NFL
Written by Steve Rogers
After an extended MLB All-Star break, the Minnesota Twins returned to action on Saturday, July 22, 2022. They went to Detroit for a quick two-game weekend series against the Tigers. Unfortunately, they would be without All-Star Center Fielder Byron Buxton, who received a plasma platelet injection in his knee on Wednesday. Not to worry, he just needs the weekend to recover. He will be ready for the Interleague series with Milwaukee that begins on Tuesday, 7-26. The twins won the first game 8-4. Luis Arraez had three hits to increase his best in the majors batting average to .342. Carlos Correa added a home run, and the Twins scored six runs late in the game and beat the Tigers 8-4. On Sunday, the Twins continued with the offensive barrage but kept the ball in the park this time. The final score was nine to one.
The Twins had Monday off to make their way to Milwaukee for another short two-game Interleague series against the Brewers. Buxton was back in the lineup and in the leadoff spot. The even Bigger news is the official return of Miguel Sano to the line-up. Sano was activated from the 60-day disabled list after nearly three months of recovering from knee surgery to repair the meniscus. During his rehab assignment in the minors, he was impressive hitting .333 with five home runs, a .422 on-base percentage, 11 RBIs, and a 1.217 OPS over the course of 12 games. It sounds as if he will likely see his role be more a full-time Designated Hitter and part-time first baseman. It has not yet translated over to the MLB. in his first game back; he went 0-2 and was pinch-hit for in the sixth inning. It was a great back and forth battle that went to the bottom of the ninth tied at six. That’s when Luis Urias hit a fly ball towards the right field foul line. Even though it was caught, it was deep enough for Andrew McCutchen to tag up and score from third for the walk-off win. The Twins welcomed Starting Pitcher Chris Archer back from his 15-day stint on the injured list. Almost simultaneously, being named Wednesday’s starter. Although it may not have turned out the way he or the Twins had hoped for, as the Twins would lose again, 10-4.
The Twins have Thursday off to travel to San Diego to face another Interleague series with the San Diego Padres. The Padres are coming into this in second place in the N.L. West with a record of 55-45. The Padres have developed an excellent group of young talented stars—both at the dish and on the mound. Most notably of, which is nonother than superstar Short Stop Fernado Tatis Jr. However, he is still on the disabled list from a broken wrist he suffered during the off-season. Another superstar who plays in their infield is Manny Machado, who is putting up MVP-level numbers in Tatis’s absence. Their starting rotation is also loaded with talent. At the top of their rotation is Joe Musgrove. He is eight and three with a 2.63 ERA. Musgrove will be starting for the Padres on Saturday. Blake Snell is their number four starter and will open up this series on Friday, 7/29. The former Cy Young winner is their number four in the rotation, talk about spoiled with arm talent. In the third and final game of the series, the Padres will start Sean Manaea. Yet another 6’5″ big frame pitcher seems their whole rotation is 6’5″. On the Twins side, they will be starting Joe Ryan, their staff ace, for game one. Ryan is seven and three with a sub-three ERA of 2.89. He is four and one on the road with an ERA of 2.70. Sony Gray will get the start on Saturday for the Twins. Like Ryan Gray has a better road ERA of 2.97 compared to his overall ERA of 3.52. Dylan Bundy is scheduled to start for MN on Sunday to close out the series. Look for this to be a good weekend of games as both teams are in the thick of the playoff chase and are both in the top ten in the MLB power rankings. The Padres are currently seventh, and the Twins are in tenth.
The Twins, who are currently in first place in the Central Division, are in a good place, rounding the 100-game mark. With the return of Sano to the offensive line-up, he represents a potential power threat with each and every swing of his big bat. If he can get back to his 2019 level of productivity and add, say, 12 to 15 home runs, it could really help cushion this squad as they push for a Central Division title. AS well as getting one of their major off-season starting pitching acquisition’s back healthy from the disabled list for the last 64 games of the year. It should also be helpful to solidify the starting rotation down the stretch here. It is the perfect time for teams in the hunt or in first place to get and stay healthy. The Twins are expected to see the healthy return of starter Bailey Ober. Ober has been on the 15-day injured list dealing with a groin issue. He is set to play catch this week and, as long as all goes well, should be able to throw from the mound “soon,” said manager Rocco Baldelli to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. A broken toe has recently sidelined Max Kepler. He is listed as day-to-day.
With the trade deadline looming large and approaching rapidly on August 2, look for the Twins to be buyers, not sellers. They have a slim lead in the Central and even better teams like the New York Yankees. If they want to not only stay on top of the division but make any kind of playoff run, they need to be busy working their phones, looking for ways to strengthen their roster both on the mound and offensively. At this time of year, having roster depth and/or “Spare parts” is a huge asset. More so than a surplus of prospect talent. The Twins could add to both the bullpen and starting rotation. It’s also conceivable to see the Twins land another bat to go with this already potent roster at the plate.
The Twins are clinging to a tight 1.5-game lead in the Central division. If the Twins want to remain on top, they will have to find a way to play better than .500 ball. On top of that, the Twins face the most brutal remaining schedule of the three contenders for the Central division. After the San Diego series, the Twins will face the Toronto Blue Jays. A team that is ten games over .500 and in second place in their division. Next, they must travel to L.A. for a two-game set against the Dodgers. Only the best team in the N.L. west, and oh, just 33 games over .500. Later in the month of August, the Twins have to go to Texas to face off with the Houston Astros. Yes, those Astros that again are in first place in their division and on the verge of the 30 games over .500 club, currently, they’re 29 games over. They’re also the team that seems to have the Yankees number lately. The Twins will have another road series against the nipping at their heels, Chicago White Sox. Then go from there straight to New York to take on the monster that is this year’s Yankees club. After that, no travel day off, fly back home and take on the Cleveland Guardians, the second place team in the Central division. Five days later, the Twins head to Cleveland for a five-game series. In the middle of September, this series might very well decide the division. The Twins will finish the season with six of their last nine against the White Sox.
If that’s not the MLB version of a second-half gauntlet, then I don’t know what is. While the Twins are in first place now and have been since April 23. They are in a three-way fight for the division from now till the end of September. The ball is definitely in the Twins hands. Can the players get and stay healthy? Will the front office make any moves before the trade deadline? Will it be another Carlos Correa-level bombshell? One thing is clear the Twins are in the driver’s seat. We will have to see how far their road leads. Keep it here to stay up to date on All things MN Twins. Get all the best MN Twins gear HERE.
