Notebook 7/31: Twins vs. Cleveland Still on the Schedule (at Least for Now)

It’s possible tonight’s game gets postponed. These positive tests, just like in the real world, can have a domino effect. Multiple Miami Marlins players testing positive after leaving Philadelphia caused the Phillies-Yankees series to be postponed. Even the Phillies-Blue Jays series that was scheduled for this weekend has now been postponed after a Philadelphia coach and clubhouse staff member tested positive.

We'll just have to wait and see how MLB decides to handle this situation.

LAST NIGHT’S GAME RECAP

CLE 2, MIN 0: Shane Bieber is a Cheat Code

TODAY

Twins vs. Cleveland, 7:10 pm CT

Twins: Randy Dobnak, RHP

Last outing: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 73 pitches

Info via Baseball Savant

Shane Bieber? Mike Clevinger? What about Randy Dobnak and his 1.67 career ERA!?!?!?

It’s a small sample, but Dobnak has done a great job in the limited opportunities he’s had with the Twins so far in his career. He stepped in on short notices and held the White Sox to one run over four innings his last start. Dobnak faced Cleveland three times last season, and gave up just three earned runs over 11 innings pitched (2.45 ERA), though the rest of the numbers aren’t as pretty.

Cleveland: Mike Clevinger, RHP

Last outing: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 90 pitches

Info via Baseball Savant

Bieber was essentially the Terminator last night, dominating the Bomba Squad over eight shutout innings. At least that guy’s outta the way, right? Well, the top of Cleveland’s rotation delivers another machine-powered pitcher in Clevinger tonight.

Clevinger was excellent in four starts against the Twins last season, posting a 2.39 ERA while striking out 32 batters over 26 1/3 innings.

Luis Arráez is 6-for-11 with a pair of doubles against Clevinger, but as a whole current Twins have hit .206/.287/.377 (.664 OPS) off him. It’s been feast or famine for Miguel Sanó against Clevinger. In 27 career plate appearances, Clevinger has struck out Sanó 11 times, but he’s also drawn six walks and hit a bomba. His career batting line against him is .200/.407/.500.

LINEUP

NEWS & NOTES

— Jake Odorizzi threw a bullpen session yesterday, meaning he won’t be pitching in this four-game series against Cleveland. The positive news is Odorizzi, who is recovering from a back injury, felt good. His next item on the agenda is facing live hitters Monday in St. Paul.

— MLB and the MLBPA agreed to play any doubleheaders necessary this season as seven-inning games. This is yet another new rule change the MLB is adopting that’s been in place in the minor leagues.

— Mandy Bell of MLB.com did a nice writeup on the T-2000, er, Shane Bieber.

— White Sox prospect Nick Madrigal is getting close to joining the big club, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times. The second baseman was the No. 4 pick of the 2018 draft. He hit .311/.377/.414 (.792 OPS) over three levels of the minor leagues last season.

— Mike Trout has been placed on the paternity list. Congrats to him and his wife, Jessica.

AROUND THE AL CENTRAL

KCR 5, DET 3

CHW OFF

1. CLE 5-2 (+9)

2. MIN 4-2 (+14)

3. DET 4-3 (-11)

4. KC 3-4 (0)

5. CHW 2-4 (-9)

SEE ALSO

Early Report on Eddie Rosario's Plate Discipline

Twins Fans Welcomed Back to Target Field?

Trevor May and the Next Adjustment