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Phillies Preview: at Minnesota Twins

By Matt Veasey

Jun 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (26) hits a three run walk off home run in the eleventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. It was his first major league home run. The Twins won 7-4 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (26) hits a three run walk off home run in the eleventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. It was his first major league home run. The Twins won 7-4 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 7, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Mauer (7) takes the field before the game against the Miami Marlins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Mauer (7) takes the field before the game against the Miami Marlins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

PHILLIES KEYS TO VICTORY

NO MAUER POWER: the Twins don’t usually produce much offense, but a past-his-prime Mauer remains a dangerous hitter who can take over a game on occasion. The 2009 American League Most Valuable Player is a 6x AL All-Star, as well as a 5x Silver Slugger and 3x Gold Glover in his former incarnation as a catcher. He still carries a career .311 batting average, and his current .377 OBP and .780 OPS are his best since the 2013 season.

HIT HORRID PITCHING: this just might be the worst pitching that the Phillies will face all season long. Especially the first two Twins’ starting pitchers, Duffey and Gibson, have been putrid this season. Of course, the Phils’ lineup has been as putrid as they come, so perhaps it’s the Minnesota pitchers who are doing the salivating? Maikel Franco could really use a breakout. It’s going to happen at some point, he is just too talented to struggle this deeply for much longer.

MORGAN’S LAST STAND?: I’ve been calling for Morgan to get shipped back to AAA Lehigh Valley for some time now, and nothing that he has done over his last couple of outings is changing my mind. I simply don’t see anything from him that leads me to believe he can even be a reliable 5th starter type. If there is something in Morgan’s makeup or arsenal that we haven’t been shown yet, well, now is the time. This won’t be a 1929 Yankees Murderer’s Row that he is facing.

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