While the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins had a good time with their Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, it is back to business when they resume their three-game series on Saturday night in Minneapolis.
The Phillies emerged from the cornfields on Thursday night and cruised to a 7-1 victory against the Twins in the third-ever neutral-site game on the property where the acclaimed Kevin Costner movie was filmed.
Kyle Schwarber delivered his second multi-home run effort in five games, and Brandon Marsh crushed a two-run homer of his own in the series opener to help Philadelphia end a two-game skid.
“Hopefully, this is a little spark for us to turn it on for this push,” Marsh said.
The Phillies awoke Thursday morning outside of a playoff spot for the first time since June 4 and leapfrogged the Arizona Diamondbacks with the victory that night to get back into the postseason picture in the National League.
The Phillies and Twins had Friday off to travel to Minneapolis.
“We know what’s at stake. We all know the writing on the wall,” Schwarber said. “We know that, for where we need to go, we need to step up in a lot of different ways in a lot of different areas, and I feel like our team is ready for that. We know the road ahead.”
The Twins entered Friday one game out of an AL wild-card spot, but received a big boost on Thursday when three-time All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton returned from a 14-game absence because of a right hip impingement.
Buxton went 1-for-4 with a double in his return.
“He looks good. He’s in a good spot,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “We’re excited to have him back.”
Buxton, 32, had soreness in that same area earlier this season, forcing him to sit out the All-Star Game.
“We don’t want another setback,” Shelton said. “With Buck, there’s always going to be management, just because the guy’s a thoroughbred. He’s at top speed all of the time.”
Minnesota plans to start rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp on Saturday.
Prielipp (3-5, 4.79 ERA) has been providing consistent innings when called upon this season. He’s gone at least five innings in each of his past seven starts, most recently allowing three runs and five hits in five innings of a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in 10 innings on Sunday. He has never faced Philadelphia.
The Phillies will counter with veteran left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was an All-Star for the first time this season.
Luzardo (10-5, 3.32) did not receive a decision in his last outing, but limited the Toronto Blue Jays to two runs and four hits while striking out 12 over seven frames during a 7-6 win in 12 innings.
In his previous start, Aug. 4 against the Washington Nationals, he fired eight shutout innings in a 5-0 win.
Luzardo has lowered his ERA each month this season.
“I’m at my best when I’m working fast,” Luzardo said. “The pitch clock helps a little bit. I like to think through things, but at the same time, I like to work fast.”
Luzardo is 1-0 over two starts in his career against Minnesota with a 0.73 ERA. He has not faced the Twins since the 2023 season.
–Field Level Media
