Tampa Bay @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 3, 2010 ) Tampa Bay 8, Minnesota 6
Nick Blackburn isn't just trying to help the Minnesota Twins earn a series split with the Tampa Bay Rays - he may also be lobbying to keep his job.
Blackburn looks for his second straight victory Sunday as the Twins wrap up a four-game series with the Rays in matinee action at Target Field. Tampa has taken two of three so far, including an 8-6, come-from-behind victory Saturday night.
With the Twins' hold on the American League Central lead a tenuous one, several recent reports have indicated that the team is interested in acquiring Seattle Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee. The veteran hurler would likely be a rental player only, as he's set to become a free agent at the end of the season and will likely command a long-term deal worth eight figures a season.
If Minnesota does acquire Lee or another top-flight pitcher, Blackburn (7-5) could be the current starter banished to the bullpen. The 28-year-old right-hander had a forgettable June, going 0-4 in five starts for the month before emerging with an 11-4 victory in his previous outing. He surrendered four runs on seven hits over seven innings to earn his first win since May 27.
While he still has a winning record, Blackburn's 6.02 ERA is the worst in the majors among pitchers with at least 80 innings pitched. He has lasted into the fourth inning just twice in his last six starts, and opponents are batting a robust .331 against him for the season.
Blackburn is 2-1 for his career against Tampa Bay, but has a 6.28 ERA over those three starts. Today's home-field advantage could work in his favor, as he owns a 20-7 career record in Minnesota compared to a 9-22 mark all-time on the road.
Tampa Bay starter James Shields (6-8) is having his own personal crisis, having lost seven of his last eight decisions. The hard-throwing right-hander surrendered five runs on seven hits over five innings in his last go-around, an 8-5 defeat at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.
Shields' only victory since May 20 came in his first career relief role, as he threw a scoreless inning in a 9-8 extra-inning win over Florida on June 19. He's 0-7 over his last seven outings as a starter, while his ERA has risen from 2.99 all the way to 4.76.
Shields is 2-1 in six starts with a 5.15 ERA over 36 2/3 career innings all-time versus the Twins.
Both teams head east following today's series finale. The Rays will open a seven-game homestand against the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians while the Twins visit the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers heading into the All-Star Break.