The Minnesota Twins currently trail the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series 2-1 after dropping last night’s game 9-1. Today, the Twins got some positive news for their roster as they return: Outfielder Byron Buxton who will replace 1B/OF Alex Kirilloff on the ALDS roster after Kirilloff sustained an unspecified injury.
Roster Moves By The Numbers
Byron Buxton
Buxton is in his ninth season in the big leagues, and this season, he slashed .207/.294/.438 with a .731 OPS in 85 games; he had 17 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, 42 RBI, 49 runs scored, nine stolen bases, and 35 walks.
Alex Kirilloff
Kirilloff played in 88 games for the Twins, and he slashed .270/.348/.445 with a .793 OPS the best season of his young career; he had 14 doubles, one triple, 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 35 runs scored, one stolen base, and 28 walks; all of which were career highs. So far this postseason, he has played in five games going 0-9; he had two walks and four strikeouts.
Wrap Up:
When Buxton is in the lineup, he is a difference maker for the Twins, and they will need him if they want to extend this series to a fifth game win that game to take on the Texas Rangers in the ALCS. The Astros and Twins will play game four tonight at 7:07 PM in Minnesota with Joe Ryan on the mound for Minnesota facing off against Jose Urquidy for the Astros. If the Twins can force a winner-take-all game five, it’ll be played on Friday at 8:03 PM in Houston with neither team announcing a starter. Still, you’d have to imagine it’ll be both starters from Game One.
