Minnesota @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2012 ) Cleveland 1, Minnesota 5
The demise of the Cleveland Indians will be easy to remember at season's end. Cleveland went into Minnesota on the final weekend of July and was promptly swept by a Twins team that entered the series with the worst record in the American League. The Indians were outscored 28-6 in the series and have not recovered from the beating. Cleveland has not won since and enters a rematch with the visiting Twins riding a staggering nine-game losing streak.
Minnesota has gone in the opposite direction of the Indians, winning seven of 10 and taking three of four over the weekend from the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Ben Revere has a 19-game hitting streak for the Twins, who have beaten Cleveland five consecutive times. The Indians not only were swept by Detroit, but they were victimized by a stunning comeback in Sunday's 10-8, when the Tigers scored five runs in the 10th inning with two outs.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Sports Time Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (9-5, 2.93) vs. Indians RH Zach McAllister (4-3, 3.42)
Diamond dominated the Indians on July 27, notching his first career shutout with a brilliant three-hitter. He had a strong effort in defeat last time out against the Chicago White Sox, allowing three runs in 7 1/3 innings. He has enjoyed success against the Indians in his brief career, logging a 2-1 record with a 2.28 ERA and stellar 0.98 WHIP in four starts.
McAllister is winless in his last three starts, matching his season high by giving up five runs (four earned) in six innings last time out at Kansas City. It marked the first time he allowed more than three earned runs in his last nine starts. He has been solid at Progressive Field with a 2-1 record and 3.09 ERA in seven starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Revere's hitting streak is the longest for the Twins since Torii Hunter hit in 23 straight in 2007.
2. Indians DH Travis Hafner hit his 200th career homer run Sunday.
3. Minnesota hasn't beaten Cleveland six straight times in one season since 1991.