Game 161: Twins at Royals

FIRST PITCH: 1:15 pm CDT

TV: FSN

RADIO: TIBN

I went to the Twins’ final series of the year in 2016. They were in Chicago, and my expectation was that they’d go 2-1 over the last three games. Why? Well, I wanted to see them win the series in person, of course. But if they lost once, they would have made history, losing the most games of any Twins team since the move from Washington.

As it turns out, that’s exactly what happened. Minnesota dropped the first game for their record-setting 103rd loss. Then, they took home the next two (in the series finale, Byron Buxton took the first pitch of the game into center for an inside-the-park home run in Chris Sale’s last start for the White Sox.)

Fast-forward three years.

Your Minnesota Twins have won 100 ballgames for just the second time in franchise history. The Senators never did it, coming close with 99 wins in 1933 (led by Hall of Fame player/manager Joe Cronin.)

While they can’t break their franchise record, sweeping the last two games against Kansas City would tie the pennant-winning 1965 team as the best regular-season Twins squad in history.

We’ve come a long way from this time last season.

It’s hard to believe the turnaround this club has had.

As the Twins go for The Wonderful (Win) 101, it’ll be another bullpen game (which worked so wonderfully in Cleveland, and I can’t believe that wasn’t sarcasm.) Cody Stashak will take the mound first, having never been utilized as a starter at this level.

On the flip side is Glenn Sparkman, who I swear, has pitched every Saturday for the last month and a half, and is the only opposing pitcher I will ever cover, from now until the end of eternity.

GO TWINS GO!