MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:

THE TWINS: Completed their three-game homestand/weekend series with a three-game series sweep of the Diamondbacks…tonight, the Twins will begin a seven-game roadtrip with four against the Tigers through Thursday, then travel to Philadelphia for three against the Phillies over the weekend…the Twins have gone 33-24 at home and 26-30 on the road.

Of the Twins’ 49 remaining games, they have an opponent winning percentage of .481, tied for fourth-lowest strength of schedule.

MATT WALLKOFF TO COMPLETE SWEEP OF SNAKES: The Twins beat the Diamondbacks yesterday afternoon by a score of 5-3 in walk-off fashion at Target Field, their ninth walk-off victory of the season…Dallas Keuchel made his Twins debut, allowing one run on eight hits in 5.0 innings pitched, with two walks and no strikeouts…of Keuchel’s 15 outs recorded 10 came via ground ball, including two ground ball double plays…the offense recorded six hits, as Carlos Correa drove in two runs with a sixth-inning single…Max Kepler hit his team-leading 18th home run to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth…two batters later, Matt Wallner hit a two-run, walk-off home run, the first walk-off hit of his career.

GIMME FIVE: The Twins are seeking their fifth-straight win tonight, which would mark a season high and their longest since August 26-30, 2022 (also 5)…prior to their current streak, they have won four-straight three times: March 30-April 3, April 11-14 and July 21-24…during the current streak, Twins have outscored their opponents 25-9.

TWINS-TIGERS: The Twins and Tigers are playing the eighth of 13 meetings in 2023…the last meeting between these two was a three-game series at Comerica Park from June 23-25 as the Twins took two of three…the Twins have gone 3-4 vs. Detroit this season, going 1-3 at Target Field from June 15-18 and 2-1 at Comerica Park.

Michael A. Taylor is hitting .305 (18-for-59) with a .762 OPS in 17 career games at Comerica Park.

Christian Vázquez is hitting .330 (31-for-94) with nine doubles, three home runs, 17 RBI and an .887 OPS in 27 career games vs. the Tigers.

Carlos Correa is hitting .295 (23-for-78) with five doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI and an .827 OPS in his last 19 games vs. the Tigers…in his last 14 games at Comerica Park, he hitting .339 (20-for-59) with one double, one triple, five home runs, 14 RBI, nine runs scored, a .375 on-base percentage and a 1.019 OPS in that span.

Jorge Polanco is a career .296 (114-for-385) hitter with 21 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 55 RBI, 30 walks, 52 runs scored and an .812 OPS in 99 games against the Tigers… in 50 career games at Comerica, he is hitting .304 (59-for-194) hitter with 10 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 21 RBI, 28 runs scored and an .816 OPS.

WE WERE ON A BREAK: The Twins have gone 14-8 since the All-Star break, going 4-2-1 in series play in that span…below are the team wins leaders since the break:
TEAM WINS-LOSSES WINNING PCT
Baltimore Orioles…………………………………………16-7…………………………………………………………… .696
Chicago Cubs……………………………………………..16-7…………………………………………………………… .696
Seattle Mariners………………………………………….15-8…………………………………………………………… .652
Minnesota Twins…………………………………………14-8…………………………………………………………… .636
Houston Astros……………………………………………14-8…………………………………………………………… .636
Texas Rangers…………………………………………….14-7…………………………………………………………… .667

Below are the offensive numbers and MLB ranks pre-All-Star break vs. post-All-Star break:
AVG R/G H HR BB OBP SLG OPS TB ISO
PRE: .232 (25) 4.2 (24) 708 (22) 115 (8) 297 (16) .309 (25) .400 (20) .709 (22) 1219 (20) .167 (10)
POST: .262 (9) 5.5 (T-5) 198 (6) 38 (T-3) 78 (11) .340 (8) .485 (3) .825 (5) 367 (2) .223 (2)

THE LEFTORIUM: Tonight marks the 25th time this season Minnesota has faced a lefty start- er…Twins are 12-12 when a left-hander is the opposing starter…the Twins have faced four left-handed starters since the All-Star break: Oakland’s Ken Waldichuk (5-4 win on 7/14), Oakland’s JP Sears (5-4 win on 7/16), Kansas City’s Ryan Yarbrough (2-1 loss on 7/30) and St. Louis’ Matthew Liberatore (5-3 win on 8/3).

The Twins have the lowest batting average (.223) and third-lowest OPS (.673) vs. lefties in baseball…however, in their last five games vs. lefties, they are hitting .276 (21-for-76) with an .856 OPS and six home runs — five of which have come in their last two games.

KEEP ME IN THE LUP: Jordan Luplow is making his first start with the Twins tonight after being claimed off waivers from Toronto on Friday…he made his Twins debut on Saturday night vs. Arizona, recording an RBI single in the eighth inning…Luplow has a career OPS vs. left-handed pitching of .833…31 of his 45 career homers have come off lefties.

LAND OF 10,000 RAKES: The Twins have homered in five-straight games, hitting 12 in that span…the streak is tied for seventh-longest active streak in baseball (Braves lead with 10)… Minnesota has hit 153 home runs on the season, fifth most in the AL and eighth most in baseball.

19 different players have homered for the Twins this season, tied for fifth most in baseball.

MAXIN’ OUT: In his last 31 games, since June 30, Max Kepler is hitting .300 (33-for-110) with six doubles, eight home runs, 19 RBI, 21 runs scored, eight walks, a .345 on-base percentage, a .573 slugging percentage and a .917 OPS.

Kepler has homered in three-straight games, matching his career high, done three times previously, all in 2019.

In 16 road games since June 30, Kepler is hitting .321 (17-for-53) with four doubles, four home runs, nine RBI, four walks, a .362 on-base percentage, a .623 slugging percentage and a .985 OPS.

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP JEFF: Ryan Jeffers has hit safely in each of his last 12 games with a plate appearance (career-best)…it marks the longest streak for a Twin this season and longest since Luis Arraez’s 12-game hitting streak from July 2-19, 2019…the last Twin with a streak longer was Jorge Polanco, who hit safely in 14-straight from May 27-June 13, 2019.

In his last 22 games, Jeffers is hitting .389 (28-for-72) with five doubles, five home runs, 12 RBI, 12 runs scored, seven walks, a .450 on-base percentage, a .667 slugging percentage and a 1.117 OPS.

Among primary catchers with a minimum of 200 plate appearances, his .891 OPS ranks second in all of baseball, trailing only Atlanta’s Sean Murphy (.903).

HBD, JDL: Twins right-handed pitcher José De León is celebrating his 31st birthday today…José is currently on the 60-day Injured List after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on July 19…De León shares a birthday with Mike Trout (32), NHL star Sidney Crosby (36) and NFL quarterbacks Jalen Hurts (25) and Kyler Murray (26).

STARTING PITCHER – PABLO LóPEZ 49
2023: 6-6, 4.01 ERA CAREER: 34-37, 3.95 ERA

Making his 23rd start and appearance and 13th road start of 2023…also his 117th career ap- pearance (all starts) in his sixth major league season (Miami – 2018-22).

Facing the Tigers for the second time in his career; took the loss despite recording a quality start
on June 24 at Detroit in the Twins’ 4-3 defeat at Comerica Park (6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, 1 BB, 10 K).

Acquired by the Twins from Miami on January 20, 2023, along with infielder Jose Salas and outfielder
Byron Chourio, in exchange for infielder/outfielder Luis Arraez.

LAST TIME OUT: Snapped a three-start winless streak on August 1 at St. Louis in the Twins’ 3-2 victory at Busch Stadium, earning his sixth win of 2023…recorded his 13th quality start, allowing one run on four hits in 6.0 innings pitched, with no walks and five strikeouts…retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced, allowing just two singles to Taylor Motter…allowed one run on three singles in the bottom of the sixth, with Nolan Arenado’s RBI single breaking up the shutout bid; Matt Wallner and Jorge Polanco both recorded assists on the RBI single to cut down Lars Nootbaar, who was attempting to advance to third base…López was relieved by Emilio Pagán to start the bottom of the seventh with Minnesota leading 3-1; three relievers held the lead as the Twins took the three-game series opener.

Snapped his career-high-tying nine-game streak with six-or-more strikeouts, recording his lowest strikeout total since June 1 vs. Cleveland (also 5 strikeouts).

Ranks second in the American League with 165 strikeouts…is also among the league leaders in innings pitched (134.2, 8th), WAR (3.2 – 8th) and opponent batting average (.228 – 9th).

TWO STARTS AGO: Recorded his 12th quality start of the season but did not factor into the decision on July 25 vs. Seattle, a 9-7 Twins’ loss at Target Field…pitched 7.0 innings and allowed two runs on six hits (2 HR), with one walk and eight strikeouts…allowed both of his runs on solo homers, one to Julio Rodríguez in the second inning and one to Cade Marlowe (1st career HR) in the fifth…recorded at least one strikeout in each of his 7.0 innings of work, including striking out two batters in the sixth inning…stranded two runners in scoring position in the seventh inning to end his outing…departed with a 6-2 lead, but three Twins relievers allowed seven runs in the final 2.0 innings as the Mariners came back to win the second game of the three-game series.

Marked his sixth start of 7.0-or-more innings this year and his 11th start with eight-or-more strikeouts…his 11 outings with at least eight strikeouts are tied with LAA’s Shohei Ohtani, NYY’s Gerrit Cole and TOR’s Kevin Gausman for the most in the American League this season.

HEART AND HUSTLE: On August 3, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced that López was the Twins’ 2023 Heart and Hustle Award recipient…the MLBPAA annually honors one player on each team who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of the game…marks López’s first career nomination for the Heart and Hustle Award…the overall winner will be announced in November.

PABLO VS. DETROIT: Facing the Tigers for the second time in his career tonight…recorded a quality start but took the loss against Detroit on June 24 at Comerica Park in a 3-2 Twins’ defeat…pitched 6.0 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, with one walk and 10 strikeouts…allowed all three runs in the bottom of the second inning; yielded an RBI single to Eric Haase and a two-run single to Zach McKinstry…his 10 strikeouts tied his season high through 16 starts; struck out a career-high 12 batters on July 5 vs. Kansas City…opposed Reese Olson, who earned his first career victory; the Tigers pitching staff held Minnesota to two runs on eight hits.

Is 4-2, 3.19 ERA (59.1 IP, 21 ER) with 10 walks and 72 strikeouts in nine career starts against American League Central opponents…his 3.19 ERA against the AL Central is his lowest against any division in his career.

SOLID ON THE ROAD: Has recorded eight quality starts in his 12 road outings this season, going 3-4, 3.39 ERA (71.2 IP, 27 ER) with 19 walks and 85 strikeouts away from Target Field this year…Twins are 5-7 in his 12 road starts, giving him an average of 3.52 runs of support in those games…his 85 road strikeouts are the most in the American League and fourth most in baseball in 2023…is 3-2, 4.71 ERA (63.0 IP, 33 ER) with 17 walks and 80 strikeouts in 10 home starts this season.

Is 17-20, 4.26 ERA (297.2 IP, 141 ER) with 82 walks and 306 strikeouts in 56 career road starts… in 60 home starts, he is 17-17, 3.68 ERA (347.0 IP, 142 ER) with 96 walks and 348 strikeouts.

RIGHT ON: López has limited right-handed hitters to a .208 (55-for-264) batting average this season, with righties going 3-for-14 with five strikeouts against him in his last start on August 1 at St. Louis… his 96 strikeouts against righties are tied for the sixth most in the American League this year…his .208 opponent batting average vs. righties this season ranks 11th in the AL (min. 15 GS)…left-handed hitters are batting .250 (60-for-240) against him in 2023, going 1-for-7 against him in his last outing.

Has better career numbers against righties (.653 OPS) than lefties (.741 OPS).

PITCH BREAKDOWN: Has used a five-pitch mix in 2023, per Baseball Savant…has primarily used his sweeper and sinker against right-handed hitters, favoring his changeup and curveball against left-handed hitters…recorded four of his five strikeouts in his last start on August 1 at St. Louis with his four-seam fastball…here is a look at his 2023 arsenal:

PITCH (AVG. MPH) PCT. (# OF PITCHES, VS. RHB/LHB) RESULTS
4-Seam Fastball (94.9)……………..35.3% (742 pitches, 343/399)… .234 (37-for-158), 9 2B, 7 HR, 61 K Sweeper (84.3)……………………….20.9% (440 pitches, 333/107).. .175 (17-for-97), 2 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 36 K Changeup (88.4)……………………20.9% (440 pitches, 167/273).. .220 (28-for-127), 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 34 K Curveball (82.4)…………………….. 12.4% (261 pitches, 58/203) .. .254 (17-for-67), 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 30 K Sinker (94.5) …………………………..10.4% (219 pitches, 214/5)…… .296 (16-for-54), 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 K

In his first 22 starts this year, López has an average fastball velocity of 94.8 mph, a 2.1 mph increase from last season and the largest year-to-year jump of his career.

Hitters have chased 37 percent (151/406) of López’s fastballs out of the strike zone this season, the highest chase percentage on fastballs outside the zone among qualified starters in baseball, per Inside Edge.

HANG TEN: In his last 10 starts since June 7, López is 3-3, 3.41 ERA (63.1 IP, 24 ER) with seven quality starts, 15 walks, 79 strikeouts, a 1.07 WHIP and a .223 (53-for-238) opponent batting average… ranks second among American League starters in strikeouts in that span (TB’s Tyler Glasnow – 82) and is tied for eighth in innings pitched (min. 8 GS), while his strikeouts-per-walk ratio (5.27) ranks sixth and his WHIP ranks seventh in the AL.

CUTTING TO THE CHASE: López has a career-high 34.4 chase percentage in 2023, placing him in the 96th percentile in baseball, according to Baseball Savant…his chase rate ranks first on the Twins staff and 15th in the majors…also has a career-high 51.6 percent swing rate and 29.5 percent whiff rate in 2023.

HIGH QUANTITIES OF QUALITY: Has recorded a quality start in five of his last seven outings and has posted 13 quality starts this season, the most on the Twins’ staff and tied for the sixth most in the American League…his 13 quality starts are the most by a Twin since Michael Pineda also had 13 in 2019…is one shy of his career high of 14 quality starts, done last season with Miami (32 total starts)

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS LOSE RUBBER MATCH TO RAYS: The Tigers dropped the series finale to the Rays, 10-6, on Sunday. Kerry Carpenter had three hits, including a two-run homer, his 12th of the season, while Andy Ibáñez had two hits and drove in a run. Spencer Torkelson was on base three times, going 2×3 with a double and a walk. Matt Manning started for the Tigers and took the loss, giving up eight runs, six earned, on nine hits with a walk and three strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Chasen Shreve threw a scoreless inning in relief, striking out two.

MIGGY NEARING GWYNN ON ALL-TIME HITS LIST: Miguel Cabrera went 1×4 with a run scored in Saturday’s game, recording the 3,140th hit of his Major League career. He is just one hit shy of tying Tony Gwynn (3,141) for 20th on the all-time list. Cabrera has hit safely in 27 of his last 37 games, slashing .319/.391/.431 with 10 doubles, a home run and 12 RBI. Among American League players with at least 100 plate appearances in that span, he ranks eighth in batting average.

IBÁÑEZ HEATING UP: Andy Ibáñez had a pair of hits and drove in a run in yesterday’s game, recording his second straight multi-hit game. Over 20 games since July 6, Ibáñez is batting .302/.333/.429 with five doubles, a home run and four RBI.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 1-2 on their current seven-game homestand, which includes three games vs. Tampa Bay (1-2) and four games vs. Minnesota (August 7-10). Detroit is 23-32 at Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .241/.307/.372 at home, while the pitching staff has a 4.76 ERA (505.0IP/267ER).

TIGERS AND TWINS: The Tigers and Twins continue their season series tonight. The two teams have played two series so far this season with Detroit winning four-of-seven games. The Tigers are looking to win the season series from the Twins for the first time since 2016.

AGAINST THE AL CENTRAL: The Tigers continue divisional play tonight against the Twins. Detroit is 18-12 against American League Central teams so far this season. The Tigers have won seven of the nine series they have played against divisional foes.

INJURY REHAB UPDATE: Will Vest continued his injury rehab assignment with Triple A Toledo yesterday at Iowa, allowing a run on no hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 1.1 innings. Vest has been sidelined since June 27 with a right lower leg strain.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

• LHP Tyler Alexander (left lat/shoulder strain, 60-day IL on July 4, retroactive to July 3)
• LHP Matthew Boyd (left elbow sprain, 60-day IL on June 27)
• RHP Mason Englert (left hip tightness, 15-day IL on July 24, retroactive to July 23)
• OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
• RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
• RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
• RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort, 60-day IL on May 12, retroactive to May 7)
• RHP Will Vest (right lower leg strain, 15-day IL on June 27)

TONIGHT’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER

43 Joey Wentz • 1-8, 6.72 ERA (67.0IP/50ER)

• Wentz will make his 18th appearance overall and his 16th start of the season tonight in the series opener vs. Minnesota.
• Last pitched on July 29 at Miami, serving as a bulk reliever and picking up the win, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings with four hits allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.
• Has made four starts in his career against the Twins, posting a 0-2 record with a 2.29 ERA (19.2IP/5ER) and 21 strikeouts…in 14 career outings, including 13 starts, at Comerica Park, Wentz has a 0-5 record with a 5.73 ERA (59.2IP/38ER) and 53 strikeouts.
• Struck out a career-high nine batters on June 17 vs. Minnesota, allowing two runs on two hits with one walk in 6.0 innings.
• Has also started four games with Triple A Toledo this season, compiling a 1-1 record with a 4.00 ERA (18.0IP/8ER) and 26 strikeouts.