Series Preview: Those #@$% Yankees Again

[Steven Trefz]

The Twins shocked New York by winning the first two games of their four-game series last week, but have settled back down to Earth since then, losing six of their last eight. The Bronx Bombers, meanwhile, have treaded water since then, going 3-3 after winning the final two games against the Twins in Yankee Stadium. Who will prevail in this week's match-ups at Target Field?

Image courtesy of Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday night, the Twins begin a three-game series against the perennial nemesis, New York Yankees. The Twins salvaged a victory in the tundra series against the lowly Nationals, but still struggled mightily to provide an offensive spark. This series features familiar pitching opponents, albeit in different match-ups than the prior Twins vs. Yankees encounter.

Fun Fact: The last time the Yankees and Twins squared off was just eight days ago. Average attendance at those four games was around 39,000 per game. Since opening day, the Twins have averaged 17,176 fans in attendance at Target Field. 

Weather Factor: It won't be as cold for this series, but it won't be summer baseball either. Expect low 50's to high 40's for the Yankees series, with no threat of precipitation until later in the homestand.

Pitching Probables
Game 1 - Monday, April 24th - 6:40pm CDT - The first game in the series will feature Twins RHP Sonny Gray (2-0, 0.82 ERA) versus Yankees RHP Jhony Brito (2-1, 5.40 ERA).

The last time the Twins saw Brito, they liked what they saw to the tune of a nine-run first inning! While the Yankee faithful showered Brito with boos, the Twins welcome him back with open arms. Which version of Brito will we see? The one who entered that previous encounter with a sub-one ERA, or the one that hasn't been able to make it through five full innings in his last two starts?

Gray has been a consistent and positive force for the starting rotation, but he struggled to command the strike zone against Boston last week, and it ended up causing the Twins to rely on the bullpen an inning or two before they were ready.

Game 2 – Tuesday, April 25th – 6:40pm CDT - In the pitching matchup of the series, Twins ace (if victories are what matter most) Joe Ryan (4-0, 3.24 ERA) takes the mound opposite Yankees LHP Nestor Cortes (3-0, 3.09 ERA).

Cortes shut down the Twins last week, but Ryan shut down the Yankees in his start as well. The Twins haven't solved a left-handed pitcher yet, so they will have to see if the addition of Polanco adds some right-handed spice to the mix. It's also T-Shirt day, so if the game stinks at least you get free stuff.

Game 3 - Wednesday - 12:10pm CDT - The Twins hope to send RHP Kenta Maeda (0-3, 4.15 ERA) out to test his recently battered leg, in search of his first Win of the season. The Yankees counter with Captain Rosin, RHP Domingo German (1-2, 4.50 ERA), who dominated the Twins in suspect fashion last week.

Will Rocco Baldelli have some fun with the umpires again Wednesday? Or will the Twins finally figure out German's spin-rate to give Maeda a win and a chance to stay in the rotation?

Prediction Time!
What’s your prediction for our last series against the Yankees this season? Can the Twins offense find any hope? How will the Twins respond to their performance against the Nationals? A sweep feels overly ambitious, but can we win the season series? Let's go, Twins Territory!

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[Doctor Gast]

We should have a very good chance because of the cold weather NYY won't need any rosin. It seems like the clutch hitting Polanco is back, hopefully the rest of the bats will wake up besides Taylor's. Pitching should be in our favor and hopely our fans will be in the game, So Go Twins!

[Craig Arko]

I understand Maeda is supposed to throw a bullpen session today. That should determine if he’s really ready for the Wednesday start.

I like the chances here; wondering if Kiriloff makes it back for Wednesday as well.

[NotAboutWinning]

I feel good about the pitching matchups, and the Twins are due to come out of their funk. Twins go 2-1 (no analytics were used in the formulation of this opinion) 😂🤣😂

[JD-TWINS]

Rosin is used to get a better grip - temps in the 40’s should generate a real need - maybe we’ll see another dust up with German, if for no other reason, just to irritate him.

Seems to make sense for Mahle to go Wednesday on regular rest and to drop Maeda into the Royals series somewhere as it makes most sense.

Gallo in LF Tuesday……8 other RH bats v. Nestor…….gotta break through!!

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Rosin is used to get a better grip - temps in the 40’s should generate a real need - maybe we’ll see another dust up with German, if for no other reason, just to irritate him.

Seems to make sense for Mahle to go Wednesday on regular rest and to drop Maeda into the Royals series somewhere as it makes most sense.

Gallo in LF Tuesday……8 other RH bats v. Nestor…….gotta break through!!

Tuesday line-up:

Castro - LF ……Taylor - CF ……Gallo - RF

Solano-1B…Polanco-2B…CC-SS …Miranda-3B

Jeffers - C …..Buxton - DH

Jorge is supposedly a better LH hitter and would be rested by Farmer but Farmer’s hurt & Jorge got 3 hits Sunday from right side. Gotta get to Nestor with these guys.

[mikelink45]

Yes victories matter - I believe the team with the most victories wins their division. Ryan is as much of an ace as Grey and Lopez for now and I will take his attitude any day.  Go Twins.  If you can't beat the bad teams than feast on the good ones.