First Pitch: 9:05pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Halos Heaven
The Twins look to bounce back late tonight against the red hot Angels. After spending much of the first half trailing the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles finds themselves in familiar AL West Division territory, leading the Rangers by three games. The Angels come home on a five game winning streak after sweeping the Royals and taking the last two games in Oakland. At first glance, this matchup could be a problem for the Twins pitching staff, which gave up 32 runs in Oakland while the Angels scored 27 runs in their 3 game sweep in Kansas City.
Starting Pitchers
Expect quite a few fly balls tonight, as Jered Weaver (0.62 GB/FB) faces Scott Baker (0.72 GB/FB).
Jered Weaver has been the Angels' ace in 2009, posting a 10-3 record, 3.48 ERA, a shade lower than his 3.78 FIP. Weaver's 2.74 SO/BB ratio is very good, but looking a bit deeper, it appears he has been lucky as well as good. Weaver's .277 BABIP is very low, due for a regression. For an extreme fly ball pitcher (0.62 GB/FB ratio), Weaver does not give up very many home runs. His 7.8% HR/FB rate, while low, is in line with his career 7.8% rate. Weaver comes off a poor start against Oakland, giving up 8 hits and 5 ER over 3.2 innings. After the game, Weaver noted that he felt quite ill during the game, so this might be an aberration. Then again, it might be a continuation of Weaver's poor July. In four July starts, he has been hit hard to the tune of 22.0 IP, 4 HR, 27 H and a 7.36 ERA. Can the Twins take advantage?
After a poor start to the 2009 season, Scott Baker is back. Over his past nine starts, Baker is 6-1 with a 3.97 ERA and only 5 HR allowed. He comes off his best start of the season in Texas, scattering 6 hits over 8 innings and allowing only 1 run in a 4-1 Twins victory. Other than a 12.5% HR/FB rate (which has come down in recent weeks), Baker's peripherals are generally in line with career averages, which gives me confidence that his good pitching can continue.
Lineups
Have not been posted yet. Check here closer to game time.