Twins Notebook 9/5: Return to the Top?

YESTERDAY’S RECAP

Doubleheader Recap: Twins Sweep Tigers Behind Big Day From Jorge Polanco

TODAY

Twins vs. Tigers, 6:10 pm CT

Kenta Maeda, RHP, 2.53 ERA, 0.75 WHIP

Maeda’s last start was against the Tigers in Detroit. He gave up three runs on six hits over six innings pitched while striking out eight batters. Jeimer Candelario and Jonathan Schoop took him deep as the Tigers won that game 3-2.

Maeda currently leads MLB with a 0.75 WHIP and ranks fifth in the AL with a 2.53 ERA. He’s given up just one run in 14 innings pitched at Target Field.

Maeda has pitched at least five innings in all seven of his starts this year and six or more innings five times. After yesterday’s doubleheader, the Twins could really use some length today. Here’s how the bullpen looks heading into tonight:

Tarik Skubal, LHP, 6.75 ERA, 1.61 WHIP

Skubal is also facing the same team in back-to-back starts. He held the Twins to two runs on three hits over five innings pitched as the Tigers won 4-2. That was the best outing so far for Skubal, who pitched to a 2.42 ERA and averaged 13.1 K/9 over 122 2/3 innings between High A and Double A last season.

The Twins have been awful against left-handed pitching so far this season, but the returns of Byron Buxton and Josh Donaldson should help turn things around. Rocco Baldelli will be taking it easy on those two, but with Detroit expected to start right-hander Casey Mize tomorrow, this appears to be a great opportunity for Buck and The Bringer. Brent Rooker also gives the Twins another new potential weapon to combat lefties.

LINEUP

NEWS & NOTES

— The Twins have bounced back for their six-game losing streak to win four in a row. The pitching staff has surrendered just five total runs over this winning streak.

— In addition to aiming for a return to the top of the AL Central standings, the Twins have an opportunity to put more ground between themselves and the Tigers. Detroit is currently ninth in the AL standings, representing the first team that would miss the playoffs, and come into tonight's contest trailing the Twins by five games.

— Here’s an interest comparison between this year’s club and last year’s Twins via The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman:

https://twitter.com/AaronGleeman/status/1302247597772435456

— We only got a glimpse of Sergio Romo and Willians Astudillo in the same dugout, but it was glorious.

https://twitter.com/TFTwins/status/1302079662546391040

La Tortuga was the extra man for yesterday’s doubleheader, and will return to St. Paul today.

AROUND THE AL CENTRAL

MIL 7, CLE 1

CHW 7, KCR 4

1. CHW 24-15

2. CLE 23-15 (-0.5)

3. MIN 24-16 (-0.5)

4. DET 17-19 (-5.5)

5. KCR 14-25 (-10)

SEE ALSO

A Beacon of Light in a Dark World: Kenta Maeda

Brent Rooker Makes MLB Debut

The Twins' 5 Most Effective Pitches