Twins Win Game 2: Pablo Lopez Lights Out vs Astros; ALDS Tied 1-1 Going to Minnesota

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MLB: ALDS-Minnesota Twins at Houston Astros
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If you expected the Minnesota Twins to fold up shop and drop game 2 of the American League Division Series vs the Houston Astros on Sunday night then you haven’t realized how different this team is, compared to what we have gotten used to as a fanbase.

Minnesota Twins come out ready to play in game 2

After falling 6-4 in game 1, the Twins sent their ace, Pablo Lopez to the mound for game 2 and the bats came ready to fight for him. Carlos Correa is the hottest hitter in baseball, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, given he’s one of the best playoff hitters in MLB history. He went 3 for 3 tonight, including two doubles, a walk and 3 huge RBI.

Correa wasn’t the only offensive hero on the night. Kyle Farmer started his first game of the postseason and rewarded Rocco Baldelli & Co with a 2-run homer and Eddie Julien entered the game in the 6th as a pinch hitter and delivered with an RBI single.

When the dust settled on game 2, the Twins turned the table on the ALDS with a 6-2 road victory vs the defending World Series champs. The Twins’ bats, which have been shaky with runners in scoring position so far during the postseason, were ready.

Related: ALDS: How to watch the Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros – Game 2

Pablo Lopez lights out again

But the story of game 3 was Twins starting pitcher, Pablo Lopez, who has now pitched 12.2 innings of 1-run postseason baseball in 2023. They say pitcher wins do not matter anymore in baseball. But in the playoffs, I can promise you, they do.

Because Lopez is 2-0 in the 2023 postseason and, if he can notch another one or two before it’s all over, it’ll be those wins that cement him into Minnesota Twins lore as one of the greatest to ever take the mound. Oh, he’s also just 27 years old and under a fresh new contract that will keep him in Minneapolis through 2027.

Related: ALDS: How to watch the Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros

Game 3 will be back at the weapon that is Target Field and the Twins will surely have the pitching matchup advantage, as they send Cy Young candidate, Sonny Gray, to the hill. He started game 2 of the AL Wildcard vs the Toronto Blue Jays, tossing 5 scoreless innings in the Twins win.

If Minnesota can pull out a game 3 victory, they’ll have a chance to clinch the series at home in game 4, before ever having to get on a plane and head south back to Houston.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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