Article: KC 11, MIN 8: We Can’t Have Nice Things

[Tom Froemming]

Fernando Romero gave up eight runs and only recorded five outs, putting the Twins in a deep hole they couldn’t climb out of, though they gave it their best shot. Byron Buxton was placed on the DL, creating a spot for Aaron Slegers to join the club, and my did he come in handy tonight.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Current record: 22-29

Starting Pitcher: 1 Game Score, 1.2 IP, 8 ER, 1 K, 1 BB, 67.3% strikes

Bullpen: 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 K, 1 BB

Lineup: 4-for-11 w/RISP, 7 LOB

Top three per WPA: Escobar .108, Sano .048, Rosario .039

Download attachment: WinEx530.png

Romero got torn to shreds, giving up more damage in 1 2/3 innings tonight as he had in his previous five starts combined. He saw his ERA rise from 1.88 to 4.15.

 

Down 9-0 after the first two innings, the Twins offense finally appeared to loosen up. I think that’s a pretty good sign the guys have been putting too much pressure on themselves. They fired back to score eight unanswered to pull within a run of the Royals in the sixth inning, but KC tacked on single tallies in the seventh and eighth innings.

 

Slegers not only stabilized this game, but he also saved the bullpen. That’s huge heading into a key four-game series against Cleveland. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three batters.

 

His reward will likely be an option back to Rochester. It’s hard to imagine the Twins will carry a guy in their bullpen who they won’t be able to use the next couple games (Slegers threw 83 pitches).

 

Hopefully the bats can carry this performance over. Not only did they score eight runs, but they were also 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position and had six two-out RBIs.

 

Ehire Adrianza hit his first home run of the season and also doubled. Brian Dozier homered, as well. Miguel Sano had a pair of hits and three RBIs. Eduardo Escobar and Eddie Rosario also posted multi-hit games.

 

Cleveland beat the White Sox tonight, meaning the Twins are now 5.5 games back of first place in the AL Central. They’re already 9.5 games out in the Wild Card.

 

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:Download attachment: Bullpen530.png

 

AL Central Standings

CLE 29-25

DET 25-30 (-4.5)

MIN 22-29 (-5.5)

KC 20-36 (-10)

CHW 16-37 (-12.5)

 

Next Three Games

Thu vs. CLE, 7:10 pm CT

Fri vs. CLE, 7:10 pm CT

Sat vs. CLE, 3:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

KC 2, MIN 1: Every Game is the Same Game

MIN 8, KC 5: Bats Break Out

SEA 3, MIN 1: Worst Birthday Ever

 

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Click here to view the article

[jtkoupal]

I like how the Twins bats woke up and made things interesting, albeit against some "untested" Major League pitching. (I'm trying to be nice, here)

 

The Twins went 1-5 on a road trip that they needed, bare minimum, 3 wins. They now welcome in the Indians who have finally started to heat up, especially the bats.

 

The Twins are in a deep hole right now. 7 games below the .500 mark is difficult to come out from at any point in the season. No more excuses. The Twins have simply underperformed this season to this point. The hole they are in is not yet insurmountable, but with each passing day, the likelihood of the Twins contending shrinks gradually as the losses pile up and the Indians start winning.

 

I'm not writing off the season quite yet, but I am closer than I expected to be at this point. A series loss to the Indians this weekend would bury the Twins even further. They can't afford that. These next 4 games have to be treated as playoff games. 

[bluechipper]

I have to imagine the winning percentage for a team that walks the first batter of the game on 4 pitches is close to .000. Way to set the tone, Fernando. You were one of the last reasons I still wanted to watch this sorry team.

 

This is why we can't have nice things.

[beckmt]

I agree about this next series.  Losing the series would put us a minimum of 7.5 games out and would for me bring out the FOR SALE sign (open for business).  Best news is that our pitching is decent and that may well be the commondity most in demand this selling season.  

My guess is that position players in contract years will not yield much in return.  Return may be better if done early, but hard to see this team doing that.

[rdehring]

With several really good teams in each of the other two divisions, its looking like the Twins only chance of making the playoffs is to win the Central.  Fortunately, Cleveland hasn't been a super team.

 

This series will be important, but we won't know anything for certain until they get some of these injured players back.  Unfortunately, got a feeling it is going to be awhile before we see either Santana or May.  Maybe getting #7 back for the weekend will help them score some runs.  And its what, another month before Polanco will be eligible.  Hopefully, he will be the spark that ignites the team for a second half drive.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I'm discouraged.

[mikelink45]

"Cleveland beat the White Sox tonight, meaning the Twins are now 5.5 games back of first place in the AL Central. They’re already 9.5 games out in the Wild Card."

 

This line from your report really sums up the season!  Since the other divisions have already reduced our chances for a wild card to almost nil, we have to look at Cleveland, but what does the comparison show?

 

In Team Batting - Cleveland is #4 in the AL while the Twins are 13 based on runs  In HRs Cleveland is 3 and Minnesota is 14 - it is the same in OPS.  

 

How about pitching?  Cleveland 8/Twins 9 - in ERA, In BAA Cleveland separates - 6 to the Twins 9.  

 

We are tied in Fielding Pct.

 

I loved having us bring up Slegers - its good to use our own talent.  We all knew Fernando was not going to be unhittable all year, but this was bad.  Some of you might be able to answer this for me.  It seemed as if the fielding let him down - not that it wasn't a bad game for him, but even though there were not errors there were missed judgments.

 

If the batters need to be behind by 8 runs to loosen up we will be in trouble.  Lets hope they stay loose for Cleveland. 

[bighat]

Had to do a double-take: Twins are now behind Detroit and sitting in 3rd. The Twins avoid Corey Kluber this next series somehow, which gives us a small glimmer of hope.

 

Sano is the real deal. Chatter about sending him down or trading him for dog chow should cease. Nice to see Dozier hitting. More of this, please.

 

A comeback victory would have been a real shot in the arm for the Twins. Too bad it didn't happen, another shoulda-coulda-woulda. Hard to be hopeful about much right now.

[Han Joelo]

Romero's first pitch, according to Gameday at least, was a perfectly placed fastball on the corner; a strike that was called a ball.  From there, things unraveled.

 

This team needs some naked batting practice or something, but maybe 8 runs in a loss will suffice.

[FunnyPenguin]

This is tough to take, right now is when our window was supposed to be opening with the young core, but it's been more just stuck shut, somebody got too generous with the daggum paint on the outside of our window.

 

oh well, all it would take would be some of the young guys to start clicking and away we'd go

[bighat]

 

 

 Best news is that our pitching is decent and that may well be the commondity most in demand this selling season. 

 

It looks like the Twins could get a boatload for Gibson right about now. If they decide they could part ways with Odorizzi, he'd also get a nice return. Lynn has a few more serviceable outings and they could flip him too, albeit for less than the two aforementioned guys.

 

Here's hoping it doesn't come to that. But yes, it's a theme we need to be prepared to explore if things continue.

 

I am also wondering if firing Molitor is becoming a realistic probability again? I have seen a few interviews with managers like Kevin Cash in Tampa - young managers that aren't afraid to rock the boat and get unconventional. Gabe Kapler is a weirdo but he has the Phillies 7 games above .500 right now. Cash in particular seems like the type of guy I'd want leading my clubhouse as opposed to our hometown boy.

[Otto von Ballpark]

It looks like the Twins could get a boatload for Gibson right about now. If they decide they could part ways with Odorizzi, he'd also get a nice return. Lynn has a few more serviceable outings and they could flip him too, albeit for less than the two aforementioned guys.

 

A boatload, for 1.5 years of Gibson? A guy who is pushing 31 years old, with a career 90 ERA+? I think you might be overrating the trade value of his last 11 starts of 118 ERA+. Maybe we could get a Palacios type for him now.

 

Likewise, I don't think the trade value needle has moved too much on Odorizzi since we got him for Palacios. I guess he may be answering questions about any lingering back issues, but he still has a 5.05 FIP this year, and a few months less team control than he did before. Return comparable to Palacios again?

[theBOMisthebomb]

The Twins just lost 2 of 3 to the Royals and that is what they deserved. It is hard to be optimistic in this moment. Sweeping the Cleveland baseball is a must, winning 3 of 4 required.

[Number3]

Seems like the Twins "player development" has a real knack for failure to develop young players and even having them regress when they get to the big time. Romero got the benefit of a lot of close calls in his first start and if the poster is saying that he couldn't overcome 1 call against him on the first pitch that is a bigger stretch than Randy Johnson's. I said after Romero's first start that time would tell; not his natural ability. As soon as the 7 games by mid June are over (Twins maybe 2-5 in those games) send Molitor packing. Baseball technicians do not make good managers. He seems to have the personality of a rock. Probably a good guy and a great player himself but not a manager. Being out managed by Gardenhire speaks for itself.

[Puckett34]

I'll echo what others have said, the series against Cleveland is a big one.   Need to almost get 3 out of 4.    A split would be ok and a sweep is too much to ask for.    

 

My glimmer of optimism is that the 2006 team was 25-33 on June 7th, 11.5 GB, and went on to win 96 games.   Unfortunately, it seems that the hitting and bullpen were obviously better then.   But the starting pitching seems better as a whole.   Albeit without a ace.   So, probably not going to win 96 games.   But it's what I'm clinging to.

[Doctor Wu]

 

Had to do a double-take: Twins are now behind Detroit and sitting in 3rd. The Twins avoid Corey Kluber this next series somehow, which gives us a small glimmer of hope.

Yeah, that's an "ouch" realization. Seeing that a rebuilding Detroit team is ahead of us in the standings (and managed by Gardenhire!) really, really hurts. I didn't think that things would go this wrong so quickly. But hey, that's the nature of baseball.

[spanman2]

Where is a Mark Grace slump buster when you need it or a Mike Redmond running through the clubhouse?  Twins at a minimum need to win 3 of 4 against Cleveland. As far as 'must win' series in early June I think for the psychology of this club it is a must win series!  Just one rubes opinion.  WIN TWINS! 

[Puckett34]

Maybe they need a rainout

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLMxmZr3S5s

[howieramone2]

 

A boatload, for 1.5 years of Gibson? A guy who is pushing 31 years old, with a career 90 ERA+? I think you might be overrating the trade value of his last 11 starts of 118 ERA+. Maybe we could get a Palacios type for him now.

Likewise, I don't think the trade value needle has moved too much on Odorizzi since we got him for Palacios. I guess he may be answering questions about any lingering back issues, but he still has a 5.05 FIP this year, and a few months less team control than he did before. Return comparable to Palacios again?

We could get solid returns for both Lynn and Odorizzi at the deadline. 

[howieramone2]

 

Seems like the Twins "player development" has a real knack for failure to develop young players and even having them regress when they get to the big time. Romero got the benefit of a lot of close calls in his first start and if the poster is saying that he couldn't overcome 1 call against him on the first pitch that is a bigger stretch than Randy Johnson's. I said after Romero's first start that time would tell; not his natural ability. As soon as the 7 games by mid June are over (Twins maybe 2-5 in those games) send Molitor packing. Baseball technicians do not make good managers. He seems to have the personality of a rock. Probably a good guy and a great player himself but not a manager. Being out managed by Gardenhire speaks for itself.

Any way you could share specific examples with the board? If a rookie starting pitcher has a bad game, I don't see any need to overgeneralize.

[Otto von Ballpark]

We could get solid returns for both Lynn and Odorizzi at the deadline.

"Solid" is obviously subjective (did Tampa feel Palacios was a "solid" return?), but keep in mind, interest in both Lynn and Odorizzi was pretty tepid this past winter. If they are healthy and pitching well, maybe in the ballpark of the Jaime Garcia trades?

[h2oface]

It was obvious from the start that Romero didn't have it this night. Exactly, what was the point to let him get destroyed? Save the pen? What, one or two outs? I don't get the point, Molitor.

[howieramone2]

 

"Solid" is obviously subjective (did Tampa feel Palacios was a "solid" return?), but keep in mind, interest in both Lynn and Odorizzi was pretty tepid this past winter. If they are healthy and pitching well, maybe in the ballpark of the Jaime Garcia trades?

In that ballpark.

[bighat]

The worst part about what's going on so far is that the front office and Molitor are going to blame the massive underperformance on injuries, which is just not acceptable. I can see the year in review now: "Well, we had some injuries and they were tough to overcome", etc. No...the players didn't play well and were either poorly evaluated or poorly coached.

 

Guess I'm just bitter. Will be pulling for the Twins as always, rain or shine, vs. Cleveland.

 

 

[Tom Froemming]

As expected, Slegers has been sent back to Rochester with Tyler Duffey joining the Twins. Smart move in the grand scheme of things, but you can't help but feel bad for Slegers.

 

Duffey struggled in a cameo with the Twins earlier this year, but he's been great for the Red Wings, pitching to a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 over 24.0 IP. He's pitched two or more innings in 10 of his 13 appearances this season.

[beckmt]

Lynn, Gibson, Ordrizzi should all bring a decent return. Many of the top clubs need extra starters, twins seem to have better than most. Position players will be Penny's on the dollar. A lot of those to be had.

[wsnydes]

 

The worst part about what's going on so far is that the front office and Molitor are going to blame the massive underperformance on injuries, which is just not acceptable. I can see the year in review now: "Well, we had some injuries and they were tough to overcome", etc. No...the players didn't play well and were either poorly evaluated or poorly coached.

 

Guess I'm just bitter. Will be pulling for the Twins as always, rain or shine, vs. Cleveland.

I think you're right though.  The injuries can't be the reason that this team is playing as poorly as it is.  Should there be some expected drop in production as a whole?  Sure, but players that are healthy aren't producing either, generally speaking.  Dozier hasn't hit since the first week and a half of the season.  Rosario and Escobar got hot for a while, but have cooled off.  Same with Kepler.  LoMo has been fine after a very rough start.  Castro wasn't hitting before he was shut down.  Garver hasn't hit well enough to compensate for his lackluster glove.  Polanco's suspension has hurt them too.  The pitching staff has done pretty well without May and Santana.

 

Do the injuries contribute?  Absolutely, but that's a pretty small part of the story in my view.  The injuries and the suspension are outside of the team's control, but the lack of quality depth on the left side of the infield and a 4th outfielder are hurting this team just as much as the injuries.  Those two things are firmly within the control of the FO.

Edited May 31, 2018 by wsnydes

[yarnivek1972]

As expected, Slegers has been sent back to Rochester with Tyler Duffey joining the Twins. Smart move in the grand scheme of things, but you can't help but feel bad for Slegers.

 

Duffey struggled in a cameo with the Twins earlier this year, but he's been great for the Red Wings, pitching to a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 over 24.0 IP. He's pitched two or more innings in 10 of his 13 appearances this season.

Meh. He’ll be back for the double header and likely will only throw bullpen sessions in between. In fact, I doubt the Twins even actually have him report to Rochester.

[Danchat]

I'm not a fan of Duffey coming up, but Busenitz did just throw 2 innings at AAA. Duffey will probably get some work today seeing how the score's going. I'm about ready to give up on Tyler, as he hasn't shown any promise since his stretch as a starter in 2015, but I don't have any objections if they're going to use him as a mop-up pitcher.