Minnesota Twins' Ace in Elite Company After Dominant Outing in Game 2

The Minnesota Twins evened up the American League Division Series on Sunday night with a win over the Houston Astros. Twins starter Pablo Lopez dominated on the mound, joining some big names in team history.

The Minnesota Twins defeated the Houston Astros on Sunday night 6-2.

With that win, they evened up the best-of-five series at 1-1. The Twins did exactly what you always want to do: secure a road win and effectively take away homefield advantage.

If they can win two games at Target Field, they will punch their ticket to the ALCS and never even need to go back to Houston.

Former Astros star Carlos Correa led the way offensively for Minnesota, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and Kyle Farmer added a home run as well.

On the mound, the Twins were paced by ace Pablo Lopez, who went 7.0 shutout innings. He allowed just six hits and one walk while striking out seven.

He's now 2-0 in the postseason, having also defeated the Blue Jays in the wild card round.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Pablo López has an 0.71 ERA through 2 starts this postseason. 

That is the 3rd-lowest ERA in a 2-start span in Twins postseason history (since ERA became official in 1913). He trails just Hall of Famers Walter Johnson in 1925 (0.50) and Jack Morris in 1991 (0.56).

Pablo López has an 0.71 ERA through 2 starts this postseason. That is the 3rd-lowest ERA in a 2-start span in Twins postseason history (since ERA became official in 1913).

He trails just Hall of Famers Walter Johnson in 1925 (0.50) and Jack Morris in 1991 (0.56). pic.twitter.com/5wiVCwv8cf

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 9, 2023

Sure, it's a small sample size but any time you can be matched up with franchise legends, you have to be impressed.

Lopez was acquired last offseason in a trade with the Miami Marlins and went 11-8 with a 3.66 ERA. A great strikeout pitcher, he fanned 234 batters in 194.0 innings.

The Twins and Astros will play Game 3 on Tuesday afternoon at 4:07 p.m. ET.

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