Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 6, 2018 ) Minnesota 0, Cleveland 10

The Cleveland Indians have pushed their lead in the American League Central back into double digits and can take another step toward a third consecutive division crown when they continue a four-game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. A dominant six innings from Trevor Bauer and an 11-hit effort led the Indians to a 10-0 victory in Monday's series opener, giving Cleveland a 10-game lead over the second-place Twins.

Cleveland's starters have combined to allow two runs and strike out 25 in 20 2/3 innings during the club's three-game winning streak - a trend Carlos Carrasco hopes to continue when he gets the nod Tuesday. Minnesota counters with left-hander Adalberto Mejia as it attempts to snap a four-game road losing streak. Mejia will contend with a lineup that produced four home runs in Monday's win, including a three-run shot for Edwin Encarnacion, who has 48 RBIs in 55 home games. Francisco Lindor went 2-for-4 with a run scored for Cleveland as he took over the top spot in the majors with his 44th multi-hit effort.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Adalberto Mejia (1-0, 2.60 ERA) vs. Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (13-5, 3.66)

Mejia will be pitching for the third time in 10 days, the last of which resulted in five scoreless innings against Cleveland on Wednesday. He has allowed one run in 13 1/3 frames through his last three appearances (two starts) since returning from Triple-A Rochester late last month. Rajai Davis is 3-for-5 with a double and Jose Ramirez is 3-for-7 with a pair of doubles against the 25-year-old, who is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two career starts at Progressive Field.

Carrasco is 5-0 with a 1.99 ERA since the beginning of July, including a dominant outing at Minnesota opposite Mejia last week. The native Venezuelan limited the Twins to four hits in 7 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out 10 - a stark contrast to a pair of matchups in June in which Carrasco was lit up by Minnesota for 10 runs in five combined innings. He will be wary of Joe Mauer (14-for-35, six extra-base hits against Carrasco) and Miguel Sano (7-for-23, two doubles).

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland placed OF Robbie Grossman (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled OF Johnny Field from Triple-A Rochester.

2. Twins LF Eddie Rosario was 0-for-3 on Monday and is 4-for-36 over a nine-game stretch.

3. Indians LF Michael Brantley is batting .338 at home.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 3