The Minnesota Twins will attempt to make it three sequence victories in a row after they tackle the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.
The Twins are coming off a 2-1 win over the Pirates within the sequence opener Friday night time. They gained two of three video games in opposition to the Chicago Cubs of their earlier sequence, they usually gained two of three video games in opposition to the Tampa Bay Rays within the sequence earlier than that.
Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli praised his gamers for his or her current performances. He mentioned the staff’s pitching, protection and baserunning helped it win shut video games such because the one Friday, when Minnesota sneaked previous Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates for a one-run win.
All the Twins’ offense got here within the fourth inning due to an infield single by Byron Buxton and a two-run blast by Trevor Larnach.
“If you get some alternatives, you actually must take benefit,” Baldelli mentioned. “Beating out the double-play ball is so (Buxton). That is the kind of stuff that he does that just about no one else in baseball can do. He finds a method to do this.”
Pirates right-hander Mike Burrows (1-2, 3.63 ERA) will attempt to discover a approach to spoil the Twins’ current sizzling stretch. Burrows is coming off a pointy outing in opposition to the Seattle Mariners, however he drew a no-decision after limiting Seattle to a few hits in 5 scoreless innings final Saturday.
This will likely be Burrows’ first profession begin in opposition to the Twins. He’s 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 4 profession interleague video games, together with three begins.
The Twins haven’t introduced a beginning pitcher for Saturday.
Minnesota seemingly will likely be with out veteran shortstop Carlos Correa, who sustained a light proper ankle sprain on Friday. Correa was injured whereas overlaying second base as Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham slid exhausting into his ankle.
Correa was strolling with out assist after the sport and mentioned he felt OK. The Twins may play it secure by resting him this weekend forward of the All-Star break.
The Pirates have misplaced seven video games in a row after successful their earlier six.
Skenes is looking for causes for optimism in what has been a turbulent season for the staff. Skenes mentioned he’s feeling significantly better about his fastball because the All-Star break approaches.
“Simply watching my development by means of the season — as I take a look at March and April and into Might, fastball command wasn’t excellent,” Skenes mentioned. “Successfully wild, virtually.
“However the previous few begins I have been actually proud of it, simply with the ability to choose lanes and get the ball the place I need it to go. That makes pitching rather a lot simpler when you may have fastball command.”
Pittsburgh’s offense has completed little to assist Skenes and his teammates within the beginning rotation. Together with Friday’s one-run efficiency, Pittsburgh has scored a complete of 10 runs throughout its seven-game shedding streak.
In the meantime, the Twins have scored 30 runs of their previous seven video games. They’ve climbed to 2 video games beneath .500, they usually have an opportunity to succeed in the .500 mark with a sweep this weekend.
–Area Stage Media