With eyes on playoffs, Twins cannot afford slip-up vs. Reds

Byron Buxton is again. Royce Lewis is coming off a giant recreation. Six-foot-nine-inch Bailey Ober is able to climb to the highest of the mound.

The Minnesota Twins (78-68) know they face a vital weekend sequence in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds (71-77) beginning Friday night time in Minneapolis, and so they hope they’ve the items in place to make it a profitable one.

Minnesota holds a 3 1/2-game lead over the Detroit Tigers for the ultimate wild-card spot within the American League. The Twins can’t afford to slide with 16 video games left.

“There’s urgency,” Twins supervisor Rocco Baldelli stated. “We have to search out methods to win any manner potential.”

In steps Buxton, the electrifying and oft-injured outfielder who has not performed since Aug. 12 due to a hip damage. The Twins plan to activate him from the injured record Friday.

The 30-year-old Buxton is hitting .275 with 16 homers, 49 RBIs and 6 stolen bases in 90 video games this season. His .862 OPS ranks second amongst certified hitters on the workforce, trailing injured Carlos Correa.

Buxton’s arrival gives a jolt of power to Lewis and different Twins regulars.

“It is thrilling,” stated Lewis, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in Wednesday’s 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels. “I believe it is nice for everybody as a result of it is a glimmer of hope, irrespective of how we had been feeling or what was happening up to now.”

Reds right-hander Julian Aguiar (1-0, 5.06 ERA) will attempt to spoil the Twins’ good emotions. The rookie from Lengthy Seaside, Calif., is predicted to make his sixth profession begin.

Aguilar is coming off a no-decision in opposition to the New York Mets on Sunday. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out two in 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

This shall be Aguilar’s first profession begin in opposition to the Twins.

Minnesota will counter with Ober (12-6, 3.77), the hulking right-hander who has 162 strikeouts in 155 innings. He has allowed one earned run in 13 innings over his previous two begins in opposition to the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas Metropolis Royals.

Ober, 29, is 0-0 with a 5.79 ERA in two profession begins in opposition to Cincinnati.

The Reds will attempt to bounce again from a 6-1 loss in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Cincinnati managed simply 4 hits, none of which went for further bases, and Jonathan India drove within the workforce’s lone run.

Reds supervisor David Bell praised Cardinals right-hander Sonny Grey for getting the higher of the Cincinnati lineup. Grey was teammates for the earlier two seasons with Ober on the Twins.

“Sonny was actually good early,” Bell stated. “We created the chance early there within the inning, and we weren’t capable of provide you with the massive hit. Sonny did job of limiting the injury there and pitching out of it.”

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz may check the Twins’ catchers if he will get on base. De La Cruz has 64 stolen bases this season, 16 greater than the next-closest participant within the large leagues (Shohei Ohtani, 48).

Reds outfielder Will Benson’s standing for the sequence opener is unsure after he left Thursday’s recreation due to a finger damage. Benson was hit on the left center finger as he tried to place down a bunt.

–Discipline Degree Media