What a Perfect Time for Home Twins’ Games in Puerto Rico

By Johnny Minnesota |

Apr 17, 2018

Puerto Rico’s starting pitcher Jose Berrios delivers during the first inning of the game against Italy of the World Baseball Classic in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, March 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Luis Gutierrez)

While the back-to-back-to-back postponements of Twins games was irritating, but let’s quickly put the snowed-out series into perspective:

Please stop complaining #twins pic.twitter.com/rT199PzpvR

— Dane Mosher (@DaneMosher7) April 14, 2018

Is the comparison between the two where the phrase “greener pastures” comes from?

Anywho, on Tuesday night, your Minnesota Twins (7-4) are going to return to action. Prior to Thursday’s off day, the already well-rested team will play a two-game series against Cleveland (8-6).

Having a series’ setup in-between two scheduled off days is extremely unique and you can chalk the rarity up to the contest’s venue:

Hiram Bithorn Stadium where the #MNTwins and Indians play starting tomorrow pic.twitter.com/PqjuBfE8iy

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 16, 2018

The host ballpark, Hiram Bithorn Stadium, is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tuesday night’s game will mark the first MLB regular-season action on the island since 2010.

Yahoo recently posted an article that discussed baseball’s brutal 2018 attendance numbers (it’s not just because of weather issues). As you can tell to by this MLB.com headline, there’s no need to worry about empty seats for these games:

First and absolutely foremost, Puerto Rico is less than seven months removed from the devastating Hurricane Maria. In the aftermath of the terribly tragic storm, the island’s residents have leaned on baseball:

Parlayed with the fans’ passion and emotion, there will be some hometown heroes competing. Between Minnesota (Jose Berrios, Eddie Rosario) and Cleveland’s (Franciso Lindor, Roberto Perez), a Mount Rushmore’s worth of Puerto Ricans are active for the two-game extravaganza.

Berrios is scheduled to start Wednesday’s game. Obviously, the electric crowd is going to be pulling for the stud right-hander.

As for his thoughts leading up to the start, the 23 year-old had this to say:

Berrios’ showdown vs. Carlos Carrasco will follow Tuesday’s matchup between Jake Odorizzi, and Cleveland’s 1.57 ERA boasting Corey Kluber.

Despite waiting a long time for this particular moment, Puerto Rico has held their fair share of high-level baseball games. For example, three years ago, the Caribbean Winter League’s Championship Series took place at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

During said series, Ehire Adrianza represented his native Venezuela. The Twins infielder provided some insight on the island’s electric approach to baseball games: