The bats in the ninth inning? So hot right now
First, it is Memorial Day, so I’d like to take a moment and honor those in the military who have died while serving. We do not appreciate their service enough.
Back to the Twins, it was a wild week, started off by a few rainouts, a quirky doubleheader, and then three games that kept fans in suspense of the outcome until the very last out. The Twins finished 3-2 this week, drawing against the Guardians and then winning their series against the Royals, 2-1, which featured two walk-off wins. Derek Falvey’s genius (or madness?) in free agency and the trade market was on display yet again, as Harrison Bader, Ty France, and Kody Clemens all made impactful plays this week. They are now 4.0 games behind the Tigers, tied with the Guardians in second place in the AL Central. However, the Royals are right behind in fourth, 1.0 game behind the Twins and Guardians.
The Past Week on Twinkie Town:
- Need to vent about the Twins? Or provide some reasons to calm down? Check out our Game Threads and join the conversation!
- In case you forgot what happened this past weekend, our Game Recaps are back as well!
- Amidst the controversy over the lack of fan attendance this season at Target Field, Zach Koenig looks at Twins attendance by ballpark.
Elsewhere in Twins Territory:
- This Friday was Star Wars Night at Target Field, and Theo Tollefson at Zone Coverage digs into Carlos Correa’s love for a galaxy far, far away.
- Dan Hayes at The Athletic shares why Twins broadcaster LaTroy Hawkins went back to school. ($)
- Betsy Helfand at the Pioneer Press looks forward to the Twins’ road trip, which will visit a couple of cities that aren’t usually on the schedule.
In the World of Baseball:
- Detroit is still atop the AL with a 34-20 record, and the AL Central continues to dominate the Wild Card spots, although Houston is now half a game behind the Royals. The Philles, who are 9-1 in their last ten games, have charged to the front of the NL, with a 34-19 record.
- Tarik Skubal looks like he’s ready to repeat as the AL Cy Young, especially after pitching a Maddux yesterday in a win against the Guardians. Jason Beck at MLB.com recaps Skubal’s first-ever major league complete game.
- Just because he can, Shohei Ohtani faced hitters in live BP yesterday. As Jorge Catillo at ESPN reported, Ohtani’s fastball topped out at 97 mph, and he threw a mix of fastballs and breaking pitches in 22 pitches. There’s still no timetable for Ohtani’s return, and unlike other pitchers coming back from injury, he won’t have the chance to go on a rehab assignment to build up in the minors since he, of course, is the starting DH for the Dodgers.