Boy, did Max Kepler need a game like this.
The slumping right fielder broke out in a big way Sunday night with a single, double and home run, all of which helped the Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 4-0. The Twins took the series and finished a 10-game stretch against the Indians, White Sox and Cubs with a 6-4 record, just as I had predicted.
I came up with that prediction because I thought they would struggle against the Tribe’s Shane Bieber, the White Sox’s Lucas Giolito and the Cubs’ Yu Darvish. Instead, they beat all three and lost to lesser names on the mound.
Jose Berrios, who improved to 5-3 with a 3.72 ERA, and three relievers shut out the Cubs on four hits. The Cubs did not look very good. They scored all of two runs over three games.
The Twins now head home to close out the 60-game season. They are off Monday and back in action Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers.
Extra innings…
-Kepler’s home run was the 100th of his career.
-The five final games of the season are against the Tigers and Cincinnati Reds.
-The Twins are two games out of first place in the AL Central, which means there is still a chance to catch the White Sox. The Pale Hose finish the season with four games at Cleveland and three at home against the Cubs. The Tribe just might play spoiler.
-The Twins are 21-5 at Target Field.