Mariners at Twins
The best run differential in the majors entering the week does not belong to presumed American League contenders like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or Houston Astros or even the National League powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, but to the Minnesota Twins. The Twins, who finished six games under .500 with a negative run differential last season, will try to keep their pace as one of the best in the game when they host the Seattle Mariners for the opener of a three-game series on Tuesday.
A series of under-the-radar offseason moves, and the continued growth of some young players, is accelerating the timetable in Minnesota, and wins in three of the last four games have the team sitting 10 1/2 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central entering play on Monday. The Twins lead the majors in runs scored (382) and sit second in home runs (125) after a 12-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, and slugger Nelson Cruz summed it up to reporters by saying, "We're an aggressive team." Minnesota trails in home runs only to the Mariners (126), who came out of the gate strong in March and April and are just beginning to pick things back up with wins in three of the last five contests. Seattle, which totaled 29 runs in those last three wins, will try to provide some support on Tuesday for right-hander Mike Leake while going up against Twins lefty Martin Perez.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Mike Leake (5-6, 4.30 ERA) vs. Twins LH Martin Perez (7-2, 3.72)
Leake is coming off his best outing of the season after scattering one run and six hits in a complete-game victory over the Houston Astros at home on Wednesday. The Arizona State product struck out five and walked a pair in earning his second consecutive win and managed to keep the ball out of the air by inducing 17 ground balls. Leake won both of his starts against Minnesota in 2018, allowing a total of three runs and seven hits in 13 innings without yielding a home run.
Perez induced a season-high 12 ground balls against Cleveland on Wednesday but was still knocked around for five runs - two earned - on six hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. The Venezuela native did not factor in the decision in that contest and is winless in his last two outings while totaling 11 runs allowed - eight earned - in 7 1/3 innings. Perez was much better in a start at Seattle on May 17, when he held the Mariners to one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven to earn the win.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mariners 1B Edwin Encarnacion homered twice on Sunday to reach 400 for his career.
2. Cruz homered in each of the last four games.
3. Seattle C Tom Murphy hit safely in each of his last nine games and totaled five homers in his last five contests.