Preview: Indians Look to Salvage Finale Today Against Red-Hot Hitting Twins

CLEVELAND - It has been two tough days for the Indians at the hands of the team that many felt would be their biggest challenge in 2018 for the AL Central

CLEVELAND - It has been two tough days for the Indians at the hands of the team that many felt would be their biggest challenge in 2018 for the AL Central crown, that being the Minnesota Twins.

Friday they knocked out ace Corey Kluber after five innings, and then Saturday they actually did knock out Carlos Carrasco when he took a line drive off his arm at the hands of DH Joe Mauer.

The results have been two losses in which the Twins have batted the ball all over Progressive Field, putting up 15 runs in the first two games of the series.

The Tribe, with seven games left on the homestand, will look to turn it around Sunday with a 1:10pm affair, here's a preview of the finale of the series.

Time: 1:10 p.m.

Starting Pitchers: RHP Jake Odorizzi (3-3, 4.19) vs. RHP Shane Bieber (0-0, 6.35)

TV: SportsTime Ohio

Online: MLB.TV

Radio: WTAM 1100am, Indians Radio Network

1. Can the Offense Have a Repeat Against Odorizzi?

Twins starter Jake Odorizzi was no match for the Indians the last time the teams played back on May 31st, as he lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing eight runs on seven hits with two homers in the Indians eventual 9-8 win.

The way that Minnesota has hit the ball the first two games of the series, and with a rookie on the hill, it would be nice to see the offense have a big day once again against the Twins hurler.

2. Calling the Bieber

With Adam Plutko having to pitch during the 9-3 loss on Saturday after Carlos Carrasco went down with an injury, the team will recall Shane Bieber back to the Major League club to start Sunday's 1:10 affair.

He's 0-0 with a 6.35 ERA in his only start, which came oddly enough against Twins Sunday starter Jake Odorizzi. In that game he was given a big lead, and gave some of it back, allowing four runs in 5.2 innings in the eventual Tribe 9-8 win.

He threw 88 pitches in that game, and looked good early but got into trouble and was lifted in the 6th. Hopefully Sunday he can give the team at least 6-7 innings.

3. Slow Down Rosario

Twins slugger Edie Rosario is 6-for-8 in the first two games against the Tribe, and just seems to be hitting everything thrown at the plate.

He blasted his 16th HR of the season on Saturday, and it might be time to start looking to put him on base if one is open so he doesn't keep putting up big hits against the Indians.

He's hitting well over .300 this season and is on fire the first two games thus far of this series, again the Indians might want to come up with a better game plan against him Sunday.