Minnesota @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( May 1, 2010 ) Minnesota 4, Cleveland 5
For the first time this season, the Minnesota Twins have hit a bump in the road.
It could be a minor one but it's a bump nevertheless.
Following Saturday night's 5-4 loss to Cleveland in 11 innings, the Twins have lost three of four. Minnesota came to town having dropped two of three in Detroit for its first series loss of the season.
The mark of a good baseball team is one that can deal with injuries. The Twins have been dealing with them since spring training.
The ability to overcome adversity is the main reason Minnesota is on top of the American League Central and has one of the best records in baseball going into today’s finale of a three-game series with the Indians.
The Twins lost Joe Nathan, one of the top closers of this era, for the season in March because of an elbow injury. Jon Rauch stepped in as closer and has converted seven of his first eight save opportunities.
First baseman Justin Morneau missed two full games with back stiffness, but returned Friday night and hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat. Morneau homered again Saturday.
The Twins are now playing without catcher Joe Mauer, who bruised his left heel running out a ground ball Friday night. Mauer, the reigning American League MVP and batting champ, missed Saturday night's game and it's unclear when he will return. He's listed as day-to-day.
Sending Francisco Liriano to the mound today could be a cure for any problem. The left-hander has pitched 23 consecutive scoreless innings, including eight shutout innings against the Indians at Target Field on April 21. Liriano has the lowest ERA in the league (0.93) and looks like the pitcher who dominated hitters in 2006 when he went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA.
Liriano's story since then has been well chronicled. He missed the entire 2007 season after Tommy John surgery and struggled in 2008 and 2009, but seems to have regained his top form. Liriano has been locating his fastball and slider, keeping hitters off-balance and regaining his confidence.
Indians starter David Huff has lost his last two starts, including a defeat in Anaheim on Monday. Huff allowed three runs in the first before holding the Angels scoreless the next four innings.
Just when it looked like he was going to dig himself from the rough beginning, he gave up a two-run homer to Bobby Abreu in the sixth. Huff ended up allowing five runs and 12 hits in 5 1-3 innings.