Tigers top Twins 10-5 on June 28 despite homers from Buxton & Correa. Bailey Ober struggles, and now Minnesota must face ace Tarik Skubal on Sunday.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of fleeting highs and crushing lows for the Minnesota Twins. While Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa provided some fireworks with two-run homers, it was far from enough to overcome a disastrous outing from Bailey Ober, as the Detroit Tigers roared to a 10-5 victory on Saturday. The loss stings, but there's no time to dwell on it, as a monumental challenge awaits on Sunday Night Baseball: facing Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who has been virtually untouchable.
Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is a perfect 9-0 with a 2.29 ERA in his last 14 starts.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Twins' bats did show some life. Byron Buxton was a one-man wrecking crew, launching a two-run homer and swiping a base, a feat that tied him with the legendary Gary Gaetti for third on the Twins' all-time list for games with both a homer and a steal. Carlos Correa added his own two-run shot in the eighth, but by then, the damage was done. Bailey Ober simply couldn't keep the Tigers in the park, surrendering four home runs and seven total runs over five innings. The game's turning point may have come early, when Kerry Carpenter made a spectacular leaping catch to rob Ryan Jeffers of what would have been a go-ahead home run, a play that perfectly encapsulated the Twins' frustrating day.
As tough as Saturday's loss was, Sunday's finale looks even more daunting. The Twins (40-43) will send Chris Paddack and his 4.64 ERA to the mound against the formidable Tarik Skubal. The Tigers' left-hander isn't just having a good year; he's in the middle of a historic run, posting a 9-0 record in his last 14 starts. For a Twins team now sitting third in the AL Central, facing an ace in this form is the last thing they need. The pressure is mounting, with the team's playoff chances now hovering at a slim 10.7%. A win on the national stage would be a massive momentum boost, but a loss would be another step in the wrong direction.
Don't expect any cavalry to arrive just yet. The transaction wire has been quiet, meaning the club is sticking with the current roster to navigate this tough stretch. The focus remains internal, with the team anxiously awaiting the return of injured players like Matt Wallner and Luke Keaschall. Perhaps just as importantly, the Twins desperately need Royce Lewis to shake off his recent slump and rediscover the form that makes him one of the most dynamic players in the game. Without reinforcements from the farm or the trade market, it's up to the current squad to right the ship.
Tonight is more than just another game; it's a gut-check on a national stage. Facing a red-hot divisional leader and their seemingly unbeatable ace, the Twins have a chance to make a statement. Can Chris Paddack rise to the occasion and play spoiler? Can the offense find a way to scratch out runs against the best pitcher in the league? Or will the slide continue, pushing their postseason dreams further out of reach? All eyes will be on Comerica Park tonight to see what this team is truly made of as June comes to a close.
