Post by Commissioner Erick on Aug 27, 2018 16:39:33 GMT -5
Minnesota Twins (84-71) @ Cleveland Indians (81-74)
MIN: Jose Berrios (18-6, 2.71)
CLE: Jose Quintana (16-4, 3.44)
Flying under the radar for much of the year, the Minnesota Twins have had a charmed season that sees them at the brink of the postseason. To get there, they'll have to fend off the one major team that has had their number all season—the hard charging Cleveland Indians.
It'll be a virtual playoff game at Progressive Field, when the Minnesota Twins visit to take on the Cleveland Indians.
The Twins hold a three game lead over the Indians for the second Wild Card with a week to play, which is a very advantageous position. With a four-game set, even if the Indians take three of four, Minnesota will be up a game with a three-game series against the lowly Royals left to close out the year. As a result, for Cleveland to realistically have a shot at the Wild Card, they'll need a sweep. Fortunately, for Cleveland, they've gone 12-3 against the Twins this season, including a pivotal sweep last week that saw Cleveland cut three games into a five game deficit. If any team can make up this ground against any opponent, it's Cleveland against Minnesota.
In fact, Cleveland has won eight in a row against the Twins. Davin Mesoraco had eight RBI's during a two game stretch in early August where Cleveland took the final two games of a set by a score of 22-3. In late August, the Indians bullpen fired 14 scoreless innings in a three-game sweep as Cleveland twice won in its final at bat. In the Saturday game, a Logan Morrison ninth inning double completed a comeback from 4-0 down, and in the Sunday finale, a Giancarlo Stanton sacrifice fly and a Sam Travis double keyed a four-run thirteenth inning leading to a 6-2 Indians win. Last week, the trip of Corey Kulber, Jose Quintana, and Robbie Ray went 19 innings allowing just three earned runs, as Cleveland swept the Twins in a three-game set by a combined score of 31-14.
Fortunately for Minnesota, they'll have rising ace Jose Berrios on the mound for the opener. He's worked three times against Cleveland, and while he was roughed up twice, his middle start was magical. He struck out 14 Indians in a No-Hitter, walking three, in one of the finest games ever pitched. It catapulted Berrios to national prominence and building off the momentum, Berrios has become one of the best arms in baseball. He leads the AL in ERA, is third in strikeouts, second in FIP, and third in WHIP. Like a lot of young arms, he's put behind a shaky start to his career, where he was demoted to the minors last year, to figure out how to retire major league hitters and fulfill the superstar destiny expected of him.
Berrios fired off a complete game shutout last month, his fourth complete game of the season which is second in the league, and his second shutout, tying him for first. He followed up that shutout by allowing five runs in 4 innings to Cleveland in his last start, showing just how volatile he is against Cleveland. He can turn in a masterpiece, or he could be clobbered and gone before the fifth inning. He does have a sterling six walks and 28 strikeouts against the Indians in 18 innings, but he's allowed five home runs to them. Whether or not he gives up the long ball may today may determine the fate of Minnesota's season.
Minnesota's offense is led by five hitters with 30+ home runs, plus they lead the league in steals. The most fearsome hitter on the team is "Bocaton," Miguel Sano. A slugging monster, Sano has huge power and bigger strikeout numbers. He's been a little bit better with his discipline, as his next walk will be his 92nd, which will be a career high. That discipline has helped make sure that when he makes contact, the ball is hit hard. Even with over 200 strikeouts already, Sano has a strong .288 average, made possible by a preposterous .373 BABIP.
Sano and the Twins will be taking their hacks against Jose Quintana, who is on a roll right now. He hasn't allowed more than two runs in a game since July 30, and has gone at least 6 innings in all but 10 starts since that span. The one he didn't was a 5 inning appearance against Minnesota where he allowed just one run on five hits in an Indians victory. He's excelled against the Twins this year, going 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in four starts.
Miguel Sano has three home runs against Quintana in his career. He might need number four for the Twins to put away the Indians once and for all.
Questions for the GMs:
For Herman deBarr, the Twins have finally been able to consolidate their talent and put together a competitive team. What has been the key?
Your team has not been able to touch Quintana or beat the Indians this year. Will you do anything different on Monday?
You've had a number of options for left fielder this season. It's likely Daniel Palka will get the start tonight. What has he given you that your other options haven't?
For David Springgay, Yangervis Solarte was just named Player of the Week and had a good series against the Twins last week. Will he start today?
Your bullpen has had Minnesota's number this year. Are you comfortable having Quintana only go 5 innings, knowing you've got such a terrific pen backing him up, especially with Carl Edwards Jr. on the mend?
Jose Berrios has dazzled you this year, but has also been touched up. What's the key to scoring runs against him?
MIN: Jose Berrios (18-6, 2.71)
CLE: Jose Quintana (16-4, 3.44)
Flying under the radar for much of the year, the Minnesota Twins have had a charmed season that sees them at the brink of the postseason. To get there, they'll have to fend off the one major team that has had their number all season—the hard charging Cleveland Indians.
It'll be a virtual playoff game at Progressive Field, when the Minnesota Twins visit to take on the Cleveland Indians.
The Twins hold a three game lead over the Indians for the second Wild Card with a week to play, which is a very advantageous position. With a four-game set, even if the Indians take three of four, Minnesota will be up a game with a three-game series against the lowly Royals left to close out the year. As a result, for Cleveland to realistically have a shot at the Wild Card, they'll need a sweep. Fortunately, for Cleveland, they've gone 12-3 against the Twins this season, including a pivotal sweep last week that saw Cleveland cut three games into a five game deficit. If any team can make up this ground against any opponent, it's Cleveland against Minnesota.
In fact, Cleveland has won eight in a row against the Twins. Davin Mesoraco had eight RBI's during a two game stretch in early August where Cleveland took the final two games of a set by a score of 22-3. In late August, the Indians bullpen fired 14 scoreless innings in a three-game sweep as Cleveland twice won in its final at bat. In the Saturday game, a Logan Morrison ninth inning double completed a comeback from 4-0 down, and in the Sunday finale, a Giancarlo Stanton sacrifice fly and a Sam Travis double keyed a four-run thirteenth inning leading to a 6-2 Indians win. Last week, the trip of Corey Kulber, Jose Quintana, and Robbie Ray went 19 innings allowing just three earned runs, as Cleveland swept the Twins in a three-game set by a combined score of 31-14.
Fortunately for Minnesota, they'll have rising ace Jose Berrios on the mound for the opener. He's worked three times against Cleveland, and while he was roughed up twice, his middle start was magical. He struck out 14 Indians in a No-Hitter, walking three, in one of the finest games ever pitched. It catapulted Berrios to national prominence and building off the momentum, Berrios has become one of the best arms in baseball. He leads the AL in ERA, is third in strikeouts, second in FIP, and third in WHIP. Like a lot of young arms, he's put behind a shaky start to his career, where he was demoted to the minors last year, to figure out how to retire major league hitters and fulfill the superstar destiny expected of him.
Berrios fired off a complete game shutout last month, his fourth complete game of the season which is second in the league, and his second shutout, tying him for first. He followed up that shutout by allowing five runs in 4 innings to Cleveland in his last start, showing just how volatile he is against Cleveland. He can turn in a masterpiece, or he could be clobbered and gone before the fifth inning. He does have a sterling six walks and 28 strikeouts against the Indians in 18 innings, but he's allowed five home runs to them. Whether or not he gives up the long ball may today may determine the fate of Minnesota's season.
Minnesota's offense is led by five hitters with 30+ home runs, plus they lead the league in steals. The most fearsome hitter on the team is "Bocaton," Miguel Sano. A slugging monster, Sano has huge power and bigger strikeout numbers. He's been a little bit better with his discipline, as his next walk will be his 92nd, which will be a career high. That discipline has helped make sure that when he makes contact, the ball is hit hard. Even with over 200 strikeouts already, Sano has a strong .288 average, made possible by a preposterous .373 BABIP.
Sano and the Twins will be taking their hacks against Jose Quintana, who is on a roll right now. He hasn't allowed more than two runs in a game since July 30, and has gone at least 6 innings in all but 10 starts since that span. The one he didn't was a 5 inning appearance against Minnesota where he allowed just one run on five hits in an Indians victory. He's excelled against the Twins this year, going 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA in four starts.
Miguel Sano has three home runs against Quintana in his career. He might need number four for the Twins to put away the Indians once and for all.
Questions for the GMs:
For Herman deBarr, the Twins have finally been able to consolidate their talent and put together a competitive team. What has been the key?
Your team has not been able to touch Quintana or beat the Indians this year. Will you do anything different on Monday?
You've had a number of options for left fielder this season. It's likely Daniel Palka will get the start tonight. What has he given you that your other options haven't?
For David Springgay, Yangervis Solarte was just named Player of the Week and had a good series against the Twins last week. Will he start today?
Your bullpen has had Minnesota's number this year. Are you comfortable having Quintana only go 5 innings, knowing you've got such a terrific pen backing him up, especially with Carl Edwards Jr. on the mend?
Jose Berrios has dazzled you this year, but has also been touched up. What's the key to scoring runs against him?
