Twins Notebook 9/12: Take the Series!

[Cooper Carlson]

The Twins came away with a victory over Shane Bieber in game one but it doesn't get any easier today. Rich Hill will take on Zach Plesac in a game both teams need to win to hang with the Chicago White Sox.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

 

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[ToddlerHarmon]

133 MPH would be nice, but we don't need to inflate the lovely and actual 113 on Jeffers' blast, do we?

[Tom Froemming]

 

133 MPH would be nice, but we don't need to inflate the lovely and actual 113 on Jeffers' blast, do we?

 

Looked 331 mph off the bat to me, but we'll go with the official record

[bighat]

Nice to see Bux in the lineup for 2 straight.

 

I never thought I'd say this, but his bat is as dangerous as any Twin right now. We might just be seeing the best version of Byron Buxton we've ever seen. He's always tracked towards being a late bloomer and I am guessing his late 20's and early 30's will be good years for him.

[denarded]

 

Nice to see Bux in the lineup for 2 straight.

 

I never thought I'd say this, but his bat is as dangerous as any Twin right now. We might just be seeing the best version of Byron Buxton we've ever seen. He's always tracked towards being a late bloomer and I am guessing his late 20's and early 30's will be good years for him.

 

And Gleeman always says you're slower than the day before, he neglects to mention you get more more savvy than the day before. Buxton looks as fast to me as he did 3 years ago

 

[Heistyman]

I do not agree that Jeffers is doing a great job framing.  To me it looks like he moves the mitt too drastically and loses calls because he is too obvious.

[Aichiman]

The turtle is raking!