The 18 Batters David Sandlin Retired: Why The Twins Are Screwed Facing Him Again

Alright, Emerald City, gather 'round! Sometimes you gotta zoom out and see how the league's shaking out. And believe me, things are going absolutely sideways for the Minnesota Twins. They're limping home after a brutal five-game losing streak, getting pounded on the road. Now they're back to kick off a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Here's the kicker: The White Sox are red hot, riding a five-game win streak, and the Twins just got crushed 9-3 by the Pirates. This isn't a fresh start, it's more like a trip to the dentist.

This Skid Is UGLY, And The Bullpen Is Cooked

Five straight losses, folks. Not just losing, but getting absolutely mauled. The Twins got outscored by a staggering 46-21 during this road trip, giving up at least six runs in every single game. That 9-3 drubbing by Pittsburgh on Sunday was just the cherry on top, after dropping three of four to the White Sox *before* getting swept by the Pirates. Twins infielder Brooks Lee called it "just one of the lulls that were in right now," admitting it's "been a tough road trip." That's a massive understatement! Manager Derek Shelton was upfront, saying Mike Paredes, who made his major league debut tossing 3 2/3 innings Sunday, "saved our bullpen." He added that their "bullpen's been extremely taxed," with a "bunch of guys down." When your manager says that, you know it's bad. Their arms are absolutely gassed.

Sandlin's Back, And Joe Ryan Needs a Miracle

Here's where it gets even spicier. The red-hot White Sox are the *first* team the Twins face on this seven-game homestand, looking for a season-high six straight wins Monday. And who's on the mound for them? David Sandlin. Yeah, *that* David Sandlin. The dude who made his big league debut against these very same Twins last Wednesday and absolutely carved them up. He held the Twins to just one run on one hit over six innings, zero walks, and struck out four. After a leadoff homer to Byron Buxton, Sandlin retired the next 18 batters he faced. White Sox pitching coach Zach Bove wasn't overthinking it: "He's kind of familiar with those guys, they're familiar with him." On the other side, the Twins are sending out Joe Ryan. He's 3-3 with a 2.94 ERA, making his 13th start, and has four straight quality starts, including holding the White Sox to two runs in 7 2/3 innings last Tuesday. Ryan has a good record against Chicago, going 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in seven career meetings. But with that bullpen hanging by a thread, Ryan is under serious pressure to go deep into this game. So, the stage is set. The Twins, 15-14 at home, are desperate to turn things around against a White Sox team 12-16 on the road but playing their best ball. This three-game set against Chicago kicks off a big seven-game homestand, followed by four games against the Kansas City Royals. What's at stake? Everything, if you ask me. This isn't just about a few games, it's about whether this team can claw its way out of this hole before it becomes a crater. Can Joe Ryan deliver a gem and give that bullpen a much-needed breather? Or will the White Sox, and Sandlin, pour more salt in the wound? We'll be watching every pitch. Stay tuned, Seattle. This is gonna be a wild one.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.