Game 12: Indians at Twins

Pre-game notes

• The Blue Jays seem to be pretty happy with the returns on Liam Hendriks as a reliever so far this spring. Surprise surprise, his fastball velocity is up a couple of miles per hour and came through in a bit spot yesterday for Toronto. He's not getting many swings and misses but he's making the most of it, lucking into nine strikeouts in six innings to go with one walk and a pristine 0.00 ERA.
• If Grant Balfour's career was an airplane, we might be looking at the remains of the vapor trail that lead to the crash site. He's been designated for assignment by the Rays. In 4.2 innings Balfour owns a 6.23 ERA and hadn't recorded a strikeout after surrendering three hits and four walks.
• Regarding current Twins, Trevor Plouffe is back in the lineup after a day off versus a right-hander yesterday.
• Eduardo Escobar, who is much stronger versus southpaws, gets his second start at short this year. It's his sixth start of 2015 overall. He's started in two of three games versus a left-handed starter since Opening Day, so this makes it his fourth start versus right-handed pitching. Molitor clearly wants to give him an opportunity to show that he deserves to be in the lineup everyday.
• This is Shane Robinson's fourth start in center field this year. The first three game versus a left-hander. But Jordan Schafer is hitting .143/.172/.351 so far this year, so there's no reason not to try Robinson today.
• A win today pushes the Twins to 5-7 (including 4-2 at home) and gives the club its second series win in a row.