Series preview: Houston at Twins
June 11, 2021 at 2:27AM
Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM RHP José Urquidy (4-3, 3.76 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (0-0, 5.63)
Saturday, 6:15 p.m. • Ch. 9, 830-AM RHP Luis Garcia (5-3, 2.75) vs. RHP José Berríos (6-2, 3.58)
Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM LHP Framber Valdez (2-0, 1.47) vs. RHP Michael Pineda (3-3, 3.46)
Astros update
Houston leads the majors in batting average (.271), runs and hits, and has the fewest strikeouts. … Former Twins P Jake Odorizzi got his first win since 2019 in Boston on Wednesday. He signed a two-year, $20 million deal in the offseason. … The Astros swept the Twins 2-0 in the opening round of the playoffs last year as Urquidy and Valdez both had strong starts. … SS Carlos Correa and 2B Jose Altuve lead the majors at their positions in fielding percentage. … 1B Yuli Gurriel is third in MLB with a .335 batting average and sixth with 45 RBI. … P Lance McCullers Jr. (shoulder), C Jason Castro (Achilles'), P Joe Smith (elbow), 2B Aledmys Diaz (hand) and P Bryan Abreu (leg) are on the 10-day IL.
Twins update
P Jorge Alcala and CF Gilberto Celestino were acquired from the Astros during the 2018 season as prospects when the Twins sent Ryan Pressly to Houston. Pressly has pitched in 127 games for the Astros and has a 2.18 ERA and 158 K's in 123 innings. … LF Trevor Larnach leads MLB rookies in on-base percentage (.392) and is fifth in OPS (.821). … Twins hoping for the return of CF Byron Buxton (hip). IF-OF Luis Arraez (shoulder) and RF Max Kepler (hamstring) could be on rehab in St. Paul over the weekend. C Mitch Garver (groin) and OF Kyle Garlick (sports hernia) are out.
CHRIS MILLER
about the writer
The eight Twins headed for arbitration are Royce Lewis, Joe Ryan, Jhoan Duran, Bailey Ober, Ryan Jeffers, Willi Castro, Griffin Jax and Trevor Larnach.
