Minnesota Twins vs Toronto Blue Jays Series Preview

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Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Look to Revamp Roster Once Again in Quest for Answers

Barring any rainouts during this four game series, the Twins will hit the quarter pole mark for the 2016 season. Yes, 25% of the season will have gone by and the Minnesota Twins are only at 10 wins for the year (10-29), almost 20 games under .500, and 13.5 games back of the division leaders.

Playing .500 the rest of the way out (which would be a huuuge improvement over their current play) would leave them at 71-91, yet the Twins are not yet ready to throw in the towel. Unlike the 1982 season that was lost early on, the Twins front office isn’t ready to turn it over to the young ones just yet.

Yesterday, the Twins optioned left fielder Eddie Rosario to AAA Rochester for Cleveland cast-off, corner outfielder Robbie Grossman. Grossman’s one full season in the majors was with Houston in 2014 with a line (.233 AVG / 14 2B / 2 3B / 6 HR / 37 RBI) and cannot play center field. A head-scratcher, for sure.

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So, after trading away Aaron Hicks, and promising an outfield of Rosario – Byron Buxton – Max Kepler for the near future, the Twins debuted that exact outfield after some early struggles, only to scrap it for Robbie Grossman – Danny Santana – Miguel Sano…not an outfield you’d expect to win many Golden Gloves any time soon.

The Minnesota Twins faced a struggling Detroit Tigers team at the start of the week and during the first two games sported them an 8-run first inning and a 7-run 7th inning. In the final game, a comedy of errors in the field out-and-out handed the Tigers game three.

Now, the Toronto Blue Jays come to Target Field. They too, are scuffling, losing 5 in a row. Coming off a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto (19-23) has fallen to fourth in the AL East, 7 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. It’s a smack in the face compared to where they were last October after defeating Texas in the ALDS to face the Royals for a chance at the AL pennant.

Speaking of getting smacked in the face, Jose Bautista was suspended 1 game for his role in last week’s brawl against the Texas Rangers. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was handed down a 3 game suspension, and will serve out his final game in tonight’s opener.

Thursday Night Game

Marco Estrada (1-2, 2.89 ERA) vs Ervin Santana (1-2, 3.38 ERA)

7:10 Target Field

TV: Fox Sports North

Friday Night Game

Aaron Sanchez (3-1, 3.29 ERA) vs Tyler Duffey (1-2, 1.85 ERA)

7:10 Target Field

TV: MLB-TV (Out of Network) and FSN

Saturday Day Game

J.A. Happ (5-1, 3.40 ERA) vs Pat Dean (0-1, 4.50 ERA)

1:10 Target Field

TV: MLB-TV (Out of Network) and FSN

Sunday Day Game

Marcus Stroman (4-1, 4.23 ERA) vs Phil Hughes (1-6, 5.70 ERA)

1:10 Target Field

TV: Fox Sports North

Next: Toronto Breakdown

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