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Rain not expected to delay Twins-Braves game

Tyler Duffey is on the mound as the Twins look to split the two-game series against Atlanta

July 27, 2016 at 10:26PM
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tyler Duffey delivers to the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Thursday, July 21, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tyler Duffey delivers to the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Thursday, July 21, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (Brian Stensaas — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

All indications are that the rain will end in time for tonight's game to start as regularly scheduled. Players are out on the field as I write this (5:15 p.m.) but there is one more blast of rain that's expected to pass through here.

This game must be played, since the Braves don't come back here any more.

Byron Buxton are Max Kepler are getting a break today, so Eddie Rosario is in center and Danny Santana is in right. That's a different alignment we've seen, but it might be because Santana looked shaky in center the last time he played there at Target Field.

The trade deadline is getting closer and closer, and scouts have been following the Twins. Eduardo Nunez, Kurt Suzuki and Fernando Abad all could help a contending team. Of those three, I think the Twins have the best chance of moving Abad. A number of teams need lefthanded relief. The Dodgers, one of those teams, had a scout at last night's game and I would expect him to be back tonight.

The Twins might be n a mini-quandary with Kurt Suzuki. With no one else ready to step in and take over the position next season, the Twins might have to bring Suzuki back. That means that can't trade him this week. The free agent market for catchers this offseason looks to be thin. Matt Wieters could hit free agency, but Baltimore knows what the market could be like and will likely re-sign him.

Nunez definitely could help a team looking for offense and some speed. His market has been hard to figure out.

Over the next couple of days, Twins front office members will arrive in town to join interim GM Rob Antony for the finals days leading to the trade deadline.

This is game No. 100 on the season for the Twins.

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Braves

Jace Peterson, LF
Gordon Beckham, 2B
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Nick Markakis, RF
Adonis Garcia, 3B
Jeff Francoeur, DH
Ender Inciarte, Cf
A. J.. C
Erick Aybar, SS

Mike Foltynewicz, RHP

Twins

Eduardo Nunez, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Miguel Sano, 3B
Brian Dozier, 3B
Kennys Vargas, DH
Eddie Rosario, CF
Robbie Grossman, LF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Danny Santana, RF

Tyler Duffey, RHP

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about the writer

about the writer

La Velle E. Neal III

Columnist

La Velle E. Neal III is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune who previously covered the Twins for more than 20 years.

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