Trying to Slow Down the…Power Hitting Twins – Game Preview and Lineups 8/15

Andre Rienzo’s ERA took a bit of hit on a day that he didn’t even play this week as the status of a ground ball that was originally categorized as an error about two weeks earlier on Alexei Ramirez was changed to a hit. That gave him three more earned runs and given how little he’s been able to pitch in his short MLB career so far his ERA went from 2.95 to 4.42. Welcome to the big leagues, I guess. He’ll have an opportunity to work it back down this evening in Minneapolis as the White Sox take on Mike Pelfrey and the Twins.

Pelfrey isn’t big on getting deep into games, typically exiting after the 5th, prior to that if his performance demands it, likewise he’s allowed to stick around for another inning or two if he’s earned it. His last time facing the White Sox he managed to hang around through the 6th, allowing only 4 runs. The Sox emerged from that one victorious and will look to the quick paced Rienzo to help them achieve that status again.

The Chicago series against the Twins was ugly, and the Twins hit a lot of homeruns. They’ve kept hitting them since, averaging 2 a game over the last week. Even Joe Mauer, that guy that lost all his power, is getting in on it. He’s all but guaranteed his highest homerun total since his MVP year in 2009. He’s got 2 in the last 4 games, despite having not hit one prior to that since June. Meanwhile the White Sox are coming off a single happy effort in which they delivered 14 of them without an extra base hit at all. According to Comcast’s Dan Hayes that’s the most they’ve had without an XBH since they knocked 15 singles against the Reds in June of 1998.

Today’s Lineup:

1.De Aza – LF
2.Beckham – 2B
3.Ramirez – SS
4.Dunn – DH
5.Konerko – 1B
6.Garcia – RF
7.Gillaspie – 3B
8.Phegley – C
9.Danks – LF

Minnesota Twins Lineup:

1.Brian Dozier – 2B
2.Joe Mauer – C
3.Justin Morneau – 1B
4.Josh Willingham – DH
5.Oswaldo Arcia – LF
6.Trevor Plouffe – 3B
7.Chris Colabello – RF
8.Clete Thomas – CF
9.Pedro Florimon – SS

Where to Watch
Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN and Fox Sports North. 7:10 Central start time.