Even the most optimistic Twins fan has to be worried right now. Minnesota is no longer alone in first place in the AL Central. Cleveland’s pulled even and is playing Detroit, while Chicago is sitting 1.5 games back and playing KC. Is this the beginning of the end for the ‘22 Twins? Or will they step up tonight in LA and hand the best team in baseball a home loss? 

With their playoff hopes suddenly fading and the division lead on the line, the Minnesota Twins turn to Sonny Gray tonight against the Dodgers in the series finale tonight in Los Angeles. Games like tonight’s are why the Twins brought Gray (6-3, 3.19) to Minnesota in a preseason trade. The 32 year-old vet has been very solid his last 3 starts, giving up just 2 earned runs over 16 innings during that stretch. 

The Dodgers counter with spot-starter Ryan Pepiot (1-0, 2.76) , who is filling in for the injured Clayton Kershaw. Pepiot is another young, live arm in what is apparently a bottomless well of pitching talent in the Dodger organization. In his four previous starts this year, he’s been effective but has only pitched more than 4 innings once, so LA’s bullpen will likely be called on to shoulder the load. 

With last night’s 10-3 loss, the Twins are now 7-8 coming out of the All Star break. While Nick Gordon, Jose Miranda and Gilberto Celestino have been hitting over .300 the past 15 games, the Twins big name offensive players have largely been absent in July and August. Most noticeably underperforming is star shortstop Carlos Correa, who is hitting just .196 since July 22nd. Is Correa a bust? Share your thoughts in this recent Twins Daily article. 

Other notables struggling include Max Kepler, who is 0-for-13 since returning from a toe injury, and Gary Sanchez who is coming off a horrific July that saw him bat .149 with just 1 home run. Kepler will be batting cleanup tonight, with Gary Sanchez batting 9th. Jake Cave and Tim Beckham are also in the lineup. Byron Buxton will be on the bench. 

Still, the team undeniably has potential and some timely hitting might just save their season. Can the Twins summon up some emotion and grab a victory tonight? The division lead is on the line and it’s time to see what our boys are made of. Buckle up. 

Picks to click: Keep your eyes on the same guys who have been carrying the team the past two weeks. Against right-handed pitchers on the road this season, Jose Miranda has a .401 wOBA and a .330 batting average. Nick Gordon leads the team with a 91.6 average exit velocity against right-handers in away games. 

Weather: 85 degrees at game time, clear skies

Odds: Dodgers -175, Twins +150

Lineups

Twins: 

1. Luis Arraez (L) 1B
2. Carlos Correa (R) SS
3. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
4. Max Kepler (L) RF
5. Jose Miranda (R) 3B
6. Nick Gordon (L) CF
7. Jake Cave (L) LF
8. Tim Beckham (R) DH
9. Gary Sanchez (R) C

Dodgers:

1. Mookie Betts (R) RF
2. Trea Turner (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Will Smith (R) C
5. Max Muncy (L) 3B
6. Justin Turner (R) DH
7. Gavin Lux (L) 2B
8. Chris Taylor (R) LF
9. Cody Bellinger (L) CF

Play ball! 

ha ha ha ha ha ha oh my.

 

I'm worried that the Dodgers will hang another 10 spot on us. The only thing I'm optimistic about, is that we only play two games there before going to play the Halos. Maybe we can somehow win a game or two over there. I'm not gonna bet the ranch on it though. 

What, me worry?

It's in the bag, along with the cat, and some pipes, and a whole lot of mischief.

At game again.  Hopefully better outcome.

Surprise surprise no Buxton. Glad he was able to hit that home run in the all star game and glad he was able to admire that home run when they were down 10-1 yesterday. He’s really a one of a kind player isn’t he!

You had me at “Jake Cave and Tim Beckham are also in the lineup.”

Freddie Freeman bobble night

21 minutes ago, Azviking101 said:

Surprise surprise no Buxton. Glad he was able to hit that home run in the all star game and glad he was able to admire that home run when they were down 10-1 yesterday. He’s really a one of a kind player isn’t he!

What is he supposed to do, wish he was still getting closer to the Medoza line??

So what's going on with Buxton? Four starts in August, all at DH.

27 minutes ago, Azviking101 said:

Surprise surprise no Buxton. Glad he was able to hit that home run in the all star game and glad he was able to admire that home run when they were down 10-1 yesterday. He’s really a one of a kind player isn’t he!

Come on, now. It was 8-1 when he homered in the 8th! Much more pressure. I guess he will only take centerfield at Dodger Stadium if it is in the World Series, and he did in the ASG for a few innings. He must be hurting. He just had a day off, DH'd yesterday, and now will have 2 days off before Friday's game in Anahiem. 3 out of 4 days off should have him ready to play at least one in a row.

2 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

So what's going on with Buxton? Four starts in August, all at DH.

I don't know. Maybe he is saving himself for the playoffs, like some save themselves for their wedding night?

Yesterday, with the exception of Buxton, all hits were by newbies or rookies; Urshela had the only multi-base hit , other than Bux's homer,  and is a better third baseman than Miranda who was 0-4 but they put Miranda at 3rd and bench Urshela.

Twins may surprise, but odds are on a long night, or very short one if Twins keep going down 1-2-3.

5 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

I don't know. Maybe he is saving himself for the playoffs, like some save themselves for their wedding night?

Dunno about that. Seems to me wasn't saving himself during the AS break. He stepped out on us.

I think it has been put out there several times that Buxton's knee will be fine one day or several days then flare up for one day or several days, a 10 or 15 day IL stint will not fix it.

I am assuming the the PRP(??) injection isn't working as hoped. Or he aggravated it in that AB against Milwaukee or San Diego where he swung awkwardly and was flexing it quite a bit afterwards.

At this point, I think if the Twins fall out of contention (let's hope not) he would be shut down and more options considered (pure speculation on my part).

Some thing is wrong, some where; the Twins are 4-3 against Seattle and Seattle is 4-2 vs New York, but teams Seattle walk over, dump all over Minnesota.

47 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Freddie Freeman bobble night

Stick a firecracker were the bat goes! That'll make it bobble! 

29 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

So what's going on with Buxton? Four starts in August, all at DH.

The PRP injection didn’t work, apparently. It might be time to start discussing surgery? I have no idea what that surgery would be or the recovery time, but I’m thinking the Twins still want Buxton to limp to the end and hope for some Kirk Gibson heroics in Sept/Oct

yes, sad emoji

29 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

I don't know. Maybe he is saving himself for the playoffs, like some save themselves for their wedding night?

If you can provide a list of players who have done both, I’d be impressed!

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

At game again.  Hopefully better outcome.

I was hoping you would post a pic—enjoy the game!

22 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

I think it has been put out there several times that Buxton's knee will be fine one day or several days then flare up for one day or several days, a 10 or 15 day IL stint will not fix it.

I am assuming the the PRP(??) injection isn't working as hoped. Or he aggravated it in that AB against Milwaukee or San Diego where he swung awkwardly and was flexing it quite a bit afterwards.

At this point, I think if the Twins fall out of contention (let's hope not) he would be shut down and more options considered (pure speculation on my part).

You said it better than me.

"A leadoff double is wasted"  how many times have we heard that?

Lead off double, no runs, as expected. 

Twins waste a leadoff double.

trying to figure out where I’ve heard that joke before. 

3 minutes ago, Winston Smith said:

"A leadoff double is wasted"  how many times have we heard that?

My thoughts exactly, almost word for word.

Not a bad first inning for Gray

Miranda is a darn good hitter. Need like 6 more of him 

A team with Nick Gordon batting 5th is hard to take seriously. 

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

A team with Nick Gordon batting 5th is hard to take seriously. 

Take this team…literally!

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

A team with Nick Gordon batting 5th is hard to take seriously. 

And it doesn't say much of anything good about those hitting lower in the batting order.