A ballpark with a big outfield might be just what the doctor ordered for Josh Tomlin and the Indians when their four-game series with Minnesota wraps up on Wednesday at 1:10 at Target Field.
Tomlin will go for his 12th win of the season against a Twins team that beat him in Cleveland on June 6. Tomlin gave up six runs and nine hits in only six innings in that start, but with the Twins’ home having a rather large outfield, Josh can afford some long fly balls that might be home runs somewhere else.
And after having surrendered 18 homers so far this year, I am sure that Tomlin will take any edge he can get.
Minnesota will counter with Nick Blackburn (7-6, 3.99 ERA). Blackburn has been tough on the Tribe in his career, going 6-3 against Cleveland with a 2.51 ERA in just over 75 innings.
This will be Blackburn’s first turn vs. the Indians in 2011.
The Detroit Tigers pulled dead-even with the Tribe at 51-45 with a win over Oakland last night while Minnesota was stunning Cleveland with a two-run ninth to win 2-1.
After this afternoon’s tilt the Indians are off on Thursday, before returning to Progressive Field on Friday to take on the Chicago White Sox to kick off a nine-game homestand.
Returning to Cleveland with a winning road trip rather than a .500 trip to Baltimore and Minnesota would be a psychological bonus.
So c’mon Tribe, let’s get this one today and wash away the bad taste of the missed chance last night.