Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2012 ) Minnesota 3, Cleveland 4

The Cleveland Indians are on an absolute tear as they open a three-game series at home against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. The Indians have won four straight games by a combined score of 39-5, an astounding margin for a team that loaded up on big bats this offseason and is seeing some of that work come to fruition. They have produced 59 hits (at least 14 each game) and 11 home runs during the run.

What is even more promising for Cleveland is the work of its starting rotation, which has been a question mark until recently. The Indians get to turn to staff leader Justin Masterson in the opener against Minnesota. The Twins were able to claim the finale of a three-gamer in Detroit by picking up a 6-2 win Wednesday. Scott Diamond and three relievers combined to stymie the powerful Tigers as Minnesota returned to .500.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Pedro Hernandez (1-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.12)

Hernandez is coming off the best outing of his young career. He threw five scoreless innings in a 7-2 victory over Texas on Saturday in his first start since April 7. The 24-year-old left-hander showed some growth by stranding at least one runner in each of the first four innings before retiring the side in his final frame. Although it only includes two starts, Hernandez has an 11.00 ERA on the road in his career, allowing opponents to hit .381 against him. He has never faced Cleveland.

Masterson has hit a snag after a phenomenal start to his season. He was 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA through three starts, but is 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA in his last three. That includes a rough one Sunday at Kansas City, which reached the right-hander for seven runs in 6 1/3 innings. Masterson is 2-7 with a 4.38 ERA in 17 games (14 starts) against the Twins, but picked up one of those victories in his last home game against Minnesota last August when he allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings. Masterson has given up one home run and walked four in each of his last two outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins won 12 of 18 meetings against Cleveland in 2012.

2. Cleveland claimed outfielder Ezequiel Carrera off waivers from Philadelphia on Thursday. Carrera hit .255 with a pair of homers and 18 steals in 116 games for the Indians in 2011 and 2012 combined.

3. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier is 3-for-5 with a double and four walks in nine plate appearances against Masterson.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 4