Series Preview: Cleveland Indians to host Twins with first place on the line

Wednesday Aug. 26, 7:10 p.m. EST

Projected Starters: Jose Berrios (2-3, 4.75 ERA) vs. Adam Plutko (1-2, 6.88 ERA)

To close out the series against Minnesota, the Indians will send the struggling Adam Plutko to the mound.

Plutko’s most recent and featured a sudden and quick collapse. After a strong first three innings against the Tigers in which he didn’t allow a run he was ambushed in the fourth inning as he allowed seven runs and suffered the loss.

This has been a theme for Plutko all season, which is why there is hesitation in having him start again. When facing the opposing order the first time, Plutko is only allowing hitters to hit .229, but the second time through the average spikes to .423.

This issue is something many starting pitchers have had to deal with, but there isn’t a lot of time to work through it in a shortened season.

As for the Twins, they’ll send their ace Jose Berrios to the mound. Berrios will look to turn around his fortunes against the Indians, who handed him a loss earlier when Bieber out-dueled him.

To defeat the Indians, Berrios needs to improve his road performances. Away from Target Field this season, Berrios has two starts going 0-1, with an 8.68 ERA.

The two Indians have two hitters with the most success off the Twins right-hander are Carlos Santana and Greg Allen who both hold averages north of .350 in their matchups with the Minnesota ace.