CLEVELAND -- The Indians are 4-11 against lefthanded starters, and the Twins have a chance to win this series today with lefty Scott Diamond on the mound.
Cleveland's lineup features several lefthanded hitters: Shin-Soo Choo, Jason Kipnis, Michael Brantley, Casey Kotchman, Johnny Damon and Lonnie Chisenhall, not to mention the injured Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore.
Damon went on paternity leave after Saturday's game, as his wife just gave birth to twins. The Indians promoted Matt LaPorta from Class AAA Columbus, so he'll likely be at first base today, in place of Kotchman.
Cleveland will start righthander Justin Masterson, who has struggled this year but went 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA in five starts against the Twins last year.
It's an unusual start time for a Sunday game -- 3:05 p.m., Cleveland time (2:05 in Minnesota) -- and the Indians are saying they're just experimenting to see how fans like it.
Update: Carl Pavano will have his MRI exam on Monday. His next scheduled start is Wednesday in Kansas City, but the Twins likely will need another starter. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Jeff Manship is a "likely candidate."
TWINS (19-33)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Ben Revere, RF
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Ryan Doumit, C
7. Brian Dozier, SS
8. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
