Oakland Athletics vs Minnesota Twins Picks and Predictions June 21st 2024

Twins Get Another Chance to Pick on A’s

Having avenged an earlier sweep with a series win over the Kansas City Royals, the Oakland Athletics get an opportunity to do the same when the Minnesota Twins visit Friday night to open a three-game set.

The Twins weren’t sidetracked by an in-series rainout when they took four straight from the A’s, including a doubleheader, last week in Minneapolis. The victories included a pair of one-run decisions.

Twins’ Recent Performance

Minnesota has been defeated three times, including two consecutively, most recently on Thursday. Four runs in the ninth inning brought the score even, but the Twins lost in the tenth.

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A’s Recent Performance

On Thursday, the A’s met a similar end. Oakland drew even with the Kansas City Royals at 2-2 in the seventh, just to watch the guests score the possible game-champ in their next at-bat.

Oakland squandered a chance for a sweep after it entered the series having lost nine in a row. The A’s also dropped three straight at Kansas City in mid-May.

Zack Gelof’s Rising Performance

Oakland manager Mark Kotsay heaped praise on second baseman Zack Gelof, who homered in all three games against the Royals this week. Gelof raised his average 13 points from .189.

“He’s come a long way,” Kotsay said of Gelof. “He continues to work. He continues to believe in the processes we’ve started with him and making changes in the swing. You’re starting to see the results. That’s a great sign for a young player who’s dealt with the adversity and the failures at the start (of the season).”

Gelof went 1-for-10 in three games at Minnesota. His only hit was a double off Chris Paddack (5-3, 5.25 ERA), the Twins’ scheduled starter for Friday.

Pitching Preview: Chris Paddack

Paddack should be well-rested after throwing only 46 pitches against the A’s. He was taken out of the game during the Twins’ 8-7 win after pitching for 2 1/3 innings. He gave up five runs, with two coming from home runs hit by Tyler Soderstrom and JJ Bleday.

This season, the 28-year-old pitcher has shown inconsistency with his performance. He has allowed at least four runs in less than six innings six times, but has also pitched a scoreless six innings against three teams, including the Colorado Rockies on June 10.

Paddack has a 1-1 record and 9.35 ERA in five appearances, including four starts, against the A’s in his career.

Pitching Preview: Joey Estes

Paddack will be matched up for a second consecutive time with A’s right-hander Joey Estes (2-2, 5.97 ERA), who also didn’t survive the third inning in the high-scoring affair on Sunday. He was roughed up for six runs in 2 2/3 innings, serving up homers to Royce Lewis and Trevor Larnach.

Estes has started twice against the Twins in his career, going 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA.

Royce Lewis: A Rising Star

Lewis homered in both ends of the Sunday doubleheader, then added two more long balls in the three-game series against the Rays. He has homered in nine of his 15 games this season.

“That guy is a special type of talent,” teammate Austin Martin said. “You don’t really see players like that every single day. So just being able to be here and see it in person is awesome.”

Key Matchup: Twins vs. A’s

As the series opens, the Twins aim to continue their dominance over the A’s, while Oakland looks to turn the tables and gain some redemption. With Paddack and Estes both seeking better performances, the pitching duel will be a critical factor in the outcome of the series opener.

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Conclusion

Both teams will face significant challenges in Friday’s matchup. The Twins desire to broaden their triumphant ways against the’s, some time Oakland looks to expand on late upgrades and secure a genuinely necessary triumph. Fans can anticipate an exciting and competitive series with promising young talents like Gelof and Lewis taking the field.