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Game 19: Pirates at Twins

Can Minnesota continue their stretch of pure dominance?

Pittsburgh Pirates v Minnesota Twins Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

First Pitch: 1:10 pm CDT

TV: Bally Sports North

Radio: WCCO 830 / Audacy / The Wolf 102.9 FM / TIBN

It’s official — the Twins are on a roll.

After holding opponents completely scoreless for the last 12+ hours, Minnesota will attempt to extend their legendary one-game winning streak all the way up to two — a streak that started all the way back on April 23rd, if you can remember that far.

It’s been all ups and almost no downs on this streak, which has included highlights such as a 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh, a shutout win against the Pirates, and a solid no-hit flirtation by J.A. Happ in a Friday night contest against the Buccos.

When will it end? Hopefully not this afternoon, where the Twins stand with a unique chance of doubling their win streak with just one victory. The matchup looks good — Trevor Cahill is coming off a poor start against the Brewers — he’s given up first-inning runs in every start so far — that raised his ERA to 9.69.

Meanwhile, Michael Pineda is demonstrating why Minnesota has hung onto him throughout a topsy-turvy contract; he’s given up just two earned runs in 18 innings, running a 5.67 K/BB ratio and bringing his total Twin ERA down to 3.63. And for you number geeks out there, this will be #35’s thirty-fifth start in this uniform. (Not specifically this one...but ones like it.)

Today's Lineups

PIRATES TWINS
Adam Frazier - 2B Luis Arraez - 2B
Phillip Evans - LF Josh Donaldson - 3B
Bryan Reynolds - CF Nelson Cruz - DH
Colin Moran - 1B Byron Buxton - CF
Erik Gonzalez - 3B Alex Kirilloff - LF
Gregory Polanco - RF Jorge Polanco - SS
Todd Frazier - DH Willians Astudillo - 1B
Michael Perez - C Jake Cave - RF
Kevin Newman - SS Ryan Jeffers - C
Trevor Cahill - RHP Michael Pineda - RHP

It’s worth noting how similar tonight’s lineup looks to yesterday’s. The bottom third was shuffled a bit, but Ryan Jeffers is the only substitution from last night. The Twins have only run out an identical lineup twice this year — both in the first two games of the Seattle series.

GO TWINS GO!