Game 60: Twins at Indians

First Pitch: 6:10 pm Central
Telly: FOX Sports North; fubo.tv (subscription)
Ear telly: WCCO 830 AM, Treasure Island Baseball Network; twinsbeisbol.com (español)
Know Thine Enemy: Let’s Go Tribe

We must start the game thread with the obligatory “The Twins are an astonishing 15-3 after a loss so far this season.” Not to get off on too-confident of a foot, but here we are.

After losing by a final of 5-2 in the opening game of the series on Tuesday night, the Minnesota Twins will be looking for yet another bounce-back performance — the key to their season thus far. They remain the only team in baseball that hasn’t lost at least three games in a row.

In a surprise twist, the Cleveland Indians will start reliever Tyler Clippard as an opener. Expected starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco was placed on the injured list earlier in the day with a blood condition that is reportedly causing him to feel lethargic. He is out indefinitely, although it sounds like the team expects him back before the end of the season.

The Twins will counter with Martin Perez, who will be looking to bounce back after what can only be described as a horrendous outing last time out in Tampa. (Actually, in St. Petersburg, but against Tampa. If that makes any sense at all.)

Perez still carries a record of 7-2 on the season but he’s struggled of late and has watched his ERA rise to 3.71 on the season. Against the Rays, Perez pitched well over the first couple of innings before the wheels fell off. All told, he gave up six earned runs on six hits and two walks and was knocked out early in what was ultimately 14-3 loss for the Twins.

While the division lead still stands at a ridiculous 10 ¹⁄₂ games, the Twins really can’t afford to be swept at Progressive Field and give the Indians any reason to believe they can still battle back in the division. Winning on Wednesday night would give them a shot at the series win tomorrow and, at the very least, avoid a sweep.