Twins back up to six games over .500. Seems like every time they have met that milestone this season the Twins go into a minor tailspin. Fortunately it appears that the Guardians are at the "put an X on each day of the calendar stage" of the season and are just looking forward to the time when they don't have to spend their days in Cleveland.
Pablo Lopez on the mound for the Twins and he has been the ace of the staff over the latter half of the summer and probably gets the game one start in the playoffs. Someone called Gavin Williams for the Guardians and he's coming off a 7 runs in 4.1 innings outing last week. Here's hoping he loads the bases for Royce Lewis.
Game time at 6:40 for a very nice night to be at the ballpark. Magic number is 24 (22 for Detroit) so we could be celebrating a Central Division champions belt in the next couple of weeks.
After the improbable win against the Rangers yesterday, the Cleveland Guardians of the Galaxy come to town for a three game series to close out the month. The Twins currently have a 6.0 game lead in the division, so hopefully they use this opportunity to pull away. Curry is on the mound for the Guards (I think I know, but I'll let you try to pronounce his first game). He's only made a few starts this year, but has been decent enough. Most likely should be plenty to put away this lineup.
We hit the road after this (to play the Rangers... and the Guardians?) so let's get some wins!
So, Gleeman has probably been the most vocal among the chattering class when it comes to the Twins failing to beef up the bullpen at the trade deadline. That decision to stand pat on the bullpen is looking worse in the rearview mirror all the time. The only pitcher we got was Floro, and we've seen how much help he's been. And can we talk about Carlos Correa? I've reached a point where I dread seeing him come to bat with runners on base because I just can't bear to watch him get paid another $58,000 to ground into another rally-killing double play. Honestly, I've secretly started hoping he'll just strike out in those situations instead.
Pablo Lopez is back on the mound for the Twins today. As frustrating as the bullpen has been lately, the rotation is turning in one solid performance after another (with the occasional outlier). Pablo's got a 9-6 record, a 3.51 ERA, and 187 strikeouts on the season. The Rangers counter with southpaw Andrew Heaney, and we all know about our struggles with lefthanders. He's also 9-6 with a 4.27 ERA and 122 strikeouts. Hopefully the boys are all rehydrated and ready to go after yesterday's matinee in the sauna.
I'm convinced the Twins cannot be more than six games above .500. If they win a bunch, then they will need to lose a bunch to never be too far above .500. They're back to +4 games so a win is again safe.
The extremely short "road" trip ends today. Texas is next on the schedule so they can bank some losses before the Guardians visit.
The second two-game, mid-week series of the season against the Brewers starts today in Milwaukee in what used to be called Miller Park. Although the temps seem to be moderate, Milwaukee is still under a heat warning (humidity?) so I am sure the roof will be closed.
Bailey Ober up for the Twins. I really like the season he is having, especially his 1k per inning stat and the fact that he throws one walk for every five strikeouts. I doubt he will start a playoff game, but could see him in a high leverage relief effort there. (I know I'm getting ahead of myself). Wade Miley on for the Brewers and he's not a high strikeout pitcher but I am sure the Twins will help him there.
Brewers having a nice little season this year with a lead in the NL Central. Should be a fun two games.
Gray has started 5 games since he resolved to stop being the world's most annoying pitcher, and the results have been very good: 31 innings, 34 Ks, 9 BBs. 2.61 ERA, 2.39 FIP. Here's hoping he can keep it up.
Keller, for his part, pitched pretty well in his last start, but he's been getting lit up over the last month or so to the tune of a 7.71 ERA over his last six starts.
Rematch from a week ago. Maeda had a quality start, only giving up a single run over his six innings. Floro didn't do so well but it didn't matter with the Twins batters scoring nothing. This is the final game against Detroit this season. They've already lost the season series but they can at least get close to .500 with a win to make it 6-7.
