Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2011 ) Minnesota 5, Cleveland 6

THE STORY: The season can't get over quickly enough for the Minnesota Twins, who are four defeats away from their first 100-loss season since 1982. Minnesota, which has lost 16 of its last 18 games, has already clinched its first last-place finish since 2000. The Twins and Cleveland Indians play a day-night doubleheader Saturday at Progressive Field. The Indians won Friday night's game 6-5 on Carlos Santana's pinch-hit home run to lead off the ninth. Cleveland has taken nine of 15 in the season series.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Brian Duensing (9-14, 5.29 ERA) vs. Indians LH David Huff (2-6, 4.20 ERA).

Duensing will be making his first start since Sept. 3. His last three appearances have been in relief for a total of 3 1/3 innings. Duensing has already thrown 156 2/3 innings, 26 more than his previous career high. He's not expected to pitch more than four or five innings Saturday. Duensing is 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA in nine appearances (four starts) against the Indians. He's split two decisions this season.

Huff showed signs the Indians could count on him in his first five starts, but that has changed in September. He's lost his last four starts, giving up 25 runs (15 earned) in 19 innings. Huff was handed an early 4-0 lead against Seattle on Monday, but was rocked for nine runs and didn't get through the third inning. He's 3-5 with a 5.52 ERA in eight career starts against the Twins.

ABOUT THE TWINS (60-96): The Twins have had to deal with various maladies, including broken legs, sore shoulders, elbow injuries and oblique strains. Their season, however, can best be summed up by the minor fender-bender that Danny Valencia and Denard Span were involved in Thursday. Span's car rear-ended Valencia's vehicle in bumper-to-bumper traffic while they were driving to the airport following Minnesota's home win over Seattle. Both were held out of the lineup Friday.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (78-78): Jim Thome certainly knows how to celebrate a night held in his honor. He had three hits, including a two-run homer, and drove in three runs Friday on Jim Thome Night. Thome has hit 337 of his 604 career homers in a Cleveland uniform. If he decides to play next season, it's doubtful it will be with the Indians, who have Travis Hafner signed for $13 million to be their DH in 2012.

FINAL PITCH: Indians manager Manny Acta said Justin Masterson won't pitch again this season. Masterson has struggled in September and has already pitched a career-high 216 innings.