Twins at Indians (Game 2)
The Cleveland Indians look to put some pressure on in the race for the American League Central title when they host the first-place Minnesota Twins for a split doubleheader Saturday after the series opener was rained out. The Indians have won four straight to pull within 3 1/2 games of the Twins in the division and the teams were tied 2-2 in the third inning Friday before inclement weather and an ominous forecast caused the postponement.
Francisco Lindor belted four homers and knocked in six runs in his last six games - five won by Cleveland - while teammate Yasiel Puig has hit safely in nine of his last 10 contests overall and is 26-for-56 with two homers and 10 RBIs in his career against Minnesota. Nelson Cruz belted his 36th homer to tie Max Kepler for the team lead Thursday in a 12-6 setback against Washington as Minnesota lost for the fifth time in eight contests, but it is 48-24 on the road this year - the best record in the majors. Versatile rookie Luis Arraez had a double in the latest loss for the Twins to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, in which he is 17-for-39. The Indians, who are also in the middle of a tight three-team race for two wild card spots in the AL, have won nine of the 16 games versus Minnesota in 2019 and can win the season series for the fourth straight year with one victory this weekend.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins TBD vs. Indians TBD
The Twins were expecting to go with an opener in Saturday’s single game and manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters after Friday’s postponement they will cover 18 innings with the bullpen. Right-hander Randy Dobnak (0-1, 2.25 ERA) has opened a game twice in his last three outings, giving up two runs over two innings Sunday against Cleveland in one. Lefties Devin Smeltzer (1-2, 4.05) and Lewis Thorpe (2-2, 5.30), along with righty Kohl Stewart (2-2, 6.66), have also started games this year.
The Indians won’t push ace Shane Bieber up after he threw 111 pitches Monday in a victory and could use a number of pitchers in Game 2. Carlos Carrasco (5-7, 5.35), who has pitched five times since returning from a diagnosis of leukemia, could get some innings after gaining the win against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday with 1 2/3 scoreless frames. Right-hander Jefry Rodriguez (1-5, 4.74), out since early June due to a shoulder injury, could also be an option since being activated recently.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario needs two homers to give the franchise four players with at least 30 blasts for the first time in its history.
2. Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana boasts a team-high 34 homers - four against the Twins - and needs one to record a career high.
3. Kepler (shoulder) and Twins 3B Miguel Sano (back) both returned to the lineup in Friday’s abbreviated contest.