Kevin Correia has done a good job of working out of trouble this year. It's the offense for which there is no defense that has hurt him lately.
Correia is third in the American League at inducing double-play balls, having forcing opponents into 17 of them this year. That, and walking only 26 hitters in 110 innings, is part of the reason he's been one of the most effective starters for the Twins this year.
But Correia, in his first year as an American Leaguer, is also headed toward a career-high in home runs allowed. He's given up 17 of them; 24, back when he was with Pittsburgh in 2011, is the most he's allowed. Correia's numbers are mostly attributable to a rough five-game stretch in late May and early June, when he gave up 10 overall and three in back-to-back games. That stretch was particularly notable, given that he allowed only two homers in April.
He's only allowed one home run in each of the last two games, but both spoiled his chances to win. Jose Bautista got him in Toronto, giving the Jays a lead they kept adding on to, and the two-run shot that Kelly Johnson hit in Tampa Bay tied the game.
Correia has won only once since May, and his ERA has risen in 10 of his last 13 starts, standing at 4.23 right now. So the Twins need the veteran righthander to get the second half off to a good start against Cleveland tonight.
He'll try to do it with the same lineup as last night, with Brian Dozier leading off even against a righthander. The lineups for tonight's 6:10 start:
INDIANS
Bourn CF
Cabrera SS
Kipnis 2B
Swisher RF
Brantley LF
Santana C
Giambi DH
Reynolds 1B
Chisenhall 3B
