Rangers at Twins
The Minnesota Twins are looking more like the team that earned a wild card berth last season after back-to-back series wins over Cleveland and Boston, and the team believes it can be better. The Twins will try to keep rolling when they host the Texas Rangers on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.
Minnesota had chances to sweep the Indians and the Red Sox but fell short in the last game of each series, leaving the team with a sour taste. "Like we were in Cleveland, we were looking to try to find a way to take advantage when you get the first couple," Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters after a 9-2 loss to Boston in the series finale on Thursday. "Two really good teams we couldn't finish it off against. You'll take the four out of six in the big picture, but today you're thinking about sweeping." The Rangers did manage to pull off a sweep in their latest series and come into Minnesota with a five-game winning streak after taking three straight at Kansas City. Texas will send veteran lefty Mike Minor to the mound in Friday's opener while the Twins counter with rookie Fernando Romero.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Texas), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Mike Minor (4-4, 5.35 ERA) vs. Twins RH Fernando Romero (3-2, 4.17)
Minor posted quality starts in each of his last two outings but could not find his way into the win column. The Vanderbilt product struck out six and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings against Colorado on Saturday but was held out of the decision in a game the Rangers went onto win 5-2. Minor is just 1-2 with an 8.14 ERA in five starts on the road this season.
Romero is struggling to work deep into games and was limited to four innings at Cleveland on Saturday while allowing three runs and six hits - two home runs - in a no-decision. The 23-year-old rookie allowed three or fewer earned runs in eight of his nine outings but completed six innings in only three of those turns. Romero is seeing Texas for the first time in his career and is 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA in four starts at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins CF Byron Buxton (fractured toe) played his third straight rehab game for Triple-A Rochester on Thursday and could return to the majors once he finds his timing at the plate.
2. Texas RHP Chris Martin (calf, knee) could come off the disabled list when eligible on Friday.
3. Minnesota RHP Ervin Santana (finger) is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Friday.