The Minnesota Twins were expected to be one of the powers in the American League Central this season. The Cleveland Indians were expected to be mired in another rebuilding season. But, at least for now, those roles have been reversed, as the last-place Twins get to return home to Target Field to take on the division-leading Indians for a three-game series starting Friday night.
The Twins are in the AL Central basement with a mark of 7-12 during their first 19 games, 14 of which have been played away from Target Field. They have yet to win a series this season, they've scored the fewest runs in baseball, and have the worst run differential in the majors, having scored 32 fewer runs than they've allowed. That puts Minnesota six games behind the 13-6 Indians, who won eight of their first ten games and have remained on top of the division virtually all season long. The Indians are a complete 180 from the Twins, as they've scored 33 more runs this season than they've allowed, which is currently the best figure in that category in the big leagues.
Minnesota has struggled with or without star catcher Joe Mauer in the lineup, as they've played the past couple of times without first baseman Justin Morneau or left fielder Delmon Young, either. As of approximately 3:30 PM Central time, there had not been any word as to whether or not either Morneau or Young would play tonight against Cleveland, either.
The pitching match-up for tonight's contest will see the Indians send right-hander Fausto Carmona (1-2, 4.74 ERA) to the mound, while the Twins will go with left-hander Brian Duensing (1-0, 3.60). First pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM Central time this evening.