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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Willians Astudillo has quickly become a fan favorite in Minnesota. Games like the one Astudillo had Thursday only help add to the reputation of the player affectionately known as “La Tortuga.”Astudillo had a career-high four RBIs http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-yan-gomes-jersey , Tyler Austin added three and the Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 9-3.Astudillo, playing in his 26th big league game, capped Minnesota’s five-run third inning when his two-out single drove in a pair of runs to give the Twins the lead. He also added a two-run double in the fifth.“I’m just trying to go out there and try to swing at good pitches and it’s working out for me so far,” Astudillo said through a translator. “Just swinging at good pitches, and thankfully I’m executing.”Minnesota took two of three against Detroit in the final series between the teams this year. The Twins won the season series 12-7.Tigers starter Francisco Liriano (5-12) left after just 2 1/3 innings due to lower back tightness. The former Twin exited with the bases loaded and wound up being charged with four runs.“He was having a hard time breathing out there,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He was trying not to land hard on his front foot, every time he landed hard on his front foot, he felt shooting pain. Just got to get him out of the game.”It was Liriano’s shortest start since the last time he faced the Twins back on Aug. 16, when he went just 1 2/3 innings.“This is not the way you want to finish the year, especially when you’re going to be a free agent,” Liriano said. “Very disappointed. I tried to pitch through it, but it didn’t get better, it was getting worse.”Austin tied the game in the third with a double that scored Joe Mauer and Logan Forsythe. He also plated Forsythe in the fifth inning with a ground-rule double.Astudillo has put together some impressive numbers since debuting with Minnesota in late June. Including Thursday’s two-hit, four-RBI game, Astudillo is now batting .357 with 19 RBIs. In the last two weeks Kenny Lofton Jersey , Astudillo is hitting .415 (22 for 53) and has 15 RBIs in that span.With a roster very much in question heading into the offseason, Astudillo is doing what he can to make a case for a roster spot in 2019.“It’s important, these guys that are trying to get at least somewhat established,” said Twins manager Paul Molitor. “It takes longer than a month to get yourself on the map, but you can make an impression.”The versatile Astudillo also struck out on a check swing in the second inning, just the third time on what was his 83rd plate appearance that he’s struck out with the Twins.“He doesn’t get to two strikes all that often,” Molitor said. “I was surprised to see a couple three-ball counts today. Liriano’s slider got him.”The Tigers threatened in the fifth with the bases loaded and one out. Minnesota reliever Matt Magill recorded two big outs to end the inning. Magill struck out Grayson Greiner looking before getting JaCoby Jones to go down swinging for the third out.Minnesota once again employed the opening pitcher strategy, with Gabriel Moya tossing just the first inning. The lefty gave up the game’s first run on a sacrifice fly by Nicholas Castellanos.Stephen Gonsalves (2-2) took over for Moya in the second and pitched 3 1/3 innings. Gonsalves was tagged for a pair of runs on three hits and four walks but earned his second career win.TRAINER’S ROOMTwins: Molitor didn’t sound optimistic that 3B Miguel Sano (leg) would return in the team’s final few games this season. “Each day it’s looking less and less,” Molitor said. “He’s not really changing how he’s feeling, and I’m certainly not going to be someone to push him out there if he’s not comfortable playing.” Sano last played on Sept. 18.UP NEXTTigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann starts Friday’s game against the Brewers at Miller Park. He’s winless in his last three outings.Twins: RHP Jose Berrios (11-11, 3.93 ERA) starts the first game of a doubleheader Friday against the White Sox. Berrios is looking for his first win since Aug. 4. Two of the most decorated franchises in Major League Baseball are still alive in the postseason.The Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have 31 World Series appearances between them, while their opponents, the Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers, have been to a combined three World Series.After the first two games of the ALCS and NLCS, the Dodgers and Astros appear to be in the best shape to advance to the Fall Classic since they each picked up a road victory.If the Astros and Dodgers make it to the World Series http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-jim-thome-jersey , they'll participate in the first World Series rematch since 1978, when the Dodgers took on the Yankees (New Yorkwon both).Boston is aiming to get back to the World Series for the first time since winning the championship in 2013, while Milwaukee is in search of its first Fall Classic berth since 1982.2018 World Series ScheduleGame 1:Tuesday, October 23 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 2:Wednesday, October 24 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 3:Friday, October 26 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 4:Saturday, October 27 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 5:Sunday, October 28 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 6:Tuesday, October 30 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 7:Wednesday Manny Ramirez Jersey , October 31 (Time TBD, Fox) PicksLos Angeles DodgersBefore the NLCS began, the Brewers appeared to have an advantage because of their hot bats, home field and strong bullpen.In two games, the Dodgers erased that home-field advantage by winning Game 2, held the Brewers to a .269 batting average and scored eight runs off Milwaukee's relievers.The Dodgers could take a commanding 2-1 lead Monday, with the impressive Walker Buehler starting.Jeff Roberson/Associated PressJustinTurner's game-winning home run in Game 2 might turn out to be the most important play of the series. Leadoff hitter Chris Taylor leads the series with five hits, and Manny Machado has a home run and three RBI out of the cleanup hole.Adding Turner's production out of the No. 2 spot in the lineup makes the Dodgers even more difficult to contain, and it puts the pressure on Milwaukee to match that level of production.One of the biggest concerns for the Brewers heading into the three games at Dodger Stadium is Christian Yelich's cold streak at the plate.The National League MVP front-runner has one hit in eight at-bats and has struck out on three occasions, while Ryan Braun is also 1-for-8 in the heart of the Milwaukee order.The other problem the Brewers have to deal with is the effectiveness of their bullpen and how manager Craig Counsell arranges his pitchers after he takes out his starter.Counsell removed Gio Gonzalez and Wade Miley earlier than he should have in Games 1 and 2, which led to the bullpen being overworked.If the Brewers are able to get quality outings out of their starters, beginning with Jhoulys Chacin in Game 3, they should be able to hold up against a Dodgers team that has a much easier time getting the ball to closer Kenley Jansen because of the long starts out of their staff.However, one slip-up will cost the Brewers, as the Dodgers lineup appears to be finding its form at the perfect time. Boston Red SoxBoston responded to a Game 1 defeat at home with a 7-5 victory at Fenway Park on Sunday night.Although David Price didn't get credit for the victory Danny Salazar Jersey , he pitched 4.2 decent innings to keep the Red Sox in the lead.If he's able to throw five or six innings without being torched by Houston in his next start, the Red Sox will take it.David J. Phillip/Associated PressBefore we can even think about a Chris Sale vs. Justin Verlander rematch of any kind in one or more of the final three games of the ALCS, the focus must shine on Games 3 and 4.Nathan Eovaldi and Rick Porcello will take the mound for the Red Sox against Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton, and while those matchups aren't the most intriguing on paper, they're going to make both games tight.Eovaldi is the only pitcher of the quartet with little playoff experience, but he impressed in his first career postseason start in Game 3 of the ALDS.The difference-making bats in the series have yet to emerge, as both teams are hitting .188 through two games despite combining for 21 runs.The Astros will hit more home runs over the course of the series, but the Red Soxwill be able to get more runners on base in order to capitalize on scoring opportunities.American League MVP favorite Mookie Betts will be the catalyst of Boston's lineup, as he'll add to his three ALCS hits with seven more in Houston.By setting the tone early through Betts, the Red Sox starters should be able to settle into a rhythm with a lead behind them.By following that path to victory in three of the remaining five games, the Red Sox will advance back to the World Series for a high-profile showdown with the Dodgers.Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90.


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