Twins Notebook 9/7: Labor Day Clash with Tigers

[Andrew Thares]

The Minnesota Twins are looking to put a pretty ugly loss on Sunday afternoon in their rearview mirror, and finish off this five-game series against the Detroit Tigers on a positive note. While the focus is still clearly on the Postseason, the Twins find themselves in a tight three-way race for the American League Central crown, as they now stand a game and a half behind the Chicago White Sox for first, and a game behind the Cleveland Indians for second.Yesterday’s Game Recap

DET 10, MIN 8: Bullpen Finally Breaks

Today

Twins vs Tigers 1:10 pm CDT

Betting Line: MIN -220, DET +190, O/U: 9

 

Twins Starter: Michael Pineda, RHP 3.00 ERA

 

It was a promising return back to the hill for Michael Pineda in his first start back from the nearly yearlong suspension. He gave up a couple early runs, but after that he settled in and cruised through the very tough White Sox lineup. In total, he went six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four. The Twins front office will be eager to see what Pineda can do today, and the rest of the regular season, to determine if he will be in line for one of the starting spots on the Postseason roster.

 

This young Tigers lineup does not have a lot of experience facing Michael Pineda, as only three of their hitters (Miguel Cabrera, Jonathan Schoop and Christian Stewart) have every faced Pineda before. Here is how they have fared as a collective against him.

 

Download attachment: A1186D67-FE01-465E-BBD0-2B4F897C6F77.png

 

Tigers Starter: Michael Fulmer, RHP 7.27 ERA

 

It has been a rough go of it for the once promising Tigers young starter. After missing the entire 2019, while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Michael Fulmer’s long-awaited return to the Tigers rotation this season has been very disappointing. In six starts, Fulmer has managed to pitch just 17 and 1/3 innings, which is less than three innings per start. While some of this can be explained by the Tigers taking it easy on Fulmer, it can also be explained by his poor performance, as Fulmer has given up multiple runs in four of his six starts this season, despite not throwing more than three innings in any of them.

 

While none of the Twins hitters have had any extended looks at Fulmer over his still relatively short career, seven of them do have at least five career plate appearances against Fulmer. How much they will be able to draw on those experiences is up in the air, as they all came prior to his Tommy John surgery. None the less, here is how the Twins active roster has done against Fulmer, as a whole, throughout their careers.

 

Download attachment: 013D7D10-DC50-4A50-9561-DF9B5FF328D2.png

 

Twins Lineup

 

 

News & Notes

 

- Hall of Famer Lou Brock passed away on Sunday at the age of 81. Brock finished his playing career in 1979 with what is still a National League record 938 career stolen bases.

 

- After losing 3 of 4 over the weekend to the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees have fallen into 3rd place in the AL East and are tied with the Astros for the current seventh and eighth spots in the AL Postseason race.

 

- Fernando Tatis Jr. homerd again on Sunday, pulling him back even with Mike Trout atop the MLB home run race at 15.

 

Around the AL Central

Indians 4, Brewers 1

White Sox 8, Royals 2

 

1. CWS 26-15 0.0 GB (+53)

2. CLE 25-15 0.5 GB (+51)

3. MIN 25-17 1.5 GB (+34)

4. DET 18-20 6.5 GB (-15)

5. KC 14-27 12.0 GB (-48)

 

See Also

Week in Review: Bucking a Bad Trend

3 Twins Players Heading to Free Agency at the Wrong Time

You are Hereby Circled: The Legacy of Bert Blyleven

 

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[puckstopper1]

This looks like a Spring Training line-up for the Twins - not one in the middle of a pennant race.

 

Hopefully Fulmer's struggles will continue.

 

 

[blindeke]

Weird lineup indeed.

[jorgenswest]

Wade over Rooker at 1B? Wade has never played 1B in the minors and has one start there in the majors. I wonder if Rooker has a major league position other than DH.

[bighat]

Definitely a patented "B Team Game" for Rocco. When the Twins have already won a series, it's almost certain that Baldelli will be resting the regulars - pennant race be damned.

 

Cruz on the bench again. Kep still hurt. Look for Theilbar and Poppen to be the first guys out of the 'pen today. At least Rogers is available, let's hope he gets an opportunity.