First pitch: 8:40 p.m. CDT
TV: Bally Sports North, FS1
Radio: TIBN
Know your enemy: Gas lamp ball
The twins came so close to a four-game sweep of the defending champions over the weekend, but still managed a 5-2 week as they head west for a three-game showdown in San Diego between 70-win teams.
The Padres, for their part, have clinched a likely playoff spot. They are still three games behind the Dodgers in the NL West, but hold the best wild-card spot in the National League. They lead the Diamondbacks by one game and have a 3.5-game lead over the Braves, who are in the third wild-card spot.
The Twins are sending Zebby Matthews to the field. He will make his second career start and his first away start. Matthews threw five strong innings against the Royals in his major league debut, allowing two earned runs on five hits, zero walks and five strikeouts. He will have his work cut out against a strong Padres lineup.
San Diego will counter with Michael King, who played as a reliever for the Yankees in recent years but has been a revelation as a first-time starter for San Diego this year. King has gone 10-6 with a 3.19 ERA, striking out 161 batters with 135 strikeouts. 1⁄3 innings. Last time, he held the Pirates scoreless for six innings, striking out ten batters and allowing no walks.
Enjoy Monday night baseball!
