The Indians will have a return engagement this weekend against the Minnesota Twins after sweeping the Twins in Minnesota last weekend. This four-game series in three days will mark the end of the 2011 season at home for the Tribe. In many ways it is hard to believe that it is coming to an end, and in a very big way it is a shame that it is coming to an end in the last week of September.
Because man, a few months ago it sure did look as if there might be October baseball at Progressive Field this year.
Friday's 7:05 series opener will be a rematch of last Sunday's pitchers in Minnesota as Justin Masterson (12-10) will again face Carl Pavano. Masterson got the best of the matchup last week when the Indians won 6-5. Justin got the win, going six innings and allowing seven hits but only two runs. The win improved Masterson's career mark to 3-4 vs. the Twins.
Pavano (8-13), in taking the loss in Sunday's game, gave up four runs -- but only one earned run -- in 6.2 innings of work. Pavano surrendered only five hits and fanned six, but fell to 3-3 in his career against his old mates from Cleveland.
This series will continue with a day-night doubleheader on Saturday, with the opener beginning at 1:05 and the nightcap at 7:05.