Yankees vs. Twins: 5 things to watch and series predictions

Yahoo

4 days ago

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees and Minnesota Twins play a three-game series at Yankee Stadium starting on Monday night...
Preview
Who has the ninth?
Even after their deadline additions, the late innings remain an adventure for the Yanks.
Devin Williams has been brutal during his first season in the Big Apple, and his struggles continued into this weekend as he blew a save opportunity against the Astros.
"I'm not making pitches, it's pretty simple, I stink right now," Williams said following the loss.
Williams is 17-for-20 in save opportunities on the year, but he has an ugly 5.73 ERA.
And one day later it was David Bednar who was handed the ball in the late innings -- he blew a save chance of his own, but the offense picked him up and he ended up taking home the victory.
The righty has struck out 10 batters in six innings since being acquired from Pittsburgh.
It'll be interesting to see who Aaron Boone decides to turn to if a save opportunity should arise during this three-game set in the Bronx.
The AL playoff race
The Yanks appeared to be a lock for the playoffs earlier this season, but their recent struggles have made that future a bit murkier.
They currently sit in third place in the AL East, behind the Blue Jays and Red Sox.
The Bombers do remain in possession of the third Wild Card spot in the American League, but their lead has been trimmed all the way down to just 0.5 game over the Guardians.
Minnesota sold heavily prior to the deadline, but even they remain in the mix just 5.5 back.
Losers in seven of their last 10, the Yanks have to get going again if they hope to make some noise this year.
"Obviously, we're feeling it right now and we know we have to be better," Boone said Sunday. "We know we have a much higher standard for ourselves and expectations -- at the same time, we're in control of this.
"I wholeheartedly believe we are going to get rolling and turn this thing around. When it does, you start to really build that next layer of confidence where guys are kind of feeding off each other. It's all just talk right now, but that's how I feel about it. We've got to go do it."
Can Carlos Rodon tighten things up?
Rodon has been spectacular for the most part this season, but he's hit a bit of a rough patch of late.
The southpaw has struggled to get the ball over the plate consistently, issuing at least three free passes in five of his last seven outings.
He's pitched to a subpar 4.50 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over that span.
When the Yanks were rolling Rodon and Max Fried were leading the way atop the rotation.
They'll need the both of them to turn things around if they hope to make some noise down the stretch -- starting with Rodon's outing in the middle game on Tuesday night.
Minnesota's rookie is red hot
The Twins were big-time sellers ahead of the deadline, which has created opportunities for some of their young talent.
One of those players receiving an extended look down the stretch is Luke Keaschall.
The rookie slugger has been on an absolute heater since returning to the big leagues earlier this month, posting a .455 average and 10 RBI across just five games.
He finished 3-for-5 on Sunday against the Royals, including a walk-off two-run homer.
'The guy's special, this guy's young,' Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Patrick Donnelly of MLB.com on Sunday. 'He's going to play a long time in this game -- you're getting a chance to see a young player who is really doing it before our eyes.'
With Byron Buxton sidelined, Minnesota's offense isn't exactly loaded with talent, but the red hot Keaschall is certainly one to keep an eye on during this three-game set.
Buxton's expected back
Speaking of Buxton, the Yanks may have to contend with him in this one after all.
The All-Star outfielder has been sidelined since July 29 with a rib injury, but Baldelli said that he is expected to return at some point during this series.
Buxton resumed hitting early last week and appears to have bypassed a potential rehab assignment, completing all the tests put in place by the training staff.
Getting him back into the mix certainly is a huge boost for this Twins offense.
Prior to the injury he was enjoying a tremendous campaign with 23 homers, 17 stolen bases, 59 RBI, and a .905 OPS through 85 games.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Aaron Judge
Judge has struggled a bit since returning from the IL, it's only a matter of time before he gets going.
Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?
Cam Schlittler
Schlittler has held opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his five outings thus far.
Which Twins player will be a thorn in Yankees' side?
Royce Lewis
Lewis has struggled this year, but it's not too long ago he was one of the games rising young stars.