Game 142: Cleveland at Twins

First Pitch: 6:10 pm CDT

TV: FSN

Radio: TIBN

Cleveland is running out of time.

With just three weeks left in the season, Cleveland needs to win games period. The Athletics have knocked them out of the playoff picture by half a game. While the deficit in the Wild Card standings is easier for Terry Francona’s squad to make up, first place in the division is still squarely on the table — especially with five games remaining between these two clubs.

After last night’s exciting eleventh-inning victory, it will be talented rookie Aaron Civale, who’s got a 1.94 ERA this season in over 40 innings. The Twins faced him just under a month ago; he struck out five and scattered four hits across six innings. Minnesota only managed a single run against him, which has been the theme for many of the righty’s opponents this season. However, last time out against Chicago, Civale had his worst start of the season (5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K...wow, so terrible...), and maybe prior experience will help the Bomba Squad find some cracks in his Bomba Facade.

Jake Odorizzi goes for the Twins this evening, representing perhaps the team’s best weapon against Cleveland. Odo has been on a pretty solid roll as of late, having bounced back nicely from a troubling start against the Yankee lineup last month.

GO TWINS GO!