Minnesota @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2012 ) Minnesota 6, Cleveland 4

While the Minnesota Twins are out of playoff contention, Joe Mauer is making a late push for his fourth American League batting title. The Twins will try for their fifth straight victory when they visit the Cleveland Indians on Thursday afternoon in the finale of their season series and Mauer is sure to make every at-bat count. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera leads at .333, but Mauer, who is 6-for-11 in his last three games since missing five because of back spasms, is within striking distance at .324.

The Twins have won 12 of the last 14 meetings since the Indians won the first three of the season. Minnesota's 6-4 victory Wednesday dropped Cleveland one game behind the Twins and into the American League Central cellar. Minnesota's Esmerling Vasquez is looking for his first victory of the season in his fourth start. Cleveland will counter with rookie Corey Kluber, who has a pair of no-decisions against the Twins and opposed Vasquez on Sept. 9. The Indians have lost 26 of their last 33 games and 11 of their last 13 at home.

TV: 12:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Esmerling Vasquez (0-2, 7.53 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-4, 5.48)

Vasquez allowed four runs, three hits, walked five and struck out two in three innings in the Twins' 8-7 victory Sept. 9. In his last start, Vasquez allowed three runs, three hits, walked four and struck out four in 5 2/3 innings in a 6-0 loss to Chicago on Friday. His previous 141 major league appearances were all in relief with Arizona from 2009-11, when he was 5-10.

Kluber, whose win came at Detroit three starts back, allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings to the Tigers in a 4-0 loss Friday. He has allowed eight runs (five earned) and 14 hits in 9 2/3 in his outings against the Twins, including a two-run homer to Justin Morneau in the Sept. 9 game. Kluber was drafted in 2007 by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians DH Travis Hafner went 0-for-3 on Wednesday in his first game since Aug. 6. Hafner was on the disabled list with lower back inflammation.

2. Justin Morneau has 20 RBIs in 15 games against Cleveland this season. He is tied for the most in a season against the Indians in team history with Harmon Killebrew, who had 20 in 17 games in 1962.

3. Cleveland is 11-39 since July 26.