Minnesota

Cubs look to continue revival in Minnesota

Published

2 years ago

May 12, 2023

Cubs look to continue revival in Minnesota

After going through an offensive drought that lasted nearly two weeks, the Chicago Cubs are finally starting to show life again

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Chicago had averaged just 3.2 runs in 12 games prior to Wednesday’s 14-hit showing, and the Cubs will be hoping to ride their newfound momentum as they head to Minneapolis on Friday to open a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins

With its offense sputtering, Chicago went 3-9 during its 12-game cold spell before breaking out for a 10-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs‘ 14 hits were their most since recording 17 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 21

“We’d take this style of win every day,” said Chicago catcher Yan Gomes, who went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs on Wednesday. “But I think what’s consistent is our ability to put guys on, keep putting the pressure (on).

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“I think we just stick with it. Hits are gonna come. (Wednesday), hits came.”

But if the Cubs want to continue rolling, they will have to find a way to get to right-hander Sonny Gray (4-0, 1.35 ERA)

Gray currently boasts the best ERA in the American League and has allowed more than one run in only one of his seven starts this season. That one start just so happened to be his most recent outing, when he allowed three runs on four hits in five innings against the Cleveland Guardians last Saturday in a no-decision.

All three runs Gray allowed came in the fourth inning.

“If I’d get myself in situations throughout the year, first and third with one out or no out or this and that or runner on base, I’ve been able to make a big pitch and get out of the inning,” Gray said following his start against Cleveland. “And (Saturday), even if it felt like you made a pitch, they just put a ball where we weren’t, and then another walk.”

In 10 career starts versus Chicago, Gray is 4-3 with a 3.11 ERA.

Left-hander Drew Smyly (3-1, 3.05) will oppose Gray after laboring through 3 1/3 innings of a 4-2 victory against the Miami Marlins last Saturday. He gave up two runs on three hits with three walks and five strikeouts as he failed to last long enough to qualify for the win.

In 16 career appearances (six starts) against the Twins, Smyly is 2-1 with a 3.03 ERA

Minnesota seems to be finding a bit of a rhythm, too, following up a three-game skid with back-to-back wins, including Thursday’s 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

However, designated hitter Byron Buxton has not been trending in the same direction as his club, as he is hitless in his last 22 at-bats.

Shortstop Carlos Correa was also scuffling, going just 5-for-36 (.139) over a nine-game stretch prior to Thursday’s win. But he ripped a go-ahead, two-run double in the seventh inning, and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli thinks that was a sign of things to come

“He comes up with the big moment for us (Thursday). That won’t be the last one that we see,” Baldelli said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy gets rolling and never looks back.”

–Field Level Media

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Minnesota

Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin launches a bid to lead the DNC

Published

6 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin launches a bid to lead the DNC

Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin has formally announced his bid to lead the Democratic National Committee, as the party attempts to piece itself together following a stinging defeat against Donald Trump.

“If you’re looking for a creature of D.C., that’s not me. But I do know how the DNC works and how it isn’t working,” Martin said in a video posted to social media Tuesday morning, adding, “We need to reconnect our ideas — which we know are popular in red, blue and purple states across this country — back to our party and to our candidates.”

Martin, a DNC vice chair and leader of the Association of State Democratic Committees, has gained early traction with some delegates, according to interviews with several state DNC members. He joins Martin O’Malley, former presidential candidate who announced Monday he would run for the post.

Martin is a big backer of the DNC acting as an umbrella organization that strengthens state parties across the board.

“That’s certainly not the only thing that the DNC does, but it’s one of probably the most important partnerships that the DNC has is with its state party chairs, vice chairs, executive directors, who are on the ground running these programs,” Martin said in an interview last week. He calls it the 57-state strategy, including all 50 states and territories, as well as Washington, D.C., and Democrats abroad. “Whoever the next DNC chair is really has to, I believe, have a fierce commitment to making sure that they support the 57-state party strategy itself.”

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb is among those backing Martin, saying in an earlier interview that she was interested in seeking the ASDC chair post that Martin now holds.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler is also interested in a run.

“Ben is seriously considering a run,” a person with knowledge of Wikler’s thinking told NBC News on Monday.

Also, Rahm Emanuel — who is serving as the U.S. ambassador to Japan and was previously the mayor of Chicago, a congressman and chief of staff to President Barack Obama — has floated interest in the role, according to three people, and has done some outreach to DNC members, according to one person familiar with the matter.

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