The Minnesota Twins’ home opener did not turn out as they hoped it would.
Now, the Twins will try to deliver a successful sequel after the original flopped.
“You’ve got to kind of pack it in and get ready for the next game,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I’m not really harping on disappointment. I’m more interested in what we do over the off day, getting ready and showing up Saturday ready to play.”
The Twins will take on the Houston Astros in the second installment of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. Both teams should be well-rested after enjoying a day off Friday following their series opener on Thursday.
Houston is looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Astros lost four of their first six contests at home before winning their first road game.
Astros infielder Brendan Rodgers said he felt pressure to perform in front of home fans in his first two series with the team. He said the trip to Minnesota helped alleviate some of the pressure that he was feeling.
The road reset worked on Thursday, as Rodgers went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
“That first homestand, you want to perform (as the) new guy on a new team,” said Rodgers, who spent his first six seasons with the Colorado Rockies before joining the Astros this season. “(This week), on the flight, I just tried to relax, hang out with the guys and get to know them more. That’s been a huge help in taking that stress off.”
The Twins hope that a reverse travel schedule helps right-hander Bailey Ober (0-1, 27.00 ERA) find his footing after a rocky season debut. Ober was shelled for eight runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings in his first start on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals, and he will look to bounce back as he takes the mound in his home park.
This will be Ober’s third career start against Houston. In his first two outings, he went 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA, and he allowed five runs on 14 hits in 10 innings.
The Astros will start right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (1-0, 1.50), who also will make his second appearance of the season. The 25-year-old offered a dazzling debut in which he limited the New York Mets to one run on one hit in six innings.
“I feel like my whole game plan was to get us back in the dugout as quickly as possible,” Arrighetti said after the victory.
This will be the second time Arrighetti has faced the Twins. In his first contest, he finished with a no-decision and allowed two runs on seven hits in five innings.
The Twins will seek more power at the plate after hitting five home runs in their first seven games. Harrison Bader has three of those homers, and Byron Buxton and Willi Castro have one apiece.
The Astros also hope to see more production on offense. Christian Walker and Jeremy Pena had one homer apiece in the series opener.
–Field Level Media
