Aug 28, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Ryan Jeffers (27) hits a ground rule double against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports The Minnesota Twins hope their day off arrived at the perfect time.
Minnesota just got swept in a three-game series by the visiting Atlanta Braves and has lost eight of its past 10 games. On Thursday, the Twins gladly stayed away from the ballpark and aimed for a mental reset.
They will be back in action Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays to open a three-game set in Minneapolis.
Minnesota is looking for a bounce-back series as it enters the weekend 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Cleveland Guardians and 1 1/2 games behind the second-place Kansas City Royals in the American League Central.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli believes his team is capable of overcoming adversity.
“We’ve hit a bump and we’ve been pretty streaky — basically for the entire season,” Baldelli said. “(After bad stretches), we’ve come right back from it and played some pretty good baseball. It’s about time we figure that out and get it done. I really don’t want to watch these kinds of games anymore.”
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will be less rested but feeling good as they travel to Minnesota for the weekend series. Toronto earned a 2-0 road win against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night to gain a split of the four-game series.
Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis took a no-hitter into the sixth inning en route to the victory. He carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning in his previous start against the Los Angeles Angels.
“He was just in total control,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “He’s got such a good way about him — mentally, physically, execution-wise. His pitch mix is awesome. Not much more to say other than that. He’s really (expletive) good right now.”
Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (12-9, 4.10 ERA) will try to maintain the rotation’s excellence when he takes the mound on Friday. Gausman is looking for back-to-back victories after allowing one run on two hits in seven innings against the Angels on Sunday. He walked none and struck out 10.
Gausman has struggled against the Twins throughout his career, going 1-4 with a 6.94 ERA in 12 starts. Minnesota pounded him on May 11, racking up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in three innings.
Minnesota will counter with right-hander Pablo Lopez (12-8, 4.26 ERA), who is looking to extend a hot streak that has seen him go 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA in his past eight starts. He pitches seven scoreless innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, allowing four hits and a walk while fanning nine.
Lopez has made two starts against the Blue Jays in his career, one in 2021 and one in 2023, going 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA.
One of the top challenges for Lopez will be how to handle Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who leads the team with 27 home runs and 87 RBIs. Toronto remains without Bo Bichette, who is out with a strained right calf.
The Twins also are dealing with injuries to key players including Byron Buxton, who has been sidelined by inflammation in his right hip. Buxton could begin a minor league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend.
–Field Level Media
