Series Preview: Pirates at Twins

Coming off a somewhat controversial split of a four-game series in San Francisco, the Pirates (61-58) circle back to Minnesota for a 1925 World Series rematch, if you will. Or, perhaps, the 1991 World Series that should have been.

Even Colin Moran’s home-opener grand slam and Fernando Rodney catching snowflakes on his tongue early this season feel long ago, at this point.

The Twins haven’t matched their success of 2017, when they snagged the American League’s second wild card spot. Again they sit in second place in the AL Central, but 12 1/2 games back of the Indians in an noncompetitive division.

Minnesota has lost five of its last seven, including two of three in Detroit over the weekend.

The Twins shipped out Brian Dozier, Lance Lynn, Zach Duke, Ryan Pressly and Eduardo Escobar before the non-waiver trade deadline and Fernando Rodney after. They recently lost the struggling Logan Morrison for the season to a hip impingement.

Season Series: 1-1

At Pittsburgh

April 2: Pirates 5, Twins 4

April 4: Twins 7, Pirates 3

Schedule

Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. — Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.63 ERA) vs. Jake Odorizzi (4-7, 4.50); TV: AT&T SportsNet

Wednesday, 1:10 p.m. — Chris Archer (4-5, 4.36) vs. Jose Berrios (11-8, 3.66); TV: AT&T SportsNet

Twins

54-63 (55-62 Pythag, 4.38 RS/G, 4.67 RA/G)

Offense

Eddie Rosario (.296/.337/.495, 20 HR) leads Twins position players with 3.8 fWAR. Among players still on the roster, it’s a steep dropoff from Rosario to Max Kepler (1.8) and then Mitch Garver (0.9). Logan Forsythe (.239/.302/.317, 2 HR) came back from the Dodgers in the Brian Dozier deal, and looks to get back on track after an underwhelming 1 1/2 seasons in Los Angeles.

Pitching

Jose Berrios (9.18 K/9, 2.52 BB/9) and Kyle Gibson (8.51 K/9, 3.55 BB/9) have been major bright spots for the Twins this season. Jake Odorizzi (28.6 GB%, 9.00 K/9) takes it easy on his infielders. According to Roster Resource, Addison Reed, Trevor Hildenberger and Taylor Rogers are sharing late-game duties in the absence of Proven Closer Fernando Rodney. The Twins claimed Oliver Drake, who has set a record by appearing for five different teams this season.

Pregame Viewing

These are the guys the Pirates would have faced.