The Twins are currently up two games on August 20th, and if you would've told any of us on the site that in February, we would've been thrilled and taken it in a heartbeat. However, the Twins found themselves up by double digit games just a few months ago, and the mood has understandably changed. Thankfully for the Twins they have the easiest remaining schedule in the MLB. Win, and they'll be in the playoffs, and likely AL Central champs. The Twins look to even up the series with the White Sox after falling last night. 

 

 

The Pitchers:

RHP Reynaldo Lopez (7-10, 5.29 ERA, 129 K's) vs RHP Michael Pineda (8-5, 4.20 ERA, 109 K's)

 

Lopez has had a very solid six game stretch in which he has posted an ERA of 2.13. However, he was roughed up last time out by the Angels, and was destroyed by the Twins earlier in the year. I expect the Twins offense to put up very good numbers against the Sox right hander. However, I thought the same against Ivan Nova. Michael Pineda, on the other hand, has been the Twins best starter as of late. In his last 16 starts, he has given up three or less runs in 15 of those starts. I expect that trend to continue tonight against a fairly poor White Sox lineup. 

 

The Lineups:

 

 

Twins

 

CF Max Kepler L
SS J. Polanco S
DH Nelson Cruz R
LF E. Rosario L
3B Miguel Sano R
2B Luis Arraez L
C Mitch Garver R
1B M. Gonzalez S
RF Jake Cave L

 

White Sox

 

CF Leury Garcia S

SS Tim Anderson R
1B Jose Abreu R
LF Eloy Jimenez R
3B Ryan Goins L
C W. Castillo R
RF Jon Jay L
DH Matt Skole L
2B Y. Sanchez S

 

We all know how dangerous this Minnesota Twins lineup is, and that doesn't matter what combination of players are getting the start on any given day. This is probably the best lineup the Twins can put on the field at this point in time, given the health of their players. One could argue starting Gonzalez in the outfield and Ehire/Cron at first, but that is splitting hairs. Most of the Twins lineup has only a handful of at bats against Lopez, being their last time out. However, leadoff hitter Max Kepler has 14 AB's against Lopez, and is hitting a dreadful .143. Eddie Rosario is hitting .273 in 11 at-bats. Ehire, Kepler, Sano, and Rosie all have hopers against Chicago's starter. Ryan Goins has had good success against Big Mike, hitting .429 in 14 at-bats. Jose Abreu is 0-10 against Mike. Adam Engel is the only Sox hitter with a homer off of Pineda. I expect a lopsided victory in the Twins hand, but I've been wrong before. 

 

Mill's Moments

Resign Mike

It is very well publicized that the Twins will lose three starters this off-season, with the potential to lose four (Perez has a club option). Berrios is the only starter on the staff that will FOR SURE be in a Minnesota Twins uniform in 2020. However, the front office needs to change that number, and lock up Pineda this off-season. I know some will point to his arm issues, but that isn't a huge issue to me. He has shown that he has been able to bounceback, and has been pretty injury free for the Twins this season. He has the ability to miss bats, and doesn't give up free bases. I would be interested in bringing him back on a 2 year, 20 million dollar deal, or something along those lines. 

Arraez for Leadoff

It seems that in the last few years the Twins have liked to put a player with some pop in the first order in the batting lineup, and thats fine. Coming into the year Kepler was the best option. I don't think anyone thought he would hit 35+ homers, nor did anyone expect Luis Arraez to his a non-fluky .320 at the MLB level. However, when you combine both things that are currently happening, there is no reason not to put Arraez in the leadoff position. We have seen him succeed their in a small sample size, and there is no reason to think he wouldn't. I would hit, with everyone healthy, Arraez-Polanco-Cruz-Kepler-Sano-Garver-Rosario-Gonzalez-Buxton. I think that is the best lineup the Twins can put on the field, with Sano or Gonzalez playign first base. 

 

This Day In History: 1989 - It's a busy day on the trading block for the Mets as they send popular outfielder Mookie Wilson to the Blue Jays for pitcher Jeff Musselman and minor leaguer Michael Brady. New York also gets Frank Viola from the Twins for pitchers Rick Aguilera, David West, and Kevin Tapani and two minor leaguers.

 

Pick to Click - Eddie Rosario will continue his hot stretch with a long ball

 

Go Twins!!!

I like "this day in history" stuff.

 

Thanks!

The MLB.com free TV game of the day is KC @ Baltimore.

 

Shouldn't it be more like MLB.com "we'll pay you watch" game of the day?

Pick to Click - Eddie Rosario will continue his hot stretch with a long ball

I seem to recall your Picks having a pretty good track record this season. I wonder whether any site historians can back up this anecdotal memory. Anyway hope Eddie Clicks - or thwacks, even.

I predict Pineda will go 5-6 innings and allow 3-4 runs.  

Great play by Gonzo

The Twins need to develop or acquire a third baseman. Sano is terrible defensively.

Edited August 21, 20197 yr by yarnivek1972

 

The Twins need to develop or acquire a third baseman. Sano is terrible defensively.

 

Yeah, but he strikes out with the tying runs on base and two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Lot of long at bats for Mike tonight.

Nice DP, MarGo!

That was helpful.

 

Yeah, but he strikes out with the tying runs on base and two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Ahh, yes ... and I guess you've forgotten the Aug. 6 game vs the Braves?

 

But yeah, wish that could have ended differently, especially since Sano has been doing so well lately.

Have they said on the broadcast what Pineda is doing with his pitching hand? Seems to be shaking it out and stretching it a lot between pitches.

 

Yeah, but he strikes out with the tying runs on base and two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

He has also jacked at least two home runs to take the lead/tie late in a game over the past month, and those are just the homers I remember.

 

Have they said on the broadcast what Pineda is doing with his pitching hand? Seems to be shaking it out and stretching it a lot between pitches.

I'm in ChiSox territory, so I have the Sox broadcast on.

 

I'm in ChiSox territory, so I have the Sox broadcast on.

And they're talking about a squirrel or something ... then mentioned Rocky & Bullwinkle and Frostbite Falls, MN

Have they said on the broadcast what Pineda is doing with his pitching hand? Seems to be shaking it out and stretching it a lot between pitches.

Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play...

A real drawn out slugfest.

 

Do you think 6 will be enough to win tonight?

And they're talking about a squirrel or something ... then mentioned Rocky & Bullwinkle and Frostbite Falls, MN

I approve. Just don't let them mention the sekret rocket fuel formula!

Fantastic play by Jake Cave

Who’s that guy wearing the Cave jersey tonight?

Cave with the catch.

Not a good play by Cave...

I think I hate Jake Cave.

Oh, that guy wearing the Cave jersey is Jake Cave.

 

(honestly though, I don’t fault him for that, it was a pretty crap bounce and he had to play which way he thought it would bounce... he rolled the dice and lost)

Unbelievable....

Blame this start on me boys

...and that happens

 

Ugh. So the Cave bounce mattered exactly zero percent.

Can’t wait til we get back on the road