CLEVELAND — There's all kinds of history the Twins would like to avoid tonight. They've only had three other 11-game losing streaks in franchise history, for instance; the Twins would prefer not to make it four tonight. They can become only the fourth team in major-league history to allow eight or more runs in seven straight games, but that too is one they'd like to avoid.
One part of history they would like to extend, however: Indians starter Trevor Bauer has started 10 games against Minnesota in his career, and the Twins have won eight of them, including the last four in a row. Considering he is 9-6 this season and owns a 3.88 ERA, that's a pretty amazing streak against a good pitcher. It has Paul Molitor a little worried, too.
"We've had some games where we've had fairly good results, yet if you look at our matchup numbers, really only a couple of guys have done particularly well," the Twins manager said. "I think what he found out last time out was that his curveball is a good pitch against some of our hitters, especially our left-handed guys. So we'll have to make adjustments if we want to have a good night."
Logan Schafer is in uniform tonight, wearing No. 32, and will play center field, batting ninth. Danny Santana, placed on the disabled list today, was examined by Twins doctors in Minneapolis, but he'll be out at least two weeks with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, the result of a collision with Robbie Grossman in the outfield in Toronto on Sunday.
Miguel Sano is at third base tonight for the first time since Aug. 18 and only the fourth time this month. His elbow is mostly pain-free, Molitor said, and he's been working hard to improve his defense. "I don't think he's missed a day of work defensively, probably, in the last month," Molitor said. "Even day games, when we haven't [taken batting practice], he's still gone out there and done some type of short-hop drill."
Hector Santiago returns to the mound tonight, hoping to stop the Twins' 10-game losing streak. Here are the lineups:
TWINS
Dozier 2B
