Series Preview: Twins at Indians News And Notes

Schedule (all games on FSN)

• Monday: 6:05pm, Scott Diamond vs Zach McAllister
  
• Tuesday: 6:05pm, Samuel Deduno vs. Corey Kluber
  
• Wednesday: 11:05am, Brian Duensing vs. Justin Masterson

Indians Notes

• On July 26, Cleveland was 50-49 and just three and a half games out of a Wild Card spot, and on its way to Target Field to battle the hapless Twins. Instead, Cleveland got creamed, getting outscored 28-6 on its way to being swept. They followed that up impressively by also getting swept by Kansas City, a double that we did not think was possible in 2012. Just for good measure, the Tigers swept them over the weekend. They are now 50-58, are out of the playoff race, and in fact are just three games ahead of the Twins.
• The Twins no longer have the worst run differential in the American League; at -79, they're quite far ahead of the Tribe, which is -90 for the year.
• Keep an eye on the Indians bullpen; six relievers pitched Sunday against the Tigers, a game in which Cleveland scored three runs in the top of the tenth inning and still lost.
• On their nine-game, all-loss roadtrip, Cleveland didn't get a single quality start, and posted a team ERA of 8.37. For the guys at Let's Go Tribe, it's starting to feel like Groundhog Day.
• Cleveland got rid of Johnny Damon, who was both terrible and old. But in his place, the Indians called up Ezequiel Carrera, who has the greatest name of any player in the majors. He also is apparently displaying some Lew Ford -ish qualities. We like Ezequiel Carrera.

Twins Notes

• P.J. Walters, who is on the 60-day DL with right shoulder inflammation, had a pretty good rehab appearance at Triple-A, throwing two scoreless innings. He's still got a ways to go, though, reports Rhett Bollinger.
• Joe Benson also appears to be on the way back, in this case from wrist surgery; the outfielder hit a grand slam and was a triple short of the cycle the other day at AA New Britain.
• Anthony Swarzak played catch at Target Field and reported no issues or Sasquatch sightings, according to the AP.