Game 73: Rangers at Twins

First Pitch: 1:10 PM CDT
TV: FSN, MLBN
Radio: WCCO 830, TIBN
Know Thine Enemy: Lone Star Ball

Today, the Twins will face Yovani Gallardo. Gallardo isn't the ace of the Rangers' staff, so the Twins will probably lose.

It's been an odd week in Twins Territory, as the team has managed victories over Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Chris Sale, and David Price, while simultaneously struggling against pitchers like Shane Bieber and Mike Minor. Facing a pitcher like Gallardo should inspire confidence; he was just recalled from Triple-A and owns a 15.95 ERA in 7.1 innings this year. But you never know with this Twins team, because they don't make any sense anymore.

Jake Odorizzi will go for Minnesota today, coming off four straight outings of five innings or less. Since striking out ten Brewers on May 20th, Jake has put up a 7.13 ERA in just 24 innings. That's less than ideal, as Odorizzi appears to be suffering from Adalberto Mejia syndrome, where he's pitching decently but inefficiently, resulting in short starts and inflated earned run averages. Hopefully Jake can put together some quicker, 10-pitch innings this afternoon.

Fun fact about the starters today: they were both drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers (Gallardo was a 2nd-rounder in 2004, and Odorizzi went 32nd overall in 2008.) While Gallardo spent eight years as an anchor of the Crew's rotation, winning a Silver Slugger and attending an All-Star Game in 2010, Odorizzi was part of the Zack Greinke trade and debuted with the Royals, before Kansas City flipped him to Tampa Bay for Wade Davis and James Shields. (Meanwhile, Jermaine Palacios, who the Twins sent to the Rays in exchange for Odorizzi, hit .189 at Double-A and is currently back at High-A-ball.)

In other exciting news, both of the Eds have rejoined the lineup! Perhaps this will serve as the jolt the team needs to finish the weekend strong and win their third consecutive series.

GO TWINS GO!!!