressive Field. … They no longer have the worst bullpen in the AL, but that's mostly because Kansas City's pen has collapsed. Their 5.60 bullpen ERA is second worst in the majors. … Corey Kluber has not allowed more than three runs in a start since July 29, a streak of 26 consecutive starts. … Jose Ramirez is sixth in the AL in on-base percentage (.387), fourth in OPS (. 994), third in home runs (19) and eighth in RBI (44). … SS Francisco Lindor is fourth in the league in hits (80). … LHP Andrew Miller, who has allowed one run to the Twins in his past 22⅓ innings against them, is on the disabled list because of a knee inflammation.
Phil Miller
about the writer
The eight Twins headed for arbitration are Royce Lewis, Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, Bailey Ober, Ryan Jeffers, Willi Castro, Griffin Jax and Trevor Larnach.
