Game 54: Cleveland at Minnesota

First Pitch: 3:10 PM CDT
TV: FS1
Radio: WCCO 830, TIBN
Know Thine Enemy: Let's Go Tribe

The Twins are five-and-a-half games back from the division-leading Cleveland, and somehow in third place behind Ron Gardenhire's Detroit Tigers. While a 23-30 record is nothing to be too excited about, finishing off the weekend with a pair of wins against Terry Francona's squad would do wonders for both fan morale and Minnesota's chances of keeping things interesting throughout the summer.

Is Lance Lynn up to the challenge? Despite a glaring earned run average, he's coming off of two six-plus-inning starts against AL Central rivals, helping shut out the Tigers and holding the Royals to two runs. Obviously, Cleveland is a stronger opponent, and the last time Lynn faced a team with a winning record, he lasted three innings against the Cardinals.

He'll be facing noted charitable conspiracy theorist Trevor Bauer, who has a 1.69 ERA in his last three starts, striking out 29 batters in those 21.1 innings. His ERA+ of 172 is second on the club only to Corey Kluber, who we mercifully don't have to face this series (unless the ballgame goes 25 innings or something.) He's only had one bad start all year -- giving up eleven hits in less than five innings to the Royals earlier this month -- so it'll be up to the offense to attack him like few teams have been able to do this season.

GO TWINS GO!!!