Twins need more offense in important road series against Indians
The Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians begin an important series Monday night at Progressive Field with both teams in the running for the final AL Wild Card spot.
The Twins have won nine of their 15 games against the Indians this season overall, but they've lost three of the last four contests in Cleveland.
Over the past six games at Progressive Field, each team has won three times, but the Indians have outscored the Twins by 16 runs.
Twins AT Indians -- 2015
| Category | Twins | Indians |
| Wins | 3 | 3 |
| Runs/Game | 5.50 | 8.17 |
| ERA | 8.12 | 5.00 |
| BA | .275 | .357 |
| OBP | .317 | .406 |
| SLG | .493 | .543 |
| Home Runs | 9 | 7 |
| Pitcher Strikeouts | 32 | 60 |
That strikeout differential in the recent games in Cleveland extends, as well, to the rest of the season series. The Indians have the best differential in the league this year (plus-250) while Twins pitchers have the worst (minus-208).
One Minnesota pitcher who particularly does not enjoy Progressive Field is Phil Hughes. For his career, Hughes' numbers are much worse at Cleveland's stadium.
Phil Hughes vs Indians -- Career
| Category | Progressive Field | All Other Parks |
| W-L | 2-2 | 4-1 |
| ERA | 6.39 | 2.43 |
| Opp BA | .327 | .247 |
| WHIP | 1.54 | 1.01 |
| K/9 | 7.11 | 7.08 |
| BB/9 | 1.78 | 0.66 |
Since their Aug. 7-9 series at Cleveland, the Twins' offense has been much better on the road.
Twins Offense on Road, 2015 Season Breakdown (w/AL Ranks)
| Category | Through August 6 | August 7 & Since |
| Runs/Gm | 3.46 (last) | 5.04 (3rd) |
| BA | 2.18 (last) | .257 (7th) |
| OBP | .276 (last) | .314 (8th) |
| SLG | .348 (last) | .422 (6th) |
| HR/Gm | 0.69 (last) | 1.20 (9th) |
One reason for the improved production is the play of rookie Miguel Sano, who's been clubbing homers at an historic rate since being called up in July. He has 17 home runs since then, second only to Jimmie Hall (26 in 1963) among all Twins rookies since 1961.