Twins vs Guardians starting pitchers
- Tanner Bibee for Cleveland Guardians
- Chris Paddack for Minnesota Twins
Twins vs Guardians game preview
As the Minnesota Twins gear up to face the Cleveland Guardians, the spotlight shines on the mound with probable starters Chris Paddack and Tanner Bibee taking center stage. Paddack brings his arsenal for the Twins, aiming to improve upon his 4.89 ERA and 1.65 WHIP through a challenging season that's seen him tally 41 strikeouts but also surrender 7 home runs. On the other side, the Guardians' Bibee looks to leverage his more favorable 4.34 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, having struck out 48 hitters this season. Both pitchers face lofty expectations in a game that could be heavily influenced by their performances.
Diving into the Twins' camp, their offensive stats hint at areas needing sparks of brilliance. With a team batting average sinking to .233 and ranking 20th in the league, coupled with their positioning at 13th in both strikeouts and runs, consistency at bat remains a critical focus. The beacon of light for Minnesota? Ryan Jeffers, leading with a .274 batting average and commanding presence with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. The game against the Guardians poses a perfect opportunity for the Twins to step up, especially in tightening up their play and exploiting any lapses by Guardians' pitchers.
Over in the Cleveland Guardians' corner, their stats narrate a slightly different tale. Placed 5th in total runs scored and with somewhat regular base stealing prowess (tied for 6th with 47 steals), they pose a nuanced threat on the bases. However, they've struggled to capitalize fully, lingering at 25th in runners left on base. The key offensive figures like Jose Ramirez, who has knocked in 41 runs, will need to find gaps in the Twins' defense. Yet, they'll miss the services of Steven Kwan, sidelined on the 10-Day IL due to a hamstring strain, adding a layer of challenge in maintaining their batting fluidity and depth against the Twins' pitching strategies.
Cleveland Guardians injuries
- Eli Morgan (RP): 15-Day-IL
- Nic Enright (RP): Day-To-Day
- Angel Martinez (2B): 60-Day-IL
- James Karinchak (RP): 60-Day-IL
- Franco Aleman (RP): Day-To-Day
Minnesota Twins injuries
- Gabriel Gonzalez (RF): Day-To-Day
- Yohander Martinez (SS): Day-To-Day
- Walker Jenkins (CF): Day-To-Day
- Jair Camargo (C): Day-To-Day
- Will Holland (CF): Day-To-Day
Twins vs Guardians predictions
The Twins are rolling into Progressive Field, looking to shake off a 2-0 series deficit against the Guardians. I'm expecting big things from Byron Buxton, who's due for a breakout game after a sluggish start to the series. I've got him pegged for at least two hits, a dinger, and a couple of RBIs. And don't sleep on Ryan Jeffers, who's been quietly raking all season. I think he'll come up big with a clutch homer and a few nice defensive plays behind the dish.
On the other side, the Guardians' offense is built around a few key cogs. I'm high on Josh Naylor, who's been mashing all year and should continue that trend against Chris Paddack. Steven Kwan's also due back from the injured list, and I think he'll make an immediate impact with a multi-hit game and a stolen base. And let's not forget about Jose Ramirez, who's a threat to go deep every time he steps up to the plate.
So, who's gonna take this one? I've got the Guardians taking it 6-4, with Naylor and Ramirez leading the charge. The Twins will keep it close, but ultimately, the Guardians' pitching staff is just a little deeper and more battle-tested. Tanner Bibee's got the stuff to quiet the Twins' bats, and I think he'll outduel Paddack in a crucial game three. Guardians take it, and this series is headed back to Minnesota all square.
