Yordan Alvarez Has Crushed, Can The Twins Stop Him?

[Matthew Taylor]

Yordan Álvarez has destroyed the Twins through the first three games of the American League Division Series. How can the Twins limit the powerful left hander?

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the American League Division Series, we all expected that the most challenging bat in the Houston Astros lineup would be Yordan Álvarez. Álvarez is a tremendous hitter in the prime of his career, and is a left hander. With a playoff roster full of right handed arms, Alvarez’s elite power from the left side of the plate would surely give the Twins a handful.

Yordan Álvarez has been more impressive this series than even the most aggressive predictions.

Through the first three games in the ALDS, Álvarez is 6-for-12 with four home runs, two doubles and six RBI. Álvarez has done damage against right handed pitchers and southpaws alike and has knocked the ball all across the yard, in Houston and in Minneapolis.

Up to this point, the Minnesota Twins have not approached Álvarez any differently than they have approached any other batter. They have pitched to the left hander in each of his plate appearances and thrown him plenty of hittable pitchers (obviously). It’s clear that that approach has not been working, as Álvarez has completely taken over this playoff series from the plate.

So what can the Minnesota Twins do to limit the left hander?

The first option is the most obvious one and one that the Minnesota Twins should and most likely will employ in Game 4 – don’t pitch to Yordan at all. 

Up to this point the Minnesota Twins have not given Álvarez the Barry Bonds treatment, but with the consistent damage that he has been causing against Twins’ pitching, intentionally walking the 26-year-old and only allowing him to reach first base is something that makes way too much sense for them not to try.

What makes this strategy difficult, and why the Twins haven’t tried it yet, is that the Astros have Kyle Tucker and José Abreu hitting directly behind Yordan. By intentionally walking the left hander, you’re putting a person on base for the 2023 American League RBI leader (Tucker) and the player who just hit two 440-foot home runs against the Twins on Tuesday afternoon.

The Twins won’t be able to employ this strategy in every situation, but in scenarios where first base is open, the Twins should certainly give Álvarez a free pass and make Houston’s other players beat them.

In the scenarios that the Twins aren’t able to intentionally walk Álvarez, like when there are runners on first and second, for example, the Twins need to do a better job attacking Álvarez with inside pitches. Each of Álvarez’s four home runs in this series have come on outside pitches or pitches in the middle of the zone. Outside and middle pitches are where Álvarez does most of his damage. With his large frame and huge arms, when he’s able to get extension he can hit the ball a long way. While he can still hit tanks on inside pitches, it’s clear that’s where he’s most vulnerable. Take a look at his heat map below to see.

What’s been made most clear through the first three games of the ALDS is that the Minnesota Twins cannot continue pitching the same way to Yordan Álvarez. They need to switch things up. By intentionally walking him where they can, and attacking him on the inside of the plate when they need to attack him, the Twins can hopefully limit the damage that the Cuban can do against them.

How do you think the Twins should attack Yordan Álvarez? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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[Aerodeliria]

The guy is a behemoth! I'm wondering when he is actually going to connect. As for the last two blasts, I thought he slightly missed the 'sweet spot' and they both left the yard with ease.

[spanman2]

Lutefisk buffet...that'll show em.  That would take anyone down.

[Karbo]

Just walk him

[Linus]

How about we don’t throw the ball over the middle of the plate?  I’m sure they put together a clear plan to deal with the guy. The problem is the pitcher has to execute the plan. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

If there's less than 2 guys on base - just walk him. 

[MinnInPa]

you just pitch around him ..YES..its that simple. pitchers have made horrible pitchers to this hitter..you do not let that guy beat you..you dont even throw strikes ..every pitch should be off the plate

[rwilfong86]

Need to give him the Bonds treatment 

[Riverbrian]

He's a special hitter. There isn't much more to be said. 

His home run yesterday off of Ober would have been a ball. It was 6 inches North of the normal strike zone coming across the letters on his jersey. 

The Home Run off a Brock Stewart was a cookie. Not every cookie gets eaten... he ate that one. 

That home run off Thielbar (who hadn't allowed a home run to a lefty all year) was almost a perfect pitch. It was a sweeper that caught the bottom corner of the zone low and away. Alvarez was able to PULL that pitch down the Right Field line for a home run off the foul pole. He didn't go the other way with it. He PULLED a slider low and away for a dinger... Who else is able to do that?   

His first home run of the series was a changeup center cut. He was ready for the change of pace apparently. 

That's 4 home runs against 4 different pitches, a high fastball out of the zone, Cutter dead center, Nearly Perfect Slider and an 84 MPH changeup. What do you want to throw him? Who from the Twins do you want to blame? 

He hit .295 with an .892 OPS against left handers this year. He hit .292 with an 1.044 OPS against right handers this year. 

He has 4 home runs in 12 AB's this post season. That equates to 136 home runs using the 410 AB's that he had during the regular season. 

You have to hope that he can't continue that pace and has to slow down sometime soon... However, in case he can keep it up... Keep changing speeds, move the ball in and out on the EDGES... if you walk him... you walk him but stay away from the middle. 

I'm not blaming our pitchers for what he is doing. The team you are playing is part of the equation. It hurts but we are watching a pretty special player playing special at a special time.   

 

 

[Road trip]

I'm not saying the Twins need to hit him, or throw at his head, or do anything to intentionally injure him...

.. but Alvarez is way too comfortable at the plate.  The first pitch from Ryan should be further inside towards his ankle or thigh.  Make him move his feet a little.  Make him hit the dirt.  They have tried to pitch Alvarez inside, but it hasn't been inside enough to cause any discomfort, doubt, or fear.  Wallner and Jeffers get hit all the time.  It isn't wrong for Twins pitchers to create a little fear as well.  

 

[GeorgiaBaller]

He doesn't get another pitch in the zone.  Shoestrings and shoulders.  You can't throw Altuve in the shoulders as he crushes those balls---but Alvarez, maybe. nothing that doesn't move and nothing in the zone.  If that means walking him, OK.  Inside and low is not the answer---he has adjusted to that in the playoffs.  

[nicksaviking]

Yeah, watching Alvarez and Altuve come through in the clutch has made me rethink my off season strategy for hitters. Cody Bellinger is going to get the biggest payday, but he also falls apart in the post season. I know I'll get crushed saying this, but I'd rather have Jorge Soler or Eddie Rosario, they come through when it counts.

I mean, give me more starting pitching FIRST, than some clutch post season hitters.

[big dog]

Throw it in on his hands. You don't need to hit him, but interrupt his swing. Do it four times hard in his first at bat, let him take his base, and then let him think about it in subsequent at bats.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

The chart which is included with this article is confusing to me. Does the chart show that he can't hit pitches which are low and in the strike zone or is it showing he can't hit pitches thrown low and out of the strike zone? Where is the strike zone in this chart?

[HokieRif]

2 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

If there's less than 2 guys on base - just walk him. 

Depending on the situation (that is, we have a lead) I would even walk him with the bases already loaded. I would much rather deal with Tucker and give up a run than have Tucker at bat any way after giving up 4. 

[HokieRif]

I think we also need to do something to mix it up and come out in the navy alternate unis tonight - ANYTHING to throw off this guys look back at the pitcher. Maybe throw in the emergency re-planting of some pine trees against the batter’s eye. 

[mikelink45]

Ryan gives up HRs - Alvarez hits HRs.  Not a good combination.  So yes, walking him is a safer choice.  I am holding back all personal predictions and just hoping things turn upside down - Ace Grey melts down, Ryan who was passed over comes in and shines!  Talk to the Baseball gods - this is good theater.

[big dog]

9 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Yeah, watching Alvarez and Altuve come through in the clutch has made me change my rethink my off season strategy for hitters. Cody Bellinger is going to get the biggest payday, but he also falls apart in the post season. I know I'll get crushed saying this, but I'd rather have Jorge Soler or Eddie Rosario, they come through when it counts.

I mean, give me more starting pitching FIRST, than some clutch post season hitters.

TRIGGER WARNING

Eddie Rosario, 2017-2020 Twins: 5/23. .217 BA, .522 SP

Eddie Rosario, 2021 Braves: 23/60, .383 BA, .617 SP

Eddie Rosario, 2022-23 Braves (so far): 1/12, .083 BA, .083 SP

😬

[HokieRif]

1 minute ago, big dog said:

TRIGGER WARNING

Eddie Rosario, 2017-2020 Twins: 5/23. .217 BA, .522 SP

Eddie Rosario, 2021 Braves: 23/60, .383 BA, .617 SP

Eddie Rosario, 2022-23 Braves (so far): 1/12, .083 BA, .083 SP

😬

Fair to say Eddie had an out-of-body experience in ‘21. Good for him then, but he’s back to normal playoff form now. 

[Blyleven2011]

1 hour ago, Road trip said:

I'm not saying the Twins need to hit him, or throw at his head, or do anything to intentionally injure him...

.. but Alvarez is way too comfortable at the plate.  The first pitch from Ryan should be further inside towards his ankle or thigh.  Make him move his feet a little.  Make him hit the dirt.  They have tried to pitch Alvarez inside, but it hasn't been inside enough to cause any discomfort, doubt, or fear.  Wallner and Jeffers get hit all the time.  It isn't wrong for Twins pitchers to create a little fear as well.  

 

I'll go along with that if the bases are empty ...

If there are runners on base you walk him regardless  , don't let their hottest hitter  beat you ....

[nicksaviking]

48 minutes ago, big dog said:

TRIGGER WARNING

Eddie Rosario, 2017-2020 Twins: 5/23. .217 BA, .522 SP

Eddie Rosario, 2021 Braves: 23/60, .383 BA, .617 SP

Eddie Rosario, 2022-23 Braves (so far): 1/12, .083 BA, .083 SP

😬

Yeah, I just did a quick perusal of post season career OPS. Rosario was definitely buoyed by a couple years. 

Anyway, my point remains, I don't want the best hitting free agents. I want the free agents who hit best when it matters. We can take Rosario off the list.

[Hashim]

3 hours ago, Road trip said:

I'm not saying the Twins need to hit him, or throw at his head, or do anything to intentionally injure him...

.. but Alvarez is way too comfortable at the plate.  The first pitch from Ryan should be further inside towards his ankle or thigh.  Make him move his feet a little.  Make him hit the dirt.  They have tried to pitch Alvarez inside, but it hasn't been inside enough to cause any discomfort, doubt, or fear.  Wallner and Jeffers get hit all the time.  It isn't wrong for Twins pitchers to create a little fear as well.  

 

I was thinking the same but I would beam him and intimidate him. He looks way too comfortable at the play. I would give him the randy Johnson fastball and crowd him inside and away with off speed. He has weaknesses that can be exploited but the twins pitchers are low-central or dead center, which he feasts on. Pablo pitched him really with off speed away, fastball inside/tight and struck him out with rising fastballs up in the zone that have  movement. 

[Hashim]

I would beam him and intimidate him. He looks way too comfortable at the play. I would give him the randy Johnson fastball and crowd him inside and away with off speed. He has weaknesses that can be exploited but the twins pitchers are missing low-central or dead center, which he feasts on. Pablo pitched him really with off speed away, fastball inside/tight and struck him out with rising fastballs up in the zone that have  movement. Otherwise just walk him. 

[Matthew Taylor]

6 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

The chart which is included with this article is confusing to me. Does the chart show that he can't hit pitches which are low and in the strike zone or is it showing he can't hit pitches thrown low and out of the strike zone? Where is the strike zone in this chart?

The four outer boxes are outside the strikezone.

 

Yordan is left handed. So the middle inside strike and upper inside strike are both cold areas for him. As well as the low and inside zone.

 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

On 10/11/2023 at 5:20 PM, Matthew Taylor said:

The four outer boxes are outside the strikezone.

 

Yordan is left handed. So the middle inside strike and upper inside strike are both cold areas for him. As well as the low and inside zone.

 

Thank you Matthew. Very helpful chart.