Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2018 ) Minnesota 4, Cleveland 3

The Minnesota Twins would need a magical run to even get back into striking distance of a playoff spot, but they can clinch the season series against a team likely heading to the postseason when they visit the Cleveland Indians on Thursday afternoon. Eddie Rosario recorded three hits and an RBI as the Twins rallied for a 4-3 win Wednesday to even the season series at nine wins apiece with one game left.

Minnesota, which made the playoffs as a wild card last year, trails first-place Cleveland by 13 games in the American League Central and won for the first time in five games Wednesday after being outscored 27-6 in the previous four. Jake Odorizzi gets the call in the rubber match of the season series for the Twins and he will face fellow right-hander Mike Clevinger, who has not suffered a defeat since July 28. The Indians lost for the fifth time in seven games after coughing up two leads Wednesday, but are still 10 games over .500 since July 25 at 21-11. Cleveland’s All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is 7-for-16 in his last three games and is batting .316 with 15 runs scored, six homers and 15 RBIs this season against Minnesota.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (5-8, 4.38 ERA) vs. Indians RH Mike Clevinger (9-7, 3.30)

Odorizzi suffered a hard-luck loss against Oakland last time out, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk over a season-high seven innings. It was the first quality start since July 22 for the 28-year-old Illinois native, but he owns a season-best 3.51 ERA in August. Lindor is 6-for-14 with three doubles and two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 0-2 with a 7.85 ERA in four starts against Cleveland in 2018.

Clevinger is unbeaten in his five outings during August, recording two victories along with four quality starts and registering a 2.70 ERA. The best start this month for the 27-year-old Jacksonville, Fla. native came against Minnesota on Aug. 8 when he gave up one run over seven innings in his second no-decision versus the Twins this year. Joe Mauer is 5-for-14 against Clevinger, who is 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA over nine appearances (six starts) versus Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland LHP Andrew Miller (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day disabled list and LHP Tyler Olson got recalled Wednesday.

2. Mauer joined Hall of Famers Kirby Puckett and Harmon Killebrew as the only Twins to score 1,000 runs with one on Wednesday.

3. Indians DH Edwin Encarnacion is 5-for-14 with a homer, five RBIs and three walks during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Twins 3