Roster Moves: The Twins have placed IF Luis Arraez and RHP Dylan Bundy on the COVID-IL. They have also sent down LHP Jovani Moran, who has pitched in two different ballgames this year. The most notable thing here is that Carlos Correa did not end up on the IL, as he does not have a broken finger, and is considered day-to-day, although I wouldn't expect to see him this weekend. IF Royce Lewis has been recalled from AAA and will serve as the starting SS in the near future. The team also recalled 1B/OF Alex Kiriloff, who was on a rehab assignment. However, AK has not been hitting for much power and the wrist still seems to be an issue. RHP Cole Sands also returns after making his MLB debut last weekend. The Twins now have tomorrow listed as "TBD", with the expectation being Sonny Gray returning, and Sands going down. Gray was scheduled to pitch for STP tomorrow.

The Pitchers

LHP Zach Logue (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K, 1.1 IP) v RHP Josh Winder (1-0, 2.20 ERA, 12 K's, 16.1 IP)

The A's have recalled Zach Logue to make the start tonight. Logue has thrown one inning of relief for the A's, and is the 18th best prospect in the org according to fangraphs. Logue will throw with a unique arm slot with a fastball that sits 91-93. He will feature pretty good command, but won't get a ton of swings and misses. His best pitch according to fangraphs is his changeup, which is graded at a 60. The Twins will turn to Josh Winder to make his second career start after sliding into the rotation for an injured Bailey Ober. Winder was fantastic last time out against the Rays, and will look to repeat against a poor A's lineup. 

The Lineups

Twins

1. Byron Buxton (R) DH
2. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
3. Gary Sanchez (R) C
4. Gio Urshela (R) 3B
5. Max Kepler (L) RF
6. Jose Miranda (R) 1B
7. Royce Lewis (R) SS
8. Trevor Larnach (L) LF
9. Gilberto Celestino (R) CF

A's

1. Sheldon Neuse (R) 1B
2. Jed Lowrie (S) DH
3. Sean Murphy (R) C
4. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
5. Chad Pinder (R) LF
6. Kevin Smith (R) 3B
7. Elvis Andrus (R) SS
8. Cristian Pache (R) CF
9. Tony Kemp (L) 2B

Byron Buxton will get the night off from CF, and will slide in as the DH. Jorge Polanco slides up to the 2 hole with both Correa and Arraez being unavailable. Gary Sanchez will hit third against the lefty, easily the highest he has hit in his time with the Twins. Kepler and Larnach both get another start against a southpaw, with Jose Miranda starting a third straight day at 1st. I expect to see AK there next time we face a lefty. Royce Lewis, in his MLB debut, will start at SS and hit 7th. Gilberto Celestino starts in CF. The A's are led by Sheldon Neuse, who is hitting over .300 and also has 2 steals. Sean Murhphy, one of the best power hitting catchers in the league, has 4 on the year. The bottom 4 of the order are all hitting below .235, with 2 of them below the Mendoza line. This A's team is not afraid to steal bags, and will look to manufacture runs that way. 

The Odds: A's +145, Twins -175, O/U 7.5

On This Day:  1994 - Anthony Young won as a starter for the first time in more than two years as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-1. The win ended Young's 29-game losing streak as a starter.

Pick to Click: Royce Lewis gets an XBH and a steal in his debut

Prediction: Twins 5, A's 2

 

Go Twins!!

 

Who the hell is this Royce Lewis guy and why am I just hearing about him now?!?

You'd think he'd get mentioned around here a few times!

I don't understand the fascination, and or logic, of putting Urshela at the 4 spot. Maybe it's just me, but he should be at the bottom of the order. He's taken Sano's place as the major hole in the line up. 

I’m not a fan of DHing Buxton, but whatever keeps him healthy. 

Oakland’s starter is a lefty.  Perhaps Kirilloff starts against right handers at first. 

50 minutes before first pitch while I'm still in the middle of cooking dinner I am still strongly considering going to at least part of this game.

I was there for Lewis and Miranda's Saints debuts, I should be there for their first time at Target Field.

Four rookies and a couple of struggling former Yankees .... Twins score 8 runs, win. C'mon Josh, own the zone.

Royce is going to make history tonight. The stars are aligned. 

Trust me. All is well!

I'm actually nervous for him. I might go pour myself a drink...My excuse, It's Friday, 75 degrees and Royce makes his MLB debut. Just moved into a new place and have no cable. Will be listening to WCCO.

Let's go Twins!!

 

43 minutes ago, CRF said:

I don't understand the fascination, and or logic, of putting Urshela at the 4 spot. Maybe it's just me, but he should be at the bottom of the order. He's taken Sano's place as the major hole in the line up. 

Agreed. Gio is looking like a walking GIDP right now.

I was really feeling all the doom and gloom last night, but Carlos is going to be ok and we get to see Royce!! Plus no new covid victims! The guys gotta be feeling good going into this one. Hopefully Winder, Lewis and Miranda steal the show tonight. Let's go Twins!!

Lewis is #23. Not #93 or something. You'd think that the Twins actually expect him to be a big leaguer!

What i miss?

2 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

What i miss?

Some guy named Jerry Lewis or something is taking over at ss, I guess. Never heard of him.

Royce in the action from the start!!

Winder K

How tall is Winder? He looks big on TV. 

Dick says he used the same phrase that he just used for Lewis's first assist to describe Nishioka's first play. Wow. Let's hope that's the LAST time that those two are compared!

Oh my, Josh. Keep it up.

1 minute ago, PDX Twin said:

Dick says he used the same phrase that he just used for Lewis's first assist to describe Nishioka's first play. Wow. Let's hope that's the LAST time that those two are compared!

I have never been more disappointed in a player than that guy. Truly a complete disaster. 

Winder KK

3 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

How tall is Winder? He looks big on TV. 

6' 5"

3 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

How tall is Winder? He looks big on TV. 

6'5" 210

That's why they didn't use Buxton in CF tonight. Winder is not planning on allowing any fair balls to be hit.

Walks will haunt 

Have Buxton run on the young guy right away

Does anyone know why Irvin isn't pitching for the A's?

Jayce Tingler reminds me strongly of the very un-PC Vito Scotti character on giligan’s island

Finally, a gorgeous night for baseball!

20 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Lewis is #23. Not #93 or something. You'd think that the Twins actually expect him to be a big leaguer!

Yah, let's get Miranda #9 and Winder #47.