Series 19 (of 52) Preview: Twins Visit Houston

The Minnesota Twins cross the MMP threshold for the only time this year.

This is one of two series between the two this season, with a rematch in the Twin Cities July 5-7. Last year, the Twins beat Houston four times in six games. On May 30, the Astros earned their final win of the season against them, with a 5–1 victory. Alex Bregman led Houston’s offense with two hits, including his seventh homer of the year, and Chas McCormick (4) also went deep. Brandon Bielak (2-2, 3.19) earned the victory, collecting six Ks in 5 ²⁄₃ innings of one-run ball.

You don’t want guys here who are happy to be here. You want guys who are trying to help us win and who believe they can help us win. — Astros manager Dusty Baker on Bielak

Game times and starting pitchers

Friday, 7:10 p.m. CT: Pablo López (4-5, 5.25) vs. Ronel Blanco (5-0, 1.99)
Saturday, 3:10 p.m. CT: Joe Ryan (4-3, 2.96) vs. Framber Valdez (3-3, 4.34)
Sunday, 12:05 p.m. CT: Woods Richardson (2-0, 2.70) vs. Hunter Brown (1-5, 6.39)

Houston is coming off a four-game set against the Seattle Mariners in the Emerald City, with the Astros picking up just one win. In the final game on Thursday, Alex Bregman (6) and Victor Caratini (3) each went deep, and Bregman led the offense with two hits. Spencer Arrighetti (3-5, 5.98) struck out eight and pitched six shutout innings with two hits for his first career Quality Start and the victory. Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly each pitched a perfect inning, while Josh Hader collected the final three outs in a no-save situation.

I was really happy that we were able to put up some runs and got some good swings from the hitters today and I was able to give us a chance. —Arrighetti

The Twins enter the series after a four-game homestand against the Kansas City Royals, winning three of them. In Thursday’s series finale, Ryan Jeffers (11, 12) hit two homers for three RBIs in a 7-6 win for the Twins. Caleb Thielbar (2-1, 4.97) got the win in relief and Jhoan Duran (9) got the save.

This is something we talked about (in the midst of a seven-game skid) in Washington, man. It felt like we were 2-0 down, we had already lost the game and there was no energy or desire to come back. …We have to find a way to fight back. — The Hero of the Twins Carlos Correa