Cleveland @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 13, 2013 ) Cleveland 5, Minnesota 2
The Cleveland Indians look to win a series for the first time in three tries when they visit the Minnesota Twins for the rubber match of their three-game set Wednesday afternoon. Cleveland entered its showdown with division rival Minnesota having lost consecutive home series against the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. The Indians suffered their seventh loss in eight contests when they dropped the opener to the Twins but bounced back to post a 5-2 victory on Tuesday.
Ryan Raburn belted a two-run homer and Zach McAllister tossed six strong innings to snap his six-start winless streak as Cleveland pulled within six games of first-place Detroit in the American League Central and within 3 1/2 of the Tampa Bay Rays for the second wild-card spot. The Twins lost for just the second time in six contests and fell to 8-5 in August. Including Josh Willingham's second-inning blast on Tuesday, Minnesota had 23 consecutive runs come via the long ball before Joe Mauer scored on an error in the sixth.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (0-4, 7.75 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-3, 6.43)
Carrasco still is searching for his first victory as he makes his seventh start of the season. The 26-year-old Venezuelan made a relief appearance against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, allowing one hit and three walks in five scoreless innings. Carrasco fell to 1-2 lifetime against Minnesota on June 23, when he yielded three runs and six hits over 4 2/3 frames.
Gibson's winless streak reached four starts Friday as he settled for a no-decision against the White Sox after allowing three runs on four hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings at Chicago. The 25-year-old rookie, who hasn't won since defeating the Yankees in New York on July 14, will be making just his fourth start at home. Gibson never has faced the Indians.
WALK-OFFS
1. Gibson has not pitched more than six innings in eight major-league starts.
2. Carrasco has lost nine consecutive decisions since defeating Arizona on June 29, 2011. He has allowed six or more runs in four of his six starts this season.
3. Minnesota is 3-for-48 with runners in scoring position over its last six games.
PREDICTION: Indians 9, Twins 5