Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2015 ) Minnesota 0, Cleveland 0

The Minnesota Twins are playing solid baseball but it remains uncertain whether the team can land the American League's second wild-card berth entering Wednesday's doubleheader against the host Cleveland Indians. Minnesota has won six of its last eight games and it trails the Los Angeles Angels by 1 1/2 games for the final spot.

Minnesota won the opener of the four-game set before Tuesday's contest was rained out, while the Indians' wild-card hopes are on life support as they sit five games behind Los Angeles. Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe is just 1-for-15 over his past four games but the lone hit was a two-run homer in Monday's three-run first inning. Cleveland left fielder Michael Brantley was scratched prior to Monday's postponement as he continues to struggle with the left shoulder soreness that recently caused him to miss four games. Brantley, who might be shut down for the season, hasn't gone deep in his last 11 games after opening September with four homers in nine contests.

TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (6-10, 4.09 ERA) vs. Indians RH Cody Anderson (6-3, 3.31)

Pelfrey is 0-3 during a streak of seven winless starts. He has allowed one run three times during the stretch but also has lasted fewer than five innings three times. Pelfrey worked just 3 2/3 innings against the Indians on Aug. 7 when he gave up seven runs (four earned) and nine hits in a no-decision and is 2-1 with a 3.35 ERA in seven career outings.

Anderson has won four consecutive starts and has allowed four runs during the stretch. He got the victory against Gibson last week when he gave up one runs and 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. Anderson was torched for six runs in 2 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Twins on Aug. 7.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians OF/3B Lonnie Chisenhall is 3-for-24 over the last seven contests.

2. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier has homered just once in the last 19 games and is two shy of his first 30-homer campaign.

3. Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana is 3-for-29 over his past eight games but has two homers, one triple and eight RBIs during the stretch.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, Indians 3