Twins Name Bailey Ober Game 1 Starter for ALDS

[FlyingFinn]

3 hours ago, Patzky said:

Or Game 1 😄 of ALCS!

Nope, Gray would be lined up for that game.

[Beast]

I’m not overly excited about Ober starting game 1.  But, I agree that he’s the best option.  If we can somehow steal game one with an offensive outburst, having Verlander out of the way with Lopez and Gray lined up would look pretty good.

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, David Maro said:

Ober or Ryan or whomever in game 1 will not matter if they don't hit. Lewis and pitching won game 1 in WC. Correa and pitching won game 2 

You’ve described a winning formula. I like it. 

[Nine of twelve]

4 hours ago, 2wins87 said:

I'll be curious to see who catches in this series as well.

I was a little surprised to see Jeffers get both WC games after how they used him this season.  I don't think they would have used him 3 days in a row, so Vazquez probably would have caught game 3.

Sonny and Ober both had pretty much the same results regardless of catcher, but Pablo and Ryan both did significantly better with Jeffers catching.  There is probably a lot of flukiness in that though.

My initial guess would be Jeffers gets games 1,3, and 5, unless there is actually something behind the performance of Lopez and Ryan with Jeffers catching.  Could depend on how desperate they are to win also.

If I were manager Jeffers would catch games 1 and 2, as well as 4 and 5 if needed. He's had 2 days off going into game 1 so he can play 2 days in a row. Then 2 days off while Vazquez takes game 3. Back in the lineup for game 4, then a day off, then game 5. If it looks like he's getting tired Vazquez can take game 5.

[Squirrel]

3 hours ago, jimbo92107 said:

This is so cool! I thought for some reason Bailey Ober was in Baldelli's doghouse. I guess not!

Seems like a good decision. Ober is plenty rested, and he has that good sinker from a high release point...very tough to lift it. Polo and Correa can feast on a bunch of two-hoppers. If they do manage to lift Ober's stuff, THEN you bring in Ryan, and watch them hit a dozen pop-ups in a row.

After that, you bring in Maeda with his whiffable forks and curves, then Paddack with high-velo, corner popping heat. 

By the time the hulking figure of Jhoan Duran crushes the mound sand, they'll be begging for a merciful death!

Kinda sorta...

I hope they won’t need all those pitchers to pitch one game. But why did you think Ober was in anyone’s doghouse? He’s been handled perfectly this year and is ready to go for the playoffs.

[Oldgoat_MN]

6 hours ago, Patzky said:

I like this and the failure to announce Game 2 starter means it's dependent upon our success with game 1. 

 

It could be Pablo if we lose.. but it could be Maeda if we win. 

Ha! This wasn't well received, was it? I gave it a like because I, too, have wondered if the Twins would enjoy showing off their wealth of pitching. 

It makes perfect sense, though, to start Lopez in game 2. As has been pointed out, he can then pitch a game 5 on regular rest.

And yes, Let's do this!

[Lefty61]

Solid move by Twins, Ober had two starts in 2021 vs. Astros  with an ERA of 4.5, Ryan has 3 career starts, ERA over 8.  And 2023 Ober is much better than 2021 Rookie Ober.  Hopefully Twins can get a couple early runs to help Bailey settle in.   If we can get a split in Houston, I like our chances to close it out in four.  

[sampleSizeOfOne]

6 hours ago, ashbury said:

I was hoping for Randy Dobnak in Game 1, Les Straker for Game 2, and then assuming we're up 2-0 in the series we close 'em out with a bullpen game.

Where's Nick Blackburn?

PS. Please don't pinch hit for Les.

[dxpavelka]

Ryan is the better pitcher.  Yes, he's struggled lately.  Post-season is a different animal.  This could bite us in the ass.

[stringer bell]

3 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I see where you went with this  , past playoff pitchers but when I first read it Terry Ferrell  pop into my head  , in 4 years with twins he was 0-16 , never pitched in mlb for anybody else ...

Terry Felton. 

[Hashim]

I love this move, it’s very brave. If we win game 1, I think Maeda might start game 2, then I hope Lopez & Gray start game 3 & 4. We don’t start Ryan, just pick the best player for the job. 

[bighat]

Interesting move, as ownership/management is definitively saying that - when pressed - they think Ober is better than Ryan. Sure, you can get into home vs. away splits, matchups, etc....but the meat of this decision is that they're picking Ober over Ryan when the chips are on the line. 

Maybe this motivates Joe to go out there and have the best start of his life later in this series - if it gets to a Game 4. Personally I've always liked Ryan's fire and competitiveness, and frankly I wouldn't be sad if he was starting today over Ober. 

Looking forward to seeing how it goes today. Let's steal one. 

[Fezig]

This is a much better time for analytics! Not sure Maeda wouldn't have been a better choice but Ober is definitely trending in the right direction.

[Blyleven2011]

8 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Terry Felton. 

Thanks , damn spell check  , I typed in Felton  and didn't catch the change  ...

[Lartwinfan]

I forgot about it being a smaller field   like the decision.    I think kenta might be able to fool some of them too.                Go Twins!!!!!!!

[Hashim]

16 hours ago, bloomwcjkl said:

3 clean innings from Ober. 3 clean innings for Ryan. Then bullpen takes over.

No, if he's doing well you keep him on. You can't micromanage these things, look at the Blue jays did with Berrios. 

[Linus]

Good decision. I’m also glad that Bailey is getting this chance as he handled a bunch of stuff this year very maturely. I also think we will see Maeda piggy backing Ober for sure. 

[Old Twins Hat]

Houston's hitters are going to foul off a ton of pitches from Ober.  A ton.

Hope it works out.

[dxpavelka]

3 hours ago, Fezig said:

This is a much better time for analytics! Not sure Maeda wouldn't have been a better choice but Ober is definitely trending in the right direction.

Analytic don't get hitters out.

[dxpavelka]

12 hours ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Where's Nick Blackburn?

PS. Please don't pinch hit for Les.

I would remind everyone that we won the World Series with Les as the # 3 starter.  And that his ERA in the series was 4.00.  Viola won the MVP with an ERA of 3.72