Be glad you're not a Twins fan. I mean... in general, sure, but especially in 2021. Picked by most to compete with Chicago and Cleveland for AL Central supremacy, instead, the Twinkies are 30-41 and among the AL's worst clubs. they sit 12.5 games behind the White Sox, and only a half game ahead of the Tigers - who are actively trying to lose baseball games. Their offense has taken a major step back this year and their pitching has been a dumpster fire. HOWEVER - since losing 10-0 to the Mariners last Tuesday to drop to 26-41, a season-worst 15 games below .500, they've won four in a row - sweeping the Rangers this weekend on the strength of much better pitching. They enter this series arguably as hot as they've been all year. Playing the Twins will remind us of September 26th 2020, when despite losing 7-3, the Reds clinched a playoff spot for the first time in seven years. Sure, everyone (including the Marlins) made the playoffs last year, but it was still fun to see.
Game 1 - Monday 8:10 ET - Have you ever wondered whether J.A. Happ is still around? He is, and he's been awful. From 2014 to 2020, he was rock-solid for four different teams, but 2021 has been an unmitigated disaster. He's not walking many, just getting hit. He has below-average velocity and throws a fastball (or sinker) like 80% of the time. I guess that was bound to catch up with him. In three June starts, he's pitched 14 innings and given up 15 runs. He's started 9 games against the Reds, and gone 3-3 with a 5.36 ERA. Fun fact: the first time he faced the Reds was in April 2011, while pitching for the Astros, who were in the NL Central at the time. He gave up 7 earned runs, including 3 RBIs to Chris Heisey and 1 to Mike Leake - who was the winning pitcher. Anyway... The Reds counter with Tyler Mahle, who is awesome. The Twins still have some dudes in their lineup - and Mahle failed to get out of the third when he faced them last September.
Game 2 1 Tuesday 1:10 ET - Someone called Bailey Ober is starting this game for Minny. He was a 12th round pick in 2017. He's had some success in the minors and seems to be a strikeout pitcher. He's pretty much a 4-5 inning guy, but he's been effective in June - 2.08 ERA. The Reds counter with Wade Miley, who is also awesome. Surely this is a game we win by a lot of runs. Make no mistake - Luis Arraez can hit, Byron Buxton is a legit star, and Nelson Cruz and Jorge Polanco give the lineup some pop, but this is a team we must beat.
Weather - an outdoor venue in Minneapolis. What could possibly go wrong? Just be glad it's not April. Temps will be in the 70's for both games, dropping in to the 60's Monday night. No rain - might be windy on Monday.
Prediction - Reds sweep and make us forget all about The Padres. To quote Ron Burgundy, "Go f--- yourself, San Diego."
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Originally Posted by redsfan9988
