Kelly: You are listening to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast network. We’re your hosts, Kelly and Gary, and we are live for another edition of The Daily Line.
Gary: Good afternoon, everyone. It is September ninth, and if you thought yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Detroit was the climax of this series, think again. This is the rubber match, and it matters more than you might realize.
Kelly: That’s right. We just beat the Tigers on Tuesday night, thanks to a Kody Clemens two-run homer in the sixth, but today we head back to Motor City for Game Three. We’ve got a lot to unpack: the pitching matchup, the injury report that keeps getting worse, and what it means for a team sitting at 69-76.
Gary: Exactly. So here is our roadmap for today. First, we break down the probable pitchers and why this duel could go either way. Second, we look at the offensive lineup with so many key guys on the IL, including Austin Martin and Byron Buxton still out. And third, we give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction for tonight’s game.
Kelly: Let’s get right into it. The Twins are third in the AL Central, and the Tigers are fourth, but the standings feel secondary when you’re trying to build momentum before October. Let’s talk about who is on the mound for Minnesota.
Gary: Well, Kelly, looking at the roster, we have a few starters available. Joe Ryan is back from the 15-Day IL, which is huge news. He faced some questions earlier in the week, but he’s cleared and ready to go. Then you have Dean Kremer, Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews, Connor Prielipp, Mick Abel, and Taj Bradley all in the mix. For tonight, it looks like we’re leaning on Joe Ryan to close out this series.
Kelly: Joe Ryan makes sense. He’s been a workhorse, and having him healthy gives us stability. But let’s be real, Gary, his command hasn’t always been perfect. Against a Tigers lineup that’s also struggling, do you trust him to go deep into this game?
Gary: I do, because the alternative is worse. Jack Flaherty is still on the 15-Day IL, and Justin Verlander is out for the season on the 60-Day IL. The Tigers’ rotation is decimated. If we can get Joe Ryan six innings or more, we put ourselves in position to win. It’s not about perfection; it’s about keeping the ball in the park and letting the defense play behind him.
Kelly: That’s a fair point. The Tigers are dealing with their own issues. Kerry Carpenter, Wenceel Perez, Parker Meadows, Cole Sands—all on the IL. They’re thin. So if Joe Ryan can just pitch around contact, we should be fine. But what about the bullpen? With Jeff Hoffman, A.J. Minter, Taylor Rogers, and Yoendrys Gomez available, do you feel confident closing this out?
Gary: I’m cautiously optimistic. Trevor Larnach mentioned earlier that the bullpen has been solid lately. Jeff Hoffman has been reliable in high-leverage spots, and A.J. Minter brings that vintage stuff. But we have to watch for fatigue. If Joe Ryan doesn’t go six, we’re asking too much of the relievers. That’s the key tonight: starter depth.
Kelly: Agreed. So, Segment One wraps up with the pitching angle: Joe Ryan starts, the Tigers are shorthanded, and the Twins need a quality start to control the game. Now, let’s shift to the offense. Who is hitting for us tonight?
Gary: This is where it gets interesting. Austin Martin is still out with a knee injury, and Byron Buxton is on the 10-Day IL. That leaves Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Josh Bell, and Gabriel Gonzalez leading the charge. And remember, Kody Clemens hit that two-run homer against his former team last night. He’s hot.
Kelly: Kody Clemens is definitely someone to watch. He’s showing great plate discipline, and that power surge against Detroit is significant. But without Martin and Buxton, the top of the order feels a bit different. Do you think Josh Bell can carry the load as the primary DH?
Gary: Absolutely. In fact, I predicted last week that Josh Bell would hit a home run in one of these wins, and I stand by that. He’s been consistent against left-handed pitching, and if the Tigers start Taj Bradley, Bell is in a prime spot. Plus, Royce Lewis at first base adds a lot of power to the middle of the lineup.
Kelly: Right, Royce Lewis is a threat every time he steps in. And let’s not forget Victor Caratini behind the plate. His defensive presence helps stabilize the whole team, especially with so many injuries swirling around. But Gary, what about the platoon splits? Are there specific matchups we need to exploit?
Gary: Good question. If the Tigers bring in a lefty specialist, we’ll likely see Brooks Lee or Ben Ross in the lineup. They’ve shown they can handle right-handers well. The key is maintaining OBP. Without Buxton and Martin stealing bases, we need walks and extra-base hits. It’s a different style of baseball, but one we can execute if we stay disciplined at the plate.
Kelly: So, Segment Two is all about the lineup adjustments. No Martin, no Buxton, but plenty of power from Bell, Lewis, and Clemens. We’re relying on patience and big moments. Now, let’s get to our final segment: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction.
Gary: Okay, here are my keys. First, manage the bullpen. Don’t burn Jeff Hoffman in the fifth inning. Second, exploit the Tigers’ weak bench. Their depth chart is decimated, so even late-inning runs are possible. And third, keep the defense sharp. With so many guys on the IL, chemistry is vital.
Kelly: I love those keys. And my bold prediction? I think the Twins take this series 2-1. Wait, hold on—I said that last episode! But this time, I’m sticking with it. Joe Ryan goes seven strong, Josh Bell hits another homer, and we finish the Tigers off on the road.
Gary: I’m going to disagree slightly. I think the Tigers fight hard at home, but the Twins’ pitching depth gives them the edge. I predict a Twins win tonight, 4-2. The ABS challenge system tracker shows the Twins are performing better in clutch situations this month, and that will make the difference.
Kelly: We’ll see how it plays out. But before we head to sign-off, I want to take a quick moment to ask for your support. We know you love the daily content, the deep dives, and the stats. But creating this show takes time—researching the ABS tracker, editing the audio, keeping the feed running every single day. If you can chip in, even just for a coffee, it helps us keep this free and daily. Just check the link in the episode description. Thank you so much.
Gary: Thanks for listening. We’ll be back tomorrow with a recap of tonight’s game. Go Twins!
Kelly: And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. Until next time, keep your eyes on the scoreboard. I’m Kelly, signing off with Gary. Stay tuned!