Twins win, demonstrate Getz's biggest challenge: Find the Sox some starting pitchers
There's a reason the Twins are close to clinching first place in the AL Central.
Actually, there are two reasons.
First they play in the AL Central. The division is so bad, Minnesota is the only team with a winning record.
The real reason the Twins are heading to the postseason is starting pitching.
In their 10-2 win over the White Sox Thursday night at Guaranteed Rate Field, Kenta Maeda gave Minnesota its 71st quality start of the season - tops in the major leagues.
Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray are the Twins' top two starters and both will be getting Cy Young Award votes when the regular season ends. Joe Ryan is a solid No. 3 and Maeda was sharp in Minnesota's win over the Sox, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits over 7 innings.
As for the White Sox, new general manager Chris Getz is going to be busy looking for starting pitchers during the off-season.
Right now, Dylan Cease is the only lock to be in the 2024 rotation.
Michael Kopech held the same status earlier in the season, but he's been moved to the bullpen after going 5-12 with a 5.16 ERA and walking 89 in 125⅔ innings over 26 starts.
Kopech hasn't been much better as a reliever, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in 1⅔ innings.
He's no longer a lock to start next year, but the Sox need rotation arms and Kopech is on the roster. He might get another start or two before this season ends.
"We're going to make a decision on that pretty soon, whether we want to see him back in there to start a game or keep him there (bullpen) for right now," manager Pedro Grifol said. "But he's done a good job of embracing what's been given to him and focusing on doing the job right there on the field when we give him the ball."
Touki Toussaint (3-6, 5.69 ERA) and Jesse Scholtens (1-8, 4.44) have both been auditioning for rotation jobs but neither look to be keepers.
On Thursday night, it was Jose Urena's turn.
Signed to a minor-league deal and assigned to Class AAA Charlotte in early August after being released by the Nationals, the 32-year-old Urena was perfect through the first three innings against Minnesota.
Edouard Julien and Royce Lewis hit solo home runs in the fourth and the Twins jumped on Urena for 4 runs on 4 hits in the seventh.
Andrew Vaughn's 2-run homer in the seventh inning was the extent of the White Sox's offense and his 20th of the season.
"It's definitely pretty cool getting that benchmark," Vaughn said of 20 home runs. "But it's only going to be a benchmark. You've got to keep going."
Looking across the field into the opposing dugout, Vaughn can only wish the Sox were going to the playoffs like Minnesota.
"Losing stinks," he said. "You look over there and everybody's happy. Winning is a good thing. If you're not winning more than you're losing, it's not a good feeling."