Game Score: Astros 4, Twins 0

[Lucas Seehafer PT]

Michael Pineda performed well, but Luis Garcia was better as the Minnesota Twins fell to the Houston Astros.

Box Score
Michael Pineda: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Max Kepler -.105, Trevor Larnach -.105, Jorge Polanco -.092

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

 

On a scale of “Utter Snoozefest” to “Game 163”, the Twins’ loss to the Astros on Saturday night fell depressingly closer to the former end of the scale than the latter.

Minnesota’s bats never gained steam as the team managed to muster a meager four hits, though two went for extra bases as both Brent Rooker and Ryan Jeffers contributed doubles. Houston’s Luis Garcia struckout eight across six innings of work and was followed in dominance by Ryne Stanek, Kendall Graveman, and Ryan Pressly who added four Ks of their own out of the bullpen.

Large Michael Pineda continued his recent run of success by tossing six strong innings and allowing two earned runs. His ERA now stands at a more than respectable 3.83. John Gant also pitched well, striking out two of the four batters he faced, increasing his total to seven in his 4 2/3 innings since joining the team. Caleb Thielbar allowed two runs in the eighth inning, but by then the game was already out of the Twins’ reach. 

That’s pretty much all that happened in this one other than Yordan Alvarez hitting one to Nacogdoches.

Luis Arraez pinch hit for Andrelton Simmons, laced a single, and remained in the game after leaving last night with yet another knee injury, so at least that's encouraging. Jake Cave also singled (yay.). 

The Twins’ record now stands at 47-64 and at least they are one day closer to the end of the season. 

 

Postgame Interviews

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	TOT
Minaya	0	0	44	0	17	0	61
Gant	0	22	0	0	17	13	52
Thielbar	0	0	22	8	0	20	50
Colomé	0	20	0	7	17	0	44
Coulombe	0	13	0	17	14	0	44
Duffey	0	0	0	21	20	0	41
Alcala	0	0	0	14	14	0	28
Burrows	0	0	13	0	0	0	13

 

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[bean5302]

There are few teams I'd prefer beating than the Astros, but at least we took 2 of 3!

[mikelink45]

Good for Pineda, but why are we starting him?  After 111 games we don't need to see what he can do.  Sign him to an extension and then use him or let some more minor league pitchers start (if we have any that are not on the IL).  

The same with Simmons - if he is going audition SS.  Let Gordon play, try Palacios.  

The same with Cave and anyone else that is not part of the future.  

The only thing that will keep most fans interested is the progress of prospects not the free agent finish of veterans who have led us to this dismal record. 

[big dog]

Why is Burrows still on this team? One appearance in a week when four guys pitched three times and everyone else pitched twice. What are we learning about him?

[Whitey333]

I agree.  Twins have totally mismanages the roster.  I have nothing against Simmons for example but he needs to become a bench player or DFA.  Keep sending him out there like other likely to leave veterans greatly takes away from player development.  Why wasn't Donaldson put on IL several games ago.  He's gotten just a handful of at bats since his last injury.  Seems at least they could have taken a look at a minor league prospect during that time.

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Good for Pineda, but why are we starting him?  After 111 games we don't need to see what he can do.  Sign him to an extension and then use him or let some more minor league pitchers start (if we have any that are not on the IL).  

The same with Simmons - if he is going audition SS.  Let Gordon play, try Palacios.  

The same with Cave and anyone else that is not part of the future.  

The only thing that will keep most fans interested is the progress of prospects not the free agent finish of veterans who have led us to this dismal record. 

I agree.  However, there are also fans who want to see the best product available right NOW.  They either don't understand the benefit of giving prospects playing time or they just don't care.  We hear from some of those folks here.  They spend money to attend games which gives them a voice. The team has to cater to that audience as well.  There is also a certain duty to put a our best players on the field  to maintain fair competition for playoff spots.

We also can't just trash these guys (cut or bench them).  Sure they still get paid but it's not the way to treat players if you want any chance of signing free agents in the future. 

[prouster]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Good for Pineda, but why are we starting him?  After 111 games we don't need to see what he can do.  Sign him to an extension and then use him or let some more minor league pitchers start (if we have any that are not on the IL).  

The same with Simmons - if he is going audition SS.  Let Gordon play, try Palacios.  

The same with Cave and anyone else that is not part of the future.  

The only thing that will keep most fans interested is the progress of prospects not the free agent finish of veterans who have led us to this dismal record. 

I don’t think fielding a triple-A team will keep casual fans engaged. At all. They aren’t just trying to “see what they have.” They’re a pro ball club trying to win games. It’s a lost season, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try and compete. 

[bean5302]

Who are the Twins going to take a look at instead of Pineda?

• Shepherd (28)? 5.88 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 at AAA
• Albers (35)? 4.15 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 1.0 BB/9 at AAA
• Strotman (24) 3.59 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 5.1 BB/9 at AAA
• Ryan (25) isn't back from the Tokyo Olympics yet.
• Duran (23) is on the IL with a UCL strain and won't likely pitch again until at least next year.
• Winder (24) is shut down for the year with shoulder fatigue
• Barnes (25) 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 at AAA is already in the rotation
• Jax (26) 3.32 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 at AAA is already in the rotation

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Who are the Twins going to take a look at instead of Pineda?

• Shepherd (28)? 5.88 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 at AAA
• Albers (35)? 4.15 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 1.0 BB/9 at AAA
• Strotman (24) 3.59 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, 5.1 BB/9 at AAA
• Ryan (25) isn't back from the Tokyo Olympics yet.
• Duran (23) is on the IL with a UCL strain and won't likely pitch again until at least next year.
• Winder (24) is shut down for the year with shoulder fatigue
• Barnes (25) 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 at AAA is already in the rotation
• Jax (26) 3.32 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 3.4 BB/9 at AAA is already in the rotation

Ryan deserves a shot... and I wouldn't mind seeing Strotman. Perhaps they could piggy-back Strotman with Ober to cover in the innings, or something like that.

It should go without saying I have no interest in seeing Shepherd or Albers pitching here.

[bean5302]

I fully expect the Twins will call Ryan up, but not before he's in the country  Strotman's AAA stats don't impress me in the least, but I could see the Twins giving him a few innings out of the pen, maybe?