The Tribe make their second visit to the Twin Cities this season to take on the Minnesota Twins. This three game set is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at 8:10 PM starts, and the Wednesday getaway game is set for 1:10 PM. After the game, the Indians continue westward to Oakland and Anaheim. After a day off on Thursday, the road trip resumes in Oakland.
Scoreboard Watch: Angels ay Yankees, Red Sox ay Blue Jays, Mariners at Rays, Brewers at Rangers, Tigers at White Sox, Marlins at Royals, Orioles at Diamondbacks, Astros at A's
Team in a Box
Minnesota Twins |
Offense |
AL Rank |
Pitching |
AL Rank |
|||
2013 Record |
52-63 |
Runs/Game |
4.0 |
12th |
Runs/Game |
4.5 |
11th |
AL Central |
4th |
OBP |
313 |
11th |
H/9 |
9.7 |
14th |
Last 10 |
7-3 |
SLG |
384 |
11th |
BB/9 |
2.9 |
5th |
Last 30 |
15-15 |
Steals |
38 |
13th |
SO/9 |
6.0 |
15th |
*all stats through Saturday's games
Since losing our last series with the Twins, they have played decently. They took two of three from the Angels and split a four gamer with the Mariners. They were swept by the Royals, but then swept the Astros. They lost a series in Kansas City and took three of four in Chicago. The lineup still isn't hitting much with only four of the games with six or more runs. The pitching staff has been hot and cold, but right around league average the past fifteen or so games. They still strike out the fewest hitters in the AL. The WHIP has decreased to 1.401, but is still very high. The defense is good, third in fielding percentage and they still lead the league in double plays turned, but again, that might be because of all the baserunners the pitchers allow.
Projected Lineup
Pos |
Player |
Bats |
PA |
BA |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS+ |
2B |
Brian Dozier |
R |
414 |
243 |
315 |
414 |
99 |
3B |
Jamey Carroll |
R |
202 |
230 |
284 |
262 |
52 |
C |
Joe Mauer |
L |
466 |
315 |
399 |
453 |
135 |
1B |
Justin Morneau |
L |
466 |
265 |
322 |
428 |
104 |
DH |
Josh Willingham |
R |
313 |
220 |
351 |
402 |
107 |
LF |
Oswaldo Arcia |
L |
263 |
258 |
312 |
447 |
106 |
RF |
Chris Colabello |
R |
84 |
213 |
298 |
387 |
87 |
CF |
Clete Thomas |
L |
212 |
223 |
308 |
340 |
79 |
SS |
Doug Bernier |
R |
38 |
226 |
333 |
290 |
74 |
The lineup looks improved in a few areas since our last meeting. But I am not too sure on a few of Gardenhire's adjustments. Carroll is getting much more playing time than Tribe-killer Trevor Plouffe (85 OPS+) lately. Maybe Carroll is retiring in the fall. Bernier has also been a bit of play instead of Pedro Florimon (69). At 33, Bernier is not the future. Arcia looks like he will be good going forward and Colabello is getting his shot until Doumit recovers from his concussion. The Twins are only carrying three bench players with Chris Herrmann (111) backing up Mauer and in right.
Edit: Carroll was dealt after I wrote this. Plouffe should be back in the lineup hitting sixth or seventh. Everyone else should move up a spot in the lineup. I expect Eduardo Escobar to be recalled. [And I was wrong, Wilkin Ramirez was activated from the DL]
Projected Starters
Date |
Player |
Throws |
ERA |
IP |
ERA+ |
H/9 |
BB/9 |
K/9 |
Aug 12 |
Andrew Albers (Salazar) |
L |
0.00 |
8.1 |
- |
4.3 |
1.1 |
2.2 |
Aug 13 |
Sam Deduno (McAllister) |
R |
3.38 |
88.0 |
122 |
8.7 |
3.4 |
5.1 |
Aug 14 |
Kyle Gibson (Carrasco) |
R |
6.43 |
42.0 |
65 |
11.4 |
3.4 |
5.1 |
Albers had a fine major league debut against the Royals last week, pitching 8.1 shutout innings, four hits, one walk and fitting with the Twins MO, only two strikeouts. Originally a tenth round pick by the Padres in 2008, he doesn't fit the PTM criteria, but was 11-5 with a 2.86 ERA in 132.1 IP for Rochester in the International League (AAA) this season. His peripherals were decent there, 1.179 WHIP, 8.4 H/9, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9. Deduno faced us once earlier this year, June 21, losing to Kazmir, and took the loss after giving up four runs in six innings, six hits, two walks and six strikeouts. He won 2 of 3 starts in 2012 however, with a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings. Gibson is also making his debut this season. This will be his ninth start. He was the Twins first round pick in 2009, twenty-second overall. He was the #68 rated prospect by Baseball America and the #49 prospect by mlb.com before this season. He was 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 15 starts, 92.2 innings, a 7.6 H/9. 2.7 BB/9, and 7.7 K/9 for Rochester.
Key Relievers
Player |
Throws |
ERA |
IP |
ERA+ |
H/9 |
BB/9 |
K/9 |
Glen Perkins |
L |
2.35 |
46.0 |
177 |
6.7 |
2.0 |
11.0 |
Casey Fien |
R |
2.61 |
48.1 |
159 |
5.8 |
1.7 |
10.1 |
Jared Burton |
R |
3.06 |
50.0 |
136 |
7.6 |
3.2 |
8.3 |
Since last we met, Perkins has made nine appearances, one win, five saves, one blown save, a 4.82 ERA in 9.1 innings and a 6.8 K/9. He has four saves in four tries against us this year. Fien has been better than Perkins though. He has four holds in eight appearances, a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings and a 11.7 K/9. He has a 1-1 record in four appearances against us in 2013, a 3.38 ERA and 13.5 K/9 in 5.1 innings. Burton has been almost perfect since the July series. He has only given up two hits in 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts and three holds in eight appearances. He has appeared in five of the Tribe games this year, allowing one run, three hits, two walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Other bullpen options include Brian Duensing (99e ERA+), Anthony Swarzak (138), Josh Roenicke (138), Ryan Pressly (102) and Caleb Thielbar (469).
On the Shelf
- RF Darin Mastoianni (left ankle surgery) - 60-day DL, possibly August, on AAA rehab
- RP Tim Wood (right rotator cuff strain, biceps tendinitis) - 60-day DL, out for season
LF Wilkin Ramirez (concussion) - 15-day DL, possibly August, on AA rehab- DH Ryan Doumit (concussion) - 7-day DL, not eligible to return until August 15
Only change since the last series is Doumit swapping places with Willingham. Ramirez was activated after Carroll was dealt.
Almanac
W |
L |
Pct |
RS |
RA |
Pythag |
|
2013 |
5 |
4 |
556 |
43 |
33 |
619 |
2012 |
6 |
12 |
333 |
73 |
108 |
328 |
Last 5* |
39 |
51 |
433 |
357 |
442 |
404 |
Last 10* |
87 |
97 |
473 |
780 |
828 |
473 |
All-Time |
1091 |
959 |
532 |
9427 |
8818 |
531 |
*Does not include 2013 stats