Twins vs. Marlins (4/3-4/5): Series Preview

[Steven Trefz]

The Twins continue their undefeated 2023 season at loanDepot Park on Monday. They will take on the 1-3 Miami Marlins in an interleague clash. Twins Territory only has one man on their mind as we take our talents to South Beach: Luis Arraez and his .563 average. How will the Twins fare against their old sparkplug? Who for the Twins is set up well to continue the winning ways of the first week?

Image courtesy of Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

2019 was the last time the Twins visited Miami. They went 2-1 against a young Marlins squad. This trip obviously will carry not only new Marlin-esque ballcaps, but remarkably flipped rosters. Of course, the focus for Twins fans will be on Luis Arraez and his hot start (1.282 OPS) in the new surroundings. Pablo Lopez takes the hill Wednesday, with all eyes on his return as well.

This series marks the first of the National League regular schedule, which still takes some getting used to. With the roof potentially open for some outdoor baseball by the sea, the Twins have a chance to launch a few more bombas before they head home to the frozen tundra for Thursday’s (?) home opener.

Fun Fact: This is the first time the Twins have started 3-0 since 2017. The last time the Twins went 4-0? Also 2017. 5-0…6-0? For that we have to go all the way back to 1968!

Weather Factor: Temperatures in Miami ranging from 75-85 degrees every day. However, weather shouldn’t play too much of a factor because the Marlins only have been opening the roof if its over 80 degrees at game time. Wednesday’s day game will be the biggest chance for outdoor baseball.

So let's take a look at the Pitching Probables for the Twins' second series of the season.

Game 1 – Monday, April 3, 2023 – 5:40pm CDT – Right-handers Tyler Mahle (Twins) and Johnny  Cueto (Marlins) will make their first starts of the season. Mahle looks to prove that he’s healthy while Cueto looks to continue baffling Twins batters.

Of the Marlins' potential lineup, only catcher Jacob Stallings has 10 plate appearances against Mahle. Cueto had four starts against the Twins last year as a member of the White Sox, winning only once, with two losses and a no-decision.

Game 2 – Tuesday, April 4, 2023 – 5:40pm CDT – Right-handers Kenta Maeda (Twins) and Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) take the mound in Maeda’s post-Tommy John debut. Alcantara, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, brings a 4.76 ERA and a no-decision from his Opening Day start. Of course, that means little to nothing. 

Third baseman Jean Segura has a .300 average across 21 career plate appearances versus Maeda, but that is about it for prior exposure to the Twins hurler. Alcantara faced the Twins back in 2019, with only Max Kepler taking him deep in his lone plate appearance.

Game 3 - Wednesday, April 5, 2023 – 12:10pm CDT - Right-hander Pablo Lopez (Twins) faces off against Jesus Luzardo (Marlins), the first left-handed starter the Twins will face this season. Both pitchers have started the 2023 at 1-0, with neither pitcher giving up an earned run in their first start.

Marlins shortstop Joey Wendle has a 1.200 OPS against Lopez in 10 plate appearances. Donovan Solano has the most track record against Luzardo, with a 1.196 OPS in only eight at-bats.

Another sweep, and some Twins history could be made this week. What's your prediction for this series? Get out the brooms, or something in between? Who do you think will be on fire for the Twins' bats? How will Mahle and Maeda start their seasons? What’s your prediction for Lopez vs. Arraez on Wednesday?

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Steve Trefz - On a mission to go to a Twins series in every stadium over 2023-24. The journey continues in Miami!
Follow me on Twitter: @TwinsTrefz
Statistical help from StatHead.com

 

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[Steven Trefz]

4 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Game 2 looks like it could be a loss given their starting pitcher.  The other two are a toss up IMO.

Bullpen usage will be interesting…Sands first appearance?

[Jocko87]

Battle of the hats?  Loser has to switch to lower case comic sans font M?   M m

[Doctor Gast]

It'll be a very interesting series, a lot of emotions. There's an outside chance for a sweep. If Mahle is on we should win, if not it'll be tough. Maeda it'll be tough to win. Ober had pitched better than both of them. I'd feel much better if he were in long relief in Sands place. Pablo Lopez/  Jesus Lazardo should be a good game but my money is on Lopez.

Will Buxton start CF at least one game in MIA? I hope so! Go Twins!

[FlyingFinn]

7 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Will Buxton start CF at least one game in MIA? I hope so! Go Twins!

Rocco on the pregame show yesterday - "We will reevaluate Bux playing CF in mid-April, possibly the end of April." Sure didn't sound like he's playing CF in Miami, which I had hoped in that warm weather.

[twinssporto]

Twins will sweep again. No other way to go 162-0...

[I wish the twins were good]

2 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Game 2 looks like it could be a loss given their starting pitcher.  The other two are a toss up IMO.

2-1. Don't think they beat alcantara

[GNess]

Alcantara lost. 9x last season. Twins can. beat him.

[mikelink45]

2017 - we won 85 games - would we take that this year?  Sounds pretty good now, but our sites are higher than that. 

[I wish the twins were good]

1 hour ago, GNess said:

Alcantara lost. 9x last season. Twins can. beat him.

I hope you are right!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Twins win 2 games and lose the second game. Gallo continues to go deep 3 more times. Arraez takes the Twins players, Carlos Correa, Polo, Byron Buxton, Johan Duran, Nick Gordan  and P. Lopez out to dinner  at Miami's La Rosa - Fine Cuban Cuisine Restaurant, and all the Twins mysteriously  get mild food poisoning, while Arraez does not. P. Lopez misses his start due to his stomach issues, however Emilio Pagan, who was not invited to eat at ALa Rosa Restaurant,  starts game 3 of this series for the Twins and pitches 9 innings of shutout baseball to  gain the victory.

[Steven Trefz]

Live from batting practice…roof open, humid and 90! Let’s go!

[Steven Trefz]

3 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

Battle of the hats?  Loser has to switch to lower case comic sans font M?   M m

 

[Squirrel]

Now that you’ve read the preview, come join the game thread! Good times await!

 

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, GNess said:

Alcantara lost. 9x last season. Twins can. beat him.

His ERA after first start is 4.76 for a reason. 

Maeda looked good against Yankees starters his last outing in Spring Training - gave up two runs in his first inning of 5 innings - struck out Judge…..his 60th pitch was 91 Mph! Walked 3 guys in 5 innings but I saw his last 3 innings and he looked solid.

Fingers crossed!

Watching game tonight…….Gallo for MVP!!

Kepler homers as well. They’re hot!

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Twins win 2 games and lose the second game. Gallo continues to go deep 3 more times. Arraez takes the Twins players, Carlos Correa, Polo, Byron Buxton, Johan Duran, Nick Gordan  and P. Lopez out to dinner  at Miami's La Rosa - Fine Cuban Cuisine Restaurant, and all the Twins mysteriously  get mild food poisoning, while Arraez does not. P. Lopez misses his start due to his stomach issues, however Emilio Pagan, who was not invited to eat at ALa Rosa Restaurant,  starts game 3 of this series for the Twins and pitches 9 innings of shutout baseball to  gain the victory.

You may be right…..on Gallo.