Larry Ness
KAN (-145) vs DET
The Twins swept a three-game series from the White Sox from July 27-29 and were just two games behind the Tigers and in second place in the AL Central. However, they were swept in a three-game series in Anaheim right after that (July 30-Aug 1), allowing 35 runs on 52 hits. They have not been the same since, losing two of three games in each of their last three series (most recently at home to the lowly Royals) and with a loss here, would lose their FIFTH consecutive series. The Twins are 56-60 and six games behind the Tigers heading into today's rubber game with Cleveland and they had better "get going!" The Indians traded Cliff Lee (how's he doing?) and Victor Martinez, making no bones about the fact that they were "done for the year." However, let's give the current Indians some credit, as they are 14-9 since July 23. The starters for Sunday are Aaron Laffety and Nick Blackburn. Laffey has won three of his last four starts, and hasn't allowed a single earned run any of those three wins. That includes an 8-1 home win on Aug 5 over the Twins in which he allowed one unearned run in eight innings. He followed that strong start by shutting down Texas on six hits over 6.2 innings this past Tuesday in a 5-0 victory. Here's the key, though. Laffey is 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA overall this season at Progressive Field in five starts (team is 4-1) but 2-3 with a 4.95 ERA in five road starts. While Laffey is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA against Minnesota at home, he's 0-1 with a 7.53 ERA in three career starts at the Metrodome. Nick Blackburn (8-7, 3.99 ERA) has really struggled lately, going 0-3 with an 8.87 ERA in his last five starts (team is 0-5). However, facing the Indians should help him get things turned around, as he's 4-1 with a 1.54 ERA in six career starts against Cleveland, never allowing more than two runs in any of those outings. The Indians come into this game only 14-29 vs right-handers on the road, while the Twins are averaging 5.85 RPG in home games against lefties. Take the Twins.