Article: NYY 7, MIN 4: Lance Lynn Is a Dumpster Fire Right Now

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins got up 2-0 in the top of the first inning thanks to a Miguel Sano homer, but Lance Lynn had a rotten start, giving up six runs on seven hits and three walks over just 3 2/3 innings. The Twins have now lost six straight games and seven of their last eight.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot425.png Download attachment: WinEx425.png

Lynn was a starter for the Cardinals for five seasons. In his worst month over that span, August of 2012, he had a 6.66 ERA and 1.91 WHIP. In his very first month as a member of the Twins, Lynn has a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP.

 

So we’re not just seeing a bad version of Lynn, we’re seeing the very worst ever version of Lynn. In 33 starts last season, he gave up five or more earned runs three times. He's already done that three times in his first four starts with the Twins.

 

His command has been atrocious.

 

Miguel Sano absolutely destroyed a baseball to give Lynn a 2-0 lead to work with in the first inning. He also had a single, a pair of walks and didn’t strike out tonight. Hopefully that’s a sign of things to come.

There were other solid offensive performances, but they were mostly squandered by a few guys who had bad nights. Max Kepler had three hits, Joe Mauer was 2-for-4 with a double and a walk and Eduardo Escobar also reached safely three times.

 

But Logan Morrison (6), Eddie Rosario (5) and Robbie Grossman (5) combined to leave 16 men on base. Jason Castro was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The bad apples spoiled the whole bunch in the Big Apple tonight.

 

The bullpen started out great, delivering 3 1/3 shutout innings, but Taylor Rogers ran into some trouble on this foggy night in the Bronx. He walked three batters in the ninth, but was lucky to only have given up one run.

 

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Bullpen425.png

Next Three Games

Thu at NYY, 12:05 pm CT

Fri vs. CIN, 7:10 pm CT

Sat vs. CIN, 1:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

NYY 8, MIN 3: Resistance is Futile

NYY 14, MIN 1: What Did We Expect?

TB 8, MIN 6: Twins Swept on Gomez Walk-off Homer

 

More From Twins Daily

Twins Minor League Report (4/25): Longball Highlights Early Action

Rortvedt's MWL Encore Is Off To Strong Start

It’s Time to End the Tyler Kinley Experiment

 

It looks like the front office agrees with that last article listed ...

 

Click here to view the article

[Torbo]

I am so sick of losing to the yankees. I live in syracuse so the only games i get to watch are when they play the yankees and they always lose and it sucks and i hate it. Wish i could watch them win some time.

[DocBauer]

Where is Redmond these days, I forget. Can we hire him as a coach or advisor who can B.S. with the team and walk through the clubhouse naked?

 

If he's unavailable, I'd volunteer.

[FormerMinnasotan]

Is there any way we can send Lynn to AAA or at worst to the bullpen? Lynn has no control of his pitches therefore he has no command either. He needs something other than getting lit up every start to help him improve. If it takes some relief appearances or AAA starts I don’t care, we can’t afford to send out a pitcher with an ERA near 8 every 5th day.

[less cowbell more neau]

I don't know what everyone is complaining about, so far this series has had all the excitement of a Twins-yanquis ALDS match up. Will the Twins manage to win a game or merely get swept aside? When will the Twins give up that 2-run lead? I swear, I half expect Joe Nathan to step out onto the mound and give up a walk-off home run to A-rod.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Ummm, they got closer? They gave up fewer home runs?

 

It’s all I’ve got. This sucks.

[laloesch]

I can't wait! Nothing better then a yankees sweepppppp!  Gibson will get pounded into the dust.  This team is no better this year then they were last year.

[Otto von Ballpark]

It’s Time to End the Tyler Kinley Experiment

 

It looks like the front office agrees with that last article listed ...

 

Hmmm... the power of persuasion? Maybe the next TD article should be, "It's Time for Free Beer at Target Field."

[bighat]

6 straight L's.

 

I was worried about that stat, it got me thinking: I wonder if any teams lost 6 in a row and made the playoffs last year?

 

Turns out the first two teams I checked (Cubs, Yankees) both had 6 and 7 game losing streaks last year, respectively.

 

So is it OVER for the Twins?  No. Are they in deep doo-doo? Yes.

 

Logan Morrison's ABs with the bases loaded last night were just cringe-worthy. The guy is killing us night after night. Lynn ain't much better, but he only kills us once every 5 days.

[theBOMisthebomb]

The Yankees are better than the Twins. It's a good thing today's game is an afternoon game - easier to avoid watching another train wreck on top of a car crash.

[terrydactyls]

Last winter, I advocated for NOT signing any new pitchers, promote the best from the minors, let them take their lumps and see what you have. Instead,five new pitchers were signed (I'm not including Kinley) and, with the exception of Reed, they all have been pretty disappointing. Both Rochester and Chattanooga have several pitchers who could replace current Twins' pitchers and probably not do any worse. I my useless opinion, it's time to experiment.

[Vanimal46]

Hmmm... the power of persuasion? Maybe the next TD article should be, "It's Time for Free Beer at Target Field."

That's about the only way to watch their games lately. My goodness.

[Vanimal46]

Logan Morrison's ABs with the bases loaded last night were just cringe-worthy. The guy is killing us night after night. Lynn ain't much better, but he only kills us once every 5 days.

We're leaving SSS territory and entering trend territory. He's been dreadful to watch at the plate.

[Tom Froemming]

Aaron Slegers is coming up to replace Kinley on the roster.

[Mill1634]

Well, hopefully we can salvage one game. At least we play the Reds next, and Kinley is off the roster. However, Hughes does start tomorrow

[wsnydes]

 

Well, hopefully we can salvage one game. At least we play the Reds next, and Kinley is off the roster. However, Hughes does start tomorrow

With Slegers coming up, I'm hoping that he starts tomorrow and Hughes goes to the pen.

 

I'm doubly hopeful since I'll be at tomorrows game.  I'd much rather watch Slegers than Hughes.

[Number3]

I am more concerned with the Tampa sweep than the Yankees. An earlier post I made was incorrect as I had thought that the Twins did ok in the regular season against NY last year but, in fact, they were swept in a 3 game series and then, of course, lost the October game. They did take 2 of 3 at Target from the Yanks on the way to a winning season. Maybe the Yankees will just show up for today's game and theTwins can steal one. No matter, the 6 home games against Cincy and Toronto next on the schedule have moved into the critical category.

[Mill1634]

 

With Slegers coming up, I'm hoping that he starts tomorrow and Hughes goes to the pen.

 

I'm doubly hopeful since I'll be at tomorrows game.  I'd much rather watch Slegers than Hughes.

I am hoping for this too. However, I don't think it happens, but there is a better chance since I thought the obvious choice to bring someone up out of the pen was Curtis. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

With Slegers called up, I could see them optioning Duffey when Buxton is ready to be activated.

[Dantes929]

 

6 straight L's.

 

I was worried about that stat, it got me thinking: I wonder if any teams lost 6 in a row and made the playoffs last year?

 

Turns out the first two teams I checked (Cubs, Yankees) both had 6 and 7 game losing streaks last year, respectively.

 

So is it OVER for the Twins?  No. Are they in deep doo-doo? Yes.

 

Logan Morrison's ABs with the bases loaded last night were just cringe-worthy. The guy is killing us night after night. Lynn ain't much better, but he only kills us once every 5 days.

Dodgers lost 11 straight and 16 of 17 at one point and still won 104 games which is pretty incredible.     This is hardly the first time we have been swept by the Yankees and except for the playoffs it has never been fatal to the season.    We just need to beat up on somebody as thoroughly as the Yankees beat on us.   If it is a division opponent, all the better.    Last year this team was very resilient.   We'll see what kind of team this one is.    A win today would be a good sign.

[jun]

 

With Slegers called up, I could see them optioning Duffey when Buxton is ready to be activated.

I could see them let Grossman go when Buxton is ready to be activated. Watch out Morrison you are next. To be fair, Duffey should be given a little more time.

[gunnarthor]

I believe we are now 33-93 against the Yankees since 2002. I'm not 100% sure that counts all our post season losses. I'm not going to check.  

[slash129]

Still waiting for Kepler to get a permanent spot in the top four of this order .... He's gotten on base at least once every game he's started .... Why you wouldn't want that type of production early and often in the lineup just doesn't make sense.

 

At least he moved ahead of Morrison

 

Molitor must love him some Eddie R with the 63 wRC+

 

Sano is slowly starting to clean up the outlier badness and has his BB% up to 10 and K% down to 40 from 50 (that still needs to go down at least another 10), so I get leaving his right-handed power bat where it is.

 

Dozier

Mauer

Sano

Kepler

Escobar

 

Almost a no-brainer

 

And at this point, there is no reason to pull Kepler vs. any LHP ... The pinch hitter will likely give a downgraded PA

[Shaitan]

 

I could see them let Grossman go when Buxton is ready to be activated. Watch out Morrison you are next. To be fair, Duffey should be given a little more time.

 

No vets are going anywhere before May...though that's only a week away.

[jun]

 

Still waiting for Kepler to get a permanent spot in the top four of this order .... He's gotten on base at least once every game he's started .... Why you wouldn't want that type of production early and often in the lineup just doesn't make sense.

 

At least he moved ahead of Morrison

 

Molitor must love him some Eddie R with the 63 wRC+

 

Sano is slowly starting to clean up the outlier badness and has his BB% up to 10 and K% down to 40 from 50 (that still needs to go down at least another 10), so I get leaving his right-handed power bat where it is.

 

Dozier

Mauer

Sano

Kepler

Escobar

 

Almost a no-brainer

 

And at this point, there is no reason to pull Kepler vs. any LHP ... The pinch hitter will likely give a downgraded PA

Dozier

Mauer

Sano

Kepler

Escobar

LaMarre

Rosario

Adrianza or Garver (DH)

Castro

 

This is my lineup until Buxton comes back.

When he comes back let LaMarre be the DH until he stops hitting.

[Mike Sixel]

Dodgers lost 11 straight and 16 of 17 at one point and still won 104 games which is pretty incredible. This is hardly the first time we have been swept by the Yankees and except for the playoffs it has never been fatal to the season. We just need to beat up on somebody as thoroughly as the Yankees beat on us. If it is a division opponent, all the better. Last year this team was very resilient. We'll see what kind of team this one is. A win today would be a good sign.

The twins aren't that good, and have less room for error. Way less talent, and way less room for bad play.

[Blake]

 

The twins aren't that good, and have less room for error. Way less talent, and way less room for bad play.

The Twins play in the Central, so, yeah, they've a lot of room for error.

[Blake]

The most aggravating part of the game last night was: Sonny Gray.

 

The Twins couldn't knock that guy out within the first two innings? Really?

 

He owned, what, a 9.00 ERA going into the game?

 

Sad testament as to how bad the Twins are playing right now.

[mikelink45]

We have a lineup of good hitters mixed with no-clue hitters.  Do you put all the good ones up front and let the back end of the lineup just flounder or do you mix and match so that there are threats throughout the lineup?  What is best when we have such a separation of production?

Figure that out then get rid of Hughes, move up Gonsalves and Romero and try to get the rotation right.

​Then look at the bullpen and see if there is anything that makes sense.

[Cap'n Piranha]

More questionable bullpen moves by Molitor. Reed gets guys 6, 7, and 8 in the 7th inning, which forces Rogers to take 9 through 5 in the 8th, 4 of which are righties. Somehow it only cost us a run—we got lucky.