Twins, Indians can make mark with home-run streak oddity

By Dave Heller
Published

If you like the long ball then keep your eyes on the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians this weekend.

There has been a home run hit by both teams in all six matchups between the two this season. Since divisional play began in 1969, only three other division rivalries have started a season with a longer such streak.

* - Note: Boston and Cleveland were both in the AL East in 1978

In case you are wondering, here's who has hit the home runs for each team in the first six games this season:

If the Twins do give up home runs, perhaps they will be solo shots. Over the last couple of months, Minnesota has had one of the lowest ERA against division opponents, and best among American League teams.

Other notes:

LOWEST ERA VS. DIVISION OPPONENT SINCE MAY 15

-- Joe Mauer has posted a .335 career batting average versus the Indians, the fourth-highest career batting average by any active player versus any single opponent (minimum 500 plate appearances), behind only Miguel Cabrera versus the Indians (.366), Albert Pujols versus the Pirates (.360) and Pujols versus the Reds (.345).

-- Mike Pelfrey owns the second-lowest career opponent batting average against the Indians (minimum five starts and 30 innings) at .183.

-- Brian Dozier is fourth in the American League in fewest at-bats per extra-base hit at 7.78.

-- The Indians are 15-28 (.349) versus AL Central division rivals, the lowest win percentage versus a team's own division this season and the second-lowest win percentage by the Indians versus their own division in a single since divisions were first established in 1969 (went 30-59, .337, versus AL East division rivals in 1969).

-- Cleveland is 0-4-2 in series in which it has batted .300 or better.

-- Cleveland's Michael Brantley is one of four players in the majors with more walks than strikeouts. He has 48 walks and 33 strikeouts.

-- Cleveland starter Cody Anderson is holding opponents to a .146 batting average off his changeup. He throws his changeup for a strike 73.5 percent of the time, which is the best in the majors.

Statistics courtesy STATS Inc.

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