First Pitch: 1:10pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Brew Crew Ball
In theory Narveson actually isn't too bad of a pitcher. He has a decent strikeout rate and can get hitters to chase. But he also struggles with control at times, leading to too many base runners. And he's not the best pitcher at stranding runners.
Narveson throws an 88 mph fastball, a slider in the lower 80s, a very slow curve and a decent changeup right around 80. That's his best pitch, although largely he'll use it against right-handed hitters. Against left-handed hitters breaking balls make up about 50% of his pitch selection.
Pavano has become very good at working away from all hitters. His recent success has been in some part due to his re-found ability to get batters to chase pitches off the plate. He was one of the best at this in 2010, but early this season hitters were just waiting for him to toss something across the dish. Recently he's been a bit more deceptive, or his pitches are stronger, or batters aren't as patient, or a combination. Whatever the case he's getting much better results off balls in play, and hitters are finding it more difficult to pick him up.
After his start on May 8, Pavano's ERA was an unsightly 6.64. In eight starts since it's 2.24. In his last four, 1.64. He's the best he's been since about this time last year, and today the Twins need him to step up and be the stopper we know he can be.
Twins
Revere, CF
Casilla, 2B
Cuddyer, RF
Valencia, 3B
Hughes, 1B
Repko, LF
Nishioka, SS
Butera, C
Pavano, P
Brewers
Weeks, 2B
Morgan, CF
Braun, LF
Fielder, 1B
McGehee, 3B
Hart, RF
Betancourt, SS
Lucroy, C
Narveson, P