The tables have turned on the tales of these teams from a month ago. The Indians, who had a commanding lead on the AL Central for almost two months, are now on the inside looking up at the leading Chicago White Sox. They have dropped five of their last six games while the struggling Twins are actually on a bit of a roll now following a three game sweep of the Oakland A's.
Minnesota's pitching has been bad all season, but the Indians have had some putrid outings themselves recently. Their starter on Friday, Derek Lowe, has lost two games in a row to bump his ERA up to 3.25 and his record to 6-3. He did beat the Twins his last time out against them 5-0, though. His strikeout/walk numbers aren't supreme either, with 18 in both columns.
The Twins will send out Carl Pavano to counter Lowe. Pavano has a 2-4 record and a 5.46 ERA, fitting numbers in the Twins pitching staff that hasn't had any real stand out this season.
The game will be at Progressive Field at 7:05 p.m. ET.
More on the Minnesota Twins can be found over at Twinkie Town. For more on the Cleveland Indians, head over to Let's Go Tribe. More on the world of baseball can be found at Baseball Nation.