[Thursday Game Log, Cross Posted at the WGOM.]
Thirteen down, one to go. Not much to say about tonight’s game. After the game, the Twins record on this road trip will either be 5-9 or 6-8, and based upon how people voted in the WGOM poll before the trip started, either record is a disappointment. For what its worth, the Twins were not being blown away in those losses as all eight were by less than two runs. I doubt that comforts anyone. The Twins have been giving away close games for the better part of two weeks . . . like it was their job. Lets hope that this is a correctable error, and that the Twins take charge early tonight. They need to find a way to protect close leads.
First Pitch: 6:07 CDT; 7:07 EST
Tonight’s Probable Pitchers:
The Blue Jays will send Jesse Litsch, RHP (9-8, 4.01 ERA) (xFIP: 4.36; tRA+ 92) to the mound. Against Litsch this season RH hitters are batting .264, but LH hitters are hitting to the tune of .296. But like Slowey, Litsch does not allow free passes. For his career Litsch is 2-0, with a 3.18 ERA in three starts against the Twins. It will be interesting to see what lineup Gardy has in store for Litsch.
Kevin Slowey, (11-8, 3.70 ERA) (xFIP: 3.98; tRA+ 125) will put toe to rubber for the Twins. K-Slow leads the Majors in walks issued with just 18 (minimum 20 starts) which happens to be just in front of Jesse Litsch’s and Mike Mussina’s 24. Slowey has walked just two batters in his last 44.0 innings pitched and went 94 batters without issuing a walk from July 28-August 13. Slowey is 6-2 in his last 10 Starts.
Since this is the last game of this series and the road trip, lets start off the comments with a couple of questions (if you want to that is):
1. We all know what the low points of the road trip were, but what were any of the memorable high points?
2. Has Pridie taken Harris’s spot in the dog house? Or is it a double wide?
3. How do you feel about Every Day Eddie after a couple of appearances? How long of a leash does he get?
The Twins have lost 8 straight against the Blue Jays and all 5 contests this year. Its time to buck that trend. Go Twins!