It's the August of our discontent in Twins Territory. The team itself is playing lousy, not fun baseball, Emilio Pagan is still on the team, Buxton either seems to hit an epic HR or feebly strikes out. Twins have fallen 2 games back from the hardly trying Guardians and tied with the underperforming White Sox (also how did both teams end up having played two more games than the Twins?) Here at the WGOM, most game logs seem the have a "in progress" tag if they show up at all.
Hopefully nothing better to fix that than an even more lackluster Royals team. After yesterday's win, hopefully the Twins have the wind in their sails. Zach Grienke for the Royals in probably his last season. Sonny Gray up for the Twins and he's been hands down the best pitcher for the Twins this year.
Another 6:40p start on what should be a nice night. Here' hoping the Twins can build on yesterday's win and start to play some fun, winning baseball.
Twins now tied with the Guardians in the division. BR ranks them both as average teams. Finishing 81-81 does feel like an accomplishment considering how the season has gone after May. FanGraphs projects them for 84 wins. Keep it close fellas and I'll find out in the morning.
Another Tuesday another 2-game midweek series against an NL team. This time it's the Dodgers who are a MLB high 42 games over .500 after sweeping the Padres this past weekend. Julio Urias up for the Dodgers with his gaudy .99 WHIP, ERA under 3.00 and nearly a strikeout per inning. Joe Ryan for the Twins. Which Joe Ryan will be get? The guy who at times has been lights out or the one who gives up bombas at an unsustainable rate? Let's hope it's the former.
It's the start of a California road trip so get used to late starts. This one is at 9:10p.
Twins Lineup
DH - Buxton
SS - Correa
2B - Polanco
1B - Miranda
3B - Urshela
CF - Celestino
RF - Kepler
C - Leon
LF - Gordon
2021: Twins stink. They trade their best pitcher for a handful of prospects who may or may not be good someday.
2022: Twins don't stink. They trade a handful of prospects who may or may not be good someday for a different team's best pitcher.
Nothing like playing the Tigers to cure what ails you so Twins are hoping to add to their victory total as we head into the dog days of summer. Matt Manning on for the Tigers and it's his first start back after being on the 60-day DL for shoulder problems. I'm guessing he's on a pitch count so hopefully the Twins can get lots of bats against that bullpen. Chris Archer on for the Twins after having his start moved back a day, perhaps the extra rest will get him to pitch into the 6th inning.
I usually write these in the morning so no word on trades but by game time we will know if the Twins upgraded their roster at all for this 60-game stretch run. (Narrator: They did in fact upgrade their roster).
I'm starting to feel like May and June were just a mirage and even if this Twins team makes the playoffs it will just be setting up another one and done disappointment. But I'm gloomy and melancholy like that sometimes. I can't say I'm enthused to stay up late and watch a game that starts so close to bedtime, so I'll probably be skipping this one. I probably won't be alone.
With a 7-3 record and a 2.89 ERA and 73 strikeouts, young Joe Ryan takes the mound for the Twins tonight. He's opposed by southpaw Blake Snell (2-5, 4.75 ERA, 71 K). So there you go.
Burnes won the Cy Young last year. He's been almost as good this year. This will be a tough game, just like last year. Fortunately Colomé isn't on this year's team but neither is Rogers or Berríos (though maybe that's fortunately this year).
