Article: CLE 6, MIN 1: Kluber, Lindor Outshine Twins in Puerto Rico

[Tom Froemming]

Jake Odorizzi’s night changed in a hurry, Corey Kluber was doing his thing and a Puerto Rican native had a special moment … but, sadly, it wasn’t one of our guys. The Twins dropped the opening game of the Puerto Rico Series, but tomorrow is La MaKina night!Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)Download attachment: Snapshot417.png Download attachment: WinEx417.png

Odorizzi was really good … until he wasn’t.

 

He held Cleveland scoreless through 4 2/3 innings and had six strikeouts, then he gave up a double and a home run before recording the final out of the fifth. He came back out for the sixth and served up homers to the first two batters he faced.

 

It went from pitcher’s duel to slugfest in the blink of an eye.

 

The first of those home runs was hit by Puerto Rico product Francisco Lindor. It was a pretty cool moment, I guess. If you’re into that sorta thing.

I dunno, probably would’ve been a lot cooler if it had been Eddie Rosario.

 

Unfortunately, the Twins had to face Corey Kluber, the best pitcher in baseball, tonight.

 

Over his last 26 starts entering this game, Kluber had a 1.62 ERA and 0.74 WHIP over 189 1/3 innings while holding opponents to a .171/.209/.277 line. His 2.10 FIP over that span is the best in baseball by a wide margin.

 

KluBot was excellent yet again, holding the Twins to one run over 6 2/3 innings. Brian Dozier knocked him out of the game with an RBI double. It didn’t get any easier for the Twins from there, as Andrew Miller entered the game and was followed by Cody Allen.

 

Max Kepler had a double, a walk and scored the Twins’ only run. Joe Mauer drew a pair of walks. Tyler Kinley threw a scoreless ninth inning.

 

Byron Buxton was out due to migraines. Max slid over to center and Robbie Grossman played right. He was 0-for-4 with a strikeout and looked out of place in the outfield, though it’s not like he badly misplayed anything. Grossman is 2-for-18 with no walks to start the season.

 

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:Download attachment: Bullpen417.png

Next Three Games

Weds vs. CLE, 6:10 pm CT (Puerto Rico Series)

Fri at TB, 6:10 pm CT

Sat at TB, 5:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

MIN 4, CHW 0: Mauer Reaches 2,000 Hits, Leads Twins to Victory

MIN 9, HOU 8: Max to the Rescue!

MIN 4, HOU 1: Odorizzi, Twins Battle Their Way to Victory

 

More From Twins Daily

Twins Minor League Report (4/17): Wiel Walks it Off to Back Littell

Twins vs. Indians Series Preview

Puerto Rico Series Comes With Added Importance

 

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[bluechipper]

Soooo much Lindor.

 

Hopefully it's a Berrios or Rosario lovefest tomorrow. I don't think I can take another game like tonight's.

[PDX Twin]

Five looooong days we waited ........ for this?

 

I guess I shouldn't complain because they were facing an awfully good pitcher, but it was really disappointing to see it all fall apart in the middle innings.

[h2oface]

Grossman is just Gross when he plays the outfield.

[h2oface]

It drives me nuts when we bring in a reliever, and the first thing they do in less than 5 pitches is give up 2 hits and an inherited runner scores. THAT'S NOT HOW YOU SPELL RELIEF!  

[h2oface]

Oh..... interesting that Berrios couldn't start opening day, to make sure he could pitch in PR. It doesn't really matter, true. But Odorizzi could start both! He got the opener of both the season and PR. Best to just adjust as needed, instead of try too plan to far ahead. 

Edited April 18, 2018 by h2oface

[slash129]

Good for Lindor. I'm happy for the guy. Hoping Berrios can do something similar tonight to place an early top moment on his career.

 

If the top of the order was Dozier, Mauer, Kepler, our lineup would probably get to see 15-20 pitches out of the gate each game.

 

Anyone want Luke Bard back? Could happen ... lol.

[bighat]

 

Five looooong days we waited ........ for this?

 

I guess I shouldn't complain because they were facing an awfully good pitcher, but it was really disappointing to see it all fall apart in the middle innings.

 

Offense was very disappointing. Kluber was "on" and there's not much the Twins could do about it.

Great teams can beat great pitchers. But tonight, after a 5-day layoff, traveling abroad, Buxton's migrane, etc...I'll give 'em a pass.

 

No passes given for Logan Morrison though. He's used up all of his.

[theBOMisthebomb]

That game was a major disappointment made almost unbearable by those national announcers drooling all over the Cleveland baseball team and how great Lindor and Kluber are.

[sloopjont]

 

If the top of the order was Dozier, Mauer, Kepler, our lineup would probably get to see 15-20 pitches out of the gate each game.

 

 

Might then also have the 3rd spot put a ball in play on a regular basis

 

[Matthew Lenz]

The Lindor home run was so awesome.  I had the chills watching him run around the bases and pump up the crowd.  The passion he has for the game and his country was so cool. 

 

I hope Eddie gets to experience the same thing today!

[Tom Froemming]

 

Oh..... interesting that Berrios couldn't start opening day, to make sure he could pitch in PR. It doesn't really matter, true. But Odorizzi could start both! He got the opener of both the season and PR. Best to just adjust as needed, instead of try too plan to far ahead. 

I thought that was pretty silly. Obviously they couldn't have seen this many postponements, but you had to figure there was going to be at least one.

[slash129]

 

That game was a major disappointment made almost unbearable by those national announcers drooling all over the Cleveland baseball team and how great Lindor and Kluber are.

 

I thought they were just going with the flow.  They gave Odorizzi props until the top of the sixth.  You can't really blame them for overstating the Lindor bomb.  That moment is exactly what they wanted in a short series like this for the people there.  Did they fluff it up? Yes.  But, it was a moment more deserving of the drool than a lot of others this season (like anytime Ohtani touches a baseball, we're supposed to stop what we're doing).

 

Kluber deserves all the recognition he gets. 

 

Hopefully, Berrios can step up tonight and make this the kind of night for Twins fans and his family/friends that Lindor/Kluber gave the Cleveland fans and the Lindor family last night.

[slash129]

 

Buxton's migrane, etc...I'll give 'em a pass.

 

The trickle effect of Buxton.  How many are wondering if Kepler would have played dagger to the heart on Lindor's HR?  It was a wall scraper.  It would have been a tough play, but Grossman jumped about two feet past the crossing point.

 

I entertained that thought, but eventually just settled for "good for Lindor".

[mikelink45]

 

That game was a major disappointment made almost unbearable by those national announcers drooling all over the Cleveland baseball team and how great Lindor and Kluber are.

The worst thing is that they are right.

[Vanimal46]

KluBot is unbelievable. Gotta appreciate his dominance over multiple seasons. He's one of the very few workhorse aces left in the game.

[gunnarthor]

I didn't want to lose but Lindor is really something. Probably my favorite non-Twin at this point. Also, my early season prediction that Cleveland would be bad this year is probably not going to be true.  

 

Let's hope Berrios is dominant tonight.

[gocgo]

So, dumb question...why wasn't a game like this on MLB network or on ESPN?...Oh wait, nev mind, the Yankees were playing.

[Han Joelo]

That game went just the way Cleveland drew it up.  Dominant start by Kluber, Miller/Allen endgame, momentum grabbing HR from Lindor.  If they could do that every night, they'd go 162-0.  

 

I'm kind of glad Berrios didn't go last night.  At some point he will have to face down Kluber, but I will be happy if he pitches well tonight and the Twins split.  I wouldn't be surprised if the team that doesn't win the division doesn't make the playoffs at all this year--and the team that does make the last wild card spot will be facing someone like Kuechel, Cole, or Otani.  Not a must win, but this is a tone setting game tonight for sure.

[yarnivek1972]

Offense was very disappointing. Kluber was "on" and there's not much the Twins could do about it.

Great teams can beat great pitchers. But tonight, after a 5-day layoff, traveling abroad, Buxton's migrane, etc...I'll give 'em a pass.

 

No passes given for Logan Morrison though. He's used up all of his.

The Indians had not played since Saturday and also had a long trip before the game. What they didn’t have to do was face Corey Kluber and the Indian bullpen.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

So, dumb question...why wasn't a game like this on MLB network or on ESPN?...Oh wait, nev mind, the Yankees were playing.

The game was televised nationally on FS1.

 

Tonight's game is on ESPN.

[Mike Sixel]

 

That game was a major disappointment made almost unbearable by those national announcers drooling all over the Cleveland baseball team and how great Lindor and Kluber are.

 

Two of hte best players in baseball, getting drooled over? Shocking!

 

If Buxton or Berrios is ever that good, they'll get drooled over too.

[h2oface]

 

That game was a major disappointment made almost unbearable by those national announcers drooling all over the Cleveland baseball team and how great Lindor and Kluber are.

 

And what exactly did the Minnesota Twins do in the game to get attention? Not much. Mostly nothing.