Twins at Indians
The Cleveland Indians continue to find ways to win with three key players still out of the lineup, moving within three games of first-place Detroit in the American League Central. The Indians look to improve on a 7-2 run when they host the Minnesota Twins in the second contest of a three-game series on Saturday. Nick Swisher could return this weekend from a sore shoulder for Cleveland, while shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quadriceps) and closer Chris Perez (shoulder) may be back next week.
The Twins have also played better of late, winning six of nine before dropping a 5-1 decision to the Indians on Friday. Brian Dozier is swinging a hot bat for Minnesota with eight RBIs in his last six games and homers in four of the last five contests. Former AL MVP Joe Mauer is 8-for-19 over the last four games for the Twins, raising his average to .328.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH P.J. Walters (2-2, 3.23 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (5-4, 3.58)
Walters is 0-2 since winning his first two starts of the season, allowing four runs and nine hits over 5 1/3 innings in his last outing against Detroit. The 28-year-old, who went 2-5 in 12 starts for the Twins in 2012, has struck out 18 and walked nine in 30 2/3 innings this season. Lonnie Chisenhall is 2-for-4 with a homer against Walters, who has yielded six earned runs over 9 1/3 innings in two no-decisions versus Cleveland in his career.
Kluber is emerging as a top-of-the-rotation starter, giving up only one run in 16 innings while winning his last two turns. The right-hander has allowed three or fewer runs in eight of 10 starts and boasts 65 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings with 12 walks. Trevor Plouffe has two homers in five at-bats versus Kluber, who gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Minnesota on May 5. He is 0-1 in four career starts against the Twins.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland’s starting pitchers boast a 2.83 ERA over the last 11 games, averaging a little over 6 1/3 innings per outing.
2. Minnesota 1B Justin Morneau is third among active players with 105 RBIs against the Indians, two behind Alex Rodriguez for second.
3. The Indians are the only undefeated team in the majors in extra innings (5-0).