Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2015 ) Cleveland 6, Minnesota 3

The Minnesota Twins continue their pursuit of an American League wild-card spot when they visit the Cleveland Indians on Monday. Minnesota is 1 1/2 games behind Houston for the second berth with seven contests remaining and also must overtake the Los Angeles Angels to claim the spot.

The four-game series also has importance for the Indians, who still hold postseason aspirations as they sit four games behind the Astros. Cleveland has won three of its last four contests and is beginning a seven-game homestand with Corey Kluber, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner who looks to avoid his AL-worst 16th defeat. Michael Brantley, who is batting .312 with 15 home runs and 84 RBIs, returned to the Indians' lineup Sunday after missing four games with a shoulder injury and will play again on Monday. Minnesota has won five of its last seven games as it looks to reach the postseason for the first time since 2010.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Phil Hughes (11-9, 4.43 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (8-15, 3.55)

Hughes tossed five scoreless innings against the Indians on Wednesday, when he allowed four hits en route to his first victory since returning from back issues. He has served up 29 homers in 154 1/3 frames this season after surrendering just 16 in 209 2/3 innings in 2014. Hughes is 6-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 11 career starts against Cleveland and has enjoyed success against Carlos Santana (3-for-21).

Kluber was ineffective when matched up against Hughes on Wednesday, allowing four runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings while losing his third straight decision. He hasn't won since beating the Twins in back-to-back complete-game efforts in August, when he gave up two runs and four hits while striking out 17. Kluber is 6-3 with a 3.49 ERA in 14 career starts against Minnesota and typically shuts down Brian Dozier (4-for-30) and Torii Hunter (3-for-22).

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins 3B Trevor Plouffe missed Sunday's game against Detroit due to illness after going 0-for-11 over his previous three contests.

2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis has recorded five multi-hit performances in nine games after struggling over the first half of the month.

3. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer is 2-for-14 over his last four games while his .264 average is the lowest of his 12 major-league campaigns.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Twins 3