Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 5, 2014 ) Minnesota 7, Cleveland 3

The Minnesota Twins received mixed results their first time through the rotation and will look for No. 1 Ricky Nolasco to come up with a big effort to solidify things in his second outing. Nolasco, who gave up five runs in his debut, goes to the mound for the visiting Twins in the rubber match of a three-game series Sunday against the Cleveland Indians. Minnesota’s starters have yielded 15 earned runs over 27 1/3 innings in five games after finishing 2013 with the worst ERA in the majors.

If the Twins can swing the bats like they did in snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Indians with a 7-3 victory Saturday, they can be competitive. Cleveland goes back to ace Justin Masterson to try to cool Minnesota’s offense, which has produced 28 runs in five games. The Indians, who are led by Michael Brantley’s five RBIs, attempt to win their second straight series to start the season.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ricky Nolasco (0-1, 7.50 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (0-0, 0.00)

Nolasco faces the Indians for the first time after spending the first eight years of his career in the National League. The 31-year-old allowed 10 hits – including two homers – over six innings in his Twins debut Monday, dropping to 10-15 all time against American League teams. Nolasco was 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 16 outings (15 starts) with the Los Angeles Dodgers to end last season.

Masterson yielded only three hits and struck out four in seven scoreless innings against Oakland to open the season Monday before the Indians won 2-0 in the ninth. The 29-year-old, who features a plus sinker ball, is 3-7 lifetime with a 4.22 ERA against Minnesota, but was 1-0 while allowing Twins batters a .161 batting average last season. Brian Dozier is 6-of-11 against Masterson

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland’s Terry Francona (1,121) and Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire (1,000) are two of five active managers to reach 1,000 wins, trailing San Francisco's Bruce Bochy (1,535), the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Scioscia (1,235) and Baltimore's Buck Showalter (1,164).

2. Minnesota 1B/DH Chris Colabello is batting .389 with seven RBIs through the first five contests.

3. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis only owns three hits, but has been on base eight times with five walks.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 2