The Twins have been tearing up their schedule this May, having won 16 of their last 20 — one game postponed, three losses — including a run of 13 wins in a row, buoyed by a strong bullpen in closer Jhoan Duran and homegrown talents Cole Sands, Griffin Jax, and Louis Varland.
Game one in the series will see Chris Paddack on the mount, who has locked in with a 1.37 ERA over his last three appearances despite a rough early go. He has an excellent four-seamer thanks in part to his extension, generating a good number of whiffs high in the zone. He’s also not afraid to use his slider up before changing the eye level with the curve and, particularly, his change.
One interesting element to the Twins rotation is that Opening Day starter — former Rays prospect — Joe Ryan has pushed back to second in the rotation after an illness earlier in the month that made its way through the Twins roster. Ryan walks nearly no one, and continues to pitch like an ace thanks to his invisiball. He’s been working a next level sweeper this season that works primarily gloveside, as you’d expect, and owns a 2.68 ERA.
Pablo Lopez has an even better 2.31 ERA, and is outperforming his career stats through this early run of nine games, and it may not be a fluke, as his 2.43 ERA shows. The Twins must be grateful, though, given that Lopez is earning more than $21m per season for three more years. Watching the tape, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was the team’s ace, as everything is working for him — fastball, change, and sweeper all fool in the zone, and the curve sends batters golfing with its sharp bite.
The Rays may have just risen to 2nd in the AL East with their .500 record, but they’ll have their work cut out for them trying to stay on that perch.
Frivolities
- The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and Twins:
- Nelson Cruz
- Denard Span
- Jason Bartlett
- Carlos Gomez
- Jake Odorizzi
- The Rays best player offensively against the Twins all-time (min. 25 PA):
Logan Morrison: .400/.475/1.057 with 7 HR over 40 PA - The Rays most previous transacation with the Twins:
— 3/26/24: Rays acquire Niko Goodrum from the Twins for cash considerations - The Rays first transaction with the Twins:
— 11/28/07: Rays acquire Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, and Eddie Morlan from the Twins for Brendan Harris, Jason Pridie, and Delmon Young
Probable pitchers are projected by FanGraphs
GAME ONE
Monday, May 26th
7:05 PM EDT
RHP Zack Littell vs RHP Chris Paddack
GAME TWO
Tuesday, May 27th
7:05 PM EDT
RHP Taj Bradley, vs RHP Joe Ryan
GAME THREE
Wednesday, May 28th
1:10 PM EDT
RHP Drew Rasmussen vs RHP Pablo Lopez