Seattle Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert has dominated nearly every lineup he has faced through his first seven starts.
On Thursday afternoon, Gilbert (3-0, 1.69 ERA) will try to maintain his success against one of the hottest teams in the majors.
The Minnesota Twins will go for a series victory when they face Gilbert and the Mariners in Minneapolis. The Twins have won two of the series’ first three games, including a 6-3 victory on Wednesday night, and have won 14 of their past 16 overall.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli praised his team for its approach Wednesday against another talented starter in Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Carlos Correa, Trevor Larnach and Willi Castro each homered against Kirby in the win.
“We were ready to hit,” Baldelli said. “You know that if you go up there in a passive manner against Kirby, you’re going to be behind, and everything will be sloped in his favor throughout the game. And we can’t let that happen. …
“We were ready from the first pitch of the game for him. I think that’s more than half the battle, and our guys connected. You’re going to have to hit your way on. You’re going to have to hit those runs across. He’s not going to give you anything for free.”
The same could be said for Gilbert.
The Mariners’ ace has held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of his first seven starts. That includes his most recent performance in which he pitched eight scoreless innings against the Houston Astros on Saturday.
The Astros managed two hits and drew four walks against Gilbert. They also struck out six times as he threw 60 of 96 pitches for strikes and went on to earn his third victory in his past four outings.
“He was super aggressive,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said after watching Gilbert’s most recent appearance. “He was in the strike zone. That’s a good fastball-hitting team, and you know you’re going to have to mix in your secondary pitches, but you’ve got to get them over the plate. You’ve got to land them.
“I thought his slider, curveball, splitter at times tonight (dominated). Just outstanding command of those pitches in the zone, when they needed to be, and out of the zone, to get some chase.”
Gilbert has faced the Twins three times in his career. He is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in those contests, walking three and striking out 18 in 16 innings.
Minnesota will counter with its ace, as well.
Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (3-2, 4.30) is looking for his third win in a row after posting back-to-back victories against the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox. During his most recent start, also on Saturday, Lopez limited the Red Sox to one run on five hits in six innings, walking one and striking out eight.
This will be Lopez’s third career start against Seattle. In his first two outings, he went 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA as he allowed four runs on 12 hits in 12 innings.
Minnesota is 10-8 at home this season. Seattle is 9-9 on the road.
