Cleveland @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2012 ) Cleveland 0, Minnesota 11

The Minnesota Twins share the worst record in the American League but they played the role of spoiler to perfection in routing the visiting Cleveland Indians in Friday's series opener. While the Twins are out of the race, Josh Willingham continues to show his bat could be a big addition to a contending team down the stretch. Willingham homered and drove in four runs to boost his team-high totals to 26 homers and 76 RBIs as the Twins halted a five-game home losing streak to Cleveland.

The Indians were unable to sustain the momentum from their pivotal series win over Detroit, managing only three singles Friday in the opener of a nine-game road trip. The loss dropped Cleveland back to .500 (50-50) and 4 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. They will be seeking consistency from right-hander Justin Masterson, who has alternated solid starts followed by clunkers over the past five weeks.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (7-8, 4.12 ERA) vs. Twins RH Samuel Deduno (1-0, 3.94)

Masterson was outstanding in winning his last start against Baltimore, yielding one run and seven hits in 7 1/3 innings. He will be looking to win back-to-back starts for the first time since June 15-20. Despite a 3.61 ERA, Masterson is only 1-5 in 14 appearances (11 starts) against Minnesota. Justin Morneau is batting .333 (7-for-21) with a homer against him.

Deduno earned his first major-league victory last time out, limiting Kansas City to one run in a career-high 6 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old Dominican, who will be making his fourth career start, has struggled with his control, walking 11 and striking out 12 in 16.0 innings. He had only six relief appearances over the previous two seasons.

WALK-OFFS

1. Friday's 11-0 win was Minnesota's largest shutout margin since blanking the Indians by the same score in 2009.

2. Indians DH Travis Hafner has hit safely in all 15 career games at Target Field, batting .379 (22-for-58).

3. Twins RF Ben Revere is riding a 10-game hitting streak.