Twins at Indians
Carlos Carrasco has won his last two starts in dominant fashion, but he gets a chance to avenge his worst outing of the year when the Cleveland Indians resume their three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon. Carrasco has allowed one run in his last two starts but was hammered by the Twins for six runs in 3 2/3 innings on June 1.
An 18-game winner in 2017, which tied for the major-league lead, Carrasco was 4-0 in his first five starts this season, including a no-decision in which he blanked Minnesota on three hits over seven innings. The Twins knocked around reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber in the series opener, getting a two-run homer and three RBIs from slumping Brian Dozier in the 6-3 victory. Joe Mauer was hitless in four at-bats in his first game since May 18 but Eddie Rosario swatted his fifth homer in seven games versus Cleveland this season. Catcher Yan Gomes homered and had an RBI single in Friday's setback for the Indians, who suffered their fourth consecutive loss to Minnesota.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Fernando Romero (3-2, 3.92 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (8-4, 3.90)
Romero halted a five-start winless drought Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing three runs on five hits over five innings to earn his first victory since May 7. The 23-year-old rookie turned in a quality start in his previous turn but had to settle for a no-decision after pitching six innings of two-run ball versus the Chicago White Sox. Batters are hitting .280 against him in four road starts.
Carrasco was overpowering in his last start at the Chicago White Sox on Monday, striking out 11 batters while yielding two hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings. He also went seven innings in his previous turn, giving up one run on eight hits and striking out 10 to beat Milwaukee. Mauer is 12-for-30 against Carrasco, who won all three starts against the Twins in 2017 while posting a 0.92 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rosario is 12-for-30 with the five homers and nine RBIs in seven games versus Cleveland this year.
2. Indians 1B Yonder Alonso was placed on the family medical emergency list and will miss the rest of the series.
3. Dozier became the 10th player with six straight seasons of at least 10 home runs for the Twins.