Make It Official! Twins 3, Cubs 0: David Festa Makes His Case for the Rotation

[Nate Palmer]

David Festa set the Minnesota Twins on solid footing with his career-high nine strikeouts in five innings. His start put the Twins on cruise control to a win in Chicago Monday evening. 

Image courtesy of © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: David Festa: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K (82 pitches, 51 strikes (62.2%)
Home Runs: Manuel Margot (4)
Top 3 WPA: David Festa (0.291), Manuel Margot (0.089), Jhoan Duran (0.089)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

After the Minnesota Twins made life miserable for the Chicago White Sox, handing them their 18th, 19th, and 20th straight losses, they looked to continue to frustrate Chicago baseballers, this time up close and personal. The Twins look to collect some wins on the north side of Chicago this time. Opening up a series with the Chicago Cubs, they were hunting some momentum to carry into a pair of big divisional series lurking behind it.

The Twins' bats faced off with Kyle Hendricks and a heavy dose of off-speed stuff. While Hendricks has struggled in 2024, he began the game well, able to neutralize the Twins offense well enough to get through the first two innings scoreless.

In the third, the Twins got movement on the basepaths. Willi Castro walked, and then Trevor Larnach singled to put runners on first and third. Royce Lewis was next to the plate and lofted a Hendricks changeup to center field with enough distance to score Castro on a sacrifice fly. 

Missed Opportunity
The Twins almost scored at least one more run, to make it 2-0. With Larnach on first and Matt Wallner at the plate, the latter launched a ball to right-center up and into the wind blowing in from the outfield. Pete Crow-Armstrong lost the ball in the air, and instead of making the final out, the ball dropped to the grass.

While the Cubs made their mistake, the Twins made their own. With two outs in the inning, instead of running the bases and hoping for a dropped or bobbled catch as it happened, Larnach paused at second base. That resulted in a delayed sprint home, where he was easily tagged out for the third out of the inning.

Festa hits career mark
David Festa came out of the gates firing well, and finished that way, too. On the broadcast, it was mentioned that the Twins are looking for Festa to begin taking steps in pitching well into the second time through the order. Monday evening, the rookie was able to do that. 

At the end of five frames, Festa had punched out a career-high nine batters, including a big one at the end of the fifth on which he generated a swing and miss from Ian Happ with two runners on base. That whiff to end Festa’s outing was one of 14 that the righthander induced. 

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Twins Daily's winning "Make It Official!" game recaps are sponsored by Official Fried Chicken, which you can find in center field of Target Field. With a name like "Official," we know we have to be the best in the game every day, and from your first bite, you'll know that's a promise we make good on.

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Margot goes deep
Also in the fifth inning, Manuel Margot added to the Twins' lead with a solo home run, doubling the advantage. The home run was Margot’s fourth of the season and his first off of a right-handed pitcher. 

Martin flashes the leather
We may not know how big of an impact this play truly had on the game, because it didn't feel like a dangerous situation. Austin Martin's play was fun to watch, though, and it needs a shout-out. He and Carlos Santana both exhibited great glove work.

What’s Next?
In the second game of the series, Pablo Lopez will take the mound for the Twins. Lopez is in a stretch of four games where he has allowed two runs or less and will look to keep that up against the Cubs. The Cubs will counter with Shota Imanaga, who is having an excellent first season in the MLB. The All-Star brings with him a 3.09 ERA to the mound Tuesday. 

Postgame Interviews

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TOT
Alcalá	0	6	0	23	9	38
Jax	0	8	14	0	13	35
Sands	0	0	0	33	0	33
Richards	0	9	0	22	0	31
Dobnak	0	0	0	25	0	25
Durán	0	0	6	0	15	21
Thielbar	0	0	0	0	15	15
Winder	0	0	11	0	0	11

View full article

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

Festa was dealing tonight. All 3 pitches were working very well together.

8 called strikes for the fastball which was very good again - most of those were painted. And the changeup worked really well off of the low fastball, a 53% whiff rate isn't too bad for a "30 grade pitch".

Bats did enough, Wallner continues to crush baseballs, I have no idea how that Margot homer got out with the wind blowing in. 

Bullpen was fantastic. Duran's velo is still concerning, which made it less surprising to see Jax come in for the save against the heart of the Cubs' lineup. He's earned it with how well he's pitched this year. 

[TheLeviathan]

We'd have won this game if Rocco didn't spoon with spreadsheets at night.

[jkcarew]

Cubbies a little flat after the big St Louis series me thinks. More runs needed tomorrow probably. But good job by Festa and bullpen taking advantage!

[Dman]

I didn't get to watch Festa pitch, but it sure was nice for him to get through 5 giving up zero runs and striking out 9 was impressive.  I hope he continues to  pitch this well at the MLB level as that would give us another impressive starter.

Got just enough offense to get the win and with Cleveland finally losing a close game they gain another game. Hoping for a sweep and to take that home series against Cleveland to make it a tight race.

[Blyleven2011]

Great game ...

5 game winning streak so far , let's make it an exciting week  and sweep the cubbies and  Cleveland  and be in first place for the week in review  ...

First place here we come  , i love long winning streaks ...

Love it when a plan comes together and the rookie gets the win , great job ( i wish i had it ) ...

[Richie the Rally Goat]

According to the Bullpen chart it’s Sunday again, but it doesn’t feel like Sunday

[Richie the Rally Goat]

22 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

We'd have won this game if Rocco didn't spoon with spreadsheets at night.

I picture Rocco is the little spoon, wrapped in the warm and cozy embrace of the sheets, flannel and cozy, with standards of deviation and regression models snuggling-in

[Fatbat]

That kid can make guys take horrible AB’s.  He has one heck of a future!!

[tony&rodney]

The Twins need to grind it out every game now. Lopez is up next and then Ryan on Wednesday afternoon.  It looks like it could be Ober, Varland, Woods Richardson, and Festa versus Cleveland. Who could have forecast that? All about execution and believing in the power of positive thought. I think the talent is there.

[TheLeviathan]

3 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

I picture Rocco is the little spoon, wrapped in the warm and cozy embrace of the sheets, flannel and cozy, with standards of deviation and regression models snuggling-in

Dreaming of that first Manny Margot pinch-hit no doubt.

[darwin22]

An absolute gem by Festa tonight!  Was aggressive throughout his 5 IP and attacked the strike zone.

Got to give credit to Margot for his HR to extend the lead to 2-0.

Castro played very well at SS as did Martin with each making a very good play on tough ground balls.

Can't ask anymore out of our bullpen!  4 scoreless IP with only 2 hits allowed and ZERO walks.  Thielbar looked very good with his dominant (3 Ks) 6th inning.

Hate to end on a down note, but the baserunning BLUNDER by Larnach was absolutely disgraceful! Not only did Larnach JOG to 2nd base on Wallner's 2-out---yes 2-out---drive to right center, but he STOPPED--not a pause after rounding 2nd base looking at the Cubs OFers.  That was the WORST baserunning play in that situation, that I've ever seen in 50+ years being a Twins fan!

In an earlier era, Larnach should've been IMMEDIATELY benched.  TK would have done it.  So would've Paul Molitor as well as other managers.  Not Rocco.  I know he wanted to give Buxton a day off, but he had options on the bench with Miranda and Lee both sitting out.  I would like to believe that this will be addressed by Baldelli.  At minimum, Larnach should be fined and imo,  he should step up in the clubhouse and apologize to all his teammates.  Totally pathetic effort. 

 

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

That was the WORST baserunning play in that situation, that I've ever seen in 50+ years being a Twins fan!

I believe Larnach was humbled by his moment and it was quietly addressed.

FWIW, Danny Ford was an exciting player who managed to set the bar so high for poor base running and likewise shenanigans that Larnach could never possibly reach that standard. I'm sure some other long time Twins fans can remember a gem or two from the Disco Dan Files. I loved that guy, but OMG, the surprises and blunders....

[JD-TWINS]

How much would/should Larnach have been fined if this turned into a real tight game?

Fly ball to the track in right-center ……2 outs ……..he starts on first then he’s two steps around second base and watching the fly ball……basically stopped and watches it bounce………..TWO OUTS……..he should have been able to back peddle to the plate. Instead, he was thrown out by 10-15 feet - absolutely pathetic base running!!!! Cannot play like that at this or any level - no excuse.

[darwin22]

5 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I believe Larnach was humbled by his moment and it was quietly addressed.

FWIW, Danny Ford was an exciting player who managed to set the bar so high for poor base running and likewise shenanigans that Larnach could never possibly reach that standard. I'm sure some other long time Twins fans can remember a gem or two from the Disco Dan Files. I loved that guy, but OMG, the surprises and blunders....

Forgot about Disco Danny Ford and won't disagree with you.  I'm sure others--Bombo Rivera comes to mind had major blunders, but I still stand by my comment.  Larnach is a MLB player and one that I do like.  Saying that, it doesn't excuse his pathetic lack of effort.  That was a BAD play for a Little Leaguer. Absolutely atrocious for a high school or college player,  For a MLB player just totally inexcuseable.

[SwainZag]

What a difference a few days make.   Doom and gloom looking like things are spiraling downward trailing Cleveland but a daunting 6.5 games.   Quick fast forward, that 3.5 game deficit looks pretty reasonable now. 

[terrydactyls]

6 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

Forgot about Disco Danny Ford and won't disagree with you.  I'm sure others--Bombo Rivera comes to mind had major blunders, but I still stand by my comment.  Larnach is a MLB player and one that I do like.  Saying that, it doesn't excuse his pathetic lack of effort.  That was a BAD play for a Little Leaguer. Absolutely atrocious for a high school or college player,  For a MLB player just totally inexcuseable.

Absolutely!  With two outs, if a batter makes contact, you put your head down and run until you hear a base coach tell you to slow down.  There is no need to watch the flight of the ball.  Baseball 101.  But maybe I'm just old school and advanced analytics says different.

[tony&rodney]

10 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

Forgot about Disco Danny Ford and won't disagree with you.  I'm sure others--Bombo Rivera comes to mind had major blunders, but I still stand by my comment.  Larnach is a MLB player and one that I do like.  Saying that, it doesn't excuse his pathetic lack of effort.  That was a BAD play for a Little Leaguer. Absolutely atrocious for a high school or college player,  For a MLB player just totally inexcuseable.

It was a bad play. Please remember that as much as we want to believe that these things should never happen, people make mistakes. I'm sure Trevor was mortified by his blunder.

I played against Bombo Rivera in senior men's ball. He was just another regular guy and was trying to have fun like all of the rest of us. 

[tony&rodney]

23 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

How much would/should Larnach have been fined if this turned into a real tight game?

Fly ball to the track in right-center ……2 outs ……..he starts on first then he’s two steps around second base and watching the fly ball……basically stopped and watches it bounce………..TWO OUTS……..he should have been able to back peddle to the plate. Instead, he was thrown out by 10-15 feet - absolutely pathetic base running!!!! Cannot play like that at this or any level - no excuse.

I know when I effed up I was harder on myself than any 100 people could ever be. Sometimes the brain fails.

Does Larnach have a history of malaise, lazy output, or carelessness? His blunder was not a good look. We can recognize it and still move on without extracting any blood. OK? 

One of the strengths of a good baseball player is an ability to move on from the triumphs and embarrassments of yesterday to focus on the task at hand.  Let's hope Larnach comes to play tomorrow, focused on the game and not yesterday.

[JD-TWINS]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I know when I effed up I was harder on myself than any 100 people could ever be. Sometimes the brain fails.

Does Larnach have a history of malaise, lazy output, or carelessness? His blunder was not a good look. We can recognize it and still move on without extracting any blood. OK? 

One of the strengths of a good baseball player is an ability to move on from the triumphs and embarrassments of yesterday to focus on the task at hand.  Let's hope Larnach comes to play tomorrow, focused on the game and not yesterday.

I get the sentiment and won’t hold it against him forever. ……..you weren’t getting paid $700,000 to know how many outs there are and to take off on a fly ball (contact) and hustle around second and pick up your coach………Hawkins was trying not to go off on him - this was 60 seconds, maybe a bit more, after he didn’t go to second base on the throw home - Hawkins pointed out that he made a probable base running mistake in that play…….one would think that would make him sensitive to the situation - right?

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

Absolutely!  With two outs, if a batter makes contact, you put your head down and run until you hear a base coach tell you to slow down.  There is no need to watch the flight of the ball.  Baseball 101.  But maybe I'm just old school and advanced analytics says different.

It wasn't a hustle mistake, it was a mental mistake.  The same mental mistake Castro made several weeks ago when he forgot how many outs in center and a run scored.  If you have the wrong number of outs programed, you operate on the wrong base running rules. Even slightly possible the first base coach was wrong, we will never know.

It's the same mistake Festa made when he lost track of the count.  These all need cleaned up and can easily be fixed but it's also the dog days of August. 

He will be fine.

[Goofé Dean]

Watched the Cubs telecast. Joe Girardi, their color man, was in fine form: he had plenty to say early in the game about the hitting and baserunning by "Larnachs," and at the end he complimented the quality pitching from "Testa."

They also televised the seventh-inning stretch (and the gray-bearded former player singing it over the stadium PA system from the TV booth), which does seem very Cubs even such a long time post-Harry Caray.

[UK Twin]

Well, Cleveland will be looking nervously over their shoulders now. 3.5 games is nothing, and that's without the 4 game set coming up at Target Field. 

Great job by Festa, need him to step up now that we didn't acquire a SP via trade. 

Regarding Larnach, all it takes is a 3-4 second mental lapse for what happened to happen. He'll be angry with himself but no point dwelling on it. It didn't cost the team, learn from it, move on.

[CRF]

I'll take him over SWR right now. He looks good. 

[TwinsDr2021]

IMO all pitchers were helped out by how bad the ump was tonight (Both ways) it was hard to know what he would call a strike or ball, and seemed the batters ended up taking a lot a bad swings on pitchers that they really didn't know how they would be called. Festa was dealing, the change up was something special last night.

I will say that even though Larnach didn't score on. the Twins have benefited from some really bad outfield play the last few weeks.

Great Win!

[USAFChief]

6 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

It wasn't a hustle mistake, it was a mental mistake.  The same mental mistake Castro made several weeks ago when he forgot how many outs in center and a run scored.  If you have the wrong number of outs programed, you operate on the wrong base running rules. Even slightly possible the first base coach was wrong, we will never know.

It's the same mistake Festa made when he lost track of the count.  These all need cleaned up and can easily be fixed but it's also the dog days of August. 

He will be fine.

So what you're saying is, the Twins are not a well coached team.

[Whitey333]

Would somebody please tell Atteberry and Gladden that there is a game going on ?  I believe their job is to do play by play broadcasting of the Twins game not of their social lives.  It's been going on all year and getting worse!!!

[USAFChief]

One thing I found odd: top 9, Twins lead 2-0. Twins put runners on 1st and 3rd, no outs. Cubs play infield halfway in, closer to double play depth than in...Jeffers hits a sharp ground ball to short. They elect to turn two, granting the Twins a 3rd run.

Why would they do that? I think you HAVE to play to prevent that run from scoring.

Odd.

[Mike Sixel]

52 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

So what you're saying is, the Twins are not a well coached team.

No. Mistakes happen in real life. That's just reality.

[Mike Sixel]

20 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

One thing I found odd: top 9, Twins lead 2-0. Twins put runners on 1st and 3rd, no outs. Cubs play infield halfway in, closer to double play depth than in...Jeffers hits a sharp ground ball to short. They elect to turn two, granting the Twins a 3rd run.

Why would they do that? I think you HAVE to play to prevent that run from scoring.

Odd.

Agreed