Game Threads

Game 141: Royals at Twins

You’re still here! Wow. Congratulations.

By Brandon Brooks Sep 8, 2018, 5:30pm EDT

First Pitch: 6:10 pm CDT

TV: FSN

Radio: WCCO 830, TIBN

Despite the thorough disappointment that is This Season, you’re still here, I’m still here, and the Twins are still here. With only 22 days left in the regular season, you better start savoring these moments, because in less than two months we’re all going to be counting down the days until spring.

Kansas City’s Starter: Jorge Lopez

(1-4, 4.24 ERA, 4.12 FIP, 40.1 IP, 7.4 K/9, 4.7 BB/9, 0.2 fWAR)

Armed with a sinkerballer and strong 45.4% groundball percentage, Lopez is a recent acquisition for Kansas City, as he was one of the two pieces the Royals got in return for sending Mike Moustakas to the Milwaukee Brewers. A reliever with a 2.75 ERA in roughly 20 innings for the Crew, Lopez has become a starter with a 5.66 ERA in four outings for the Royals. He debuted in 2015, but after missing a season and pitching just two frames last year, this is his first consistent look at the Show.

Minnesota’s Starter: Jose Berrios

(11-10, 3.92 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 167.2 IP, 9.2 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 2.6 fWAR)

Limping to the finish line is La Maquina, who’s posted a 6.65 ERA in his previous five outings and can’t seem to make it out of the fifth inning. At 171 strikeouts, Berrios has an outside shot at cracking 200 on the season, with a projected four remaining starts (providing he continues making regularly scheduled appearances and isn’t shut down.) He would be the first Twin to do so since Francisco Liriano fanned 201 batters in 2010. He’ll need about seven per start to get there.