ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Twins are making a quick West Coast trip to play a doubleheader against the Angels today (3:07 p.m., BSN). The games are makeups for an early season series that was interrupted when the Twins had COVID-19 issues.
Mike Trout (calf) is out for the series, and probably another month or two, so the Twins catch a break today. Shohei Ohtani pitched last night (and played the outfield) in a loss to Cleveland as the Angels fell to 18-24, seven games behind AL West-leading Oakland.
The Twins have the AL's worst record at 14-27 in a "whatever can wrong will" season.
Lefthander Lewis Thorpe (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is the 27th man for the Twins today, and he'll start Game 1 against righty Alex Cobb (1-2, 5.48 ERA). Jose Berrios (3-2, 3.74) starts Game 2 against the Halos' Griffin Canning (3-2, 4.78).
Max Kepler (hamstring) won't be in the Game 1 lineup. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Kepler's hamstring was tight today, and he'll be monitored as the day wears on.
Alex Kirilloff homered for St. Paul last night in his rehab assignment with the Saints. Baldelli said Kirilloff might play in the field today if the field is dry for St. Paul's game. Baldelli said Byron Buxton (hip) continues to work toward a return, and is on the "light side of things" and "some time before he ramps up to sprinting."
"When he takes the field, he needs to be himself," Baldelli said. "You have to make sure he's able to go when he comes back. It's not fair to a guy like that to ask him to play at half speed."
Mitch Garver (knee) won't start Game 1, but Baldelli thought he might start Game 2.
