(18-19) vs 
(21-14)
Dimensions:
May 15------------------------ 7:05pm
Ramon Ortiz, RHP (3-3, 3.80) vs Paul Byrd, RHP (2-1, 2.84)
Scouting Report:
Twins: In his first six starts of the season, Ortiz had avoided the problem that caused him so much trouble in '06 -- the one big inning. That wasn't the case against the White Sox on Wednesday, as Ortiz gave up four runs in the first inning and gave up five overall in six innings. The Twins had wanted Ortiz to be more aggressive with his pitches and attack the inner half of the plate, but the Sox still managed to get their share of hits -- bloop, broken bat and otherwise. Against Cleveland, Ortiz is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA in seven career appearances.
Indians: This is the Byrd the Indians signed up for in the winter before the '06 season. He's put together a quality start in four of his five outings, including a particularly solid start against the Angels on Wednesday. Byrd didn't get the win in the start, because of one bad pitch he made in the seventh, giving up a two-run homer to Kendry Morales. Those were the only runs allowed by Byrd, who lasted a season-high seven innings, allowing nine hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
May 16--------------- 7:05pm
Carlos Silva, RHP (2-3, 3.00) vs C.C. Sabathia, LHP (5-1, 4.02)
Scouting Report:
Twins: Silva's sinker continues to impress the Twins, even though he's not getting the type of run support that the club had hoped to provide. Five of Silva's seven starts this season have been quality, but the team's offense has been shut out in each of his two May starts. The hope is that when the Twins offense turns around, so will Silva's number of wins. Next up for Silva is a meeting with the Indians, who he held to three runs on seven hits over five innings in a no-decision on April 23.
Indians: The Indians are reshuffling their rotation coming out of Monday's off-day to keep Sabathia on four days' rest. Jeremy Sowers, who last pitched May 10 in Anaheim, is being bumped to the back of the rotation. Sabathia had his stuff working for him Friday night in Oakland, but he fell apart in the seventh, giving up a two-run homer to Jack Cust, a two-run double to Shannon Stewart and an RBI single to Nick Swisher -- all with one out. The five-run inning chased him out of the ballgame and sent him to his first loss of the season.
May 17------------- 12:05pm
Johan Santana, LHP (4-3, 3.35) vs Fausto Carmona, RHP (4-1, 3.12)
Scouting Report:
Twins: Though Santana has gone through his usual early season struggles, he has pitched better than his record suggest. On Friday against the Tigers, he was able to challenge opponents with his changeup and fastball but the struggling Twins offense left Santana on the losing end. Santana held Detroit to just two runs on six hits over six innings. This will be Santana's second against the Indians this season. He picked up a loss in the first, allowing four runs on six hits over seven innings of work.
Indians: The Indians are reshuffling their rotation coming out of Monday's off-day, and Carmona will be kept on four days' rest. Carmona outdueled Johan Santana in his last meeting with the Twins, allowing just two runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. With Cliff Lee out and now with Jake Westbrook on the DL, Carmona has taken full advantage of his opportunity to pitch in the Tribe's rotation.
