Indians at Twins (Game 1)
The Cleveland Indians have felt quite comfortable at Target Field this season and can push their way into first place in the American League Central when they visit the Minnesota Twins for a split doubleheader Saturday. The Indians took the series opener 8-1 on Friday to extend their winning streak to five at Minnesota, including four this season while outscoring the Twins 28-8.
Slugger Edwin Encarnacion continues to warm up for the Indians after a slow start while belting a three-run homer Friday - his fourth blast in the last seven games to push his season total to 14. Jose Ramirez is also a sizzling 8-for-13 with three RBIs over the last three games for Cleveland, which trails first-place Minnesota by one game in the Central heading into the weekend. The Twins lost for the fourth time in six games Friday, managing just four hits, and have allowed 41 runs in those four setbacks. Joe Mauer saw his 15-game hitting streak against the Indians come to an end in the series opener, but Eddie Rosario provided the only run with a solo homer and owns a .309 career batting average against Cleveland.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Ryan Merritt (2016: 1-0, 1.64 ERA) vs. Twins LH Adam Wilk (0-1, 6.75)
Merritt will be recalled to make his first major-league start of the season after going 6-5 with a 3.96 ERA in 12 appearances (11 starts) with Triple-A Columbus. The 25-year-old Texan endeared himself to Indians fans in the playoffs last season when he tossed 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball against Toronto in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series. Merritt allowed two runs on six hits with no walks in 11 innings during the regular season in 2016, including one scoreless frame versus Minnesota.
Wilk is expected to get his first start in a Minnesota uniform after two relief appearances, including one against the Indians when he yielded two runs on three hits over 3 1/3 innings on May 14. The 29-year-old Long Beach State product made one start for the New York Mets earlier this season before being claimed on waivers, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings. Jason Kipnis homered earlier this season against Wilk, who made his other three major-league starts for Detroit in 2012.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota INF Eduardo Escobar sat out Friday’s game after going 10-for-14 over his last three contests.
2. Cleveland OF Brandon Guyer (wrist) began a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Columbus.
3. Twins 2B Brian Dozier has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games with three homers and seven RBIs in that span.