Indians at Twins
Cleveland hopes facing the worst team in baseball will get the AL Central leaders back on track. The Indians have lost three in a row and five of their past six, allowing seven runs or more in four of those losses. Boston hung 12 runs on Cleveland pitching Sunday, two days after scoring seven on the Indians. Minnesota finally reached 10 victories on Sunday, holding on to beat Toronto to split a four-game series.
The Twins had lost eight of 10 before beating Toronto on Friday and Sunday. Minnesota had not won two out of three since April 18-20 and sits eight games behind Cleveland in the AL Central. The Indians hope starter Jeanmar Gomez can reverse the recent slide, while Minnesota turns to veteran Carl Pavano in an attempt to win consecutive games for the first time since April 11-12.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cleveland RH Jeanmar Gomez (2-2, 4.66 ERA) vs. Minnesota RH Carl Pavano (2-3, 5.02 ERA).
Gomez has lost two of his past three outings, and Wednesday’s start at Chicago was his worst of the season. The right-hander gave up nine hits and eight earned runs with four walks in 6 2/3 innings.
The 36-year-old Pavano has struggled in his past three starts, giving up 10 earned runs and 24 hits in 16 1/3 innings. Opposing offenses are hitting .298 against the 14-year veteran, who has a WHIP of 1.30.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland has a better road record (10-6) than home record (8-10).
2. Pavano’s next appearance after Monday will be the 300th of his career.
3. Cleveland reliever Vinnie Pestano has struck out at least one hitter in his past 18 appearances.