The Minnesota Twins are closing the gap on the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the American League Central. On Saturday, the Twins hope to pull within a half-game of first place. Minnesota is coming off a doubleheader sweep against Cleveland on Friday in the first two matchups of a four-game weekend series.
The Twins won the opener 4-2 and took the second game 6-3 to pull within 1 1/2 games of the division lead. Louie Varland, who started the nightcap for the Twins, said jokingly that he would keep his teammates in mind during the holiday season after they bailed him out Friday night. "Come Thanksgiving, I'm going to tell everybody I'm thankful for Matt Wallner and Cole Sands," Varland said.
Wallner hit a three-run homer to lead the Twins, and Sands earned the win in relief. Varland, meanwhile, was done after allowing three runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Guardians hope to be the ones telling jokes after Saturday.
Cleveland is looking to snap a season-worst, seven-game losing streak. Gavin Williams (1-4, 4.91 ERA) is set to make his eighth start of the season for the Guardians.
He is hoping to bounce back after a rough outing in which he allowed six runs on eight hits in four innings during a loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Williams is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against the Twins, with both outings occurring last year.
Minnesota will counter with right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (3-2, 3.87 ERA), who is set to make his 20th start of the season. He.