Twins manager Paul Molitor has Eduardo Nunez in at short tonight instead of Eduardo Escobar. Escobar is not in a slump, but Molitor said the move was because of how Nunez has been hitting lately.
This won't be the last time Molitor will have to find a way to get Nunez's bat in the lineup, at least as long as the utility player continues to produce at the plate. The question is if Nunez can spell Trevor Plouffe and Brian Dozier a day as well. It's a tricky situation for Molitor because the Plouffe was the leading run producer last season and Dozier was an All-Star last season. Those are his main guys. But he's got to consider it if Nunez has a chance to produce.
The Twins made it official on Wednesday. Rick Nolasco will start on Friday and remain on his regular pitching schedule. Ervin Santana will start on Saturday. Tyler Duffey will get a week off between starts and start on Sunday.
The eye of the storm has passed over, as far the rotation is considered. Well, as long as Santana doesn't have a setback on Saturday. Kyle Gibson's recovery is the last hurdle to clear before things can return to normal. The Twins hit rock bottom when they had to start Alex Meyer on Tuesday. Meyer isn't ready yet, but now has see what it takes to get hitters out on this level.
Twins
Danny Santana, CF
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, DH
Miguel Sano, RF
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Byung Ho Park, 1B
Oswaldo Arcia, LF
John Ryan Murphy, C
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Phil Hughes, RHP
Astros
Jose Altuve, 2B
George Springer, RF
Carlos Correa, SS
Colby Rasmus, LF
Carlos Gomez, CF
Preston Tucker, DH
Marwin Gonzalez, 1B
Luis Valbuena, 3B
Jason Castro, C
Mike Fiers, RHP
