Time: 9:10 PM
Broadcasts: FSN, Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Lookout Landing
This is the third matchup of these two young talents this year. Felix one the first one, the Twins' home opener with 8 dominating one run innings. Liriano hasn't pitched that well against the Mariners in either contest (or much all year), giving up 9 ER in 12 IP against Seattle so far this year, but was able to pick up the win over Kindg Felix back on May 9 when the Twins lit Felix up for 6 runs in 4 innings. Both M&M boys went deep against Felix in that game.
The Twins have gotten the best of 26-28 Seattle so far this year, holding a 4-3 advantage on the season. All those games, though, were in the Metrodome, and the Twins have notoriously struggled this season on the road with a 6-16 record outside the Dome.
King Felix has been notably worse in pitcher-friendly Safeco than on the road this season, with an ERA almost a full 2 runs higher at home. It could very easily be simple statistical noise, but we'll see if the Twins can jump on his again and continue his home struggles.
As for Liriano? Well, same old thing. Can he control his fastball? When he can he shows flashes of brilliance where he's shutdown effective, if not totally untouchable, but he has failed to do so most of the year. There is still plenty of time for Liriano to figure it out, but for the Twins in 2009 we'd like to see it start to happen soon.
For a really great closer look at some finer points of the series, Jesse did a really awesome write-up on some things to look for over the weekend, it's just below.
GO TWINS!