Article: That's The Ticket: Old Friends

[Nick Nelson]

The Blue Jays are coming to town this weekend, and bringing some familiar faces. Meanwhile, the Twins are as hot as they've been in half a decade, with a five-game winning streak pushing them 10 games above .500 and into first place.

 

Sounds like a good opportunity to catch some ball at Target Field. Let's break down the most intriguing aspects of this Jays/Twins series.Exorcising Demons

 

These first two months have been filled with vindication for the Twins. They have gone 7-3 against the rival White Sox. Earlier this month, they took two of three from a Rays team that had gone 22-7 against them over the past four years. And this week they swept the Red Sox for the first time since 2006.

 

Now, they'll have a shot at reversing their fortunes against a Toronto club that has also historically given them fits. Even in their contending years, the Twins could never seem to get over the hump against the Blue Jays, who had won eight consecutive season series prior to 2014, often in very lopsided fashion.

 

If the Twins can win two or three this weekend, it might be the surest sign yet that they've truly turned a corner.

 

Big Bad Bautista

 

One major reason the Jays have made things so tough for the Twins is Jose Bautista, who really enjoys hitting at Target Field. In 14 career games at the park, he has nine homers and a .966 slugging percentage. Twins pitchers have been fairly stingy with the long ball at Target Field this year, however, allowing 19 homers in 23 games.

 

The Ones That Got Away?

 

Remember Liam Hendriks and Chris Colabello? Outside of a few flashes, neither managed to do a whole lot in Minnesota, but they're both enjoying a lot of success right now with Toronto, and will surely have their minds set on punishing the team that let them go.

 

After demolishing Triple-A pitching in April, Colabello joined the Blue Jays in early May and has been flat-out raking with a .386 batting average in 22 games. He has collected multiple hits in 10 of those contests. Hendriks, meanwhile, has looked sharp out of the bullpen. In 21 innings, he has 24 strikeouts with just four walks and 17 hits allowed, through he was roughed up by the White Sox in his most recent outing.

 

PITCHING MATCH-UPS

 

Friday, 7:10 PM: Mark Buehrle vs. Trevor May

 

Speaking of old friends, the Twins are all too familiar with Buehrle from his days with Chicago. The veteran lefty has more career wins against the Twins (28) than any other opponent. He has openly talked about retiring after this season, so this might be your last chance to see this classic rivalry.

May is coming off perhaps his best outing as a big-leaguer. Can he keep the ball in the yard against Toronto's powerful lineup?

 

Forecast (courtesy Weather.com): High of 69, scattered showers

 

Saturday, 1:10 PM: Aaron Sanchez vs. Kyle Gibson

 

Sanchez is something to see. Just 22 years old, he lights up the radar gun with a heater in the mid-90s, and has held opposing hitters to a .197 average in 33 big-league appearances dating back to last year. He also leads the league with 34 walks allowed. Patience will be key for the Twins.

 

Can Gibson continue to roll? The righty has gone 3-1 with a 1.32 ERA in the month of May and has allowed only four homers all year. He'll have his hands full with a Blue Jays offense that leads the AL in slugging.

 

Forecast: High of 66 & sunny

 

Sunday, 1:10 PM: Drew Hutchison vs. Ricky Nolasco

 

Hutchison has struggled immensely on the road this year, with an 8.03 ERA south of the Canadian border. Nolasco's 5-0 record in May is somewhat misleading but there's no question that he has pitched much better since returning from the disabled list. This match-up would appear to favor the Twins pretty heavily.

 

Forecast: High of 68 & mostly sunny

 

Click here to view the article

[Gene Larkin]

Twins have fared well against lefty starters this season but I wouldn't be surprised if they struggle mightily against Buehrle, who always seemed to dominate the Twins even during their contending years

[Seth Stohs]

Also Danny Valencia is crushing the ball, playing in the outfield as part of a platoon. He just continues to hit left-handed pitching well.

 

Also, Steven Tolleson is playing quite a bit for the Blue Jays. The former Twins farmhand was on the Twins 40-man roster until they signed Jim Thome at Twins Fest in 2010.

[blindeke]

If the Jays are so good, why are they in last place?

[Halsey Hall]

 

If the Jays are so good, why are they in last place?

Because they've only got a limited number of ex-Twins on the team. 

[Nick Nelson]

 

If the Jays are so good, why are they in last place?

Well, for one thing, that division is very bunched up. They're only 3.5 out of first. And also their pitching has been terrible overall. Worst team ERA in the AL.

[jokin]

 

Big Bad Bautista

One major reason the Jays have made things so tough for the Twins is Jose Bautista, who really enjoys hitting at Target Field. In 14 career games at the park, he has nine homers and a .966 slugging percentage. Twins pitchers have been fairly stingy with the long ball at Target Field this year, however, allowing 19 homers in 23 games.
 

 

Bautista actually has 11 HRs @ Target Field

 

and then there's:

 

(Almost as) Big Bad Edwin Encarnacion

 

16 games @ Target:

 

.357/.448/.696/1.144   OPS+ 172 HR 6

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Twins should just swing a trade...  Bautista or Encarnacion at DH would be awesome.