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Minnesota Twins series preview: Twins look to buck Target Field woes against Nationals

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 07: Mitch Garver #18 and Willians Astudillo #64 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate defeating the Cleveland Indians after the game at Target Field on September 7, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 5-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 07: Mitch Garver #18 and Willians Astudillo #64 of the Minnesota Twins celebrate defeating the Cleveland Indians after the game at Target Field on September 7, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 5-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 04: Jose Berrios #17 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox hit a three run home run during the second inning at Fenway Park on September 04, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 04: Jose Berrios #17 of the Minnesota Twins reacts after Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox hit a three run home run during the second inning at Fenway Park on September 04, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Pitching Probables

Tuesday (6:40 p.m. CT): Anibal Sanchez (8-7, 4.11 ERA) vs. Jose Berrios (11-8, 3.78 ERA)

Tuesday’s matchup represents what could have been for the Twins as they signed Anibal Sanchez last season before releasing him during spring training. The right-hander has been decent for the Nationals in 2019 but has allowed nine runs in his last two outings, marking a potential get right spot for the Twins lineup after last weekend.

The Twins could need those runs due to the recent performance of Jose Berrios. Berrios has struggled, posting a 5.37 ERA since the All-Star break. Despite the rough patch, the Twins feel that Berrios is close to regaining his form from earlier in the season and in his last start, he allowed six runs, but four of those came on a pair of home runs to Mookie Betts.

Wednesday (6:40 p.m. CT): Stephen Strasburg (16-6, 3.50 ERA) vs. Martin Perez (10-6, 4.75 ERA)

Strasburg has been the workhorse of the National League, leading the senior circuit in both innings pitched (185) and strikeouts (222). The 31-year old has been especially solid as of late, posting a 2.72 ERA in his last six starts while compiling a 2-1 record.

He’ll face Perez, who has been inconsistent throughout 2019 but could be starting to find his form just in time. Although he allowed eight runs against Detroit two starts ago, his last start was surprisingly efficient as he went six innings and allowed a short home run to Betts in the Twins’ win over the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 5.

Thursday (6:40 p.m. CT): Patrick Corbin (11-7, 3.16 ERA) vs. Kyle Gibson (13-6, 4.58 ERA)

Gibson will return from the injured list as he looks to tame a Nationals lineup that averages 5.39 runs per game. It might be difficult to know what to expect as Gibson returns from ulcerative colitis, but if he has it in check, it could be a solid start to what could be a strong finish to 2019 for the right-hander.

It will be a tough task to get the win, however, as he’ll face one of the top pitchers in the NL in Patrick Corbin. Corbin has been especially great in his last 15 starts for the Nationals, posting a 2.29 ERA. In that stretch, Corbin has gone 6-2 while the Nationals have a 10-5 record in those starts.

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