Greetings from Target Field, where it is 68 degrees and slightly overcast. It should remain above 60 throughout the game, and it should not rain.
It’s Aaron Slegers (R, 0-0, 7.36 ERA) vs. Buck Farmer (R, 4-5, 7.12). Slegers made his last appearance on Sept. 17 and last made a start on Sept. 6.
“With his limited time up here, it’s obviously a good opportunity. I think everyone understands that he hasn’t had a chance to pitch much here over the past three weeks, so it’s a little iffy as far as how it’s gonna go,” said Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor.
“I know he’s been trying to do the best he can to keep himself sharp and ready. He had one small bullpen outing. But it makes sense to give him the ball and see what he can do to try to limit how deep we have to into the bullpen tonight.”
Just after Molitor’s media accessibility ended, the Boston Red Sox beat the Houston Astros 6-3, earning the AL East title for the second year in a row and assuring that the New York Yankees will play in the Wild Card game against the Twins. It will be played at 7:00 pm on Tuesday and broadcast on ESPN.
For some Twins fans, the fact that Minnesota’s fate is determined in one playoff game after 162 regular season games seems unfair. Molitor says the good outweighs the bad.
“It’s one of those facts,” he said with a short laugh. “This has been established, we’re into the sixth year of the dual Wild Card. It’s brought a lot of good things in terms trade deadline discussions — who’s in, who’s out — fanbases can stay involved a little bit longer, hold onto hope.
“It’s a tough situation, going into one game, and the flip side — if there wasn’t a one-game scenario, we wouldn’t be playing at all. You gotta take your shot, and it’s a way that it was created.”
Miguel Sano is back, and he will bat fifth and DH.
Andrew Romine will bat seventh for the Detroit Tigers and try to play all nine positions tonight.
He came in, none of the effects that we talked about last night, he’s ready to go,” said Molitor of Sano. “It’ll be another chance for us in this little mini-window here to try to better gauge of where he’s at.”
Asked why he’s not leading him off in order to get him more at-bats, Molitor said: “It’s kinda like playing a guy at nine positions. I’m trying to win the game, and hopefully he gets four at-bats. I guess your percentages go up with the potential fifth at-bat by doing that … I don’t think four or five today is gonna be a huge difference.”
Longtime Twins trainer Dave Prumer announced he’s retiring in order to move his family back to him and his wife’s hometown of Teutopolis, Illinois, which is about halfway between St. Louis and Indianapolis.
He has worked for the Twins for 23 years and will throw out the first pitch tonight.
“I’m glad he’s getting a little bit of attention for his stepping down from his role,” said Molitor. “In 23 years, and working with him closely here the last three years, I see what he does, and how the players respond to him. He doesn’t sugarcoat things.
“He’s in some ways like a coach, because he’s not afraid to challenge these guys and motivate guys as they go through rehab and injuries.”
I’ll be covering today and tomorrow, and Brandon and I will provide coverage of the Wild Card game. Follow us @tschreier3 and @Brandon_Warne.
