Cleveland is 3-12 in its past 15 games, and the Twins get one more crack at them today before opening a three-game series with the Tigers on Friday night.

After trying for a sweep in this matinee against Cleveland, the Twins will sit back and watch the scores as Detroit plays games against Kansas City tonight and Thursday afternoon. So by the time the Twins and Tigers square off, Detroit’s lead over Minnesota could be as big as six games or as small as three games.

And one can’t forget the White Sox, who sit only one game behind the Twins.

The key for the Twins today is Nick Blackburn, who had two good start and then a bad one Friday against Oakland. That night, he said he had no command of any of his pitches, and Manager Ron Gardenhire was disappointed he didn’t at least try to throw more breaking pitches, even though he wasn’t locating them well.

Meanwhile, the Twins will take aim at Indians lefty Aaron Laffey.

Back soon with the starting lineups.

Update: Gardenhire said he went with Matt Tolbert at third base because Brendan Harris is 0-for-8 against Laffey, and he likes the energy Tolbert has brought to the lineup of late, as well as his execution on bunts and the hit-and-run, etc. Tolbert never has faced Laffey.

INDIANS (61-83)

1. Michael Brantley, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
4. Jhonny Peralta, 3B
5. Travis Hafner, DH
6. Matt LaPorta, 1B
7. Luis Valbuena, 2B
8. Kelly Shoppach, C
9. Trevor Crowe, LF

Starting pitcher LH Aaron Laffey (7-5, 3.79 ERA)

TWINS (73-72)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Jason Kubel, RF
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Jose Morales, C
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (9-11, 4.39 ERA)

Metrodome. First pitch: 12:10 p.m. TV: None. Radio: AM-1500

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 10:03 am and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.