First Pitch: 7:05pm CDT
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Lone Star Ball
Starting Pitchers
His ERA suggests he's having his best season since leaving Cleveland, and if we're takling base runners that's a very true statement. Millwood is allowing fewer hits than innings pitched for the first time since his one season with the Indians in 2005, and it's helping to balance out his increasing walk rate. He's also stranding roughly 81% of those base runners, a career high. Ultimately, no matter what your peripherals may says, if you keep runners off the board then as a pitcher you're doing your job. Luck has played a large part in Millwood's success, however. In addition to being way above league average in stranding runners, his BABIP against is in his favor with hitters scoring a meager .275 mark, and he's striking out batters at a career-low pace. He's throwing more sliders than ever, although it hasn't really been a plus pitch since '05. What Millwood does have going for him is his fastball. And as long as that's working, he can use the rest of his arsenal for bait and guile.
Tough love worked in my last scouting report for Baker, so I'll keep up with that theme: this team needs you, Scott. You don't want to let them down, do you? I didn't think so. Now go out there and pitch a gem for the gipper! (And your bullpen!)
Lineups
Twins
Denard Span, RF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, LF
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B
Rangers
Julio Borborb, DH
Michael Young, 3B
Josh Hamilton, RF
Marlon Byrd, CF
David Murphy, LF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Hank Blalock, 1B
Ivan Rodriguez, C
Elvis Andrus, SS