First Pitch: 2:35pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Athletics Nation
Coming off an incredible eight-strikeout performance, Blackburn is Minnesota's hottest starter. In his last three outings Nick is just 1-0 but has thrown 20.2 innings of 1.74 ERA baseball. Considering the Twins have scored 14 runs in their last six games, if Blackburn repeats his recent performance even Minnesota could pull off another win. Three in a row, woo-hoo! Back on the horse, baby!
As hot as Nick has been lately, Ross has been pretty damn good, too. In 19.2 innings he's struck out 15 and recorded a fantastic 2.29 ERA. On the whole, Ross has had a fantastic season. He kicked off the year in the bullpen but was moved to the rotation for the first time on April 22, and hasn't looked back. The 24-year old right hander has been outstanding for an A's squad that has needed strong pitching to support their offense. Of course that offense has been a juggernaut compared to ours.
Ross throws in the low 90s, and compliments that fastball with a slider and changeup in the mid 80s. His slider is his out pitch and has been his most valuable offering. BABIP on his slider is just .160 going back to last season.
Against right-handed hitters he's exclusively fastball-slider, and against lefties he'll throw that fastball a bit more but will mix in the changeup and slider as well.
Twins
Span, CF
Plouffe, SS
Kubel, RF
Morneau, DH
Cuddyer, 1B
Valencia, 3B
Young, LF
Rivera, C
Casilla, 2B
Athletics
Crisp, CF
Barton, 1B
Sweeney, LF
Matsui, DH
Suzuki, C
DeJesus, RF
Ellis, 2B
Kouzmanoff, 3B
Pennington, SS