Twins Notebook 9/12: Take the Series!

Friday's Game One Recap:

Buxton, Jeffers Sting Bieber, Maeda sails through 7

TODAY

Indians @ Twins, 7:07 pm CDT

Twins Starter: Rich Hill, LHP 3.86 ERA

The 40 year old lefty will hope to build off last week's performance against Detroit where he went five innings, giving up just two runs. That is exactly what the Twins hope to get out of Hill every time he takes the mound. His days of going six or seven great innings are likely over, but if the Twins can get five solid from him every time out then they will take it.

It is unlikely we will see Hill as a starter come playoff time, but rather a solid arm out of the bullpen. It will be interesting to see if Hill remains in the rotation once Odorizzi returns. Hill has faced Cleveland once this season and he went five innings allowing just one run. Let’s hope we see that pitcher today.

Indians Starter: Zach Plesac, RHP 1.32 ERA

Plesac is the guy who violated MLB COVID-19 rules and was sent to the minor leagues for a month. He was called back up at the start of September and has faced the mighty Royals twice since then. He pitched a total of 13.0 innings, allowing just two runs. He only struck out 10 while allowing 11 hits so maybe the Twins can capitalize a bit more than the Royals did. Plesac would be right in the mix for Cy Young with Bieber if he hadn’t violated the rules.

The Twins have actually not faced Plesac yet this season so it will be interesting to see how they approach each other. He also never faced the Twins in 2019 so the Twins will be facing a new pitcher in Cleveland.

TWINS LINEUP:

NEWS & NOTES:

-- Sergio Romo and Francisco Lindor got into a heated exchange last night. Romo got Lindor to fly out and Lindor smiled at him as if to say he just missed that pitch. Romo didn’t like it and the benches cleared. Things calmed down quickly.

-- Ryan Jeffers has looked great both offensively and defensively. His framing has been noticeable and yesterday he hit a home run off Shane Bieber with an exit velocity of 113 MPH. His wRC+ sits at 127 now.

-- With 14 games left in the season, the Twins magic number for a postseason spot is at nine so keep your eyes on that.

AROUND THE AL CENTRAL

Royals 4, Pirates 3

White Sox 4, Tigers 3

1. CWS 28-16 (-)

2. MIN 28-18 (1.0 GB)

3. CLE 26-19 (2.5 GB

4. DET 20-24 (8.0 GB)

5. KCR 18-28 (11.0 GB)

See Also:

Today’s Game could influence the MVP vote

7 Games to Decide the Division

Sergio Romo Lets Francisco Lindor Get the Best of Him

Replacing Luis Arraez at Second Base

MORE FROM TWINS DAILY

— Latest Twins coverage from our writers

— Recent Twins discussion in our forums

— Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email