Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2019 ) Cleveland 5, Minnesota 2

The Cleveland Indians look to tighten things up in the race for the American League Central title when they host the first-place Minnesota Twins on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. The Indians have won four straight after a 5-1 road trip to pull within 3 1/2 games of the Twins in the division and are one-half game behind Tampa Bay for the AL’s second wild card as they start of stretch of nine consecutive contests at home.

Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor has belted four homers and knocked in six runs in his last six games, while teammate Yasiel Puig has hit safely in nine of his last 10 contests and is 12-for-31 with five RBIs against Minnesota this year. Rookie Aaron Civale has allowed two or fewer earned runs in his first eight major-league starts as he prepares to take the mound in the opener for the Indians, while the Twins counter with fellow right-hander Jake Odorizzi, who is 2-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four outings against Cleveland in 2019. Nelson Cruz belted his 36th homer to tie injured Max Kepler (shoulder) for the team lead Thursday in a 12-6 setback against Washington as Minnesota lost for the fifth time in eight contests, but it is 48-24 on the road this year - the best record in the majors. Versatile rookie Luis Arraez had a double in the latest loss for the Twins to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, in which he is 17-for-39.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (14-6, 3.60 ERA) vs. Indians RH Aaron Civale (3-3, 1.93)

Odorizzi has failed to add to his career-high victory total in the last two starts despite giving up five runs on nine hits over 10 1/3 innings combined with 17 strikeouts, but the Twins won both games. The 29-year-old Illinois native boasts 31 strikeouts as opposed to five walks in his past four outings and has served up just one homer in the last six trips to the mound. Lindor is 9-for-25 with four doubles and two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 7-4 on the road.

Civale has pitched well in two meetings with the Twins, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks over 11 innings in a pair of no-decisions. The 24-year-old Connecticut native is 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA in his last three outings after limiting Minnesota to one run across five innings on Saturday. Mitch Garver has launched a homer in that contest against Civale, who is 2-1 with a 1.06 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 17 innings across three starts at home this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario needs two homers to give the franchise four players with at least 30 blasts for the first time in its history.

2. The MRI on Cleveland LHP Brad Hand’s left arm came back clean, but the team’s closer is likely to miss the series.

3. Cruz needs two walks for 600 in his career and Twins SS Jorge Polanco is one double from 100.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 3