What the Heck Did Pablo Lopez Just Do?

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

To say that the Astros have been dominant in the ALDS is to say that the world is round or that the sun is bright. During their run of consecutive ALCS appearances, the Astros were on a streak of 12 straight home ALDS wins (until last night), and a big part of their success in this round, as they have a 4-4 record on the road in this round. Over the course of the past six years, these are all of the starting pitchers who have tried (and failed) to win an ALDS game in Minute-Maid Park.

2017

Chris Sale- 5.0 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Drew Pomeranz- 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

2018

Corey Kluber- 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Carlos Carrasco- 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

2019

Tyler Glasnow- 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Blake Snell- 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

Tyler Glasnow- 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

2021

Lance Lynn- 3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Lucas Giolitto- 4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 4 K

2022

Logan Gilbert- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Luis Castillo- 7.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K

2023

Bailey Ober- 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

 

There are maybe two or three starts in the "okay to good" range. The closest anyone has come to a shutout was Carrasco's start, where Andrew Miller replaced him with a 1-0 lead and runners on 1st and 2nd (one out), then proceeded to surrender an RBI double to Twins legend Marwin Gonzalez. Pablo's 7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K line will not only be one of the best starts (by any pitcher) this postseason but is even more impressive given the historic failure of pitchers to deliver in the same setting he was in. I give a lot of credit to Maki/Baldelli/Front office for coming up with a bullet-proof plan and to Pablo for being able to throw what he wanted, where he wanted, when he wanted, and how he wanted 105 different times last night.

[stringer bell]

Every year is a new challenge, but López’ performance would seem to be a series-changer. In one full season with the Twins, Pablo is now in my Top Ten favorite players. 

[insagt1]

He saved the Twins season, so far, with a brilliant performance. I hope he gets a chance to do it again!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Aaron Nola and Jordan Montgomery have also had outings of 7.0 scoreless innings.

But yeah Lopez was fantastic. Hopefully we are starting to see a correction away from pulling starters early for little to no reason. 

[weitz41]

Some steaks are just meant to end. The Twins broke theirs, maybe it's time to end the Astros streaks (ALDS home win streak-✅ and ALCS appearances- incomplete). Two down one to go.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

3 hours ago, weitz41 said:

Some steaks are just meant to end. The Twins broke theirs, maybe it's time to end the Astros streaks (ALDS home win streak-✅ and ALCS appearances- incomplete). Two down one to go.

Don’t forget the ALCS 4-game losing streak 🙂

[nicksaviking]

9 hours ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Aaron Nola and Jordan Montgomery have also had outings of 7.0 scoreless innings.

But yeah Lopez was fantastic. Hopefully we are starting to see a correction away from pulling starters early for little to no reason. 

Off topic, but both are free agents next year, and I hope that's where the Twins eyes turn. Keep stacking the rotation, that's clearly the path to playoff success.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

56 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Off topic, but both are free agents next year, and I hope that's where the Twins eyes turn. Keep stacking the rotation, that's clearly the path to playoff success.

Except if you are Clayton Kershaw, strangely enough.