Series preview: Twins at Texas
June 12, 2015 at 5:07AM
Friday 7:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
LHP Tommy Milone (2-1, 4.55) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (3-2, 3.25)
Saturday 3:05 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-2, 2.28) vs. RHP Colby Lewis (5-3, 4.42)
Sunday 2:05 p.m.• FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Phil Hughes (4-6, 4.81) vs. RHP Nick Martinez (5-2, 2.65)
TWINS UPDATE
The Twins are beginning a five-game road trip in which they will play three games at Texas and two at St. Louis. … Of Trevor Plouffe's nine home runs, only one has come on the road. That was on May 19 at Pittsburgh off Francisco Liriano. … The Twins are 3-7 in June, their worst start in the month since 2008. … Lefthander Tommy Milone will take the mound on seven days' rest. In his last start, he gave up four runs (two earned) over five innings on June 4 at Boston. … Joe Mauer is 5-for-11 in his career against Colby Lewis, but Kurt Suzuki is batting only .154 against him. … The Twins were 2-5 against Texas last season, including 1-2 at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
RANGERS UPDATE
Texas wasn't expected to be a threat in manager Jeff Bannister's debut season, yet they enter the weekend in second place in the AL West. … Who has been their most effective player? If you believe in WAR (Wins Above Replacement), it's righthander Nick Martinez. He entered Thursday leading the team with a 2.0 WAR. After going 5-12 last year, Martinez entered his start Thursday having matched his win total from a year ago. … The Twins will miss one of the game's better two-way players in third baseman Adrian Beltre. Beltre is on the disabled list because of a sprain and contusion to his left thumb.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III
about the writer
A former second-round pick of the Rangers, Alex Speas has pitched in four major league games.
