• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Twins continue playoff chase at Indians

Sep 15, 2008 - 2:18 PM Minnesota (82-67) at Cleveland (72-77) 7:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins have emerged as a playoff contender largely due to their success against the weaker teams in their division. A continuation of that trend would bode well for another trip to the postseason.

The Twins attempt to maintain their success in the American League Central on Monday when they start a three-game road set against the Cleveland Indians.

Minnesota, which is just 7-8 against the division-leading Chicago White Sox (83-65), is 1 1/2 games out of first place. A big reason the deficit is still manageable is the Twins' success against the rest of the division - they are 32-16 against Detroit, Cleveland and Kansas City.

Overall, Minnesota is 39-24 against teams in its division - a positive sign as the Twins play nine of their final 13 games against the AL Central.

Winners of 10 of their 15 meetings with the Indians, Minnesota sends Kevin Slowey (12-9, 3.63 ERA) to the mound in the opener. The righthander has been outstanding since he last faced Cleveland on August 2, rolling to a 5-1 record and a 2.27 ERA in his last seven starts.

Slowey was dominant again in Wednesday's 7-1 win over Kansas City, allowing a run and four hits over seven frames.

Cleveland will counter with rookie Scott Lewis (1-0, 0.00), who was brilliant in his major league debut on Wednesday. The lefthander held Baltimore to three hits over eight scoreless frames, striking out three in Cleveland's 7-1 win.