AUGUST 29 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
MINNESOTA TWINS 82-80 · 4TH IN AL CENTRAL
82-80 · 4TH IN AL CENTRAL
Twins starting pitching thriving post All-Star break with help of stick figures Aided by Martijn Verhoeven, stick figure animations and biomechanics have become a big help for Pablo López and other Twins starters.
Twins turn to Lewis for second-base depth This story was excerpted from Do-Hyoung Park's Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regul...
AUGUST 29 • MLB.COM
David Festa - Collects first career quality start Festa (2-4) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six-plus innings.
Impact Festa was quite good in the outing, and he entered the seventh inning locked in a 1-1 pitcher's duel with NL Cy Young favorite Chris Sale. However, Festa opened that seventh frame with a walk of Marcell Ozuna; he was subsequently given the hook, and Atlanta ended up putting up four runs (only one of which Festa was responsible for) in the inning. The rookie right-hander did achieve a career milestone with his first MLB quality start, and his seven punchouts tied for the second-highest mark of his big-league tenure through nine outings.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
David Festa - Collects first career quality start Festa (2-4) took the loss against Atlanta on Wednesday, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters over six-plus innings.
Impact Festa was quite good in the outing, and he entered the seventh inning locked in a 1-1 pitcher's duel with NL Cy Young favorite Chris Sale. However, Festa opened that seventh frame with a walk of Marcell Ozuna; he was subsequently given the hook, and Atlanta ended up putting up four runs (only one of which Festa was responsible for) in the inning. The rookie right-hander did achieve a career milestone with his first MLB quality start, and his seven punchouts tied for the second-highest mark of his big-league tenure through nine outings.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
Louie Varland - Used as reliever Varland threw five scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in a relief appearance Wednesday for Triple-A St. Paul. It was his first relief appearance in the minors this season.
Impact Varland was an impact reliever late last season and into the playoffs for the Twins, but was moved back to the rotation this year. The Twins have said they're contemplating moving him to the bullpen for similar usage this season, so this outing could be the first step to using him in the majors as a reliever.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Paddack - Aiming to return for playoffs Paddack (right forearm strain) does not think he'll be able to return before the end of the regular season despite a recent clean MRI, but is hopefully he could return as a relieve...
Impact Paddack has been out since July 14 due to a right forearm strain. He played catch from 60 feet Wednesday and will try to ramp up his activity the next few weeks with a goal of being ready in October. However, that may be a long shot since he's unlikely to have any game action before the playoffs and the Twins may not want to use a pitcher with such a long a layoff in the postseason.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
Byron Buxton - Could begin rehab assignment soon Buxton (hip) worked out without issues Wednesday and a decision whether to send him on a rehab assignment will be made within the next two days, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Impact Buxton's timetable isn't clear but it sounds like he could begin a rehab assignment this weekend. The Twins have said he may only need to play a rehab game or two. Buxton left a game Aug. 12 due to right hip inflammation and subsequently received a cortisone shot. He's been increasing his activity the past week. Given Buxton's track record of slow recoveries from injuries, however, don't be surprised if his timetable gets pushed back again.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
Chris Sale sharp again as Braves sweep Twins Luke Williams doubled twice and had two RBIs, Chris Sale notched his 15th win and the Atlanta Braves pulled away for a 5-1 win over the Minn...
AUGUST 29 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Twins get swept by Braves, continuing futility against National League teams MINNEAPOLIS - It’s a little early to be handicapping the Minnesota Twins’ potential postseason match...
AUGUST 29 • KANSASCITY.COM
Twins drop fourth straight as Braves finish off sweep at Target Field Rookie David Festa’s start went to waste as the bullpen couldn’t pick their teammate up.
AUGUST 29 • KANSASCITY.COM
Braves beat skidding Twins 5-1 for 3-game sweep, as Sale notches 15th win and Soler shines
Chris Sale won his major league-leading 15th game with six crisp innings, Jorge Soler homered early and threw out a runner at the plate late, and the resurgent Atlanta Braves beat...AUGUST 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Well-traveled reliever Michael Tonkin hopes he's here to stay with Twins Relief pitcher Michael Tonkin, who is back with the Twins for a second stint this season and also has pitched for the Mets and Yankees in 20...
AUGUST 29 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Twins look to avoid sweep against NL Cy Young award candidate Chris Sale A couple of Twins have had past success against the southpaw.
AUGUST 28 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Edouard Julien - Sitting against lefty Julien is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Impact The lefty-hitting Julien will bow out of the starting nine while Atlanta sends a tough southpaw (Chris Sale) to the hill. Platoon mate Kyle Farmer will fill in for Julien at the keystone.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Trevor Larnach - Shielded from lefty Larnach is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Impact Larnach will give way to Manuel Margot in left field while Atlanta sends southpaw Chris Sale to the hill for the series finale. Over 90 plate appearances against lefties this season, Larnach is hitting .183/.244/.280 with four extra-base hits.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Why John Smoltz is 'in big-time favor' of 6-inning minimum for MLB starting pitchers
The Hall of Famer shares his thoughts on potential pitching rule changes, the three triple crown candidates, MLB parity and more.AUGUST 28
Sale, Braves Look for Series Sweep of Twins in Wednesday Finale The Atlanta Braves have won seven straight games against the Minnesota Twins.
AUGUST 28 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Max Kepler - Not in lineup Wednesday Kepler is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus Atlanta.
Impact Kepler returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing two games with left knee soreness, but he'll be back on the bench Wednesday with Atlanta sending lefty Chris Sale to the hill. Matt Wallner is in right field for the Twins.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Royce Lewis - Getting breather Wednesday Lewis is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus Atlanta.
Impact Lewis is going through a rare slump at the plate, having posted a .458 OPS with no home runs and a 16:2 K:BB over his last 55 plate appearances. He'll get a day off to reset. Jose Miranda is at third base for the Twins on Wednesday.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Twins option relief pitcher Boushley, activate Tonkin The Twins will look to avoid getting swept by the Braves on Wednesday night.
AUGUST 28 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
Tigers News: Detroit's Playoff Hopes Flicker After Hot Streak Tigers flirt with playoff hopes after a hot streak, but a challenging schedule and the Twins’ woes could make or break their chances.
AUGUST 28 • KANSASCITY.COM
Trevor Larnach - Drives in three in loss Larnach went 3-for-6 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.
Impact His RBI single in the eighth inning off Atlanta closer Raisel Iglesias tied the game at 4-4, but the Twins couldn't complete the comeback. Larnach has at least three hits in three of his last five games, and through 71 plate appearances in August the 27-year-old is slashing .318/.366/.530 with five doubles, three homers, 11 RBI and 15 runs.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Jhoan Duran - Falls apart in extras Duran (6-8) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up four runs (three earned) on four hits in one-third of an inning in an 8-6 extra-inning loss to Atlanta. He struck out one.
Impact Called in for the top of the 10th inning in a 4-4 tie, Duran gave up a double to Marcell Ozuna to lead off the frame and never found his footing. The Twins' closer has been tagged for runs in six of 14 appearances since the All-Star break, stumbling to a 5.84 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over that stretch despite a 20:3 K:BB in 12.1 innings. Duran's recent struggles seem largely due to bad luck -- his average exit velocity allowed on the season sits in the 91st percentile, while his groundball rate is in the 98th percentile.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Simeon Woods Richardson - Escapes with no-decision Tuesday Woods Richardson came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to Atlanta, giving up four runs on three hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out three...
Impact The right-hander tossed only 55 of 91 pitches for strikes and exited the mound with the Twins in a 4-0 hole, but his offense got him off the hook for the loss. Woods Richardson has failed to last longer than five innings in five of his last six starts, stumbling to a 5.59 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 26:13 K:BB in 29 innings over that stretch. He'll look for a better result in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Tampa Bay.
AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE
Twins host Atlanta Braves, look to stop home slide
The Minnesota Twins are looking to break their three-game home losing streak with a win against the Atlanta BravesAUGUST 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
