Twins-Toronto series preview
April 30, 2018 at 4:10AM
Monday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Lance Lynn (0-2, 7.71 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Sanchez (1-2, 3.69)
Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Kyle Gibson (1-1, 3.33) vs. RHP Marco Estrada (2-2, 6.00)
Wednesday, 12:10 p.m. • FSN, 830-AM: RHP Phil Hughes (0-0, 7.71) vs. RHP Marcus Stroman (0-3, 8.88)
TWINS UPDATE
The Twins have won the season series with Toronto only twice in 12 seasons, but last year's 4-3 advantage was one of them. Still, they are only 10-18 vs. the Blue Jays at Target Field. … A loss Monday would give the Twins 16 losses before May 1, one fewer than the franchise record of 17 set in 2011, when they lost 99 games, and tied in 2016, when they lost a record 103. … The Twins are 2-8 this season vs. AL East teams. They are 6-5 at home. … IF Eduardo Escobar has a hit in six consecutive games; he has had only five longer streaks in his career. Escobar has five doubles and two home runs during the streak. … Lynn has made only one career start vs. the Blue Jays, giving up two runs over five innings in a 3-1 loss at Toronto in 2014. Hughes is 6-9 with a 4.68 ERA against Toronto, and Gibson is 3-1 with a 4.95 ERA. RHP Fernando Rodney, 3-for-6 in save opportunities this season, hasn't faced the Blue Jays in a save situation since 2015, but he has converted 19 of 22 opportunities against them in his career.
BLUE JAYS UPDATE
Toronto has lost six of its past eight games but broke a four-game losing streak Sunday, beating Texas 7-2. … The Blue Jays are 6-5 on the road but have lost three of four. This is the first stop on a three-city trip that also takes them to Cleveland for a makeup doubleheader, and Tampa Bay. … They are 6-1 vs. AL Central teams. … 3B Josh Donaldson, on a rehab assignment at Class A Dunedin as he recovers from right shoulder inflammation, could rejoin the team this series. The 2015 AL MVP is batting only .239/.352/.457 with three home runs in 12 games this season, but he is a career .392 hitter vs. the Twins, and his 10 home runs in Target Field are eighth-most by any visitor. … They demoted 2B Devon Travis on Sunday and will give his playing time to Cuban rookie Lourdes Gurriel. … RF Randal Grichuk is batting only .079 in 24 games, and C Russell Martin is hitting .140 in 17 games, both worst at their positions in the AL. … SS Troy Tulowitzki is on the 60-day disabled list after surgery to remove bone spurs in both heels. … RHP Roberto Osuna is 6-for-7 in save opportunities.
PHIL MILLER
about the writer
After an incredible 25-year career that saw him become MLB's all-time stolen bases leader and the greatest leadoff hitter ever, Rickey Henderson died Friday at age 65.
