Notebook 8/30: Twins Need Maeda to Provide a Jolt

Saturday’s double header recap:

Twins sink to third place

TODAY

Twins @ Tigers, 12:10 pm CDT

Twins Starter: Kenta Maeda, RHP 2.21 ERA

Kenta Maeda will take the mound for today’s series finale in a game that is suddenly important. After being swept in yesterday’s double header, the Twins fell to third place in the division. The offense is struggling so they will need a great pitching performance.

Luckily, Maeda is the perfect guy for they. He has been the Twins most reliable starter this season and he is yet to record a loss. The Twins are in desperate need of a jolt so hopefully Maeda can provide it. His last time out he faced Cleveland and went five innings, giving up just one run with seven strikeouts. Maybe today the Twins will stretch his pitch count a bit more.

Tigers Starter: Casey Mize, RHP 7.04 ERA

Mize is the guy Detroit fans have been waiting for. He ranked #1 in the Detroit system and #8 overall among prospects before the season. Back in 2018 the Tigers selected him with the first overall pick and he is already here hoping to stay. Mize has made two starts this year but he has not yet reached five innings. The Twins need to get to him.

Mize is interesting because he doesn’t just rely on one or two pitches, he throws four at least 20% of the time. The splitter (26.2%), sided (23.5%), fastball (22.1%), and sinker (21.5%). So far the fastball has been his best pitch but that could easily change.

Twins Lineup

1. Kepler RF

2. Polanco SS

3. Cruz DH

4. Sano 1B

5. Cave CF

6. Arraez 2B

7. Gonzalez 3B

8. Wade LF

9. Avila C

News & Notes:

-The Twins are currently 20-14. That would be a 95 win pace if this were a 162 game season. They have only reached that win total twice since 1992.

-After the second game, Baldelli said Eddie Rosario has a sore ankle and it would be assessed today.

-The MLB trade deadline is tomorrow and the Twins and the Twins may still make a trade. This team desperately needs a jolt so perhaps we see one.

-The Braves made a huge trade today, acquiring Tommy Milone from Baltimore. Okay, not huge but he’s an old friend and he was good enough to be dealt to a contender so good for him.

AROUND THE AL CENTRAL

-Indians 2, Cardinals 1

-Royalas 9, White Sox 6

1. Cle 21-12 (-)

2. CWS 20-13 (1.0 GB)

3. MIN 20-14 (1.5 GB

4. DET 15-16 (5.0 GB)

5. DET 13-20 (8.0 GB)

See Also:

Twins Up the Middle Players Lead Offensive Struggles

Predicting the Twins' Final 28 Games

4 Right-Handed Relievers the Twins Should Target Before the Trade Deadline

4 Left-Handed Relievers the Twins Could Target This Week

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