Aug 28, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Ryan Jeffers (27) hits a floor rule double towards the Atlanta Braves throughout the fourth inning at Goal Area. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports activities The Minnesota Twins hope their break day arrived on the good time.
Minnesota simply received swept in a three-game collection by the visiting Atlanta Braves and has misplaced eight of its previous 10 video games. On Thursday, the Twins gladly stayed away from the ballpark and aimed for a psychological reset.
They are going to be again in motion Friday evening towards the Toronto Blue Jays to open a three-game set in Minneapolis.
Minnesota is searching for a bounce-back collection because it enters the weekend 3 1/2 video games behind the first-place Cleveland Guardians and 1 1/2 video games behind the second-place Kansas Metropolis Royals within the American League Central.
Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli believes his crew is able to overcoming adversity.
“We have hit a bump and we have been fairly streaky — mainly for your entire season,” Baldelli stated. “(After unhealthy stretches), we have come proper again from it and performed some fairly good baseball. It is about time we determine that out and get it achieved. I actually do not need to watch these sorts of video games anymore.”
In the meantime, the Blue Jays will likely be much less rested however feeling good as they journey to Minnesota for the weekend collection. Toronto earned a 2-0 street win towards the Boston Pink Sox on Thursday evening to realize a cut up of the four-game collection.
Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis took a no-hitter into the sixth inning en path to the victory. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning in his earlier begin towards the Los Angeles Angels.
“He was simply in complete management,” Toronto supervisor John Schneider stated. “He is received such a great way about him — mentally, bodily, execution-wise. His pitch combine is superior. Not far more to say apart from that. He is actually (expletive) good proper now.”
Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-9, 4.10 ERA) will attempt to preserve the rotation’s excellence when he takes the mound on Friday. Gausman is searching for back-to-back victories after permitting one run on two hits in seven innings towards the Angels on Sunday. He walked none and struck out 10.
Gausman has struggled towards the Twins all through his profession, going 1-4 with a 6.94 ERA in 12 begins. Minnesota pounded him on Could 11, racking up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in three innings.
Minnesota will counter with right-hander Pablo Lopez (12-8, 4.26 ERA), who’s trying to prolong a sizzling streak that has seen him go 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA in his previous eight begins. He pitches seven scoreless innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, permitting 4 hits and a stroll whereas fanning 9.
Lopez has made two begins towards the Blue Jays in his profession, one in 2021 and one in 2023, going 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA.
One of many prime challenges for Lopez will likely be the best way to deal with Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who leads the crew with 27 residence runs and 87 RBIs. Toronto stays with out Bo Bichette, who’s out with a strained proper calf.
The Twins are also coping with accidents to key gamers together with Byron Buxton, who has been sidelined by irritation in his proper hip. Buxton may start a minor league rehab project as quickly as this weekend.
–Area Stage Media