Twins try to Stay Hot vs. Kluber

Entering into the last road series of the year and with playoff possibilities slowly diminishing, the Twins hope for a case of deja vu from last Wednesday’s match-up between Phil Hughes and Corey Kluber.

The Twins open the series facing a familiar foe in the reigning Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber just five days after defeating his Indians 4-2.  Kluber was KO’d during a rough fourth inning where he gave up four earned runs and was only able to capture two outs before being pulled from the action.  The offensive explosion was ignited by a Brian Dozer lead-off homer on a 2-1 fastball, immediately followed by a Mauer double, Sano walk, and an RBI double by Plouffe.  Kluber’s trouble came by his inability to get ahead in the count and it cost him dearly.

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Opposing Kluber was Phil Hughes (featured below), who was able to throw together five scoreless innings of work allowing only four hits and zero free passes, while also retiring four batters on strikes.  Hughes threw only 66 pitches, for he was on a limited pitch count after coming off of the disabled list from a back injury.  Hughes looks for a repeat performance tonight at Progressive Field.

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Trevor Plouffe, who sat out yesterday’s ball game, is looking to return to the Twins lineup as history shows him having Kluber’s number.  Plouffe is hitting a career .342 in 38 at bats against Cleveland’s ace, including a single and a RBI double in his two at bats versus Kluber in last week’s win.  Look for Trevor to capitalize again versus Kluber tonight.

With only seven games remaining in the regular season, Minnesota still sits 1 1/2 games back of the Houston Astros for the final wild card spot.  The time is now or never for a last second surge for the postseason.

God Bless and Go Twins.