Minnesota Twins: Previewing the Weekend Series with the Rays
By Otto Johnson
Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays Pitching Matchups
- Dylan Bundy vs. Corey Kluber (4/29)
- Chris Archer vs. Shane McClanahan (4/30)
- Chris Paddack vs. Josh Fleming (4/31)
The Rays technically don’t have any starters officially listed past Corey Kluber tonight, so even if these guys aren’t the starters, they’ll be the bulk pitchers over the weekend. The Rays have the edge in arms, but it’s not by much.
Kluber has been solid in a bounceback year, but he’s been hit hard and doesn’t strike out a lot of batters, but what Dylan Bundy has done this year has been amazing to watch. If he can keep it going, the Twins have the better pitcher in Game One.
Shane McClanahan is the best pitcher on either team, starting off the year with a 2.45 ERA (2.25 FIP) and is striking out batters at a 12.7 K/9 clip while owning a 31-5 K-BB ratio. He lines up against the starter who has been the worst in the Twins rotation in Chris Archer. If Archer can’t be stellar in his return to Tampa Bay, that will be the toughest for the Twins to win.
The rubber match of the series sees Josh Fleming and Chris Paddack, both guys who have had mixed results as starters. Paddack is slightly more talented, but again, pitching will be key for this series.