Sep 13, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Purple Sox aid pitcher Richard Fitts (80) delivers a pitch throughout the third inning in opposition to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Pictures Within the warmth of the American League wild-card race, the Boston Purple Sox and Minnesota Twins meet for the primary time since Might after they start a three-game weekend collection on Friday in Boston.
The Twins (80-73) have misplaced six of their final 10 video games and 20 of 30 after ending a four-game set at Cleveland with consecutive setbacks, together with a 3-2, 10-inning contest on Thursday wherein they have been held to 3 hits.
Consequently, Minnesota is in a dead-even tie for the ultimate AL playoff spot with Detroit with 9 video games to play.
“It may be exhausting. It may be excruciating at occasions,” Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli mentioned. “You may make a fairly affordable assertion that we have been in a spot to win all 4 video games right here. (Successful only one is) not going to be satisfying, there is no means round that.”
Although their playoff hopes have slipped throughout the 10-20 run, the Twins can solely look ahead. Having the likes of shortstop Carlos Correa and heart fielder Byron Buxton, who each have an OPS above .850, again from accidents actually affords a purpose for optimism.
A robust end can convey Minnesota extra playoff baseball after profitable the AL Central final season, however outcomes will likely be wanted to outpace a Tigers membership that’s 21-9 over the identical span.
“In the event you’re taking a look at it from the surface, the percentages most likely aren’t in our favor simply with how they have been going and the way we have been going,” outfielder Matt Wallner mentioned. “So, one thing’s obtained to vary.”
Wallner went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts on Thursday after a 5-for-7 effort throughout the 2 prior video games.
Persevering with his rookie season, Minnesota righty David Festa (2-6, 5.07 ERA) is slated to make his twelfth profession begin and first in opposition to Boston on Friday.
Festa stays searching for his first win since Aug. 5, although he broke a four-start dropping streak in his Sunday no-decision in opposition to Cincinnati. He allowed two runs on three hits whereas placing out 4 over the primary 3 2/3 innings of a 9-2 Twins win.
The Purple Sox (76-77) are on the unsuitable finish of the playoff lower line, coming into their penultimate residence collection with a sub-.500 document and out of the third wild-card spot by 4 video games.
A 2-0 Thursday loss at Tampa Bay brought on that truth, whereas a Purple Sox victory would have given them a possibility to not less than tie Minnesota within the standings with a head-to-head sweep this weekend.
In an important sport with a possibility to achieve floor, Boston batters have been held to at least one hit and struck out 11 occasions en path to being shut out for the seventh time this season.
“It is the identical factor that is been occurring for a month-and-a-half. We’re not executing,” Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. “At one level, we have been the perfect offense in baseball in opposition to righties, however now we’re not producing.”
Just like the opposition, the Purple Sox will begin a rookie of their very own in Richard Fitts (0-0, 0.00), who has allowed solely two unearned runs by his first 10 2/3 main league innings.
Filling in for Tanner Houck on brief discover, Fitts pitched 5 shutout, two-hit frames in opposition to the Yankees final Friday in New York.
“It was a fast turnaround to seek out out once I was beginning, however I welcomed the problem,” Fitts mentioned. “I am simply tremendous blessed and tremendous grateful to have the chance to put on a Purple Sox uniform now and hopefully for a very long time to return.”
–Subject Degree Media