7 October 2023
HOUSTON — The Twins will not use the same 26 players in the American League Division Series that they had on their Wild Card Series roster.
That much is clear.
But as to how many changes they’ll make — whether it’s just swapping pitcher Bailey Ober, who will start Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday, in for someone or whether Byron Buxton, who has been used as designated hitter all season, might be in the picture — they gave no hints on Friday.
Buxton, who participated in live batting practice as part of the team’s workout at Minute Maid Park on Friday, hit a home run off teammate Jorge Alcala.
“Just getting in there felt good seeing pitching after not seeing pitching for a few days,” he said. “It felt good to get in the batter’s box and compete.”
Buxton has not played in a major league game since early August when he strained his hamstring. He had a flair-up with his knee while on his rehab assignment, bringing it to a halt. He returned to play in some minor league rehab games before the Triple-A season wrapped up in late September.
His availability — and how much he could potentially be available for — has been a question since then. The Twins and Buxton have consistently said they are taking it day by day, reacting to how he feels.
Asked if he was expecting to factor into the roster decision, he said he was hoping to “make it a little harder for them to make a lineup.”
“Whatever’s best for the team and pushing us forward, that’s what we’re doing,” Buxton said.
Twins set ALDS rotation
After the question of who would start Game 1 was settled, manager Rocco Baldelli had no hesitations about revealing his Game 2 and 3 starting pitchers. Those were the easy decisions.
Pablo López, who started the first game of the Wild Card Series, and Sonny Gray, who started the second game, will start Games 2 and 3 of the ALDS, respectively, Baldelli announced on Friday afternoon.
Joe Ryan, who was lined up to start a potential Game 3 in the first round, said he has been told that if the series were to reach a fourth game, he would get the start. López would then be lined up to start the potential fifth and final game of the series.
“We’ve got to get there, obviously,” Ryan said. “If we keep playing and win them all, then I won’t pitch Game 4. If we get there, I’ll throw then, and if not, I’ll be available for extra innings in the bullpen.”
Baldelli said the conversation with Ryan, informing him that he would not be starting Game 1, was “not very challenging.” He was straightforward, and Ryan was receptive.
“This isn’t just like we line five guys up towards the end of September and that’s the way we’re going to roll as long as we play,” Baldelli said. “No, we’re going to move some things around if we think it’s the right thing to do. Joe is lined up to pitch for us.”
All game times announced
Major League Baseball announced game times for the potential final two games of the ALDS, and fans hoping for a night game at Target Field may be out of luck.
Games 1, 2 and 3 had previously been solidified for 3:45 p.m. Saturday, 7:03 p.m. Sunday and 3:07 p.m. Tuesday. On Friday, the league announced two more potential day games for the Twins — unless the Orioles-Rangers series wraps up first.
If necessary, Game 4 will be held at 1:07 p.m. at Target Field on Oct. 11. But if the other AL series is over, that game would be played at 6:07 p.m. A win-or-go-home game back in Houston is set for Oct. 13 at 3:07 p.m. The game time would be 7:03 p.m. if the Orioles and Rangers have finished their series first.
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