Texas @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2009 ) Texas 3, Minnesota 5
The Minnesota Twins avoided being swept by the New York Yankees on Thursday night, thanks in large part to a two-run blast from Jason Kubel that keyed the Twins’ 8-2 victory.
That home run also ended a dubious drought for the Twins, who hadn’t had a home run since May 17 – a span of 349 plate appearances.
Minnesota, which sits atop the American League Central standings, will try to ride that brief power showing when it opens up a three-game series tonight against the American League West-leading Texas Rangers.
The Twins will go with right-hander Kevin Slowey while the Rangers will counter with right-hander Colby Lewis.
The homerless streak was somewhat surprising for the Twins considering they have Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jim Thome in the heart of the order. It could be that Target Field has already established itself as a pitcher’s park, as the Twins have only 11 home runs this season in their new home.
But the offense came through Thursday with 12 hits, including three from Kubel and two each from Denard Span and Morneau.
Moreover, Minnesota should have third baseman Nick Punto back in the lineup tonight. Punto has been sidelined with a strained left ring finger but successfully made it through all pregame activities Thursday.
Slowey is coming off a solid start against the Milwaukee Brewers, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Still, Slowey has yet to become a threat to go deep into games.
In fact, Slowey has made it past the sixth inning only once this year. In his one career start against Texas, Slowey went six innings, allowing one run on four hits with seven strikeouts.
The Rangers, meanwhile, hope Lewis has a second consecutive solid outing.
Lewis went six innings, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts to lead Texas to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs last Friday, earning his first victory since April 25. In five career appearances - one start - against the Twins, Lewis is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA.
Offensively, the Rangers have gotten a major boost from Vladimir Guerrero, who has 42 RBIs. And Michael Young has played well of late, tying Ruben Sierra for most triples in team history with his 44th on Wednesday.
This series also showcases two potential playoff teams. Last year, the Twins won the 10-game season series, 6-4. But, Minnesota is in a new stadium this year and Texas sees it for the first time this weekend.
In the past, the Rangers haven’t fared well in their stadium debuts. They won their first game at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park in 2002, but have since lost six of seven in that same scenario.