Despite their recent 13-game winning streak, the Twins are 4 ½ games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central division standings due to Detroit continuing to be one of the best teams in MLB along with Minnesota’s abysmal start to the season. If the Twins want to win the division, they must continue their hot streak while the Tigers deal with key injuries to a pair of starting pitchers.
The Minnesota Twins must take advantage of the Detroit Tigers’ pitching injuries during hot streak
Tigers right-handed starting pitchers Casey Mize and Reese Olson are currently on the Injured List.
Luckily for Detroit, Mize, who has been sidelined with a mild left hamstring strain since May 9, could return as soon as May 24, according to the Tigers’ injury report. Mize has a 2.53 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 42 ⅔ innings across seven outings.
But just as Detroit prepares to welcome back one of its starting pitchers, another one went down. Olson, who has a 2.96 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 48 ⅔ innings over nine starts, felt discomfort while throwing his changeup on May 17 and was placed on the IL two days later with right ring finger inflammation. Olson is expected to return early to mid-June.
Although the Tigers have possibly the best starting pitcher in the league, Tarik Skubal, they still need Mize and Olson back to ensure the rotation is in good shape.
The Twins have also suffered their fair share of injuries, but their rotation is as healthy as ever, and players have stepped up in the absence of Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Matt Wallner and others. Minnesota needs to continue its hot streak while the Tigers deal with their crucial injuries to catch up in the division standings.
Twins scheduled to resume suspended game against Cleveland
Originally, the Twins and Guardians were slated to continue Monday’s suspended game Tuesday night, followed by Game 2 of the series. However, the rain had other plans. Barring any more poor weather, the halted game is slated to resume at 12:10 p.m. CT on Wednesday, followed by the regularly scheduled game.