Twins 6, Astros 2: Pablo Lopez Provides Ace-Level Performance, October Correa Leads Offense and Defense

[JesusisLord7]

So fun to watch tonight. Pablo was fantastic. This is the most complete team we have had since the 87 and 91 teams. Two front line starters and a really good closer. And more than that, but you get my point. I hope Sunny is ready to pitch and gem and then Joe Ryan will prove why he should of started game 1. Let's go Twins. 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

1 hour ago, Fat Calvin said:

I couldn't watch the games either because I'm also in Japan.

MLB.tv is your friend 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Now 100% behind the Lopez-for-Arraez trade, not to mention Lopez' long-term contract. Another vindication of the GM's judgment.

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, mnfireman said:

Just re-watched this play on mlb.com game recap. Lewis had to swing way out to his right to avoid Maldonado standing in the baseline. I think if the game was closer Baldelli may have used a challenge there. 

Judgement calls aren't reviewable.

And IMO there was no obstruction in any case. 

If Lewis was a little more canny, he moves left, into the catcher, and he might get the call.

But as it played out, he wasn't obstructed. 

 

 

[Aerodeliria]

5 minutes ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

MLB.tv is your friend 

Yes, but my Japanese wife is also my friend and doesn't like to see unexplained spending....hahaha

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

We head home 1-1 so it essentially is now a 3-game series and we have home field advantage

Not only home field, but Sonny Gray and Pablo Lopez on full rest for 2 of those 3.

Houston can only get 1 game of 3 from their top 2 starters, unless Verlander comes back Wednesday on 3 days rest.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

1 minute ago, Aerodeliria said:

Yes, but my Japanese wife is also my friend and doesn't like to see unexplained spending....hahaha

Twenty-five clams for each month of the season. You should be able to cover that with your allowance. 🙃

If there's still whining, say it's baseball vs cigarettes, whiskey and/or the racetrack.

[JoshDungan1]

48 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

Just re-watched this play on mlb.com game recap. Lewis had to swing way out to his right to avoid Maldonado standing in the baseline. I think if the game was closer Baldelli may have used a challenge there. 

I don't believe it's possible for a judgment call play like that by the umps to be challenged, but I'm glad to be proven wrong if someone's got the rules on replay reviews.

[JoshDungan1]

13 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Houston can only get 1 game of 3 from their top 2 starters, unless Verlander comes back Wednesday on 3 days rest.

Quite frankly I'd be shocked if Houston doesn't go to Verlander in Game 4 if the Twins win Game 3 even if it is on three days rest. You can't have a potential season-ender pitched by whatever B-list starters they might otherwise go to, and Verlander's had some okay short-rest playoff performances if memory serves. Winning the Sonny game would be huge for us for that exact reason, forcing Verlander back on short rest on the road while having a reliable third starting option for us pitching when and where he's best is a definite advantage for us, even if the name advantage does lean quite hard towards the Astros.

[USAFChief]

7 minutes ago, JoshDungan1 said:

Quite frankly I'd be shocked if Houston doesn't go to Verlander in Game 4 if the Twins win Game 3 even if it is on three days rest. You can't have a potential season-ender pitched by whatever B-list starters they might otherwise go to, and Verlander's had some okay short-rest playoff performances if memory serves. Winning the Sonny game would be huge for us for that exact reason, forcing Verlander back on short rest on the road while having a reliable third starting option for us pitching when and where he's best is a definite advantage for us, even if the name advantage does lean quite hard towards the Astros.

I'd be surprised if they DO bring Verlander back on short rest.

I guess we'll see.

Let's get Game 3 and make em have to decide.

[JoshDungan1]

11 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I'd be surprised if they DO bring Verlander back on short rest.

I guess we'll see.

Let's get Game 3 and make em have to decide.

Just went and looked, appears as though he's made three postseason appearances on fewer than four days' rest. One was on just two days' rest after he started game one for Detroit in 2011 and then was yanked after just the one inning and then he came back two days later to throw eight innings of six hit/four-run ball with three walks and 11 K's. One of the two remaining short-rest appearances was a two-and-two-thirds stint for Houston against Boston in the ALDS Game 4 where he allowed a hit, two walks and one run on a homer and the 'Stros won 5-4.

His only full start appearance on short rest came in the 2019 ALDS when he started on three days' rest, went three-and-two-thirds and allowed seven hits and all four runs in a Houston 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay. And that was four years ago when he had even less mileage on his arm; if the Twins really can force the Astros into needing to use him, that could be a huge advantage for them, because he doesn't have much experience pitching long-term on that short of rest.

Sonny needs to have the outing of his life tomorrow and the Twins need to be prepared for Javier. Get this to 2-1 in our favor and Houston's in deep, deep trouble with us having another game at home.

[h2oface]

Ya gotta love coming home with a 1-1 split. What a great game for the Twins and their fans. 3-1 in this post season. Living high on travel day. 

Why our pitchers keep giving Alvarez anything at all to hit is baffling. Giving him middle middle is just stupefying. 

[UK Twin]

Hello October Correa! At least 2 hits in the last 3 play off games plus several sparkling defensive plays. I said a few days ago if we can get back to Target Field with the series at 1-1 we'll be in a good position. 

I liked the Lopez for Arraez trade when it happened and I love it now. An ace like Lopez would be well out of our range in free agency so it was always going to require losing a player we wouldn't want to lose. Incredible to be able to shut out the Astros over 7 innings in a play off game on the road. I think it's impossible to overstate how immense he was. 

Game 3 starts at 9.07pm UK time so I'll be able to watch it. 😁

[Streif Lightning]

Couldn't watch the game because I live in the UK and the game started at 1am. Can't stay up that late with worth the next day. Gotta say, I had quite a bit of dread about this game (30+ years of twins fandom will do that to you) but we stepped up and looked up to the task! Feeling pretty positive going forward. 2 more games at home where we have been very good this season, one of them with Sonny on the mound and if it goes to game 5 in Houston it will be Pablo back on the mound. Not too bad, still gotta take care of business though.

[JD-TWINS]

4 hours ago, Hashim said:

Great game by Lopez, C4, Farmer and Polanco too. I’m very happy with our team I’m just worried about the lefties and who are overmatched in this series. I hope Lopez can comeback and close out the series. I don’t know if he can pitch only on 2 days rest but we need him definitely. 

Lopez won’t pitch again until a potential Game 5………on regular 4 days of rest. Gray & Ryan are the next two up for Games 3 & 4. Houston has Javier & then ??? for Game 4………possibly Verlander on 3 days rest. They do have a young guy, Brown that could get a start with heavy bullpen back-up? Assuming they would like Verlander in Game 5 on good rest v. sooner.

With an ALL right handed bullpen for Houston, our lefty hitters are going to have to come through from here on out!

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, JoshDungan1 said:

Just went and looked, appears as though he's made three postseason appearances on fewer than four days' rest. One was on just two days' rest after he started game one for Detroit in 2011 and then was yanked after just the one inning and then he came back two days later to throw eight innings of six hit/four-run ball with three walks and 11 K's. One of the two remaining short-rest appearances was a two-and-two-thirds stint for Houston against Boston in the ALDS Game 4 where he allowed a hit, two walks and one run on a homer and the 'Stros won 5-4.

His only full start appearance on short rest came in the 2019 ALDS when he started on three days' rest, went three-and-two-thirds and allowed seven hits and all four runs in a Houston 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay. And that was four years ago when he had even less mileage on his arm; if the Twins really can force the Astros into needing to use him, that could be a huge advantage for them, because he doesn't have much experience pitching long-term on that short of rest.

Sonny needs to have the outing of his life tomorrow and the Twins need to be prepared for Javier. Get this to 2-1 in our favor and Houston's in deep, deep trouble with us having another game at home.

Beware, Astros were 3 games under .500 at home this year and about 20 games over .500 on the road. I agree, we have an advantage with the playoff crowd…….just don’t think the Stro’s are going to rattle very easily. I’d like to see us get back in their bullpen by 5th or 6th to reduce effectiveness for Wednesday’s game.

Verlander is only 18 months away from coming off surgery with a rebuilt/rejuvenated arm………he’s in great shape. He scares me for Game 4.

[Melissa]

It was so much fun watching this game from my couch. Lovely to see clutch performances from our boys Farmer and Solano and Polanco alongside the headliners López and Correa.

The home base ump had a bizarre strike zone - so unpredictable even if you ignored the box on the TV screen. Glad Pablo kept his cool and mastered it.

Correa’s performance is great to see! And yet what his teammates say about his leadership and example off the field is truly impressive. Go read Dan Hayes’s article this morning in The Athletic for some excellent quotes from the players.

I’ll be back in Section 108 for Game 3 tomorrow. How happy can a gal be that her family went for the Flex 20 ticket plan this season! Various friends and family got to attend a game or two, and primed us to want to be part of the home crowd for these postseason games.

Go Twins!!

[Dave Borton]

Who called that bunt with Lewis as runner from 3rd base?

Guy is getting over a hamstring injury and call a play which requires heavy exertion on that leg? Crazy call.

[IaBeanCounter]

There were 3 parts to the final out.  Carlos' diving stop, his throw and Kirilloff's stretch (Solano doesn't make that play).  I wondered when they pinch hit for Solano, but it was the right move.

[Dave Borton]

That stretch by Kiriloff on the throw from Correa was phenomenal. Overshadowed by the play by Correa

 

.

[Doctor Wu]

3 hours ago, UK Twin said:

Hello October Correa! At least 2 hits in the last 3 play off games plus several sparkling defensive plays. I said a few days ago if we can get back to Target Field with the series at 1-1 we'll be in a good position. 

I liked the Lopez for Arraez trade when it happened and I love it now. An ace like Lopez would be well out of our range in free agency so it was always going to require losing a player we wouldn't want to lose. Incredible to be able to shut out the Astros over 7 innings in a play off game on the road. I think it's impossible to overstate how immense he was. 

Game 3 starts at 9.07pm UK time so I'll be able to watch it. 😁

Ah yes, the "October Correa." Good to have him on our side this time around. Man, he has really stepped up for these playoffs. And Lopez; what a performance! I'm not getting TOO cocky or confident as we head back to Minneapolis, but adding that win today was huge!

[dxpavelka]

7 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Lewis actually has to make contact with Maldonado to get that call. i think Royce was a bit flustered or he should have intentionally run into him bringing on the interference call. Without contact there cannot be a ruling of interference.

I'll take your word for it but I actually do a little softball umpiring myself and will darned sure make certain that I check that out to be sure.

 

[JDubs]

Watching the late game Saturday night after the Game 1 loss, the scroll on the bottom of the screen noted that was the Twins' 16th consecutive lose in the divisional round and I realized with horror that there was another losing streak I hadn't even realized and visions of the Twins getting swept out and having to debate if winning the new wild card round really counts were filling my head. Then they went out and did this! Another streak broken! Now we just need to break that pesky divisional round series losing streak and we're in business!

[UK Twin]

1 hour ago, davidborton said:

Who called that bunt with Lewis as runner from 3rd base?

Guy is getting over a hamstring injury and call a play which requires heavy exertion on that leg? Crazy call.

Surely that should be seen as encouraging? Lewis definitely seemed to move better last night and Rocco confirmed his hamstring is getting better.

[Beast]

I don’t think a better message could’ve been sent to Houston and the rest of MLB (and myself), that this is a team that should be in the conversation for AL rep in the World Series.

There were still some mistakes I’d like to see cleaned up.  That squeeze play was poorly executed.  They still need to figure out a way to get these RISP across at a better rate.  I saw a stat last night at one point that all hitters other than Correa were 1 for 24 with RISP in the playoffs.  That was before the Julien AB, so there’s at least one more hit there now.  But, if we’re even hitting .200 in those situations (roughly 5 for 24), we may have a 2-0 series lead and are headed home to put this thing away.

I felt the “here we go agains” hard during/after game 1.  This game, even if we don’t win the series, makes me feel a lot better about this team.

[Dave Borton]

I continue to marvel at the years Farmer and Castro have had.

Both offer extreme utility in a multiple variety of roles. Quite a $3.8MM bargain for the Twins.

[jmlease1]

Excellent win. Really good job coming back from a tough loss in Game 1 to show that they belonged in this series.

Lopez was absolutely fantastic. He did a great job keeping Houston off-balance all night. Very good plan of attack against the Astros and Lopez executed it beautifully. This is the kind of start we acquired him to do for us, and it was wonderful to see.

Same thing goes for Correa: he's been a big game player in his career, an excellent playoff competitor and he led the way again. We needed his hitting out there and he absolutely delivered. This is the kind of game we signed him for and he too delivered.

Alvarez is a monster. Ooof. Lopez may have shut him down, but he takes any opportunity. Good thing the game was 6-0 before he struck.

Despised the announcing team on FS1 last night. Thought they added nothing to the broadcast at all (Verducci wasn't bad with the dugout interviews, I guess) and missed the significance of various strategy points, probably because they spent more time talking about each other than the actual game. AJ's usually better than this, but it was a poor team. I guess it was nice to hear Smoltz wax poetic about how great Lopez was, but he spent more time talking about Lopez's interview after coming out than talking about how he actually pitched and attacked the Houston lineup. (the FS1 studio crew stinks too: Vasgerian isn't horrid, but A-Rod, Big Papi, and Jeter are a bad group. A-Rod acts like a try-hard kid desperately wanting everyone to like him, Ortiz only vaguely seems interested in what actually happened in the game, and Jeter seemed to mostly be there to say he had Lopez in Miami so he knew how great he was. Blegh)

Great win. Looking forward to Gray kicking butt on Tuesday!

[JDubs]

7 hours ago, Aerodeliria said:

Yes, but my Japanese wife is also my friend and doesn't like to see unexplained spending....hahaha

sportsurge.net is your (free) friend

[Linus]

Man the amount of advertising in their ballpark is unreal. Gives me a headache. 

[SockNet]

I bet Pablo's jersey sales just jumed a good bit after that performance last night.