Paul Molitor and the Twins must have some good karma stored up from years of losing because they escaped a losing series in Houston no worse for the wear in the AL Central.
While Houston was taking two of three from the Twins, the Indians were getting swept in Oakland, so the Twins are actually one game closer in the standings.
Losing two of three to Houston was all but expected. And now the pressure is really on the Yankees as they come to Target Field for three games Monday-Wednesday, and they’re likely exhausted following a doubleheader Sunday against the Red Sox and a 16-inning game Saturday at Fenway Park.
Judge will rest
According to the New York Post, Yankees rookie superstar and Home Run Derby champion Aaron Judge will be rested Tuesday or Wednesday against the Twins. Judge is 1-for-18 since beating Miguel Sano in the final of the Derby.
On top of that the Twins won’t face C.C. Sabathia or Luis Severino. Instead, the Yankees are scheduled to give Bryan Mitchell (5.06 ERA) his first start of the season on Monday, followed by 25-year-old Luis Cessa (4.18 ERA) and 24-year-old Jordan Montgomery (3.78 ERA). The Twins will counter with Adalberto Mejia, Bartolo Colon and Jose Berrios.
So just when you think it’s about to get really bad for the Twins they get some help from the Indians and the Yankees come to town without their top starters scheduled to pitch and a plan to rest the most dangerous hitter on the planet. Talk about things going the Twins’ way.
Tuesday’s game, with Colon on the mound, will be televised on ESPN.
