Twins set to take on Indians in pivotal three-game series

The Minnesota Twins start a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians tonight at Target Field. The Twins are currently three games back of the Houston Astros for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. The Indians are currently 4.5 games back of the Astros.

The Twins are currently winning the season series over the Indians 7-5 and are 4-2 at Target Field against the Tribe.

Three Players to Watch

1. Phil Hughes will get the start in the second game of the series. It will be his second start since coming back from injury and hopefully things go better than his first start back. In his first start back Hughes pitched three innings and looked very rusty giving up three earned runs on nine hits.

Hughes has not fared well against the Indians this season. In three starts he’s 1-2 with an 8.44 earned run average. In those three starts he gave up three home runs.

2. Ervin Santana gets the ball in the series opener and has a chance to set the tone for the series. Santana has recorded four straight quality starts and is 3-1 with a 3.77 earned run average in his last seven starts.

Santana’s worst outing of the season was against the Indians in Cleveland back in August. Santana lasted just 2.1 innings and gave up eight earned runs on 10 hits.

3. Brian Dozier needs to sacrifice a live chicken to get his bat going. In his last 30 games he’s hitting .194 with just 24 hits and 26 strikeouts. This season Dozier is hitting .214 with four home runs against the Indians.

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