The New York Yankees like playing against the Minnesota Twins when their offense is in a funk. The team is slowly moving above .500 thanks to a solid performance against the Twins as they prepare for the second game of a four-game series against the team sitting in last place in the division.
The Yankees offense had gone silent. The team was batting .223 overall and was just .141 with runners in scoring position. They were in the midst of a 2-9 stretch while averaging just three runs per game. However, that all changed when the team arrived in Minnesota. The Target Center has been kind to New York as they put up 10 hits and two home runs during Thursday's game. They also went 3 for 4 with runners in scoring position in the 7-4 win. The Yankees have won 15 of their last 18 games in Minnesota while averaging 5.7 runs.
New York will send Chase Whitley to the mound. He is 3-2 with a 4.70 ERA on the season. He is not in a solid stretch, losing back-to-back starts while giving up 13 runs and 19 hits in the process. He had won three straight starts prior to the losing streak. The Yankees are in need of solid pitching with uncertainty surrounding its starting rotation, so Whitley must step up in this series.
The Twins have dropped eight of their last 10 games and are simply struggling to keep their heads above water at this point. Kyle Gibson gets the start while being 7-6 with a 3.77 ERA. He has given up 11 runs over 10 innings of play against the Yankees. Gibson plays well at home. He has a 4-1 record with a 1.54 ERA in six home starts.
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