Twins Notebook 9/1: Big Mike is Back

[Matthew Taylor]

The Minnesota Twins may have hit rock bottom on Monday night when they blew a 4 run lead against the rival White Sox and extended their losing streak to six games. With Michael Pineda coming back and the calendar flipping to September, though, the Minnesota Twins will look to turn the page.Last Night’s Game Recap

White Sox 8, Twins 5: Drop Kick

 

TODAY

Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins, 7:10 PM CT

 

Twins Starter: Michael Pineda

 

Download attachment: pineda.png

 

Michael Pineda will make his return from suspension tonight and pitch for the Minnesota Twins for the first time in 361 days. The last time we saw Michael Pineda he was pitching like the best pitcher on the Minnesota Twins staff. Over his last 11 starts in 2019, Michael Pineda posted a 7-1 record with a 2.76 ERA and a 73/14 K/BB. What made Pineda so special in 2019, though, was his consistency with going deep into games. Of his 26 starts last season, Pineda went at least 5 innings in 24 starts and at least 6 innings in 14 starts. Pineda never wore out his bullpen and would almost always give the team a reasonable chance to win a game. In a season in which the Minnesota Twins bullpen is being taxed seemingly every night, Pineda’s durability and consistency will be very much welcomed. How Pineda looks after taking a year away from the game and how deep he is able to go in his first start back will be something to monitor, but it’s clear that Michael Pineda was the biggest Minnesota Twins “acquisition” at the trade deadline.

 

White Sox Starter: Dallas Keuchel

5-2, 2.70 ERA, 1.04 WHIP

 

Download attachment: keuchel.png

 

After a couple of disappointing seasons, Dallas Keuchel has thus far looked like the Keuchel of old in 2020. Through 7 starts, Keuchel owns his lowest ERA and WHIP since his Cy Young winning season in 2015. Last time out against the Minnesota Twins earlier this season, Keuchel earned his first win of the season. Allowing a season low 3 hits, across 5.1 innings and allowing 2 runs. Keuchel held Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sanó, and Max Kepler to a combined 0-for-12 with 2 strikeouts.

 

Lineups

 

Minnesota Twins:

 

Chicago White Sox:

 

2 Things to Watch For

 

1. Can the Twins offense break through against a lefty?

The Minnesota Twins have struggled mightily against left handed pitching all season. After finishing with the best OPS in baseball against left handed pitching in 2019 (.872), the Twins currently rank 24th in baseball with a .654 OPS against left handed pitching in 2020. An area of historic strength has turned into a legitimate weakness for this team. With another lefty taking the mound tonight in Dallas Keuchel, the Twins will hope to rebound and show some of their prowess against lefties that they have yet to show thus far in 2020.

 

2. Reinforcements coming

Not only will the Minnesota Twins be bringing back Michael Pineda tonight, but it was reported late last night that the Twins will also be bringing back reinforcements in Byron Buxton and Josh Donaldson for tonight and tomorrow respectively. These two right handed additions will be absolutely massive for helping the Twins’ struggles against left handed pitching, and should also be the jolt in the arm that this struggling team needs right now. Apart from Buxton and Donaldson, I would expect that the Twins make a move to bring in reinforcements from St. Paul in the very near future. Brent Rooker and his right handed bat would make the most sense, but Trevor Larnach and Alex Kirilloff could make sense too. The Twins didn’t make moves at the trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean that they are keeping the team as currently constructed throughout the season.

 

News & Notes

• While the Minnesota Twins weren’t active at the trade deadline, there was no shortage of trading across the Major Leagues. The headliner was Mike Clevinger getting dealt to the San Diego Padres, but we also saw Starling Marte head to Miami, Robbie Ray and Ross Stripling move to Canada and Archie Bradley move to Cincinnati.

 

What was your favorite trade at the deadline?

• It was a battle of aces last night in the Bronx between the Rays and Yankees, but in the end Tyler Glasnow got the best of Gerrit Cole as the Rays beat the Yankees 5-3. The Tampa Bay Rays have now won 6 games in a row while the Yankees record fell to 19-14.

• The Indians squandered an excellent Shane Bieber start in last night’s 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Bieber through 6 shutout innings with 9 strikeouts, but the Tribe was only able to score 1 run off of the Royals pitching all night. Superstar reliever James Karinchak ended up blowing the game for the Indians, allowing 1 hit, 2 walks and 2 runs in the 8th inning to give the Royals the victory.

Around the AL Central

 

KCR 2, CLE 1

• CWS 22-13 (+45)
• CLE 21-14 (+39)
• MIN 20-16 (+24)
• DET 16-16 (-21)
• KCR 14-21 (-18)

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[Trov]

It will be interesting to see if any minor league guys get call up.  I could see Cave getting demoted if Buxton will be healthy and bring up an OF.  Unlike in other years where you want guys to have regular playing time and not waste time on bench, they are not getting any more time really than what they would at MLB level.  Personally, I would not mind seeing Adrianza going and Gordon getting a look, unless he has not been doing well over in St. Paul.  I could see Lewis getting a call to play center if Buxton gets hurt again.  

 

All that being said, it would not surprise me if no moves are made in this crazy season. 

[Doctor Gast]

Like Big Mike, cheering for him! Happy that Buck is back! W/ Keurshel hope they play Astudillo & bring up at least Booker to get some decent RH hitters in the line up. Now that Buck is back   they`ll probably  slide a little & avoid Lewis call up.

[Channing1964]

"Rock Bottom" ...lol how old are you? I can tell you about rock bottom and this sure as hell aint it. Even with the lineup we have Playing we are better than Cleveland AND Chicago. I knew everyone was gonna say ohmygawd wheres Kiriloff to save the day etc...etc.... Can we wait to see how this week transpires please? In this season all you have to do is be healthy and somewhat hot by Sept 29th.

[USAFChief]

I don't understand why Donaldson would be activated tomorrow, but not today. He's been on the IL for weeks, what possible difference could 24 hours make? He's either ok, or not.

 

They're facing a LHer, the season has less than 30 games remaining, and they clearly need a jolt.

 

I do NOT understand the mindset.

 

Also, they better not start Avila tonight, against a leftie, after starting Jeffers last night against Giolito.

[MMMordabito]

 

"Rock Bottom" ...lol how old are you? I can tell you about rock bottom and this sure as hell aint it. Even with the lineup we have Playing we are better than Cleveland AND Chicago. I knew everyone was gonna say ohmygawd wheres Kiriloff to save the day etc...etc.... Can we wait to see how this week transpires please? In this season all you have to do is be healthy and somewhat hot by Sept 29th.

 

No S*** .... Losing 6 to close out August isn't pretty, but they still have 5 to go to catch the 2016 team that lost 11 to close out August (and that's after opening the season 0-9)

 

The last week has sucked with the losing, the delays and the general wasting of time, but these Twins have a long way to go to reach the bottom.

 

[twinbythebay]

 

It will be interesting to see if any minor league guys get call up.  I could see Cave getting demoted if Buxton will be healthy and bring up an OF.  Unlike in other years where you want guys to have regular playing time and not waste time on bench, they are not getting any more time really than what they would at MLB level.  Personally, I would not mind seeing Adrianza going and Gordon getting a look, unless he has not been doing well over in St. Paul.  I could see Lewis getting a call to play center if Buxton gets hurt again.  

 

All that being said, it would not surprise me if no moves are made in this crazy season. 

Gordon has not been in St. Paul at all. He tested positive for COVID in July before Summer camp started, and he was reportedly hit hard enough by it to land in the hospital (more evidence that this virus should not be underestimated). He is just now getting back to physical activity and definitely won't be ready to play at all this season.

[umterp23]

batting Sano in lead off spot surprises me somewhat.  I would like to have seen some speed sprinkled around the lineup and ahead of big bats to generate some pressure on the opposing defense.  Single to to gaps and speed from 1st could set up some 1st and 3rd situations.  Small ball at times puts added pressure on defense to make plays. White Sox have shown they can sling around the diamond like little leaguers.

[T_J]

The Hometown Nine need a boost. Hopefully they get it from the players coming back but it's not like we've seen much from any of them yet this season.

[twinbythebay]

 

batting Sano in lead off spot surprises me somewhat.  I would like to have seen some speed sprinkled around the lineup and ahead of big bats to generate some pressure on the opposing defense.  Single to to gaps and speed from 1st could set up some 1st and 3rd situations.  Small ball at times puts added pressure on defense to make plays. White Sox have shown they can sling around the diamond like little leaguers.

That sounds good in theory, but none of the Twins' speedy guys have been able to get on base consistently this season. Cruz and Sano have been productive, but when they have seven guys around them in the lineup that can't swing their way out of a wet paper bag, teams will just pitch around them (as we saw with Cruz's IBB last night in the 8th).

[Aichiman]

Losing is going to continue until we get rid of our manager.  He's got no fire.  Every word he speaks is carefully chosen so as not to offend. I guess I'm kind of old school; but It's painful for me to listen to him.  I imagine the same goes for most of the players.  They are jocks, not civil servants!  We need a straight talkier.  We need a guy to come in and command respect. .  Francona. comes to mind.  Until then, as some of my younger friends say: "I'm otta here!.

 

[mikelink45]

I really want a youth infusion - I want Larnach and Rooker and Lewis and Kiriloff - all of them.  I want Duran and Chalmers.  I do not care who gets cut.  Just get some excitement onto the team.