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GameThread: Twins vs. Blue Jays, Game 140

Kevin Correia takes the mound looking for his 10th win of the season.

By Andrew Bryzgornia
Hannah Foslien

First Pitch: 6:10 pm CST

TV: FSN

Radio: 96.3 KTWN, TIBN

Know Thine Enemy: Bluebird Banter

The Twins are looking to rebound after yesterday's loss against the Blue Jays. With a struggling J.A. Happ on the mound and lefty mashers Trevor Plouffe and Brian Dozier in the lineup, I already know which guys I'll be watching during tonight's game.

J.A. Happ (3-5, 5.54)

Happ appears to have found the Fountain of Smoke and Mirrors Success in Philadelphia before Vance Worley as he posted a sub-4 ERA over 47 starts while being a member of the Phillies. He was then traded to the Astros in 2010 and although he had a good half-season in Houston, things have gone downhill ever since the start of 2011. Happ has had an ERA around 5 for the past 3 years, and he was even hit in the head with a line drive earlier this season. He came off the disabled list in early August and hasn't fared any better.

He will throw a 4-seam and 2-seam fastball right around 90 MPH, and he also has a slider, change-up, and 12-to-6 curveball. FanGraphs rates the 4-seamer as his best pitch.

Oh, and apparently he pronounces his name "Jay," not "J.A." The more you know.

Kevin Correia (9-10, 4.18)

Correia is following an odd trend where he was solid at the beginning and end of the year, but was absolutely dreadful in the middle. Put it all together and you've got a guy that's threatening to end the year with a sub-4 ERA, which I think no one could have expected when he was first signed. Ever since a disastrous start on August 5th against the Royals where he gave up 6 earned runs in 2 innings, he's gone at least 6 2/3 innings in his last 5 starts while allowing only 5 earned runs (35 innings, 1.29 ERA). He's still struck out only about 5 batters per 9 innings over that stretch, but he's been able to get the opponents to hit the ball right at the Twins' fielders.

Correia's repertoire is a cutter, 4-seam and 2-seam fastball, splitter, and a curveball. FanGraphs says his 2-seamer is his best pitch.

Blue Jays

  1. Jose Reyes, SS
  2. Munenori Kawasaki, 2B
  3. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
  4. Adam Lind, 1B
  5. Brett Lawrie, 3B
  6. Moises Sierra, RF
  7. J.P. Arencibia, C
  8. Anthony Gose, CF
  9. Kevin Pillar, LF

SP J.A. Happ

Twins

  1. Alex Presley, CF
  2. Darin Mastroianni, RF
  3. Brian Dozier, 2B
  4. Josh Willingham, DH
  5. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
  6. Oswaldo Arcia, LF
  7. Chris Colabello, 1B
  8. Josmil Pinto, C
  9. Pedro Florimon, SS

SP Kevin Correia

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