MLB Game Preview - Cleveland at Minnesota
Sat Sep 7, 2019 7:10 PM EDT

NYY
5
BOS
1
F
ARI
2
CIN
0
F
KC
7
MIA
2
F
TOR
3
TB
5
F
STL
10
PIT
1
F
TEX
9
BAL
4
F
PHI
5
NYM
0
F
CHC
2
MIL
3
F
SEA
1
HOU
2
F
CLE
3
MIN
5
F
LAA
8
CHW
7
F
WSH
4
ATL
5
F
COL
0
SD
3
F
DET
2
OAK
10
F
SF
1
LAD
0
F
Indians aim to continue success in Minnesota
Sat Sep 7, 2019 4:45 AM

The Cleveland Indians haven't enjoyed as many positive moments as they would have liked over the past four weeks, but they have earned victories in four of their past five games at Minnesota.

The Indians aim to continue their success in Minneapolis on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game series against the Twins.

Roberto Perez ripped a go-ahead single to ignite a four-run 11th inning in Cleveland's 6-2 win over Minnesota on Friday, moving the Indians within 5 1/2 games of the American League Central-leading Twins.

"We still have a chance to win the division," Perez said. "Because you never know in a one-game series in the wild card, anything can happen. ... We told everyone before the game just believe in yourselves and let's get it together and chase them."

Cleveland manager Terry Francona spelled out the significance of this series after his team mustered one hit in a 7-1 setback to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

"We talked Thursday after the game just for a minute," Francona said. "I wanted to put that game in our rearview mirror because I didn't think that was going to help us moving forward.

"Then, just as honestly as I could, I told them, 'We've got (20) games left. After everything we've been through from the first week of February until now, all the stuff that has happened, all the challenges, the setbacks, we have (20) games where we can go to the playoffs. We either have to catch the Twins or stay ahead of Tampa, Oakland and even Boston in the wild card.'"

Francisco Lindor belted a solo homer in the third inning and added an RBI single in the 11th to record his fourth multi-hit performance in his last seven games and team-leading 44th this season.

The All-Star shortstop has gone deep four times against Minnesota this season and is batting .364 (8-for-22) with two homers and five RBIs against Saturday starter Jake Odorizzi (14-6, 3.61 ERA).

Odorizzi will take the mound aiming to improve upon his 2-0 mark with a 1.06 ERA in three starts versus Cleveland this season.

The 29-year-old right-hander owns a 3-4 record with a 4.42 ERA in 12 career meetings with the Indians.

Cleveland rookie right-hander Aaron Civale (3-3, 1.94 ERA) will bid to win his third straight start when he takes the mound on Saturday.

Civale recorded his seventh consecutive outing of permitting two earned runs or fewer on Monday after allowing one over five innings in an 11-3 victory versus the White Sox.

The 24-year-old received a no-decision in his lone career encounter against Minnesota on Aug. 11 after yielding one run on four hits in six innings.

Twins second baseman Luis Arraez had a single in the series opener, leaving him with a .345 average (10-for-29) vs. Cleveland this season.

Minnesota's lineup on Saturday could feature a different look as Nelson Cruz aggravated a left wrist injury in the series opener while Jake Cave exited the contest due to groin tightness.

After the game, Cruz said of his ailing wrist, "It feels good. The range is good. ... I think it's just inflammation. So, hopefully, with some medicine and some ice, we could be back tomorrow or the next day."

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Cleveland            
Minnesota            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Aaron Civale - TB
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Minnesota
Jake Odorizzi - TB
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Cleveland

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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