Game XXVI: A's at Twins

First Pitch: 12:10 PM CTTV: MLBN
Radio: GO 96.3, TIBNKnow Thy Enemy: Athletics NationWeather: Partly Cloudy, 60°FWhere: Denny Hecker Ballpark

I wrote this in advance, but if you've been watching the last couple of games you know that the Twins have [already lost two games/split 1-1 the series so far/forfeited/been rained out/been missing and are presumed seeking asylum in Canada]. This game could be very important in this series, or maybe not, I mean it's one game, one game out of 162 in terms of the baseball season. I never really understood the concept of a "must win" game outside of facing elimination anyway. In a broader sense, the universe is over 13 billion years old and our own existence is fleeting in comparison so in the long run this game will mean naught. On the other hand, every moment is precious so I hope this is an enjoyable game for all.

Kyle Gibson (RHP, 0-3, 8.06 ERA) will be pitching for the Twins in search of the elusive "quality start" which as eluded him thus far this season. If you're interested in getting a souvenir at the ballpark, Kyle has given up at least one home run in each of his five starts this year. Gibby is probably a little worried about keeping his spot in the rotation as Jose Berrios is heating up in AAA. Luckily for him, Billy Beane's A's aren't exactly an offensive powerhouse this year.

Pitching for Oakland will be Jharel Cotton (RHP. 2-3, 5.00 ERA). On Twitter, recently "El Grande" Pedro Martinez compared Cotton's change up to his own, "Jharel Cotton reminds me a lot of myself. Nasty change up, nice cutter, same arm angle and rotation, and same grip I used to have." Cotton was also a rookie of the year candidate with a 2.15 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP last year. This year he's struggled with stranding runners. In his last outing, he allowed six runs on 10 hits and a walk. The A's are hoping the Twins will provide Cotton with a "favorable outing," whatever the Hell that means.

This game won't be on FSN today because it's one of my Thursday gamethreads and they just like messing with me like that.