Twins at Cardinals
The Minnesota Twins attempt to extend their winning streak and complete a sweep of their two-game interleague set when they visit the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday afternoon for the series finale. Minnesota cruised past St. Louis 6-0 on Monday for its fourth consecutive victory after losing the opener of its 10-game road trip to the Chicago White Sox.
Robbie Grossman went 3-for-4 with two RBIs while Fernando Romero struck out nine while combining with two relievers on a four-hit shutout for the Twins, who have won five of six after dropping 11 of 12. Eddie Rosario is riding an eight-game hitting streak during which he is 15-for-35 with four homers and 13 RBIs after notching a pair of doubles and driving in a run in the series opener. The Cardinals were all out of late heroics as they saw their five-game winning streak come to an end Monday after posting back-to-back walk-off victories in extra innings. Paul DeJong recorded three of St. Louis' four hits in the setback after going 0-for-14 over his previous five games this month.
TV: 1:15 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS North (Minnesota), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (2-2, 4.10 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (3-1, 1.40)
Odorizzi has hit a rough patch, yielding four or more runs in three of his last four starts - including Thursday in Chicago, where he gave up five - (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox. The 28-year-old native of Illinois has yet to win on the road this season, going 0-1 with a 4.87 ERA in four turns. Odorizzi is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in three career starts versus the Cardinals.
Martinez's disappointing season debut against the New York Mets is a distant memory, as he has allowed three runs over 40 2/3 innings in the ensuing six starts. The 26-year-old Dominican's dominance continued Wednesday as he limited the White Sox to one run and five hits in 7 1/3 frames of a victory. Martinez made his only career start against the Twins on June 17, 2015, when he suffered the loss at Minnesota despite giving up only two runs - one earned - and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals RHP Adam Wainwright (elbow) threw five scoreless innings in a rehab start for Double-A Springfield on Monday and hopes to pitch for St. Louis in San Diego on Saturday.
2. Minnesota OF Byron Buxton reported no issues after running to test his fractured toe prior to the series opener and may run the bases on Tuesday.
3. St. Louis OF Tommy Pham (groin) and RHP Bud Norris (triceps) both were unavailable on Monday while the team recalled John Gant and optioned fellow RHP Mike Mayers to Triple-A Memphis.