Game No. 91 Preview: Houston Astros vs. Minnesota Twins

Houston Astros (61-29) vs. Minnesota Twins (45-44), July 15, 2017, 7:10 p.m. CT

TV: AT&T SportsNet-SW
Radio: KBME 790 AM, La Nueva 94.1 FM
Online: MLB.TV
Twins SBNation Blog: Twinkie Town

Pitching Matchup

RHP Joe Musgrove (4-7, 6.04 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .330 BABIP, 4.45 xFIP) vs. RHP Ervin Santana (10-6, 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .217 BABIP, 4.79 xFIP)

Preview

The Astros are aiming to go 5-0 against the Twins this season with Joe Musgrove on the mound. Musgrove is hoping to avoid being bumped from the rotation with Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh close to returning.

Musgrove also returned from the DL before his most recent start. He pitched against the Braves before the All-Star break, he allowed four runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. A home run soiled the outing for Musgrove.

Musgrove didn't face the Twins in the first series or in his first season in the major leagues in 2016. Musgrove is 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA in six games (five starts) at home in 2017.

Ervin Santana is an elder statesman on the Twins staff now. Right? Santana has been great on the road, he is 6-2 with a 2.19 ERA in eight starts.

Santana faced the Astros on May 29, allowing one earned run over seven innings. Santana is 3-0 with a 2.02 ERA in five career starts against Houston.

Offensive Trends

No Twins batter has ever faced Joe Musgrove.

Jose Altuve is batting .308 (4x13) in his career against Santana. George Springer has seven strikeouts in eight at-bats against Santana. Carlos Beltran, Carlos Correa, and Brian McCann each have a home run off Santana.