Indians vs. Twins
The Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins will be well-rested when they meet Tuesday night to open a two-game series at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Twins have not played since Thursday because of a snowstorm in Minneapolis and hope to extend their winning streak to four while Cleveland was rained out Saturday and Sunday after winning five of six contests.
Outfielder Eddie Rosario and Wednesday’s scheduled starting pitcher Jose Berrios will play in front of their native country’s fans this week for Minnesota, which is considered the home team on the scoreboard. Shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is 7-for-14 over his last three games, and catcher Roberto Perez of the Indians also expect to get the loudest cheers in their home country. “I don’t know how it’s going to feel. … having my nation in my head,” Perez told The Plain Dealer. “The whole stadium is going to be packed. Fans are going to wear red, white and blue clothing (Puerto Rico’s national colors). It’s going to be crazy.” Two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber will try to slow down Minnesota’s Brian Dozier (11-game hitting streak) and Joe Mauer (10-game hitting streak) while the Twins counter with fellow right-hander Jake Odorizzi on Tuesday.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-1, 1.57 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (1-0, 2.20)
Kluber boasts three quality starts in three opportunities and produced his best outing last time out April 9 against Detroit when he yielded two hits over eight scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts. The 32-year-old Alabama native went 0-1 in his first two starts despite surrendering only four runs on nine hits over 15 innings combined while striking out 14 and walking three. Mauer is 16-for-49 with two homers versus Kluber, who is 8-5 with a 3.31 ERA in 19 career starts against Minnesota.
Odorizzi earned his first victory with the Twins last time out April 10 against Houston when he gave up one run on five hits and five walks over six innings. The 28-year-old Illinois native has limited opponents to a .207 batting average in his first three starts with 13 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings, but has struggled with command while issuing 10 walks. Edwin Encarnacion is 5-for-30 but has a pair of homers against Odorizzi, who is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA in four lifetime starts versus Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez is 6-for-17 with two homers during a five-game hitting streak that followed a 2-for-33 start to the season.
2. Mauer, who reached 2,000 career hits in his last game, is 14-for-34 during his season-long streak and needs two walks to reach 900.
3. The Indians won 12 of the 19 meetings last year as Encarnacion hit six homers and knocked in 18 runs.