Cleveland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2018 ) Cleveland 6, Minnesota 2

Jose Ramirez is starting to warm up again after a brief slump and the All-Star third baseman looks to finish off a torrid series when his Cleveland Indians visit the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon. Ramirez was 0-for-16 during a six-game stretch before going 5-for-8 with two homers and four RBIs in the first two contests in the series as the Indians evened the set with a 6-2 triumph Tuesday.

Greg Allen went 3-for-4 with three runs scored in Tuesday’s win, but was sent to Triple-A Columbus following the game to make room on the roster after Cleveland acquired center fielder Leonys Martin from Detroit at the trade deadline. Surging Carlos Carrasco looks for his fifth straight win when he takes the mound in the rubber match for the Indians and Minnesota counters with left-hander Adalberto Mejia. The Twins, who sit nine games behind first-place Cleveland in the American League Central, made two trades for prospects on Monday and dealt 2015 All-Star second baseman Brian Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Logan Forsythe and a pair of minor leaguers Tuesday. Minnesota’s top hitter, Eddie Rosario, needs to get on track again after going 1-for-16 in his last four games - 0-for-8 in the series after belting six homers in the first nine contests against the Indians this year.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Facebook Watch

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (12-5, 3.89 ERA) vs. Twins LH Adalberto Mejia (1-0, 3.65)

Carrasco has won four straight decisions, including a one-inning relief stint July 15 against the New York Yankees in a 5-2 triumph. The 31-year-old Venezuelan has allowed seven earned runs with 32 strikeouts over 24 1/3 innings across his last five appearances. Joe Mauer is 13-for-32 with four doubles and a homer versus Carrasco, who is 5-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 20 career outings (17 starts) against the Twins.

Mejia makes his third start in the majors this season after limiting Boston to one hit on three innings of relief Sunday afternoon. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native permitted one run on eight hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings to get the win in his last start July 23 against Toronto. Rajai Davis is 3-for-3 with a double versus Mejia, who is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA in three career games against Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota CF Byron Buxton, out since May 29, suffered a setback in his rehab from a wrist injury Monday and will be re-evaluated.

2. Cleveland LHP Brad Hand allowed two hits over 4 1/3 innings in the last four outings after giving up a run in his Indians debut.

3. Twins RHP Addison Reed gave up one hit in a scoreless frame Tuesday after missing three weeks with an elbow injury.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 2