twins at cleveland series preview
THREE-GAME SERIES AT PROGRESSIVE FIELD
Friday, 6:05 p.m. • FSN Plus, 96.3-FM
LHP Pedro Hernandez (1-0, 2.35 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Masterson (4-2, 3.12)
Saturday, 12:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Kevin Correia (3-1, 2.23) vs. LHP Scott Kazmir (0-1, 8.64)
Sunday, 12:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-3, 7.66) vs. RHP Korey Kluber (2-0, 2.25)
TWINS UPDATE
They are 5-6 on the road, and lead the Indians by a half-game for third place in the AL Central. They are also 5-6 against division opponents. … Last year, they were 12-6 against the Indians, their best record against any team, including 6-3 at Progressive Field. … Manager Ron Gardenhire decided against skipping the fifth spot in his starting rotation, so Hernandez will pitch in the opener. He earned his first career victory after pitching five shutout innings vs. Texas on Saturday. … Twins relievers have a 2.21 ERA, best in the American League and behind only Atlanta in the majors.
INDIANS UPDATE
Thanks to poor weather (sound familiar?), Cleveland has played the fewest home games in the majors. The Indians are 4-6 at Progressive Field but just completed a two-game home sweep of Philadelphia (beating Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee) by outscoring the Phillies 20-2. ... RF Ryan Raburn is 11-for-13 over his past three games, including four home runs and nine RBI. ... C Carlos Santana leads the major leagues in batting (.395) and on-base percentage (.483) and is second in the AL in slugging (.711). ... 1B Nick Swisher is batting just .208, and he has missed the past two games because of a sore shoulder.
PHIL MILLER
