Know Thine Enemy: Let's Go Tribe
Magic Number: 2
After last night, the Twins have a chance to clinch the AL Central Division title tonight with a victory at Target Field and a Chicago White Sox loss later in Oakland. Scott Baker returns from the DL tonight, making his first start since September 2nd.
Update:
Good news regarding Mauer's MRI today. From JoeC, Mauer may get a cortisone shot, but nothing serious:
Mauer's MRI exam showed tissue inflammation in his left knee but nothing more serious, Manager Ron Gardenhire said.
"Timmy" Scott Baker returns from a three week stint on the DL, so don't expect him to go much beyond 75 pitches and 4-5 innings tonight. Before going on the DL, Baker regained his form with a 3-0 record, 2.78 ERA, and giving up 28 hits, 9 walks and 3 home runs against 23 strikeouts over 32.1 innings in August. The Indians in Target Field have not been kind to Timmy, as in two starts he has given up 20 hits and 12 runs over only 10.1 innings. Chances are, we'll also see Kevin Slowey to get some work during the middle innings, then the back end of the bullpen.
Fausto Carmona appears to have regained some of the form that made him a Cy Young candidate back in 2007. While his overall 12-14 record and 3.81 ERA aren't particularly impressive, Carmona has been lights out so far in September, with a 1.13 ERA and only 11 hits allowed over three starts and 24 innings. And those starts of course include his three hit shutout of the Twins on September 10th. Carmona is an extreme ground ball pitcher whose 54.6% ground ball rate is 8th highest across all of MLB, so if you see the Twins manage to elevate a few balls it will be a short night for Fausto.
Lineups will follow after the jump, once available.
Other than Mauer out with the knee injury, it looks like the Twins are bringing the "A" lineup tonight.