Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 1, 2018 ) Cleveland 2, Minnesota 0

The Minnesota Twins attempt to put a little pressure on the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians when they pay a visit Monday night for the opener of a four-game set. The Twins come in off a three-game sweep against Kansas City at home and have won seven of the first 12 against Cleveland this year, but they trail the Indians by nine games in the division while going 19-34 on the road.

Eddie Rosario has played a big part in Minnesota’s success in the season series, going 17-for-51 with 12 runs scored along with six homers and 11 RBIs, while fellow outfielder Max Kepler comes in red hot at 9-for-18 over his last six contests. Kyle Gibson looks for a third quality start in his fourth outing against Cleveland in 2018 when he takes the mound Monday, while the Indians will counter with All-Star Trevor Bauer, who is fourth in the AL in ERA. Cleveland has won four of its last five to maintain a comfortable lead in the division and Jose Ramirez has led the way, going 10-for-22 with three homers and eight RBIs during a six-game hitting streak. Ramirez launched a three-run shot in the first inning - his franchise record 12th blast in the opening frame this year - as the Indians edged the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Sunday; the MVP candidate has gone deep five times against the Twins in 2018.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (5-8, 3.47 ERA) vs. Indians RH Trevor Bauer (10-6, 2.34)

Gibson fell to 3-2 with a 3.15 ERA over his last five starts after allowing three runs on five hits and three walks over six innings in a loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. The 30-year-old Indiana native boasts 132 strikeouts - 13 away from his career high in 2015 - over 135 innings and owns a 2.94 ERA in 11 road outings in 2018. Jason Kipnis is 12-for-30 with a homer versus Gibson, who is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in three starts against the Indians this season.

Bauer is 3-0 in his last six starts and has limited opponents to two or fewer runs in eight of his last nine outings. The 27-year-old UCLA product, who is 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA at home in 2018, held Minnesota to two runs on four hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings in last week's head-to-head showdown with Gibson and is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Twins in 2018. Rosario is 12-for-33 with two homers and nine RBIs versus Bauer.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland C Yan Gomes missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and is considered day-to-day.

2. Minnesota OF Robbie Grossman (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day disabled list after going 2-for-4 in his 500th major-league game Sunday.

3. Indians DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion has a team-high 11 RBIs to go along with four homers against the Twins in 2018.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Twins 3