Will the Trident or the Rally Sausage prevail in the Mariners vs Twins series?

The Mariners arrived in the Twin Cities hoping to win their seventh straight series. The Twins had a twelve-game winning streak that Boston snapped on Sunday. While the rally sausage may not have saved their winning streak, the sausage (or its replacement) may still energize the Twins in their four-game series with Seattle.

The Twins’ catcher, Ryan Jeffers, received a sausage in the mail two weeks ago. Players first attributed two home runs to the sausage. This good luck sausage has since traveled with the team during their twelve-game winning streak. I suspect there is a cleanliness advantage to the trident.

The Minnesota Twins have recently swept the White Sox twice, the Angels once, and won their series against Boston. The Mariners have won their last six series against the Reds, Rockies, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Atlanta, and Houston.

This should be a competitive series!

Mariners vs Twins: Pitching Matchups

Monday, May 6: This evening, RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (2.45 ERA with 13 Ks in 14.2 IP) will face the Mariners’ RHP Luis Castillo (3.46 ERA with 49 Ks in 49 IP). Wood Richardson's strongest pitch is his slider, followed by his fastball, curveball, and a weaker changeup.

Tuesday, May 7: Tomorrow, RHP Bailey Ober (4.55 ERA, 28 Ks in 31.2 IP) will throw against RHP Emerson Hancock (4.75 ERA, 23 Ks in 30.1 IP). Ober has strong off-speed pitches and encourages batters to chase pitches.

Wednesday, May 8: RHP Chris Paddack will be on the mound for Minnesota. He has a 4.78 ERA and 27 Ks in 32 IP. RHP George Kirby (3.76 ERA, 41 Ks in 38.1 IP) will pitch for Seattle.  Note that Kirby had an MRI on his knee and was given the go-ahead to pitch. Paddack has a strong fastball.

Thursday, May 9: RHP Pablo López (4.30 ERA and 45 Ks in 37.2 IP) will pitch for the Twins against RHP Logan Gilbert (1.69 ERA, 50 Ks in 48 IP). This looks like a strike-out duel. López has a strong fastball and a high whiff percentage.

Strong Batters

These are Twins' batters who have been hitting well.

• Ryan Jeffers, the DH, has a .296 average, 30 hits, and 22 RBIs.
• SS Carlos Correa, back from injury, has a .255 BA.
• 3B Jose Miranda, has a .280 BA.
• Willi Castro, LF/3B has a .287 and has recently been on a 10-day hitting streak.
• Edouard Julien has seven home runs and 18 walks.

On the Mariners, these are some high performers.

• Josh Rojas has a .360 BA
• Julio Rodriguez has a .261 BA
• Ty France's BA is .255
• Cal Raleigh has eight home runs.
• Mitch Haniger has the highest number of RBI at 18.
• Jorge Polanco has the most walks at 20.

Injuries

The Mariners have a few injuries. Bryan Woo is still throwing rehab innings before returning. J. P. Crawford may need some more time to recover from his injured oblique.

Minnesota has had quite a few injuries this year. Byron Buxton, their regular in center field, has right knee inflammation and is on the 10-day IL. Third baseman, Royce Lewis, tore his right quadricep early in the season and is also out.

Anthony DeSclafani and our 2023 reliever Justin Topa, went to Minneapolis in the trade for Jorge Polanco. Topa has been on the 15-day IL  but has started rehab throwing.  DeSclafani who came as part of the Robbie Ray trade, is out for the 2024 season due to right arm surgery.

This Week

I think that Mariners fans and Twins fans are in for a competitive series. I am looking forward to a big Minnesota "welcome back" for Jorge Polanco. I also enjoy watching Carlos Santana play. Go, Mariners!