The Cleveland Indians have been holding their own this season and it has all been without one of their biggest offensive producers last year. Carlos Santana has failed to follow up his impressive 2012-13 season with numbers like he had as the first baseman is inconsistent at best. However, he has come up big and looks to help the Indians avoid their first series loss of the month to the Minnesota Twins.
Last season was good for Santana. He hit a career-high .268 with 20 home runs, but has only managed a .136 average this season. He has turned things around recently, hitting .301 with eight home runs, but the inconsistencies have killed as momentum for Cleveland. The team has totaled just four runs in their last two games. Santana has shown some signs of life with four hits, but not enough to get the team a win.
Anthony Swarzak will start for the Twins. He is 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA this season. He is making his first start since 2012 after Kyle Gibson was scratched due to an injury in his back. He has struggled recently with a 7.71 ERA over seven innings in the bullpen. However, some of the Cleveland bats have struggled against him. Nick Swisher is hitless in 13 career at-bats against the pitcher.
The Indians will start Trevor Bauer who is 4-4 with a 3.89 ERA. He is making his first appearance against the Twins as he is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in his last four starts. Bauer is thankful he will not be facing Joe Mauer in this matchup. The hitter has been out since July due to a strained Oblique. Meanwhile the Twins have totaled just 12 runs while going 4 for 41 with runners in scoring position during that stretch.
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