The Twins will get one of their regulars back in the lineup in Robbie Grossman.
Grossman was activated Tuesday from the 10-day disabled list after missing time a fractured left thumb. The 27-year-old has an on-base percentage of .363 this season, which ranks second on the team.
Having Grossman back in the lineup could be critical for the team’s stretch run in September.
Although he’s hitting below .250 this season, he’s drawn 60 walks to just 66 strikeouts.
Moving Grossman to the No. 2 spot in the batting order would give red-hot Joe Mauer an opportunity to drive in more runs from the three hole. Plus, it gives the team more depth throughout their lineup.
Mauer is riding 13-game hitting streak and is batting .423 over that time.
Just imagine how good the starting nine will look against right-handed pitching.
- Dozier
- Grossman
- Mauer
- Rosario
- Buxton
- Kepler
- Polanco
- Escobar
- Castro
Here’s what they could roll with against lefties.
- Dozier
- Mauer
- Buxton
- Rosario
- Grossman
- Escobar
- Polanco
- Kepler
- Gimenez
And if Miguel Sano comes off the disabled list, things could look even deadlier.
- Dozier
- Mauer
- Buxton
- Sano
- Rosario
- Kepler
- Grossman
- Castro
- Polanco
Although Jorge Polanco has been a man possessed over the last month, having a dangerous hitter like him in the middle-to-bottom of the order gives the Twins even more flexibility.
Polanco has been batting in the top half of the lineup since Aug. 22 because of the injuries to Grossman and Sano.
Now opposing pitchers have to face a combination of Polanco, Eduardo Escobar, Max Kepler and Byron Buxton in the back of the order (if Grossman bats in the top half).
Good luck with that.
