Article: MIN 4, STL 1: Berrios is Back

[Tom Froemming]

Jose Berrios’ post-Puerto Rico funk has finally come to an end. He broke a streak of four-straight starts with four or more earned runs by tossing a gem against the Cardinals. Jose surrendered one run on just two hits to go with 10 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Download attachment: Snapshot515.png Download attachment: WinEx515.png

Berrios gave St. Louis a heavy dose of curveballs, offering it up 33 times among the 102 pitches on the evening. He got nine swinging strikes and five called strikes on that Uncle Charlie and the Cardinals only managed to put it in play three times. Altogether, Jose had 16 swinging strikes and topped out at 95.5 mph.

This started out as another frustrating night for the offense, as Cardinals rookie Jack Flaherty held the bats in check over the first five innings, but they finally broke through.

 

With two down in the sixth inning, the Twins strung together consecutive singles from Brian Dozier, Eddie Rosario and Eduardo Escobar to tie the game at 1-1. Logan Morrison led off the eighth with a double and scored when the Cardinals couldn’t properly field a Byron Buxton bunt.

 

Maybe baseball is fair after all. One night after losing because they misfired while fielding a bunt, the Twins scored the go-ahead run because the other guys misfired while fielding a bunt.

 

Bobby Wilson helped eliminate some drama by blasting a two-run homer to put the Twins up three runs. His last MLB home run was Sept. 21, 2016.

The bullpen locked it down, as Addison Reed retired the only two batters he faced on strikes and Fernando Rodney pitched a perfect ninth inning for his eighth save. He hasn’t given up a run in eight appearances and has surrendered just two hits over that stretch.

 

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:Download attachment: Bullpen515.png

 

Next Three Games

Wed vs. STL, 12:10 pm CT

Thu OFF

Fri vs. MIL, 7:10 pm CT

Sat vs. MIL, 6:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

SEA 1, MIN 0: Twins Get LeBlanc’ed

LAA 2, MIN 1: Ohtani Excellent as Angels Walk Off Twins

MIN 5, LAA 3: Twins Outlast Angels in Gutsy Victory

 

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[glunn]

Good win. Good recap.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Great to see the strikeouts for Berrios! I wondered if he was injured, and am now very relieved

[Tommygun921]

Phil Hughes....9 pitches is the last 5 days. They're treating him like a rule 5 pick. Just trying to hide him on the roster it seems. Why not cut ties and bring up someone else that can hopefully make an impact? I'm not rooting against him...maybe he'll be the guy that can make that impact. Idk

[Circus Boy]

No worries here. Twins are 18-20 and showing signs of consistently putting together good games. I prefer being mildly disappointed to the nervousness of last year, when they were 21-17 and every time out we all wondered when the wheels were going to come off. Starters look good. Bullpen is reliable, if unspectacular. And the hitting will come around. Heck, Morrison is ready to top the Mendoza line.

 

For me, I enjoy every game as they unfold and see real potential for a breakout, much like Cleveland last summer. Play ball!

[bighat]

Not trying to jinx anything, but Fernando Rodney has quietly gone about his job since that early hiccup. The guy looks like a legit closer and I for one no longer get the shivers when his name is called.

 

The bats weren't exactly on fire, but maybe the offensive spark from an unlikely source will get things going. Bobby Wilson of all people, wow. Escobar continuing to carry this team on his back with the game-tying hit in the later innings. Berrios, yeah that's what we needed!

 

Break out the brooms this afternoon!

[Blake]

 

Phil Hughes....9 pitches is the last 5 days. They're treating him like a rule 5 pick. Just trying to hide him on the roster it seems. Why not cut ties and bring up someone else that can hopefully make an impact? I'm not rooting against him...maybe he'll be the guy that can make that impact. Idk

Yes. I don't like the fact he's taking up a valuable spot in the bullpen.

[wsnydes]

 

Yes. I don't like the fact he's taking up a valuable spot in the bullpen.

This tendency might be what drives nuts the most about the FO.  There is no reason to be sacrificing a roster spot on a team that is supposed to be contending.  I get that he's owed a bunch of money, but at some point you have to admit to a mistake (that they didn't make) and move on from it.

[lukeduke1980]

 

This tendency might be what drives nuts the most about the FO.  There is no reason to be sacrificing a roster spot on a team that is supposed to be contending.  I get that he's owed a bunch of money, but at some point you have to admit to a mistake (that they didn't make) and move on from it.

There's a lot of eventual roster moves to be made with Santana, May, Sano, Polanco and Castro eventually coming back.  Their hands will likely be forced with Hughes.

[jokin]

 

. And the hitting will come around. Heck, Morrison is ready to top the Mendoza line.

 

 

 

Believe it or not.... Morrison's May splits are very close to his season numbers last year with the Rays:

 

.277/.358/.489/(.849)

OPS+ 130 (135 in '17)

wOBA .366 (.363 in '17)

 

Definitely coming around. Once he gets the power groove back...

Edited May 16, 2018 by jokin

[wsnydes]

 

There's a lot of eventual roster moves to be made with Santana, May, Sano, Polanco and Castro eventually coming back.  Their hands will likely be forced with Hughes.

I'm not really convinced of that.  Only two of those are pitchers and a lot can happen between now and then.  Assuming no injuries occur before then, it's much easier to send Romero down to make room for Santana and jettison one of the struggling bullpen arms to make room for May.  

 

When Polanco is activated, Petit goes back down.  When Castro comes back, Wilson gets DFA'd.  If the timing is right, Petit gets DFA'd to make room on the 40 man for either Santana or May.  There are a couple of DFA options for bullpen arms as well (Magill and maybe Moya?).  I don't think their hand will be forced at all.  At least no more than it is right now anyway.

Edited May 16, 2018 by wsnydes

[bird]

 

I'm not really convinced of that.  Only two of those are pitchers and a lot can happen between now and then.  Assuming no injuries occur before then, it's much easier to send Romero down to make room for Santana and jettison one of the struggling bullpen arms to make room for May.  

 

When Polanco is activated, Petit goes back down.  When Castro comes back, Wilson gets DFA'd.  If the timing is right, Petit gets DFA'd to make room on the 40 man for either Santana or May.  There are a couple of DFA options for bullpen arms as well (Magill and maybe Moya?).  I don't think their hand will be forced at all.  At least no more than it is right now anyway.

 

 

I don't know. I just hate to hear the phrase DFA. It makes me cringe as I think of what John Hicks is doing in Detroit or remember JT Chargois.

[puckstopper1]

 

I'm not really convinced of that.  Only two of those are pitchers and a lot can happen between now and then.  Assuming no injuries occur before then, it's much easier to send Romero down to make room for Santana and jettison one of the struggling bullpen arms to make room for May.  

 

When Polanco is activated, Petit goes back down.  When Castro comes back, Wilson gets DFA'd.  If the timing is right, Petit gets DFA'd to make room on the 40 man for either Santana or May.  There are a couple of DFA options for bullpen arms as well (Magill and maybe Moya?).  I don't think their hand will be forced at all.  At least no more than it is right now anyway.

Snydes:

 

I believe you are missing Sano's return in your projections.  Assuming Sano comes back before Polanco, Petit will be optioned at that time.  

 

Nonetheless you are accurate in your worries that Santana and May's return do not, unfortunately, necessarily equate to the dumping of Hughes - although Romero is making it very tough for the Twins to send him back down.

[wsnydes]

 

Snydes:

 

I believe you are missing Sano's return in your projections.  Assuming Sano comes back before Polanco, Petit will be optioned at that time.  

 

Nonetheless you are accurate in your worries that Santana and May's return do not, unfortunately, necessarily equate to the dumping of Hughes - although Romero is making it very tough for the Twins to send him back down.

Yup, I am.  Adrianza would become a DFA target at that point if Gordon truly is pushing to be brought up.  Escobar becomes the utility guy again, filling Adrianza's role.  Sano's return is easier to deal with in my view because you don't need to open a 40-man spot like you would with Santana and May.  Perhaps that's where Petit gets DFA'd.  The Twins already have too many pitchers on the 40 man.  It would depend on the timing, but I don't think any of these moves force the hand of the FO to move on from Hughes.

 

I'd hate to see Romero sent back down with how well he's pitching.  It's a numbers game at that point and he's got options though.  It's possible that they move on from Lynn, but I don't see that happening either.

[Shaitan]

 

This tendency might be what drives nuts the most about the FO.  There is no reason to be sacrificing a roster spot on a team that is supposed to be contending.  I get that he's owed a bunch of money, but at some point you have to admit to a mistake (that they didn't make) and move on from it.

While I think Hughes is likely cooked, I don't think a mop-up reliever whose has the stamina for 3+ innings is a wasted roster spot. We saw what happens during the post-Puerto Rico stretch when you don't have that guy on your roster: musical chairs.

 

Hughes isn't pitching now because the Twins are playing close, good games. His role is for blowouts. Blowouts happen to every team, contending or not. If they happen 2 days in a row and you don't have a Hughes-type it causes problems.

[jmlease1]

 

Phil Hughes....9 pitches is the last 5 days. They're treating him like a rule 5 pick. Just trying to hide him on the roster it seems. Why not cut ties and bring up someone else that can hopefully make an impact? I'm not rooting against him...maybe he'll be the guy that can make that impact. Idk

 

He pitched ok in the last outing, but why would you eat the salary on him to start the clock on a guy from the minors that is only going to have marginal impact right now? The bullpen is doing fine, overall. The decision point comes when Santana/May get healthy, until then I'm not all that worried about the 12th and 13th spots on the pitching staff.

 

I love seeing Buxton get a bunt down that he can run on, because the fear and panic he inspires running down the line is delightful. He makes people rush throws, bobble a fielding opportunity, overthrow, and anything else bad you can think of. So much fun.

[gunnarthor]

Was Buxton's bunt ruled a hit or an error? I saw the play on mlbtv this morning and I couldn't believe how fast he got to first on a bunt more or less straight back to the pitcher.

[wsnydes]

 

While I think Hughes is likely cooked, I don't think a mop-up reliever whose has the stamina for 3+ innings is a wasted roster spot. We saw what happens during the post-Puerto Rico stretch when you don't have that guy on your roster: musical chairs.

 

Hughes isn't pitching now because the Twins are playing close, good games. His role is for blowouts. Blowouts happen to every team, contending or not. If they happen 2 days in a row and you don't have a Hughes-type it causes problems.

It's a wasted spot if you go 2 weeks without using him.  Plus, Magill can fill the long man role.  One of them is a wasted spot.  Plus, you don't need a mop up guy.  You use the relievers that haven't gotten much work lately.  Nobody needs a mop up guy.  bring in another arm that you can use in close games.  

[Doubles]

 

Was Buxton's bunt ruled a hit or an error? I saw the play on mlbtv this morning and I couldn't believe how fast he got to first on a bunt more or less straight back to the pitcher.

Not sure officially, but it should have been ruled a hit and an error.  Essentially, every base gained has to be accounted for.  And on a close play with a wide throw, the official scorer typically gives the runner the benefit of the doubt.   In this case, Buxton should have been credited with a hit, and Gregerson should have been charged with the error allowing Morrison and Buxton advancing an extra base each.

[Squirrel]

Was Buxton's bunt ruled a hit or an error? I saw the play on mlbtv this morning and I couldn't believe how fast he got to first on a bunt more or less straight back to the pitcher.

Yeah, I wondered the same thing. Had the throw been on target, would he have been safe? Hard for me to tell from the one clip I saw.

[wsnydes]

 

Was Buxton's bunt ruled a hit or an error? I saw the play on mlbtv this morning and I couldn't believe how fast he got to first on a bunt more or less straight back to the pitcher.

 

 

Yeah, I wondered the same thing. Had the throw been on target, would he have been safe? Hard for me to tell from the one clip I saw.

the play-by-play indicates a hit and an error.  I couldn't tell if he was going to be safe or not either, but it was definitely going to be close.

[Blake]

 

Yup, I am.  Adrianza would become a DFA target at that point if Gordon truly is pushing to be brought up.  Escobar becomes the utility guy again, filling Adrianza's role.  Sano's return is easier to deal with in my view because you don't need to open a 40-man spot like you would with Santana and May.  Perhaps that's where Petit gets DFA'd.  The Twins already have too many pitchers on the 40 man.  It would depend on the timing, but I don't think any of these moves force the hand of the FO to move on from Hughes.

 

I'd hate to see Romero sent back down with how well he's pitching.  It's a numbers game at that point and he's got options though.  It's possible that they move on from Lynn, but I don't see that happening either.

I would hope the numbers say to keep Lynn over Hughes.

 

Hughes just hasn't come back and there are several years of data to prove it. Whereas Lynn has a recent track record of success versus his struggles to start the year.

[Blake]

 

While I think Hughes is likely cooked, I don't think a mop-up reliever whose has the stamina for 3+ innings is a wasted roster spot. We saw what happens during the post-Puerto Rico stretch when you don't have that guy on your roster: musical chairs.

 

Hughes isn't pitching now because the Twins are playing close, good games. His role is for blowouts. Blowouts happen to every team, contending or not. If they happen 2 days in a row and you don't have a Hughes-type it causes problems.

Lynn can take the long reliever spot over Hughes. 

[Mr. Brooks]

I can't believe Romero going down is being discussed as an option.

At least we'll know if this FO is actually trying to win, or still think they are building. Because a team committed to winning now isn't taking Romero out of the rotation.

[Mike Sixel]

Great start. Wow, when he's on, wow

[Shaitan]

 

It's a wasted spot if you go 2 weeks without using him.  Plus, Magill can fill the long man role.  One of them is a wasted spot.  Plus, you don't need a mop up guy.  You use the relievers that haven't gotten much work lately.  Nobody needs a mop up guy.  bring in another arm that you can use in close games.  

But what happens if you don't have any relievers that haven't gotten much work lately? What happens when they're all being used, such as 2 weeks ago after the Puerto Rico games? Then they're stuck making changes to the 40-man roster based on immediate necessity, which usually means journeymen.

 

You have the right to disagree, of course, but I do think a mop-up pitcher is a vital role. Don't waste your core reliever arms on meaningless innings. They can get extra work in the bullpen. Anything can happen in a live game (e.g.: injury).

Edited May 16, 2018 by Shaitan

[Shaitan]

 

Lynn can take the long reliever spot over Hughes. 

A part of me wonders if they'll cut Lynn before Hughes, due to the 1 year contract.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Shaitan

[Blake]

 

A part of me wonders if they'll cut Lynn before Hughes, due to the 1 year contract.

The way the game has gone, maybe both will be looking for another home.

 

Yeesh, Lynn is bad.

[Mike Sixel]

But what happens if you don't have any relievers that haven't gotten much work lately? What happens when they're all being used, such as 2 weeks ago after the Puerto Rico games? Then they're stuck making changes to the 40-man roster based on immediate necessity, which usually means journeymen.

 

You have the right to disagree, of course, but I do think a mop-up pitcher is a vital role. Don't waste your core reliever arms on meaningless innings. They can get extra work in the bullpen. Anything can happen in a live game (e.g.: injury).

Maybe they should have planned better to have players with options. I would have. But they are filled with veteran pitchers without options.

[wsnydes]

But what happens if you don't have any relievers that haven't gotten much work lately? What happens when they're all being used, such as 2 weeks ago after the Puerto Rico games? Then they're stuck making changes to the 40-man roster based on immediate necessity, which usually means journeymen.

 

You have the right to disagree, of course, but I do think a mop-up pitcher is a vital role. Don't waste your core reliever arms on meaningless innings. They can get extra work in the bullpen. Anything can happen in a live game (e.g.: injury).

You build your bullpen with a couple of guys that have options so that you can send them down and bring up some fresh arms when that happens.

 

Regardless of your thoughts on that, having two longmen in the pen is redundant. That's what Hughes or magill are.

Edited May 16, 2018 by wsnydes