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5.5c-3.1-3.7-4.6-7.6-4.6-11.7c-0.1-4%2C1.3-7.5%2C4.3-10.7%0A%09%09%09c3-3.2%2C6.8-4.7%2C11.4-4.7c5.8%2C0%2C11.5%2C0.8%2C17.3%2C2.5V127z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22980.9%2C49.7%20955.6%2C120.2%20929.3%2C49.7%20906.7%2C49.7%20943.6%2C150.3%20924.4%2C199.8%20947.5%2C199.8%201004.4%2C49.7%20%09%09%0A%09%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Dodgers And Twins Try Again In Minneapolis, Weather Permitting
By Scott Andes
Dodgers Lineup @ Minnesota-
Gordon 2B
Puig RF
Ramirez SS
Gonzalez 1B
Kemp CF
Ethier DH
Uribe 3B
Butera C
Crawford LF
Greinke P
Zack Greinke-4-0 vs. Kyle Gibson-3-1
The Dodgers finally begin their three game series against the Twins tonight, after last night’s scheduled opener was rained/snowed out. There is also a good chance that tonight may be rained out/snowed out again, and or delayed. It’s even possible that the entire series could be canceled because of the inclement weather. The two clubs do not meet again this season, so They’ll try and get in as many of the games as they possibly can. Unfortunately Target Field does not have a roof, like the Twin’s old stadium, the Metrodome. The forecast calls for light snow, and rain throughout the entire series.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Dodgers begin a nine game three-city road trip tonight, as they start the first game of a three game interleague road series against the twins at Target Field. This road trip will see them go to Minnesota, then Miami, and end the trip with a series in Washington. The Dodgers haven’t fared well against Minnesota in the twin cities. The Dodgers haven’t played at Target Field since they lost two out of three back in 2011, and are just 3-6 against the Twins since then. The Dodgers are coming off of a frustrating home stand which saw them finish with a 4-6 record. The Dodgers come into the game one and a half games behind the Giants, with a record of 14-12. The club is 8-3 on the road. The Dodgers are also still trying to get their 10,000th franchise win. If the game gets rained out, they’ll have to wait a little longer.
If the game is played, the Dodgers will send Zack Greinke to the mound with an extra days rest. The birdman is having a spectacular season. He is 4-0, with a 2.45 ERA, with 40 whiffs and just five walks in 29.1 innings. Greinke has a streak of 16 consecutive games with at least five innings pitched and two earned runs or less allowed.
Greinke hasn’t fared well against the Twins. He is 4-8 with a 4.73 ERA in 22 games and 18 starts against the Twins. He’s seen the Twins a lot from his time with the Royals, in the American League. At Target Field Greinke is winless, with an 0-3 record, and a 5.63 ERA in five starts.
There are three Twins who have hit Greinke well in the past. Catcher Joe Mauer is batting .340 (16 for 47) with eight runs driven in off of Greinke. Jason Kubel is .313 (10 for 32) with two home runs. And Kurt Suzuki is hitting .313. That’s pretty much it. Nobody else has more than a few at-bats.
PA
AB
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
BA
OBP
SLG
OPS
54
47
16
1
0
0
8
7
7
.340
.426
.362
.788
37
32
10
2
1
2
7
5
8
.313
.405
.625
1.030
18
16
5
0
0
0
0
1
2
.313
.389
.313
.701
7
7
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
.143
.143
.143
.286
7
6
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
.167
.286
.167
.452
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
.000
.000
.000
.000
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
.000
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
.000
Total
129
114
33
3
1
2
15
14
21
.289
.372
.386
.758
The 12-11 Twins will send right hander Kyle Gibson to the mound. The Twin’s first round draft pick is in his second big league season. In four starts this year, he is 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA. He’s whiffed 13 and walked 11 in his 22 frames. He had a rough start last time out, but he has a 3-2 record at Target Field. The Dodgers have never faced Gibson before, so that could be an advantage for the 26-year old right hander.
According to the scouting reports, Gibson throws a fastball, slider, and sinker ball. His fastball reaches speeds of 92-93. So the kid can bring it.
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
According to the numbers, the Twins are second in the league in runs scored, and lead the league in walks. So we have a young club that scores a lot of runs. They get on base often, so the Dodgers will have their hands full.
The Twins have some injuries too. Outfielder Josh Willingham is still on the DL with a wrist injury, and third baseman Trevor Plouffe is expected to be in the lineup despite battling a Triceps contusion, after being hit by a pitch in the arm. In other related news, the Twins have called up Kris Johnson to pitch in Thursday’s doubleheader. We’ll see what the pitching match-ups for tomorrow look like.
First things first. They have to get the first game in, which may prove difficult if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Have no fear though my lovely Lairians. We never get rained out over here. We’ll be here regardless of the weather to provide you with hilariously fun, informative, and entertaining Dodger news and analysis.
Game time 5:10 PM
Go Blue!