The Twins are back home for a ten-game homestand that will define the rest of their playoff run. Who am I kidding? Every game from here on out will define their postseason chances. They have put themselves in the race, and they have a real chance at getting the second wild card spot. Heck, if they can get hot and the Yankees falter, the first wild card spot could be had.
Can the Twins get hot? The lineup looks functional, as Aaron Hicks has been a solid leadoff hitter and Torii Hunter has heated up. And there's some Sano guy batting cleanup. Twins manager Paul Molitor and pitching coach Neil Allen have figured out a reliable bullpen lineup.
So it's up to the starters.
If the Twins rotation can get on a roll, then the club could finish with a flourish. Phil Hughes' start tomorrow is huge, as he makes his return from the disabled list. And Ervin Santana must stay on his recent good run.
The Twins tonight will face lefthander Kyle Lobstein, who missed a chunk of this season with shoulder problems. He's looking to end a five-start losing streak.
In his only at-bat against Lobstein, Hunter belted a home run off him. That's noteworthy because Hunter is sitting on 350 career home runs, one shy of Dick Allen for 91st all-time.
This is the first time these teams have met since right before the All Star break. And we all know what happened then. The Twins took three of four games, including a July 10 game in which they erupted for seven runs in the ninth - including a walk-off homer by Brian Dozier - to win 8-6.
Still waiting for lineups. Will check in later
