Mill1634

Hill struggling the 2nd time through once again....I think he is a long man in the playoffs. I think he can be effective at the role, but he certainly isn't a starter

Just FYI, not sure if it matters or not, but the game is on FOX

LA TORTUGA!!!!

MARWIN MASH

ROMO!!!! LOVE IT!!!

JEFFERS JACK!!!

Fantastic outing by Maeda for not only matching Bieber, but flat out out-dueiling him. He didn't run into any trouble all night, other than the 7th inning, and kept hitters off balance.

Interested to see if Rocco lets Maeda take the 7th. I would think yes, as he is through Ramirez and Lindor, and at less than 80 pitches.

Whenever Sano's playing career is over, he has a future as the replay coordinator. Every time he asks for a replay, he is right (assuming NYC makes the correct call here, which is out)

Maeda through 4 beautiful innings on less than 50 innings. Brilliant move by the FO

BUXTON BOMB

Thought Miggy got that one at first

The Twins return to action Friday after taking a very much needed 2 day break from baseball because of the doubleheader played Tuesday, which was originally a normal 2 day series. However, things start to heat up in intensity as the Cleveland Indians, who are behind the Twins by half a game in the division, who are a game behind Chicago, come to town. This is as important of a series as you can have in a 60 game season. The Pitchers: RHP Shane Bieber (7-0, 57.2 IP, 1.25 ERA, 94 K's) vs RHP Kenta Maeda (4-1, 48.2 IP, 2.77 ERA, 56 K's) Shane Bieber has easily been the best pitcher in the entire America League, and the entirety of MLB this season. The right hander averaged over 14 K's per 9 innings, which is elite for a reliever, but for a starter is practically unheard of. Bieber has been worse the last three games, and still has an ERA of 1.59 in those outings. This is the third time the Twins have faced him, so maybe we see some guys pick on stuff a bit sooner. As for Maeda, he has been exceptional this season since coming over from the Dodgers. This is also the third time Kenta is tasked with shutting down Clevelands hitters, and he has done so thus far. He has 13 K's and only one run in 11 innings. Expect this one to be a low scoring affair (Vegas has the over/under at 6.5!! A typical game is 8.5 or 9.5). The Lineups: Twins SS J. Polanco S 3B J. Donaldson R LF E. Rosario L DH Nelson Cruz R 1B Miguel Sano R RF Jake Cave L CF Byron Buxton R 2B M. Gonzalez S C Ryan Jeffers R Indians SS F. Lindor S 2B C. Hernandez S 3B Jose Ramirez S 1B C. Santana S DH F. Reyes R RF Tyler Naquin L LF Josh Naylor L C R. Perez R CF D. DeShields R Luis Arraez was placed on the 10 day IL today, so we will still get to see Marwin in this lineup a lot, and take that however you would like. Polanco leads off once again, and Donaldson is back for the third game in a row after playing B2B games on Tuesday. Rosario slides up to the 3 slot, which I can't quite figure out. Buxton is once again roaming Center Field, which is always a good sign. Cleveland rolls out 4 switch hitters to start the ballgame, and then the lineup drops off pretty quickly after that. Reyes is having a very good year, hitting over .300, but has a lot of swing and miss in his game. Josh Naylor is a new addition to the squad since they traded Clevinger, and is okay, but should be Eloy Jiminez level in left field. This Day in History - 2001: In the wake of terrorist attacks on New York City's World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Major League Baseball cancels all games for security reasons and for the deep mourning of the senseless loss of lives. The evacuation of Yankee Stadium also takes place as a precautionary measure. PS - Watch the weather in this one, I think it may be called due to rain, which is not a good thing for the Twins having to face Bieber in a 7 inning game. PSS - Remember all of the lives that were lost 19 years ago today. Pick to Click - Boomstick goes Boom Go Twins!!!

Gotta bring Buxton in to pinch run for Jeffers now right?

My thoughts on 7 inning doubleheaders If we take an early lead I like it If we take an early deficit, I do not like it

Theilbar wins the 19 pitch battle

5 runs on 2 hits.....

No way this is getting overturned

Dobnak really needs a double play here. Can not allow all 3 hitters of the bottom 3 to get on, especially when 2 were free passes

Bremer with the call!! It has now rained and Sano'd in the same game!!

Astudillo's catching defense just cost of 2 bases and a run

This game is now a save situation, if score holds. Berrios could not get the first out of the 6th. He was really, really good today, but stinks to see his day end like this

Berrios has looked dominant through 5 here on 80 pitches. I am guessing he gets the 6th and Poppen gets the 7th

BOOMSTICK

LUIS!