Series preview: Twins at Cleveland

The Twins got a day off Monday, one day after they unleashed a run-scoring spree against Detroit to break a four-game skid. Tonight, Minnesota is in Cleveland for a 6:05 game. Johan Santana (4-3, 3.35 ERA) is expected to start for the Twins. Fausto Carmona (4-1, 3.12) is set to take the mound for the Indians.

Last update: May 15, 2007 - 8:51 AM

THREE-GAME SERIES AT JACOBS FIELD

Today, 6:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Ramon Ortiz (3-3, 3.80 ERA) vs.

RHP Paul Byrd (2-1, 2.84)

Wednesday, 6:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

RHP Carlos Silva (2-3, 3.00) vs.

LHP C.C. Sabathia (5-1, 4.02)

Thursday, 11:05 a.m. • No TV, 1500-AM

LHP Johan Santana (4-3, 3.35) vs.

RHP Fausto Carmona (4-1, 3.12)

TWINS UPDATE

What was the bigger surprise on Sunday? Mike Redmond hitting his first homer since July 6, 2005, or the fact he actually pulled the ball? "I'm not a home run hitter," he said. "I don't try to hit home runs. He [Tigers lefty Wilfredo Ledesma] was pounding me in. I was just trying to get the bat head out." ... Luis Castillo is batting .462 over his past six games and has 15 of the Twins' major league-leading 54 infield hits. ... Opponents have scored in the first inning in five consecutive games.

CLEVELAND UPDATE

The Indians have had bullpen problems for years and thought they had things figured out this season. Keith Foulke was going to close, but he retired during spring training. Joe Borowski took over and is 12-for-14 in save situations. But one of those blown saves came Sunday in a loss to the Jack Cust-led Athletics. Borowski also has a 9.00 ERA, so it might not be a lock if Cleveland has a late lead. ... Fausto Carmona won his first game of the season against Johan Santana and the Twins, and perhaps it wasn't a fluke. Starting with that April 24 outing, Carmona has won four starts in a row.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III

KEY MATCHUP

The Twins are having trouble facing lefthanders. Cleveland lefty C.C. Sabathia likes beating the Twins and is 7-7 with a 3.73 ERA against them. Righthanded hitters such as Jason Bartlett -- who's 6-for-13 with a homer against Sabathia -- loom large.

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