Twins Notebook 8/3: Thorpe Makes His First Start of 2020

[Ted Schwerzler]

After the Minnesota Twins put starter Homer Bailey on the Injured List due to biceps tendinitis, they needed to come up with another starting option for Monday night’s tilt with Pittsburgh. Despite being Rich Hill’s normal day of work, they’ll turn to the left-handed Aussie Lewis Thorpe.LAST NIGHT’S GAME RECAP

Twins 3, Cleveland 1: Bullpen Dominates as Twins Take Series

 

TODAY

Twins vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 pm CT

Betting Lines: MIN -1.5, -230, 9.5 O/U

 

Twins: Lewis Thorpe, LHP

2020: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

 

Thorpe last worked on July 30, finishing the final two innings of the game against the Cleveland Indians. In that one Jose Berrios gave up the 2-run homer to Francisco Lindor, but Thorpe was part of a bullpen that kept the deficit where it was. He’s thrown 42 and 20 pitches in his two outings respectively, and while he’s not entirely stretched out, this shouldn’t be a bullpen game either.

 

Download attachment: Thorpe.PNG

 

It’s an extremely small sample size thus far, but Thorpe has seen success in 2020 by missing barrels. His 14.3% hard hit rate is outstanding, and while both his chase and whiff rates are down, he’s keeping hitters off balance. The repertoire doesn’t include high velocity stuff, but he’s featured his slider substantially more this season and it’s been a focus for multiple Twins arms.

 

Pittsburgh: Derek Holland, LHP

2020: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

 

Holland has made just one start in 2020 and it came against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was nothing short of awful in 2019 but sandwich a nice 2018 campaign for the San Francisco Giants in between that and another terrible season in 2017. Mediocrity across the board is what defines Dutch Oven, and there’s nothing that jumps off the page in terms of his numbers.

 

Download attachment: Holland.PNG

 

Showcasing a very similar pitch mix to the Twins Thorpe, Holland does not have nearly the same positives in 2020 action. He has always been susceptible to the long ball, and he started his campaign with one in the debut outing as well. Holland has given up 2.0+ HR/9 twice in his career, and Minnesota’s righties should be licking their chops at that opportunity.

 

LINEUP

 

TRANSACTION

Another day, another transaction. Needing arms, the Twins brought back Caleb Thielbar. When he gets in a game, it'll be the first time since 2015 that he's been in the big leagues.

 

 

NEWS & NOTES

- Tonight will be the return of former Twins bench coach, Derek Shelton. He took over as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020.

- Bad news for the Angels and Shohei Ohtani. He made it through just 1.2 IP in his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery and underwent an MRI yesterday.

 

- The Phillies and Marlins have both had another day of no positive tests. Philadelphia resumes tonight against the Yankees while Miami is back in action tomorrow.

 

- After playing in Minnesota the St. Louis Cardinals had some positive tests and there were postponements. They now appear to be in the outbreak category with a handful more.

 

 

AROUND THE AL CENTRAL

CIN 4, DET 3 (G1)

CWS 9, KCR 2

CIN 4, DET 0 (G2)

 

1. MIN 7-2 (+22)

2. CHW 5-4 (+5)

3. CLE 5-5 (+1)

4. DET 5-5 (-11)

5. KCR 3-7 (-14)

 

SEE ALSO

Week in Review: Winning and Wondering

Twins Bullpen: Ready When Needed

Which 3 Twins Have Started the Strongest?

 

Click here to view the article

[MMMordabito]

Send Holland to the showers early and then maybe mic him up in the 8th for some Harry Carey impressions.  

 

"Hey Dick, now this might be the Budweiser talkin', but I swear those fans behind home plate look like cardboard cutouts."

[mikelink45]

I would love to see Wade, Rooker, Kiriloff or Larnach take Cave's place for a while. 

[MMMordabito]

 

I would love to see Wade, Rooker, Kiriloff or Larnach take Cave's place for a while. 

 

Not Buxton's?

 

Jake has him by 191 points in the wRC+ department

[shortround81]

Let's hope Lewis can shake off whatever was troubling him during Spring Training. Seemed like a good kid when I saw him at the Twins Caravan.

[howeda7]

Need some runs tonight boys. Thorpe/Poppen/Alclala will have to carry this at least through 5.

[dex8425]

 

I would love to see Wade, Rooker, Kiriloff or Larnach take Cave's place for a while. 

I would definitely not prefer Rooker, Kiriloff or Larnach to make their debut this season. If that occurs, something bad has happened. Wade needs some AB's but Cave has not played himself out of the lineup. 

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Cave has definitely earned his spot. He would be a starting outfielder on most MLB teams.

[ashbury]

Cave has definitely earned his spot. He would be a starting outfielder on most MLB teams.

Any such team with championship aspirations would then have "upgrade at CF" on their trade deadline shopping list.

 

[rdehring]

Have always believed that Thorpe could become a very good starting pitcher. What I have seen from his few stints this year has been too many deep counts.

 

There have been lots of stories over the years where some player got an opportunity and ran with it. Maybe tonight that will be Lewis. I know I will be rooting for him to pitch into the fifth inning of shutout baseball.

[Squirrel]

As always, join us in the game thread for live, in-game discussion, conversation and fun!

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/39514-game-thread-8320-minnesota-twins-vs-pittsburgh-pirates-710-cdt/