Twins Notebook 9/14: Twins Travel to Chicago For All-Important Series

[Andrew Thares]

After a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians, the Minnesota Twins will travel to Chicago to begin a four-game series with the White Sox. The Twins trail the White Sox by just one game in the AL Central standing, so this upcoming series will go a long way in deciding who the eventual winner of the division will be in a few couple weeks’ time.Yesterday’s Game Recap

Twins 7, Cleveland 5: Twins Complete Sweep, Shift Focus to White Sox

 

Today

Twins @ White Sox 7:10 pm CDT

Betting Line: Twins -140, White Sox +120, O/U: 9

 

Twins Starter: Jose Berrios, RHP 4.40 ERA

 

Jose Berrios seems to have found his groove over his past four starts. Over that stretch, Berrios has a 2.78 ERA while holding opposing hitters to an OPS of .552. A big reason for this has been Berrios’ improved strikeout to walk ratio. Over his first five starts of the season, Berrios had a K/9 of 8.9 and a BB/9 of 4.8. However, over his last four starts, his K/9 has jumped up to 12.3, while his BB/9 has decreased down to 3.6. This is the perfect time of year for Berrios to have settled into form, as he will likely make just three more starts before the end of the regular season.

 

This will be Berrios’ third outing this season against the fearsome White Sox lineup. After struggling against them his first time out, Berrios was lights out when they squared off a couple weeks ago, allowing just one run across six brilliant innings. Overall, Berrios has plenty of experience facing this White Sox roster, with seven different hitters having at least 20 career plate appearances against Berrios.

 

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White Sox Starter: Dylan Cease, RHP 3.33 ERA

 

At a quick glance, it would appear that second-year starter Dylan Cease is have a strong bounce back season after a rough rookie campaign, as he comes into tonight with a 5-2 record to go along with a 3.33 ERA. However, this is the exact reason why advanced metrics were created, as Cease has been blessed with a ton of lady luck to start his season. While Cease has a 3.33 ERA, his FIP and xFIP stand at 5.95 and 5.81, respectively. This is due in large part to Cease’s dreadfully low 5.9 K/9 and a not all that impressive 3.9 BB/9 rate so far this year. Cease has been helped a lot by an opposing BABIP of just .233 and a stranded runner rate of 83.3%. Both of which should expect some regression, which would drastically hurt Cease’s run prevention numbers when that happens.

 

Cease has yet to face the Twins so far this year, but he got demolished by the Bomba Squad in his two outings against them in 2019. In those two starts, Cease managed to give up 13 earned runs in just seven innings pitched. While three home runs paved the way for some of that production, the Twins main weapon of attack was a relentless barrage of getting on base, as they accumulated 17 hits to go along with four walks in those seven innings against Cease.

 

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Twins Lineup

 

 

Scratch that ...

 

 

Here are the updates:

 

 

News & Notes

 

- Eddie Rosario, Miguel Sano and Trevor May all appear to be relatively fine after all leaving Sunday’s game early with injuries. With the extreme sense of caution the Twins have had all year, don’t be surprised to see any of them miss a game or two so they can recover.

 

- Albert Pujols hit his 660th career home run on Sunday, pulling him even with Willie Mays for 5th on the all-time home run list. Pujols will need another 36 home runs to reach Alex Rodriguez for 4th on the career home run list.

 

- Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills threw a no-hitter on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

Around the AL Central

White Sox 5, Tigers 2

Royals 11, Pirates 0

 

1. CWS 30-16 (+77)

2. MIN 30-18 1.0 GB (+48)

3. CLE 26-21 4.5 GB (+31)

4. DET 20-26 10.0 GB (-58)

5. KC 20-28 11.0 GB (-21)

 

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[Trov]

This series will be very interesting to see how Twins do.  We have not performed well on the road this season, but we have done well against the Sox overall.  4 games we will see how each team a whole compares.  Twins have been hitting well lately.  Hopefully this carries over to the road and they keep it up.  Pitching overall has been strong too.  I hope they can stay hot rest of the season right into October. 

[Brandon]

The Twins had 1 bad stretch where they lost 6 in a row. Before that 20 -10 and 9- 2 since.

[Brandon]

Correction 10 - 2

[howeda7]

Big series opens with LaMont Wade Jr. batting 5th. As expected.

[twinbythebay]

Sano, Rosario, and Jeffers all out of the lineup tonight. Given the mismatch in starting pitchers tonight, I'd still give the Twins the edge.

 

Sad fact of the day: even after his big weekend, Marwin Gonzalez has the exact same slugging percentage this season as Lamonte Wade

[howeda7]

 

Sano, Rosario, and Jeffers all out of the lineup tonight. Given the mismatch in starting pitchers tonight, I'd still give the Twins the edge.

 

Sad fact of the day: even after his big weekend, Marwin Gonzalez has the exact same slugging percentage this season as Lamonte Wade

I don't get sitting Jeffers under the circumstances. You could then play Astudillo at 1B.

[Sielk]

Gonzalez won't play tonight. Adrianza instead.

 

I also wish Rocco would have played Jeffers with so many regulars not in the lineup.

[D.C Twins]

I disagree that it is "all important" 

 

Ticket has been punched for the playoffs barring something really crazy.

 

With three game series starting off, no fans and possibly in a bubble, I'm really not sure seeding matters much at all.

 

 

[twinbythebay]

 

Gonzalez won't play tonight. Adrianza instead.

I also wish Rocco would have played Jeffers with so many regulars not in the lineup.

Yuck. It's hard to downgrade from Gonzalez this season, but Adrianza has definitely been worse. Especially since it looks like Gonzalez may be on the verge of one of his patented hot streaks. Looks like Rocco isn't putting much stock into winning the division this season, which, if I'm being honest, I don't really have a problem with.

[Sielk]

Yuck. It's hard to downgrade from Gonzalez this season, but Adrianza has definitely been worse. Especially since it looks like Gonzalez may be on the verge of one of his patented hot streaks. Looks like Rocco isn't putting much stock into winning the division this season, which, if I'm being honest, I don't really have a problem with.

Sorry, should have been more specific.

 

It's not Rocco's decision, Marwin has a "non-covid related illness" that hasn't been specified.

 

To provide more depth in the middle infield Travis Blankenhorn has been called up and Smeltzer optioned.

 

Also, Blankenhorn is apparently already in Chicago as member of the taxi squad but Rocco still chose Adrianza to play today.

[USAFChief]

 

I disagree that it is "all important" 

 

Ticket has been punched for the playoffs barring something really crazy.

 

With three game series starting off, no fans and possibly in a bubble, I'm really not sure seeding matters much at all.

The joy of winning the ALC, plus a home series to start the playoffs, plus the best chance of avoiding the Yankees?

 

 

It would mean a great deal, if you ask me.

 

 

 

[TwinsFan268]

 

The joy of winning the ALC, plus a home series to start the playoffs, plus the best chance of avoiding the Yankees?

 

 

It would mean a great deal, if you ask me.

Yuh.