Game 93: Mets at Twins

First Pitch: 7:10p Central
Television: FOX Sports North; fubo.tv (subscription)
Radio (English): WCCO 830 AM, Treasure Island Baseball Network
Radio (Espanol): twinsbeisbol.com
Know Thine Enemy: Amazin’ Avenue

The Minnesota Twins come home to face the New York Mets in a two-game Interleague series at Target Field after taking two of three from their current AL Central rivals this past weekend. The Twins and Mets faced each other in the Big Apple earlier this season, where the series was split at one game a-piece.

The Twims will send out Michael Pineda for his 18th start this season. His last two starts (one at the Chicago White Sox; one at home against the Texas Rangers) yielded in wins, both for Pineda and the team. Factor in four other starts from June, and he has been doing well with a 3.21 ERA over 33.2 innings. 69% of his pitches have been for strikes and he’s notched 34 strikeouts, allowing only two homers. The slash against him during that time is .252/.287/.370 (.657). This will be his first start since the All-Star Break ended, so hopefully some needed rest has strengthened him for this start.

The Mets were going to threaten your reporters rely on trade target Zack Wheeler to start this game for them, but he’s landed on the IL with shoulder fatigue as of yesterday. Instead, our local nine will face lefty Steven Matz to the hill. He began the season as a starter and seems to have been relegated to bullpen/opener duties the last few outings. Nonetheless, he doesn’t seem to have very outstanding stuff, as he’s posted a 4.89 ERA on the season across 81 innings of work. His WHIP (1.481) and H/9 (10.1) are probably not something to write home about, along with his ERA+ of 81.

GO TWINS GO