Twins face former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber in series finale in Cleveland

Both teams have won twice in the five-game set, although the Twins' losses have been bullpen meltdowns.

June 30, 2022 at 3:37PM
Steven Kwan of the Guardians stole second Wednesday as Twins second baseman Luis Arraez applied a late tag. (Ron Schwane, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

CLEVELAND — The Twins have a two-game lead in the American League Central over the Guardians as the teams meet today (12:10 p.m., BSN) at Progressive Field.

But the Twins' lead could be much larger. Wednesday's 7-6 loss in 10 innings was thanks to poor relief pitching by Emilio Pagan and Jharel Cotton, who combined to give up a three-run lead. Both faced the music afterwards, but it's the fourth time the Twins bullpen — and particularly Pagan — have given up a late lead to the Guardians in the past week.

2020 American League Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber (3-4, 3.07 ERA) pitches for Cleveland against Twins righthander Chris Archer (2-3, 3.14).

TWINS LINEUP

Luis Arraez, 2B

Byron Buxton, DH

Carlos Correa, SS

Max Kepler, RF

Steven Kwan, LF

Amed Rosario, SS

Jose Ramirez, 3B

Josh Naylor, DH

Owen Miller, 1B

Andres Gimenez, 2B

Oscar Gonzalez, RF

Sandy Leon, C

Myles Straw, CF

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