Twins 8, Astros 2: Bats Erupt, Varland Throws a Gem, Twins Win the Series

[Mark G]

6 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Yeah, that’s not my definition. Times through the lineup have NOT been a limiting factor this year, at all, because we finally have a rotation that can actually pitch. Pitch count is and should be. This is why you are seeing pitchers reach further into games than 4 or 5 innings this year in general. This whole back and forth started because Varland came out of the game after going 7, with the score 8-0, and his pitch count in the 80s. I see no purpose or value in having him pitch the 8th. I wouldn’t have cared if he did, though, and I said that above. But not having him pitch the 8th this one game doesn’t mean he’s not going to be able to pitch more pitches in the next, because he already has this year. But we are 2 months into a season. I so no reason in not giving him a bit of a break this time, because next time we might need him to pitch to 105. That’s good managing, imo.

Thanks for the give and take.  That is what makes this site what it is.  😉

[Riverbrian]

3 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Texting my Astros buddy, they are getting ready for a similar stretch of games and prepping for it as well.  That's why his pitchers had to wear it a little bit last night.

Context... It sure surrounds those managers a little thicker than us mere civilians in the peanut gallery. 😎 

[Battle ur tail off]

1 hour ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Provus and Atteberry wanted to see Varland come out for the 8th. 

I think if the game is 1-0, 2-0 something like that, he might have. I can't stand generally how Rocco manages a pitching staff, but I don't have any problem with him pulling Varland and resting him some/getting guys innings in a blowout.

[Guest]

6 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I loved this game - maybe the best of the season.  Varland has proven he belongs in the major league rotation.   I do agree I would have let him go to the 8th and if a shut out the 9th.  

To have offense and pitching both clicking is great.

Too bad Lopez had to implode.  I have never seen a worse appearance.  But it is not a single event.  Look at his last  games.  He threatens to become this years Pagan.  After a poor second half last year what is our confidence level.  The BP needs help. 

Last 5 Games

 

 

Date	Tm		Opp	Result	App,Dec	DR	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	HBP	WP	IBB	PO	BK	BF	Pit	Str	StL	StS	GB	FB	LD	PU	Unk	GmSc	IR	IS	WPA	aLI	cWPA	acLi	RE24
2023-05-31	MIN	@	HOU	W 8-2	8-8	1	0.0	2	2	2	1	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	4	16	9	0	1	0	2	0	0	0		0	0	-0.029	0.14	-0.02%	0.14	-2.982
2023-05-29	MIN	@	HOU	W 7-5 (10)	8-8	1	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	6	4	1	1	2	0	0	0	0		0	0	0.029	0.52	0.02%	0.52	0.478
2023-05-27	MIN		TOR	W 9-7	9-9	3	0.0	3	3	3	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	4	22	14	2	1	0	0	3	0	0		0	0	-0.136	0.66	-0.08%	0.61	-2.974
2023-05-23	MIN		SFG	L 3-4	7-7, BL	1	1.0	2	2	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	18	11	2	1	1	2	1	1	0		0	0	-0.359	1.56	-0.22%	1.61	-1.537
2023-05-21	MIN	@	LAA	L 2-4	7-7	0	0.1	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	12	6	1	1	1	1	1	0	0		1	1	-0.276	1.58	-0.19%	1.84	-2.066

Very worrisome. Five outings, 2-1/3 innings, eight runs, zero strikeouts, four homeruns, three (THREE) hit by pitch.

yuk, Yuk, YUK!!!

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Mark G said:

It is a debate that cannot be won, because we are both right in our own minds, and in our own ways of looking at the game.  And when I say we, I mean all of us on each end of the debate.  Having watched the game for 55 plus years, I feel comfortable in saying there simply are not 150 plus quality major league starting pitchers.  There are too many AAAA pitchers pitching at the major league level that never did before, and it show.  There are also not 240 plus major league relievers that should be on a major league roster.  And behind them are AAA players that have to be used as injuries happen.  Is it just possible that is why there were 10 man staffs for the better part of a century?  😏

Counterpoint

It’s Not Your Imagination: A Lot of Relievers Are Really Good Now | FanGraphs Baseball

Quote

Over half of the pitchers on the list [of 79 minor league relief prospects] sit above the major league average fastball speed of 93.8 mph. It’s not a guarantee that each of them will hold that velo throughout their careers, but an impressive number meet a minimum threshold to be above average by big league standards. Ten can reach back for triple digits, and that doesn’t even include the guys in the higher FV tiers. Of the 81 plus or better pitches among the 35+ FV guys, about half are fastballs, but an impressive 39 are breaking balls, 31 of which are sliders. Pitchers throw about twice as many sliders as they did when the pitch tracking era began in 2008, and the fact that so many pitchers can throw one at a high level is certainly a leading cause.

The 13th pitcher on the staff now has measurably better stuff than the 10th pitcher did in 1980 or the 11th pitcher in 1990. They have higher velocity, more spin, and more likely to get strikeouts. In all measurable ways pitching is better than it used to be.

Based on the level of talent available we're overdue for MLB expansion.

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Mark G said:

Thanks for the give and take.  That is what makes this site what it is.  😉

You give, I take ... I agree! 😉🤣

[jmlease1]

33 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Counterpoint

It’s Not Your Imagination: A Lot of Relievers Are Really Good Now | FanGraphs Baseball

The 13th pitcher on the staff now has measurably better stuff than the 10th pitcher did in 1980 or the 11th pitcher in 1990. They have higher velocity, more spin, and more likely to get strikeouts. In all measurable ways pitching is better than it used to be.

Based on the level of talent available we're overdue for MLB expansion.

not wrong; it's been 25 years since baseball added any franchises. but there are also teams that are struggling to compete and be financially viable in their markets as well. Until that gets resolved I think MLB would prefer to hold those expansion cities out there as possible relocation threats to bully cities into building a team a free stadium...

[mrtwinsfan]

6 hours ago, wsnydes said:

I imagine that the idea was that Lopez wouldn't get shelled and would be able finish out the game.  It's not like Pagan was guaranteed to get through the rest of the game either.  But yes, that would have been another option.  Not the one I would choose, but not one I'd have been upset with either.

At least it was Stewart that was burned up and not one of the better relievers.  Stewart can be sent down for a fresh arm.

At least it was Stewart that was burned up and not one of the better relievers.  Stewart can be sent down for a fresh arm.

[wsnydes]

7 minutes ago, mrtwinsfan said:

At least it was Stewart that was burned up and not one of the better relievers.  Stewart can be sent down for a fresh arm.

Do you have a point to make?  At least provide a productive comment.

And I've already addressed this comment...

 

[joefish]

15 hours ago, twins_89 said:

I really hope that no one in the Twins organization is considering putting Maeda back in the rotation.

How about Buxton and Correa?

Did we miss them?

[Schmoeman5]

43 minutes ago, joefish said:

How about Buxton and Correa?

Did we miss them?

Nope!

[jimbo92107]

Not sure what comps people are using for Louie Varland now, but his ceiling seems a lot higher at the moment. Against a very dangerous Houston lineup, Varland looked like one of the best young pitchers in the league, bar none. He doesn't throw as hard as some, but (like Joe Ryan) Varland commands the zone well enough to throw strikes pretty much where he wants the ball to go. Maybe that's what he meant when he said he was schooling off Ryan's approach. Not the mechanics, but the strategy. 

If Varland continues to pitch like this, he could wind up being a perennial All Star. I wouldn't yet say a Cy Young candidate...not quite yet. But a top of the ro starter? Hell yes.