Trying to tighten grip on playoff spot, Twins face Guardians

Whereas the Cleveland Guardians are on the verge of clinching a postseason berth, the Minnesota Twins proceed their struggle to stay in playoff place.

Trying to construct on a wanted win and trying to degree the present four-game collection, the visiting Twins will attempt to finish their season struggles towards the Guardians’ Tanner Bibee on Wednesday evening.

Minnesota (80-71) failed to carry a late 3-1 lead in a series-opening 4-3 loss on Monday, however the Twins added to a late 2-1 benefit on Tuesday. After Matt Wallner gave the Twins that lead with RBI singles within the third and fifth innings, Willi Castro clubbed a two-run homer within the eighth to pave the way in which for a 4-1 victory.

“At all times go on the market, belief your self and benefit from the sport,” Castro advised Bally Sports activities North.

The Twins are 10-18 since Aug. 18, however they nonetheless maintain a 1 1/2-game lead over the Detroit Tigers for the ultimate American League wild-card spot.

“Everybody’s conscious of the standings,” Minnesota pitcher Pablo Lopez mentioned. “We will not let that give us self-inflicted stress.”

Cleveland (87-65), in the meantime, might be formally playoff-bound by the point the collection ends Thursday.

The Guardians have received all 3 times that Bibee (11-8, 3.60 ERA) has began towards the Twins this 12 months. Bibee went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 18 innings of these video games. The Twins’ three runs got here on solo homers from Edouard Julien, Jose Miranda and Byron Buxton.

The appropriate-hander, nonetheless, is 1-3 with a 4.88 ERA in his previous 5 begins, having allowed six dwelling runs and 9 walks in 27 2/3 innings. On Friday towards the Tampa Bay Rays, Bibee gave up three runs on two of these homers, plus six different hits, whereas hanging out 9 in six innings of Cleveland’s 3-1 loss.

“Six innings, three runs — we’ll take that 100 out of 100 occasions,” Guardians supervisor Stephen Vogt mentioned. “He battled by way of it … I believe that simply reveals once more how Tanner’s progressing and the kind of pitcher that he’s.”

Castro, who’s batting .313 (10-for-32) throughout an eight-game hitting streak vs. Cleveland, is 3-for-9 in his profession towards Bibee.

Scheduled Minnesota starter Bailey Ober (12-7, 3.90 ERA) has recorded private bests for wins and begins (28) this 12 months.

In his most up-to-date outing, on Friday at dwelling towards the Cincinnati Reds, Ober allowed a run by way of the primary six innings. Then the right-hander bumped into bother in seventh, when he was charged with 4 extra runs scored. He was pulled with two outs within the body, and the Twins misplaced 8-4.

Ober allowed 5 runs and eight hits over 4 innings of Minnesota’s 11-4 loss at Cleveland on Might 18. However he yielded simply two hits, two walks and struck out 9 over six scoreless innings of the Twins’ 4-2 dwelling victory towards the Guardians on Aug. 9.

In seven profession begins vs. Cleveland, Ober is 2-2 with a 2.13 ERA.

Cleveland star Jose Ramirez, who’s batting .300 (12-for-40) throughout a 10-game hitting streak, has a .313 common (5-for-16) with two doubles and a homer vs. Ober.

Guardians middle fielder Lane Thomas is 0-for-3 towards Ober, however he’s hitting .317 (19-for-60) with 5 dwelling runs and 16 RBIs in 16 video games this month. He hit his second homer in 4 video games on Tuesday.

–Discipline Degree Media