Cleveland Indians Series Preview: Minnesota Twins, June 21-June 23

In an odd scheduling quirk, the Minnesota Twins make their second visit to Progressive before we have even set foot in Minnesota. This nine game homestand finishes up with a three game set scheduled for Friday at 7:05 PM, Saturday at 7:15 PM (FOX local broadcast only) and matinee on Sunday May 5 at 1:05 PM. After the game, the Indians start a ten game road trip with a four game set in Baltimore.

Team in a Box

The Twins have hovered just under the .500 mark for most of the season. They just finished off sweeping the White Sox at home. We last saw them in the beginning of May. The lineup has improved since May but still is in the bottom third of most categories. The pitching staff has been a mystery. The starters all have poor numbers (collective ~85 ERA+) and nobody has a 6.0 K/9 and they average around a 1.500 WHIP. The bullpen, other than Perkins, also doesn't strike many guys out, but has been effective. The defense has been good, fourth in fielding percentage, and they lead the league in double plays turned.

Projected Lineup

The lineup has been much better than earlier in the season. Mauer still is the major threat. Even with Morneau looking human and Willingham looking average, they both can still punish you. And I suspect one of the infielders will likely hit one out against us, it seems like they always do. The bench has Chris Parmalee (80 OPS+), Jamey Carroll (40), Eduardo Escobar (83) on it.

Projected Starters

Deduno has only recently joined the rotation and has been effective but doesn't strike out many batters. He won two of his three starts against us in 2012 with a 3.50 ERA and 7.5 K/9. He was not on the roster in early May. Walters joined the rotation around the same timeframe as Deduno. He also does not strike out many and allows quite a few baserunners. He has only two starts against us, both in 2012, with a 5.79 ERA and 4.8 K/9. Pelfrey has been mostly terrible this year, except in his his start against us of course. He allowed one run in six innings with seven strikeouts back in early May.

Key Relievers

Perkins hasn't blown a save since May 28 and has seven saves since then. He has been ok against us, 3.2 in 22 appearances, 3.48 ERA, 6.7 K/9, He allowed one run in his only inning in the May series but got the save anyways. Burton's last poor outing was against the Royals on June 4, but has also blown two leads since then. He has a 2.30 ERA in 15 appearances and a 6.3 K/9. He pitched in two of the earlier games, allowing one run. Duensing has been pretty good in June, but is pretty much a LOOGY at this point. He has a 2.80 ERA in 61 innings (includes 7 starts) and a 6.0 K/9. Casey Fien, (108 ERA+) Anthony Swarzak (136), Josh Roenicke (145), Ryan Pressly (234) and Caleb Thielbar (11.2 IP) fill out the bullpen.

On the Shelf

• CF Aaron Hicks (strained left hamstring) - 15-day DL, no timetable for return
• RF Darin Mastoianni (left ankle surgery) - 60-day DL, possibly early July
• RP Tim Wood (right rotator cuff strain) - 60-day DL, no timetable for return
• LF Wilkin Ramirez (concussion) - 7-day DL, on A- rehab

With both Mastrianni and Hicks on the shelf, prospect Oswaldo Arcia has been up and playing and Clete Thomas has been manning center field..

Almanac

*Does not include 2013 stats