Mets at Twins
The Minnesota Twins picked up a big series win out of the All-Star break and now look to enjoy a nine-game stay at home beginning with the opener of a two-game series with the New York Mets on Tuesday. The Twins saw their lead over Cleveland in the American League Central cut in half over a roughly three-week span but came out of the break by taking two of three from the Indians to restore a 6 1/2-game advantage.
Minnesota fell short of a sweep with Sunday's 4-3 loss, but it feels good about itself heading into the lengthy stretch at Target Field. "We have a lot to be happy about," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters Sunday. "We had a very nice series. If we play like this going forward, I think we're going to be OK." The Mets also won two of three in their first series following the intermission, taking the rubber game at Miami on Sunday by a 6-2 margin. They'll give the ball to Steven Matz in place of the injured Zack Wheeler on Tuesday, while the hosts go with right-hander Michael Pineda.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (5-6, 4.89 ERA) vs. Twins RH Michael Pineda (6-4, 4.56)
Wheeler was scheduled to start the opener before being placed on the 10-day injured list Monday afternoon due to right shoulder fatigue, putting a wrench in the Mets' rumored push to trade the right-hander. Matz, who has pitched solely out of the bullpen in July, will be making his 17th start of the year. The 28-year-old, who gave up 14 runs in just 11 1/3 innings over his last three starts, takes a 4.62 ERA in interleague play into his first career matchup with the Twins.
Pineda has allowed exactly one run in four of his last five starts, including a six-inning effort in a win over Texas before the break. He struck out a season-high nine batters in that outing and has 17 strikeouts in 12 innings over his last two appearances. Robinson Cano is 6-for-12 with two home runs against Pineda, who has held the Mets to one run in 13 innings over two previous encounters.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins LF Eddie Rosario (ankle) might be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.
2. Cano is 7-for-17 with two homers and a double during his four-game hitting streak.
3. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano is batting .368 during his career-high 11-game hitting streak.