Sonny Gray, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Minnesota Twins (31-27) as they face off against the Cleveland Guardians (25-32) at Target Field on Saturday. The Twins lead the series 2-0 after winning 1-0 on Friday, their third head-to-head victory in five games this season.
Reliever Brock Stewart threw one scoreless inning to get the win, and Jhoan Duran pitched 1.2 scoreless innings to pick up his eighth save. Kyle Farmer went 1 for 2 with one run in the win. Will Brennan was 2 for 3 for the Guardians.
ON THE MOUND
Logan Allen (2-2, 2.72 ERA) is set to start for Cleveland. The lefty threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-0 road win over the Orioles on Monday. He earned the win, scattering three hits while striking out 10 and walking two.
Allen has made one previous start against the Twins this season, a 4-3 home victory on May 6. He surrendered two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings, striking out three and walking two. Righty Gray (4-0, 1.94 ERA) gets the start for Minnesota.
He has made one prior start against the Guardians this season, giving up three runs over five innings in a 4-3 road defeat on May 6. He gave up four hits and walked three, while striking out six in the no-decision.
In his last start on Monday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Astros. He threw six innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on four hits, striking out three and walking three in the 7-5 win. The RHP leads the AL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cleveland has averaged 5.6 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.6, while slashing better across the board (.293/.333/.418). Against righties like Gray this season, the Guardians have a .640 OPS, second lowest in the league.
Jose Ramirez is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .892 OPS in 144 at-bats. Minnesota is averaging 4.8 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.6 for the season.
The Twins have a .677 OPS against lefties in 2023, fifth lowest in the league. With a .799 OPS over 45 at-bats, Donovan Solano has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is 13-17 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Minnesota has gone 18-12 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 meetings at Target Field, Cleveland is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.4-4.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by three games over the Tigers. The Guardians are third in the AL Central, five games behind the Twins.
