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Minnesota Twins: Predicting an ALDS rotation for facing the New York Yankees

By Otto Johnson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 26: Jose Berrios #17 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the game on August 26, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 26: Jose Berrios #17 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of the game on August 26, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JUNE 02: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 02, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JUNE 02: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 02, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Game 3: Jake Odorizzi vs. Masahiro Tanaka

With Berrios going in game one and Dobnak in Game 2, that makes Jake Odorizzi the obvious candidate in Game 3. Odorizzi has been dominant in every month outside of July (7.43 ERA). He has been a revelation for the team going in what could be his last year with the team. He’s won 15 games and has given up more than three runs twice since the All-Star Break. He will undoubtedly start in one of the first three games of the series.

Odorizzi has struggled against the Yankees over the last three years, going 2-4 and giving up a stunning 24 runs in those six starts. He has, however, been solid against current Yankees players, allowing only a .240 BA and striking out 53 in 246 AB. Minnesota is hopeful that the latter trends continue into the ALDS.

The Yankees staff was dealt a huge blow when Domingo German was announced as out for the rest of the season due to a domestic violence probe. This leaves the Yankees in a tough spot. J.A. Happ has been much better recently, but Masahiro Tanaka has been better all year and is pretty tough to hit when he’s on.

Tanaka is better in games in New York (8-3, 3.10 ERA) vs. on the road (3-5, 6.16 ERA), so he may go on night one or two, but with Severino and Paxton as way better options, he likely gets the ball in Minnesota.

Odorizzi was an All-Star for a reason and was very good at home. Tanaka has been off most of the year, so it isn’t tough to see the Twins taking this one.

Advantage: Twins

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