Danny Salazar returns to the hill tonight as the Cleveland Indians (64-52) visit the Twin Cities to play the Minnesota Twins (59-57) and their old friend, Bartolo Colon.
Salazar (4-5, 4.15) has been superb since his return from the DL and, along with the steady pitching the Indians have received from Kluber, Carrasco and Bauer, the Indians are slowly starting to get some distance in the AL Central. In four starts since his return on July 22, Salazar has pitched 25.1 innings and allowed 23 baserunners while striking out 36 and pitching to a 1.42 ERA.
The 44-year-old Colon has been better in his five starts for Minnesota (2-1, 4.02 ERA) than he was for the Atlanta Braves in 13 starts (2-8, 8.14). The Twins are the 10th organization that Colon has pitched for although he’s started far more games for the Indians (160) than he has for any other franchise (95 starts each for the Angels and Mets).
The big question is how Colon continues to survive despite throwing 88 mph fastballs on 82% of his pitches. His 10% change-up usage this year is the most he’s used that pitch in 14 years, however, and he’ll throw in the occasional slider.
Line-ups are below and first pitch is scheduled for 8:10pm ET.
