I get my bi-annual "why does MLB schedule two close rivals for mid-week series rant" quite early in the season this year as the Twins travel to Milwaukee to play the 3-0 Brewers. I'm sure there will be a smattering of Twins fans there so way to go MLB!
Louis Varland up for the Twins, and after last year's late season and playoff bullpen success, fans are wondering if that can translate into a starter role. If not, the theme for this year's Twins starters could be "Pablo and Ryan and then we're dyin'." Someone called Jakob Junis up for the Brewers, his third team in four years. Looks like a pretty good definition of a 4th starter.
First Pitch: 3:10p from Milwaukee
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O/U on Varland innings pitched: 5.1
Twins Lineup
2B - Julien
DH - Kirilloff
CF - Buxton
RF - Kepler
SS - Correa
LF - Wallner
1B - Santana
3B - Castro
C - Vazquez
Nice -- national anthem via string ensemble
If it makes you feel any better, the Yankees/Mets series' are both mid-week series, too. Not that it makes it a good idea, but at least they're not specifically disrespecting the Twins.
Oh I know it's not a Twins-Brewers thing and happens to other teams too. It's just crazy to me. Those weekend summer series at Milwaukee and here would be full of out of town visitors and would include friends and family of the opposing teams going to the game together. I know setting a schedule is tough but no other league would miss such an opportunity for a full house and create a fun atmosphere for a game.
FanGraphs is a believer in Varland. A projected 1.6 fWAR in 147 innings is above average.
That was about as quick a half-inning as you'll see.
At least we're falling behind slower in this game than we did Sunday.
Where's Royce when we need him.
Well, that halts the scoreless innings streak
Yes, Varland "kept us in the game", but three runs in four innings isn't anything to get too excited about.
That would have been sooo Wolvesy.