Month: September 2023

He was a Giant? Ken Reitz -3B – 1976 – #14 by Tony the Tiger Hayes feature article

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Ken Reitz as a San Francisco Giant in 1975 (photo from Steiner Sports)

He Was a Giant?

Ken Reitz

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

Apparently San Francisco native Ken Reitz was on the Giants “Most Wanted” list after all.

And not for the reasons he may have envisioned.

Reitz – who grew up near the Cow Palace – had a love of sports and rooting for the Giants as a kid. Unfortunately, like most of the others kids in hard scrabble neighborhood on the Daly City border, Reitz also grew up with an

evergreen hole in the pockets of his blue jeans.

So when he wasn’t playing local organized sports, to feed his Giants appetite Reitz was honing his skills as one most prolific ticket taker evaders in the history of Candlestick Park.

While other kids in the neighborhood preferred the old bum’s rush approach to sneaking into Candlestick, the scrappy Kenny was better at scaling the exterior cyclone fences that surrounded the old concrete bowl.

So when Reitz received a call from the Giants in December of 1975, you couldn’t really blame him if he thought the financially struggling club was calling to collect on those unpaid tickets.

Thankfully, they were not. But the real reason the club’s director of scouting Jerry Donovon was calling was only slightly less troubling.

The Giants, who had long struggled at the box office, were on the brink of bankruptcy, and frantically looking for someone to purchase the club.

Meanwhile, the slick fielding Reitz had established himself as one of the most reliable third basemen in the the National League in his three season’s as the Redbirds main man at the Hot Corner (1973-75).

When the call came from the Giants, Reitz had just been awarded the league’s Gold Glove Award for third baseman.

Further more he had just bought a home in St. Louis and was looking to settle down the “Gateway to the West” city.

“First, I was shocked by the trade,” Reitz admitted. “ I thought there was one chance in a hundred that I’d be going so soon. And if I was going, I was wishing it would be to the Pirates. I’d been hearing that they were willing to give up Al Oliver or Richie Zisk for a third baseman.”

But once reality set in, Reitz grew to appreciate the deal to the Giants, or so he let on.

He’d be working out of the same clubhouse as his childhood hero’s.

“Now that I’ve thought about it I’m kinda glad to be a Giant. Id like to help turn the franchise

around. It was such a great one when was a kid, with Mays, MeCovey. Marichal and those wonderful players. Its been painful to see the franchise go down hill.”

The club was hesitant to deal Falcone – coming off a fantastic rookie season, but the hole was glaring at the hot corner.

The Giants had never really filled the position after the venerable Jimmy Davenport retired in mid-1970.

“I enjoyed watching Davenport. He was so steady. The team had superstar but Jimmy made so many contributions and was so consistent that you had to leave the ballpark as an admirer,” Reitz said.

Reitz attended his first Giants game in 1959, back at Seals Stadium, the club’s first San Francisco home after decamping New York.

“I was about six years old, I can’t remember who the Giants were playing but Willie McCovey hit two home runs.”

When Reitz reported to spring training in 1976 he was uniquely greeted by Bill Rigney, manager of the Giants in the first game Reitz attended. The elderly Rigney was rehired to manage the club in 1976 by new team owner Bob Lurie.

“He’s a professional player,” Rigney said of Reitz. “There isn’t anything he can’t do.”

Reitz would have a decent season in 1976 for the Giants, his only as a Giant. In 155 games, second most on the club, Kenny batted .267 with 5 home runs and 66 RBI for a fourth place Giants club that suffered from inner dissension and poor attendance at freezing Candlestick.

Nearly one year to that day that he was traded to his hometown team the Giants traded Reitz back to the Cardinals for right-handed pitcher Lynn McGlothen.

Reitz wasn’t shy about his joy returning to the mid-west.

“I’m real happy and saying that might be mild. There are many negative things out in San Francisco,” he said. “The writers are always on your back and the fans are rough on you too. I’m so happy, I can’t stand it.”

Aces one win away from second straight WNBA Finals, beat Wings, 91-84

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Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) with Wings Natasha Howard (7) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. (Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces improved to 4-0 in the WNBA Playoffs with a 91-84 win over the Dallas Wings at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We played a great game and it was a good win,” said A’ja Wilson.

Wilson recorded a double-double, scoring 30 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

“She [Wilson] has been exceptional,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “She got better in the offseason.  She is just special.”

“She [Wilson] has a lot of things in her bag,” said Wings head coach Latricia Trammell. “We have to keep her off the free throw line.”

Guard Chelsea Gray scored 23 points and dished out eight assists, while Kelsey Plum nailed four three-pointers.

“I try to be the calm within the storm,” said Gray. “It’s calling the right plays and calming everyone down.”

The Aces lead the best of five series against Dallas, 2-0, and need just one more win to advance to the WNBA Finals for the second straight season.

“It’s playoff basketball,” said Wilson. “A lot of people wish they were where we are today.”

The Aces will next travel to Dallas for game four of the series on Friday.

“It is extremely hard to close out a team, especially on their home court,” said Hammon. “We still have a lot more work to do and I expect it to be an all-out war in Dallas.”

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 46.2% from the field.
Las Vegas was out-rebounded by the Wings, 40-39.
The Aces starters scored 88 of the total 91 points.

Game Starters:

C – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Candace Parker, Out – Foot

Ducks Stop Sharks Comeback 4-2; SJ at .500 in exhibition play at 1-1

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William Eklund center (72) center goes for a skating lap of congratulations from teammates. Eklund scored a goal against the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center on Tue Sep 26, 2023 (Hockey Shots photo)

Tuesday, September 26th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – A preseason game between San Jose Sharks (1-1) and Anaheim Ducks (1-1) and the Sharks are coming off a victory over the Kings and now look to keep developing this roster as they approach the season opener against the defending champion Golden Knights. The Ducks won at SAP Center in San Jose with a two goal 4-2 win. Both teams are at .500 in exhibition play at 1-1.

The Ducks and Sharks started off the first period with a back and forth pace, but then the Ducks got on the board first with a wrist shot past Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood by Anaheim’s Brett Leason (assisted by Sam Carrick and Jacob Perreault), 1-0 Ducks.

Anaheim quickly followed up that goal with another one, but this one off a wrist shot right off the blue line and this goal was scored by defenseman Olen Zellweger (assisted by Ilya Lyubushkin and Sam Carrick). 2-0 Ducks and the avalanche wouldn’t stop for Anaheim.

A goal for Andrew Agozzino assisted by Pavol Regenda and Olen Zellweger to put the Ducks up 3-0 and at this point the game still had seven minutes on the clock to go. When the first period came to an end, the biggest takeaway for the Sharks was that the offense created opportunities, especially the Eklund/Strum/Halttunen line, but the defense letting the Ducks capitalize on opportunities they created left the offense playing from behind and playing from behind early. 

The second period started with more intensity for the Sharks and more shots in less time. San Jose had half the shots they did in the first period and they did it before the period was halfway over. Playing a 4 on 3 powerplay William Eklund scored the first goal for the Sharks showing why he is one of the best young guys in the San Jose organization.

The goal was assisted by Kevin Lebanc and Shakir Mukhamadullin who has been showing a great display of passing in the first two periods. 3-1 being the score at this point in the second period. Penalties for Anaheim became a factor in the second period as they tallied up three within two minutes of each other and this gave San Jose some momentum to hopefully generate more offense.

Blackwood’s second period was a shutout, but a key point of this second period shoutout was the Sharks defense keeping Anaheim away from rebounding the missed shots. San Jose in both periods have accumulated six shots a period and compared to the Ducks’ 18 shots on goal, the Sharks seem to be still figuring out the system that they want to run, but it’s all coming together. 

The final period started with the Sharks attacking and the feeling in the arena was that there would be another goal for San Jose and almost four minutes into the third, that feeling was justified as Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored on a breakaway with an assist from Nico Sturm and now it was 3-2 with a lot of game still left.

The gap on shots was closing between San Jose and Anaheim and so was the score. The chances the Sharks were getting were better, but they weren’t resulting in on goal shots which results in goals. With six minutes left in the third, the Sharks showed that they do well screening the net, but when no shots are actually close to the net, then it’s just bodies in the way.

The biggest penalty for the Sharks came in this last period by Vlasic (4 minute minor) with two minutes and 20 seconds left, so San Jose was on a penalty kill to end the game. Anaheim gets a penalty with a minute left making it a 4 on 4 as the Sharks approach the close of the game and San Jose also pulled Blackwood to make it a 5 on 4 in the last minute. After missing two shots, the Ducks recover the puck in open ice with an empty net and score one last goal. 4-2 Ducks. 

The game comes to an end, both clubs will see each other Wednesday night in Anaheim for another preseason game. Face off 7:00pm PT at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

Twins send A’s down to their 109th loss in 2023; Minnesota puts a Twin killing on Oakland 11-3

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Minnesota Twins’ Matt Wallner runs the bases after hitting a grand slam against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tue Sep 26, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s lost again for the 109th time in 2023. The Minnesota Twins, third in the American League with 223 home runs, used the long ball to beat the A’s 11-3.

Oakland’s pitchers helped the Twins by issuing three walks in the first, and all three scored on Matt Wallner’s grand slam. Again, in the seventh. A’s pitchers Francisco Perez and Zach Neal walked three Twins hitters. One walked forced in a run, and Twins’ catcher Christian Vazquez’s double to right-centerfield cleared the bases.

The Twins scored two in the fifth. Former San Francisco Giants’s Donovan Solano started the rally by getting a walk. Twins’ first baseman blasted an opposite-field home run to put the Twins ahead 7-0.

The only offense the A’s could mount came in the top of the seventh. Brent Rooker singled, and Seth Brown homered to make it 7-2. The Twins put four on the board in their half of the seventh to break the game wide open.

As mentioned above, it was the A’s 109th loss of the year. The A’s broke the record for futility set by the 1979 A’s team. Fortunately, there are only five games left to play this year.

Game Notes- With the loss, the A’s are 48-109, 61 games below 500. The Twins, who captured the Central Division crown yesterday, improved to 84-73. The Twins will be the third seed in the American League playoffs and have the home-field advantage in the Wild Card Round.

The hitting star for the Twins was Donovan Solano. Solano had three singles and a double and reached base five times. Matt Wallner and Alex Kiriloff homered for the Twins.

The only bright spot for Oakland was Seth Brown’s home run.

The line score for Oakland was two runs, eight hits, and no errors. Paul Blackburn was the losing pitcher. His line was three innings pitched, and he allowed five runs and four hits. Blackburn walked four, and three scored.

The Twins line was 11 runs, eight hits, and no errors. Bailey Ober was the winning pitcher.

The A’s play the Twins again Wednesday night. A’s rookie pitcher Joey Estes (0-1 ERA 9.64) will make his second Major League start. The Twins will counter with Pablo Lopez (11-8 ERA 3.61).

Over 22,000 fans sat through a rainy evening to watch the Twins pound the A’s

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal prepare to face undefeated Oregon Saturday at the Farm

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Stanford running back Sedrick Irvin (26) runs for a touchdown against Arizona during the second half at Stanford Stadium on Sat Sep 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, how frustrating has it got to be that the Cardinal lost in a close one point game to the Arizona Wildcats last Saturday at Stanford Stadium.

#2 Stanford quarterback Aston Daniels threw for 14-26 for 198 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Daniels tried to get some offense going but the Wildcats were able to cover that much better.

#3 Daniel needed more time to throw against the Wildcats defense but it was a struggle talk about how much pressure he got in the pocket.

#4 Stanford running back Sedrick Irvin had ten carries for 66 yard and a touchdown. Did Irvin get pushed back on some of his rushes last Saturday.

#5 The Oregon Ducks are no slouch their headed for Stanford for this Saturday the Cardinal have home field but the Ducks have been cleaning up winning four straight games and have a very pro active quarterback in Bo Nix who can throw all day.

Michael Roberson is a beat writer for Stanford Cardinal football at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Brooks Robinson, the Greatest Third baseman has passed away at 86

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Brooks Robinson the Baltimore Orioles third baseman snares a line drive hit by the Cincinnati Reds Johnny Bench in the top of the sixth inning on Oct 13, 1970 at Memorial Stadium during the World Series in Baltimore (AP file photo)

Brooks Robinson, the Greatest Third baseman

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As a kid in Cuba when my father took me to the Cuban Professional Winter League in Havana, around the late 1950s I remember a skinny slick fielding third baseman that played for the Elefantes de Cienfuegos, (Cienfuegos Elephants), with the green and gray uniforms, his name was Brooks Robinson, they won the Cuban Winter League title in the 1959-60 season.

He was since that moment together with Cuban-born Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso my two favorite players. Miñoso played for the rivals Tigres de Marianao, Marianao Tigres and with the Chicago White Sox in the major leagues. I had the privilege of meeting Miñoso not in Cuba (although I saw him play in Cuba, like I just wrote) but here in the Major Leagues as a player and later as a Front Office employee of the Chicago White Sox, as I interviewed him in many occasions including in 2005 when he sat with me in Chicago during a game as I was broadcasting for the LA Angels Spanish radio, he did commentary for most of the game. Both Minnie and Brooks played at a very young age in that Cuban professional league. Both became established stars in the major leagues.

Today, September 26, 2023 the news broke. Brooks Robinson has died at the age of 86. There was no better defensive third baseman, He was selected to 18 All Star Games and won a total of 16 Gold Gloves, the most of any position player, only one player won more Gold Gloves in history, pitcher Greg Maddux,18.

In 1983 third baseman Brooks Robinson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. His nickname “The Vacuum cleaner” was given to him by Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson after his legendary performance for the Orioles in the 1970 World Series. “I’ve never seen anything like what he did to us in that series, He killed us”. In 1970 Brooks won the MVP in the World Series.

He played his entire 23 year career with the Baltimore Orioles. Hit for an average of .267, 2,896 games, 2,848 hits, 1,357 runs batted in, 1964 American League MVP, 1970 World Series MVP and 2-time World Series Champion.

The Human Vacuum Cleaner” or “Mr. Hoover” because of his defensive prowess. But mostly known as “Mr. Oriole.”

Why do they call third base “the hot corner”? Because right handed hitters pull balls down the third base line with with lots of heat.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Vice President of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Garoppolo in concussion protocols after loss to Steelers, Raiders haven’t decided if he can start Sunday

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On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was evaluated after Sunday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers for a concussion and was placed in concussion protocols. How is his outlook for this Sunday’s game in Southland?

#2 Garoppolo played in every snap on Sunday night but did not speak with reporters after the game as he was being evaluated immediately after the game.

#3 Garoppolo was 28-44 for 324 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Talk about Garoppolo’s offensive performance.

#4 Garoppolo was wobbly after getting sacked by the Steelers TJ Watt. He reportedly hurt his ankle on the play and it wasn’t reported that he had suffered a concussion right after the play and was helped off the field.

#5 Garoppolo must past concussion protocols before being named the starter for Sunday. There is also a chance that third string quarterback Aidan O’Connell might get the starting call over second stringer Brian Hoyer for Sunday’s game if Garoppolo is out. O’Connell had a good pre season and might get the start.

Join Tony for the Raiders podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Cardinals come to Levi after defeating Cowboys; 49ers look to go 4-0

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) fights for extra yardage against New York Giants’ Bobby Okereke (58) and Adoree’ Jackson (22) during the fourth quarter at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Thu Sep 21, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 On Thursday Night Football it was the San Francisco 49ers Brock Purdy quarterback lots protection. Purdy going 25-37 for 310 yards and two touchdowns. Purdy has led San Francisco to three wins talk about how you saw him throwing against the New York Giants.

#2 San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carried for 18 carries, 85 yards, and a touchdown he been the go to in the 49ers ground game.

#3 David, the Arizona Cardinals come to Santa Clara this Sun Oct 1st the beat a good team in the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday 28-16 to go up 1-2. Is the Cardinal win from last Sunday an indicator going into this Sunday’s game?

Join David Zizmor for the 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Conforto takes advantage of faltering Padres for 2-1 win

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San Francisco Giants hitter Michael Conforto gets a two RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead on the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Sep 25, 2023 (@SFGiants photo)

San Diego (77-80). 100 000 000. – 1. 9. 0

San Francisco (78-79). 000 000 02x – 2. 7. 0

Time: 2:23

Attendance: 28,557

Monday, September 25, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO—While no one was looking, the fast fading San Francisco Giants found themselves tied in the National League playoff standings with the until recently tail dragging San Diego Padres. That would have been exciting news a week ago when no team had a chance to catch the Dodgers for the division championship but the final playoff berth was up for grabs, but at game time this warm and somewhat humid Monday evening, both the friars and the hometown Giants had an tragic number of only two with six games to go. Not that it matters much, but the Padres enjoyed a tie breaking run differential of 91 to -16.

Monday night’s terrific, hard fought, come from behind 2-1 Giants win eliminated San Diego from. the wild card race, although it also reduced San Francisco’s elimination number to one with five games remaining to be played.

The Giants, 2-8 in their last ten encounters, sent their tough luck ace, Logan Webb (10-15, 3.35 for the first 156 games of the season; 1-2, 2.36 in September). He turned in a tremendous performance tonight, throwing a 110 pitch complete game victory, in which he gave up nine hits, two of them in a stressful ninth inning, and no walks. The one run scored against him was earned and came in the first frame. The win improved his record to 11-13, 3.25.

The Pads went with Blake Snell, 14-9, 2.33 for the heretofore underperforming San Diegans and leading the majors in ERA, opponents’ batting average, opponents’ slugging average, and hits allowed per nine innings. He threw six shutout frames, stymying the Giants, who left seven runners on base under his watch. Three of them, one in each of the first three frames, were in scoring position.

The Cy Young candidate faced 25 batters, threw them 100 pitches, of which only 35 were balls, and allowed them four hits and chalked up seven strikeouts while two walks. His no decision left him at 14-9 but reduced his already low ERA to 2.25.

Tom Cosgrove relieved him in the bottom of the seventh and, after getting two outs and suffering an infield single from Slater, turned the ball over to Robert Suárez, San Diego’s first right hander of the game, who retired the side on a hard bounder to Ji-man Choi at first.

In spite of that clutch out, the Giants’ eighth inning surge made Suárez the losing pitcher, with a record of 4-3, 4.21.

The visitors struck first with a game opening infield single by Xander Bogaerts, a line double to left by Fernando Tatís, Jr., and Manny Machado’s Texas League single to left. Webb escaped further damage when Luis Matos caught Ha-Seong Kim’s line drive to left and doubled up Tatís, trying to get back to second.

The Friars maintained that one run lead until the bottom of the eighth. With Suárez on the mound, a succession of left handed pinch hitters, with one right handed starter thrown into the mix, putSan Francisco ahead, 2-1.

LaMonte Wade, Jr., batting for JD Davis, walked. The starter, Marco Luciano, doubled to right, sending Wade to third. Joc Pedeson, batting for Mitch Haniger, received an intentional walk to load the bases.

Switch hitter Patrick Bailey’s grounder to first forced Wade out at the plate. And then Michael Conforto, pinch hitting for Héliot Ramos, whacked an opposite field single to left that brought in Luciano and Pederson with the tying and winning runs.

But that didn’t end the drama. Webb didn’t just breeze through the top of the ninth. Juan Soto greeted him with a leadoff single. The Manny you love to hate sent him to second with another safety to center. Both runners moved up 90 feet on Ha-Seongs’s ground out to third.

Wade, now playing first, fielded Ji-Man Choi’s hard shot and threw Soto out at home for the second out. And then Matt Baten grounded out to second.

The three game series will continue tomorrow, Tuesday, evening at 6:45. Bob Melvin’s crew will send Seth Lugo (7-7, 3.79) against the orange and black, who’ll entrust their fate to rookie Kyle Harrison (1-1, 4.85)

Oakland A’s preview: A’s open up three game series against Twins Tuesday night

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Oakland Athletics’ Ryan Noda reacts after striking out against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Sep 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s are off on Monday. On a sour note, they finished the final home game of the season at the Oakland Coliseum on Sunday. The A’s lost to the Tigers 4-1, which was the 108th of the year. The 108 losses tied the A’s 1979 team, which also lost 108 games.

The A’s start the final six-game road trip of the year starting on Tuesday with three games against the Minnesota Twins. Neither team has anything to achieve. The Twins are the champions of the Central Division and will be the number three seed in the American League playoffs.

The A’s will finish the season with the worst record in baseball. They will likely only win some of the six games on the trip and will set a new A’s team record for most losses in a season.

The Twins were fortunate to be in the Central Division. If they were in the AL West or Al East, the Twins would be in the race for the last Wild Card slot. The Twins are the only team in the Central Division with a winning record, 83-73.

That is the seventh-best record in the league. Toronto, Texas, Houston, and Seattle all have a better record. In the AL West, it will be a dogfight until the final day of the season. The Rangers play three against the Angels starting on Monday, then four against the Seattle Mariners starting on Thursday.

The Mariners trail the Rangers by three games, but Houston could sneak in as Division Champs if they can sweep the Rangers. Houston plays Seattle for three games, starting Tuesday, and finishes the season against the Arizona D-Backs. Seattle has seven games against the two teams ahead of them in the standings. Seattle still has a chance to make the playoffs.

If the playoffs were to start today, The Orioles and Rangers would have byes. The Twins would be playing the Astros, and the Tampa Bay Rays, with the second-best record in the AL, would face off against the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card round. The Rays’ record is seven and 1/2 games better than the Twins, 95-62 compared to the Twins 83-73.

While the A’s don’t have anything to achieve, A’s skipper Mark Kotsay wants to have his team continue to give a total effort. Many of the young A’s players want to show they are in the team’s plans for 2024.

The bright spots for Oakland are players like second baseman Zack Gelof, right fielder Brent Rooker, outfielders Esteury Ruiz and Lawrence Butler. The A’s need to rebuild their starting rotation. The bullpen did okay. Trevor May had almost 30 saves.

The Twins may want to keep their starting position players on the field or let them rest before the playoffs. Many people feel the regulars should continue playing in order not to let rust set in. Other people contend that the regulars should rest to avoid getting injured.

In any case, the A’s have three games to play. The Twins have a solid solid starting rotation. The A’s will see Bailey Ober on Tuesday night, Pablo Lopez on Wednesday, and former A’s starter Sonny Gray on Thursday. The A’s Paul Blackburn will pitch on Tuesday against the Twins. The A’s have not announced their starter for the two other games.

The Twins have only two players with more than 20 home runs. Outfielder Michael Taylor has twenty, and Max Kepler has twenty-three. The Twins will feature Alex Kiriloff at first base, Jorge Polanco at second, Carlos Correa at short, and Kyle Farmer or Polanco at third base.

Royce Lewis is out until October 1st. Willi Castro, Michael Taylor, and Max Kepler will be the outfielders. Byron Buxton and Joey Gallo will be available on September 26th. Both players have spent time on the IL.

The Twins have a solid bullpen. The setup guy is Griffin Jax and the closer is Jhoan Duran. Duran has 27 saves and has blown five saves this year. Other relievers include Caleb Thielbar, Emilio Pagan, Dylan Floro, Chris Paddack, Kody Funderbunk, Dallas Keuchel, and Louie Varland.

The A’s will be playing for pride. The Twins want to win to show the league that they are worthy of being in the playoffs.

The game will start at 4:40 p.m.