Pablo Lopez has been particularly stable for the Minnesota Twins of late.
In the meantime, Matthew Boyd hasn’t been too shabby since becoming a member of the Cleveland Guardians.
Presently two of the American League’s finest pitchers, Lopez and Boyd sq. off Monday night time in Cleveland, the place these American League Central foes proceed their respective pushes towards the postseason.
Minnesota (79-70) sits third within the division, 6 1/2 video games behind the first-place Guardians, and owns a 2 1/2-game edge for the third and ultimate AL wild-card spot. Since Aug. 18, the Twins are 9-17, however have gained three of 5 after avoiding being swept by the Cincinnati Reds with their 9-2 victory Sunday.
Lopez (15-8, 3.88 ERA), in the meantime, has earned a win in every of his previous 4 begins. The proper-hander is 7-1 with a 2.05 ERA in his previous 11 begins, has allowed 5 earned runs in his previous six and none in 4 of the previous 5.
On Tuesday in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels, Lopez allowed 4 runs within the fifth inning, three approaching Zach Neto’s homer, however all had been unearned. Lopez went on to finish seven innings and strike out 10, whereas serving to the Twins snap a four-game slide.
“Sure, our margin for error retains shrinking, however we’re simply within the mindset that winners give attention to profitable,” stated Lopez, who’s three high quality begins shy of matching his career-high 20 set in 2023.
Lopez, nonetheless, hopes to be extra environment friendly than in his earlier 2024 begin in opposition to the Guardians. On April 4, he allowed 4 runs (three earned) and 6 hits over 5 2/3 innings of Minnesota’s 4-2 loss to Cleveland. For his profession, he is 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA in 5 begins in opposition to the Guardians.
In the meantime, Boyd (2-1, 2.18) stays a pleasing shock since he signed in late June whereas recovering from elbow surgical procedure and made his Guardians’ season debut on Aug. 13. The 33-year-old left-hander has allowed a couple of earned run simply as soon as in his six begins with Cleveland, which has gained 11 of 17 to maneuver nearer to clinching a postseason berth.
Like Lopez, one unhealthy inning modestly blemished the ultimate line from Boyd’s most up-to-date begin on Wednesday in opposition to the lowly Chicago White Sox. He yielded 4 runs within the third inning of Cleveland’s 6-4 highway win, however just one was earned. Along with giving up six hits and two walks, Boyd struck out 9 by 4 1/3 innings.
“With how good I felt, I should not have fallen behind in some counts and when it got here right down to it, simply possibilities to place guys away,” stated Boyd, who’s grateful for the chance he is been given by the Guardians.
“The gratitude I’ve to be right here with the squad and to be a part of this superb group of fellows, it is immense.”
From his days in Detroit, Boyd is 9-8 with a 4.62 ERA in 23 profession begins in opposition to the Twins.
Minnesota’s Carlos Santana is 10-for-35 with three doubles and a homer in opposition to Boyd. Santana homered for considered one of his three hits Sunday, and is batting .353 with 4 house runs and eight RBIs in his final 10 contests.
Cleveland star Jose Ramirez had two hits within the Guardians’ 2-0 victory Sunday over Tampa Bay. He is additionally hit three of his 35 homers versus Minnesota in 2024.
–Subject Stage Media