It's been almost like clockwork. The Twins fall behind in a game and fans on twitter point to the Cleveland Indians score and start predicting doom and gloom for the local nine.
Have any of you stopped to think how Cleveland fans feel these days? Their team is seven games back, has key players banged up and an offense that goes into slumber from time to time. Both the Twins and Indians have gotten what they have paid for. The Twins added some bats while Cleveland let Michael Brantley walk while trimming payroll.
Cleveland is the desperate team here, not the Twins. But it's hard to tell on twitter. So let me clear some things up.
I had a recent conversation with an industry source who has been in contact with the Indians. Cleveland knows the month of July is big for them. They have 10 games against the Royals plus series against the Tigers, Reds and Blue Jays. They also host the Twins right after the All-Star break.
If the Indians are going to make things interesting, they know they need to make hay this month and beat the Twins when they come to town on July 12.
After July, everything changes.
In August, the Indians finish up a series against the Astros then play host to the Angels before playing the Twins, Red Sox and Yankees on 10 consecutive days. The Royals and Tigers are on tap that month as well, but it's a markedly tougher schedule than July. The Indians know that, so where they stand at the end of July will say a lot about their fate in the division.
The Twins are 7-9 over their last 16 games. They have a chance to win the three-game series at Oakland today with Jose Berrios on the mound. They have been through a challenging stretch in which they have played a 12-inning, a 17- inning and an 18-inning game.
