After a 6-2 loss that saw the offense struggle in the series opener against the Padres, the Twins look to bounce back against one of the hottest teams in baseball in game two. 

The Twins are sending out right-hander Dean Kreamer to get the start against the Padres, his fourth start with the Twins. Over the season with both the Orioles and Twins, Kreamer has posted a 2-4 record with a 5.40 ERA in 53⅓ innings pitched and 53 strikeouts. This will be Kreamer’s second career start against the Padres, coming in with a 0-2 record and a 3.00 ERA.

The Padres are sending out right-hander Casey Mize, whom the Twins have seen a lot of over the years when he was with the Tigers. This season, Mize owns a 5-8 record with a 3.18 ERA and has struck out 95 batters in 102 innings. Against the Twins, Mize owns a career 5.34 ERA over 60⅔ innings.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. CT at Petco Park.

Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup

1. Luke Keaschall — RF
2. Byron Buxton — CF
3. Josh Bell — DH
4. Ryan Jeffers — C
5. Kody Clemens — 2B
6. Royce Lewis — 1B
7. Trevor Larnach — LF
8. Brooks Lee — 3B
9. Kaelen Culpepper — SS

Lineup Notes

The Twins are going with the same lineup as in the opener, featuring Ryan Jeffers behind the plate, Byron Buxton, who had the wind knocked out of him on a play back in center field and Josh Bell as the team’s DH.

3 Matchups to Watch

Dean Kreamer vs. Xander Bogarts

Of anyone in a Padres uniform, the player who’s faced Kreamer the most is the aging Xander Bogaerts, and Bogaerts has some good numbers against Kreamer. In 14 at-bats, Bogarts has posted a .817 OPS with three RBIs against Kreamer.

Byron Buxton vs. Casey Mize

It would only make sense that the face of the Twins, Byron Buxton, would have the best numbers on the team coming in against Mize. In 23 at-bats, Buxton has posted a 1.087 career OPS against Mize, which includes two home runs and four RBIs. Buxton getting hot would be a big boost to the top of the Twins lineup. Against a pitcher like Mize, Buxton needs to be the catalyst for the offense in general.

Trevor Larnach vs. Casey Mize

Trevor Larnach has struggled as of late. Over his last 100 at-bats, Larnach has posted a .210 batting average, 22 strikeouts, and only 12 RBIs. The good news for Larnach is that he has a career .968 OPS against Mize with a home run. Getting some contributions from Larnach would help to pick up the middle of the lineup that struggled yesterday against Padres pitching.