Week in Review: Streaking Through Setbacks

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The Weekly Nutshell:
Late last season and early this season, it seemed like the Minnesota Twins could not overcome any type of adversity or tribulation. A stiff breeze was liable to knock them over, and you could safely bet they weren't going to get back up off the mat. The lack of resilience was maddening. Over the last couple weeks, that script has flipped entirely.

The hits keep coming and yet the winning won't stop for Minnesota, which rattled off five more wins on the road last week before finally ending the streak on Sunday in a solid, competitive game. Already playing without multiple key hitters, the Twins lineup suffered another devastating blow on Thursday when Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa collided violently in the outfield on Thursday, ultimately landing both players on the injured list with concussions. 

How did the team respond? By going into Milwaukee and not missing a beat. The pitching staff has been picking up a battered lineup by keeping opponents off the board to an almost unprecedented extreme. The Twins logged three consecutive shutouts and strung 35 straight scoreless innings before finally letting up on Sunday in the streak ending loss.  

The Twins have emphatically reasserted themselves as a force in the AL Central, and now they've got a big week at home on tap against two divisional rivals. They'll be shorthanded but undoubtedly more self-assured than the last time they faced either of these opponents. No team in baseball has been better over the past two-plus weeks.

Weekly Snapshot: Mon, 5/12 through Sun, 5/18
***
Record Last Week: 5-1 (Overall: 26-21)
Run Differential Last Week: +16 (Overall: +35)
Standing: 2nd Place in AL Central (5.0 GB) 

Last Week's Game Results:

Game 42 | MIN 6, BAL 3: Offense Adds Late, Bullpen Brilliant Once Again

• Twins bullpen: 4.1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 7 K 

Game 43 | MIN 8, BAL 6: Clemens Keys Late Comeback in 10th Straight Win

• Clemens: Go-ahead 3-R HR in 8th inning

Game 44 | MIN 4, BAL 0: Paddack Leads Charge in Sweep-Sealing Shutout

• Paddack: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R

Game 45 | MIN 3, MIL 0: Twins Pitching Plows Through Brewers in Border Battle

• Twins pitchers: 16 K, 1 BB

Game 46: MIN 7, MIL 0: López Leads the Way in Third Consecutive Shutout

• López: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R; Twins offense: 18 H

Game 47 | MIL 5, MIN 2: Matthews Loses Control as Winning Streak Ends at 13

• Matthews: 3 IP, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 H

IF YOU'D RATHER LISTEN TO THE WEEK IN REVIEW THAN READ IT, YOU CAN GET IT IN AUDIO FORM! FIND THE LATEST EPISODE ON OUR PODCAST PAGE, AS WELL AS ON APPLE AND SPOTIFY. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNELS SO YOU DON'T MISS OUT!

NEWS & NOTES
If you had to come up with series of worst-case scenarios for the Twins as they finally pull out of their tailspin and re-enter the American League power picture, Correa and Buxton running into each other and both suffering brain injuries would have to rank pretty high on the list. The incident occurred when Minnesota's veteran leaders converged on a pop-up in shallow center on Thursday; Buxton's call-off came too late and Correa couldn't get out of the way.

 

Both players exited the game (though Buxton finished his inning in the field). Correa was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list on Friday, and Buck one day later following a more prolonged evaluation. It's a tough break for Correa, whose absence will test the organization's thin shortstop depth, but losing Buxton is especially unfortunate. His health and production have been the biggest bright spot in this Twins season so far, even while the team was struggling. As it goes with concussions, there's no way of knowing how long either player will be sidelined.

As a silver lining, these IL placements did lead to a couple of storybook call-ups, with infielder Ryan Fitzgerald and outfielder Carson McCusker promoted from Triple-A. Both of these unheralded grinders have followed winding paths that included tours through Indy Ball. Fitzgerald, who made his MLB debut on Friday night, is on hand as more of a versatile bench piece, whereas McCusker – whose dominant performance in Triple-A instills a level of intrigue – could find his way into more regular action with the Twins in search of right-handed pop. He grounded out in his first plate appearance, as a pinch-hitter, on Sunday. Luke Keaschall and Michael Tonkin were both moved to the 60-day IL to free up space for the 40-man roster newcomers.

As icing on the cake, we learned on Sunday that Danny Coulombe would also be headed for the injured list, due to a left forearm extensor strain that he says he's been dealing with all year. He expressed a low level of concern, but it's notable that Coulombe underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow last summer. For now Kody Funderburk sticks around as the sole bullpen lefty as the Twins will be forced to proceed without MLB's relief FIP leader for at least two weeks.

 

In a non-injury-related roster decision, the Twins optioned Simeon Woods Richardson to Triple-A following his rough outing against Baltimore on Wednesday. Zebby Matthews was recalled from St. Paul to make his season debut on Sunday. Woods Richardson was far from terrible through his first eight outings, by the standard of a fifth starter, but the bar in this rotation is mightily high. For now, Matthews will get a chance to hold it down at the back end.

HIGHLIGHTS

The pitching staff is flat-out demolishing the opposition. They went on a run unlike any we've ever seen from a Minnesota Twins team, carving through 35 scoreless innings in succession with three straight shutout victories mixed in. Over their six games, Twins pitchers held the Orioles and Brewers to a 2.38 ERA and .179 average with 56 strikeouts and 17 walks in 53 innings.

As you'd expect when it's all coming together this nicely, the rotation and bullpen are contributing pretty much in equal measure. Chris Paddack, Joe Ryan and Pablo López produced scoreless starts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, combining to allow just seven hits in 19 innings. Matthews finally ended the shutout streak on Sunday, running aground after coming out of the gates on fire in the first. He exhibited some of the same tendencies that afflicted him as a rookie – missing spots, falling behind, paying the price – but Zebby also was firing 98 MPH and struck out five in three innings. That's some outrageous upside and talent to have in the fifth rotation spot.

 

The relief corps, meanwhile, continues to be near-flawless when called upon. After allowing just one run in 21 innings the previous week, the bullpen once again allowed a single run, in 22 ⅓, and it didn't come until the last inning of the week on Sunday. These guys are chugging Red Bulls and shredding batters with a relentlessness.

Jhoan Durán made two scoreless appearances and notched his eighth save. Griffin Jax struck out four over two shutout frames and has a 1.42 ERA in 13 appearances since his four-run implosion in Atlanta. Louis Varland also chipped in a pair of shutout innings, striking out three and lowering his ERA to 2.95 on the season. Cole Sands tossed five clean innings and converted consecutive save chances. Jorge Alcalá should also be commended for some quality low-leverage work, allowing one run and one hit in five innings across four appearances.

This is what we wanted the bullpen to be, and what we thought it could be. It's Cleveland-2024-level dominance and then some, or at least that's been the case since the first couple weeks of the season. This reliever group leads the majors in fWAR by a sizable margin, and they've moved into the top 10 for WPA which is pretty amazing given some of those huge early lapses. The Twins are so deep on trustworthy options, and they've even got guys like Justin Topa giving them value. It's really good to see.

 

On offense, the Twins are getting critical production from some unexpected sources. At the top of that list is Kody Clemens, who has not only locked himself quite firmly into a roster spot but has even elevated into the middle of the order, making back-to-back starts in the five hole by week's end. He's been the team's best hitter of late, going 8-for-23 on the road trip with two home runs, six RBIs and three walks. Clemens sparked Minnesota's winning streak with a go-ahead homer in Boston back in early May, and he continued to deliver throughout. 

 

Another unexpected but welcome difference-maker in the lineup: Christian Vázquez, who's been seeing more time behind the plate with Ryan Jeffers being used more at DH. Vázquez was 6-for-17 with a double and a homer in his four starts and has his OPS up into the .600 range, which is honestly perfectly adequate. Meanwhile, Jeffers continues to look dialed at the dish. He had four hits in Saturday's 7-0 rout of Milwaukee, and went 8-for-22 on the week.

Finally, Trevor Larnach is flourishing in his new role as leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching. He was a consistent threat against the Orioles and Brewers, tallying seven hits including two doubles, triple and home run in the six games.

And hey, since he gets (and got) plenty of flak when things go awry, let's give the manager Rocco Baldelli some props. The Twins were finally able to pull themselves out of a funk that seemed to be spiralling uncontrollably, and they've done it even while plagued by almost inconceivable misfortune on the injury front. That takes leadership. The ability of these players to steadily focused and let the results come has to reflect well on him. Plus, you don't win 13 straight games and reel off about a billion straight scoreless bullpen innings without a plan that is well conceived and perfectly executed.

The rumblings of a hot seat for Rocco have quickly become a distant memory, although his counterpart in Baltimore, Brandon Hyde was not so lucky, getting the axe over the weekend shortly after the Twins completed their second sweep over the Orioles in a span of 11 days.

LOWLIGHTS

The constant onslaught of attrition has thrown a wrench into the works during this winning run, keeping  the elation of a thrilling 13-game streak in check. Not only are the Twins losing players to fairly serious injuries, one after another, but those players happen to be utterly crucial to their ability to stay on a roll.

Correa still has yet to find his swing at the plate this season, but had been coming around in recent weeks and his presence is highly valued as a defender and leader. Buxton has pretty clearly been the team MVP through the first quarter of the schedule, and losing his bat alongside the already sidelined Matt Wallner and Keaschall deprives this lineup of three of its best hitters, for the foreseeable future, at a time where the offense is trying to find its rhythm and preparing to face some very tough pitching.

 

If you've followed the Twins for any length of time, I don't need to tell you how unsettling it is to see beloved franchise centerpiece players battling brain injuries. We've seen superstars like Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau have their careers permanently altered by blows to the head that seemed, at first glance, far more innocuous than the forceful impact experienced by Correa and Buxton on that play.

Obviously there's no reason to speculate and at this point, not much more to be said. We'll have to see what happens. The timing is especially rough as both players will miss, at minimum, almost the entirety of the upcoming six-game home stand against two AL Central contenders. But right now I'm less concerned about the implications for the team and more just thinking about Carlos and Byron as human beings. These guys have both dealt with so much physically and now to add this on top is heart-wrenching. Wishing them all the best in their recoveries.

Beyond the injuries that are pushing players to IL, much of the Twins' active roster consists of the walking wounded. Harrison Bader missed time with a groin strain, and though he's returned to play it is apparent that he's not 100 percent. (One telltale sign is that he's been playing left field with DaShawn Keirsey Jr. in center.) Willi Castro exited Friday's game after fouling a ball of his knee and hasn't been on the field since. Major-league baseball can be a brutal sport, but damn y'all, this group has really been hexed.

The next-man-up mentality has to win out for the Twins to succeed, and so far it has. Minnesota's beleaguered lineup will truly be put to the test in the next six games, facing off against a pair of premier pitching staffs. 

You can only expect so much from the Triple-A fillers who've been summoned out of desperation. What we really need to see is the few remaining cornerstone types to keep pulling weight. Larnach and Jeffers have been doing it. Is Royce Lewis ready to join the party? He showed some good signs with six hits in 21 at-bats last week, and on Sunday launched his first truly crushed home run since August 12th of last year. Up until then, Lewis had reached the seats just once in his previous 200 plate appearances, and "reached the seats" isn't quite accurate – one of the most weakly-hit homers of the entire MLB season barely scraped into the Target Field flower pots. In his last AB of the game Lewis came within inches of a game-tying second home run, only to have it robbed by Jackson Chourio on a spectacular play.

 

The Twins have gone 11-1 since Lewis was activated from the injured list, despite the fact that he really hasn't done much at all. So that's perhaps a comforting nugget of food for thought as we process the losses of Correa and Buxton.

TRENDING STORYLINE

There is a massive opportunity in front of guys like Edouard Julien and José Miranda right now. With all due respect to the likes of Fitzgerald and McCusker, they are not players that the Twins were viewing as legitimate major-league options six weeks ago. I do think that the front office continues to hold Julien and Miranda in that esteem, and to some extent these former standout bats feel like aces in the hole. But they've got to show something to make us believe again.

So far there hasn't been much to point toward as meaningful progress. Julien has a .214 average with just three extra-base hits in 55 plate appearances since his demotion to St. Paul. Miranda is batting .154 in seven games since coming off the Triple-A injured list. Both did show glimmers late in the past week: Miranda ripped three doubles over the weekend in Iowa (Friday through Sunday), while Julien had four walks and a homer. 

LOOKING AHEAD

Buckle up folks. The Twins have jumped to second place in the AL Central, but they're just a half-game in front of the Guardians and Royals, who are tied for third place. You wish that Minnesota was coming into this important stretch at anything resembling full strength, but it should be an exciting and competitive week at Target Field nonetheless. 

MONDAY, MAY 19: GUARDIANS @ TWINS — LHP Logan Allen v. RHP Bailey Ober
TUESDAY, MAY 20: GUARDIANS @ TWINS —  RHP Gavin Williams v. RHP Chris Paddack
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21: GUARDIANS @ TWINS —  RHP Tanner Bibee v. RHP Joe Ryan
FRIDAY, MAY 23: ROYALS @ TWINS — TBD v. RHP Pablo Lopez
SATURDAY, MAY 24: ROYALS @ TWINS — RHP Michael Wacha v. RHP Zebby Matthews
SUNDAY, MAY 25: ROYALS @ TWINS — LHP Kris Bubic v. RHP Bailey Ober

View full article

[tony&rodney]

Twins are playing well right now. Guys like Clemens and others are enthused.

Julien and Miranda were referenced, but they are both taking poor plate appearances into the field. Julien had an unfortunate non-play of a popup and the right fielder was visibly pissed at him for letting a routine ball drop for two bags. These two need to make major turnarounds or get run out by their teammates.

Meanwhile there is quite a bit of optimism in the two recent call-ups: Fitzgerald and McCusker. They can help the Twins. 

It all comes down to pitching though and the Twins arms are looking sharp.

[Parfigliano]

6 games this week against division opponents with whom they are basically tied in the division and wildcard race.  A real opportunity to separate from KC in the standings and get the CLE monkey off their back.   I hate to say that mid May series are important but these next 2 are important.

[stringer bell]

The injuries are concerning for sure. There is no way to know how long Buxton and Correa will be out and without them the up-the-middle defense takes a big drop, not to mention the two most established hitters. Three guys--Castro, Bader and France--have injuries that seem to be dragging their performance down and Wallner and Keaschall are weeks or months away from playing. 

The lineup seems to be a house of cards. If most everyone is healthy and hitting up to expectations, it is a good and deep group. Pulling a couple pieces out exposes a lack of depth. Lewis looks infinitely better than he did during the most recent homestand and if a couple guys get back soon, the lineup will look much better.

Kody Clemens had a week and for now it looks like he is a regular against right handed pitching. However, having Clemens, Keirsey and Vázquez all in the lineup is asking for trouble.

I don't expect great things from Fitzgerald and McCusker, but both are good stories and both have played well in St. Paul. Keirsey and Zebby Matthews are demonstrating that the last step (from AAA to MLB) is the toughest. 

It's too bad the squad is beat up when facing division rivals in the coming week. The pitching staff is in good shape and the Twins will lean on them to win games. I do hope people show up for the games. It looks like weather for the Cleveland series won't be optimum.

[Peter]

Huge week upcoming!!! I’ll take 4-2 series wins and get separation from Cleveland/KC-lets go twins!!!

[jorgenswest]

10 hours ago, Nick Nelson said:

So far there hasn't been much to point toward as meaningful progress. Julien has a .214 average with just three extra-base hits in 55 plate appearances since his demotion to St. Paul. Miranda is batting .154 in seven games since coming off the Triple-A injured list. Both did show glimmers late in the past week: Miranda ripped three doubles over the weekend in Iowa (Friday through Sunday), while Julien had four walks and a homer

Change takes time. Last year Wallner was sent down in mid April. By the end of May and 167 AAA plate appearances later his triple slash was 180/285/394 in the hitting environment of St. Paul. In the next 5 weeks it was 342/417/726 and he returned. His strikeout rate in the first stretch was 40%. It was a still high but manageable 29% in 132 plate appearances of his last stretch. They used that option to give him 299 AAA plate appearances to get straightened out. I am optimistic that at least one of Julien or Miranda will be able to make the necessary changes with their opportunity in AAA this year.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

If the fans don't show up for the Cleveland and Kansas City series this week, it won't be due to the Twins not winning, nor on unenthusiastic play by the players nor on Rocco's moving the players around nor the "cheap" owners nor the weather in the place where the fans choose to live. If the fans don't show up to support this exciting Twins team, then shame on Minnesota. 

[Blyleven2011]

It was a great run of exciting baseball , stressful because we wanted the winning to continue ....

With all the injuries , our replacements will need to keep their heads in the game and produce with small ball and occasionally a  homerun ...

Bunt , steal , hit and run to stay out of double play more often , hit to opposite field  , hit behind the runners to move them up into scoring position  , all this makes sense if executed by proper fundamentals ...

Play ball ...

[Brandon]

I don’t take Kansas City too seriously as their offense is beyond bad.  Their pitching will keep them competitive but they will end up below .500 if they don’t find some offense.  
 

Their pitching Twins have more talent than Cleveland so it’s on the Twins to finish the season ahead of them.  
 

Clemens and Vasquez and Bride have sure done a good job so far turning our bench around.  From beyond awful to great.  
 

For all of the talk of injuries on the team, our pitching has been pretty healthy this season.  Only a hiccup to Lopez and Coloumbe even have any of them on the DL at all.  
 

GO TWINS!

[Jeff K]

4 hours ago, Peter said:

Huge week upcoming!!! I’ll take 4-2 series wins and get separation from Cleveland/KC-lets go twins!!!

Given the current injury situation, I would be thrilled with 3 & 3.

[Jeff K]

3 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Change takes time. Last year Wallner was sent down in mid April. By the end of May and 167 AAA plate appearances later his triple slash was 180/285/394 in the hitting environment of St. Paul. In the next 5 weeks it was 342/417/726 and he returned. His strikeout rate in the first stretch was 40%. It was a still high but manageable 29% in 132 plate appearances of his last stretch. They used that option to give him 299 AAA plate appearances to get straightened out. I am optimistic that at least one of Julien or Miranda will be able to make the necessary changes with their opportunity in AAA this year.

I can't argue with your stats, but we have a ton of evidence that points against Miranda, and especially Julien, helping the team.  They both carry iron gloves, and Tony and Rodney reports that they don't appear to be overly enthused.  I don't like their chances.

[Blyleven2011]

5 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

If the fans don't show up for the Cleveland and Kansas City series this week, it won't be due to the Twins not winning, nor on unenthusiastic play by the players nor on Rocco's moving the players around nor the "cheap" owners nor the weather in the place where the fans choose to live. If the fans don't show up to support this exciting Twins team, then shame on Minnesota. 

 tarheel 

I won't support the twins at target field , most of us fans aren't spending our money on our beloved twins because of the ownership and the crap they have thrown at us the past few years ...

I do support the twins in attendance on the road at Milwaukee  , Kansas city , st Louis  , Chicago  ...

[tarheeltwinsfan]

37 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

 tarheel 

I won't support the twins at target field , most of us fans aren't spending our money on our beloved twins because of the ownership and the crap they have thrown at us the past few years ...

I do support the twins in attendance on the road at Milwaukee  , Kansas city , st Louis  , Chicago  ...

 

38 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

 tarheel 

I won't support the twins at target field , most of us fans aren't spending our money on our beloved twins because of the ownership and the crap they have thrown at us the past few years ...

I do support the twins in attendance on the road at Milwaukee  , Kansas city , st Louis  , Chicago  ...

I am sure it is fun going to see the Twins at the opponents' ball parks. In fact several weeks ago I went to Atlanta to see the Twins play and wore my Puckett jersey. And I plead guilty to not having traveled to Minnesota for some games since 1987 and 1988. However I have heard numerous Twins (Lewis, Jeffers, Correa, Mauer, etc.) say during interviews how much they appreciate the Twins fans coming to support them at home games. If I were a Twins' player, I would want to see a full house tonight against our current most hated division rival after the incredible accomplishments of the players the past 2 weeks.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It was a great run of exciting baseball , stressful because we wanted the winning to continue ....

With all the injuries , our replacements will need to keep their heads in the game and produce with small ball and occasionally a  homerun ...

Bunt , steal , hit and run to stay out of double play more often , hit to opposite field  , hit behind the runners to move them up into scoring position  , all this makes sense if executed by proper fundamentals ...

Play ball ...

I agree 100 % Bly.

[Doctor Gast]

This last week was mainly the continuation of the week before. The completion of the core & the chemistry that fueled the 13 game winning streak. Even after the injury of Correa, Buxton, Castro & Coulume with Bader playing hurt, the momentum carried them to their 13th win only losing the following game. Zebby blew the socks off the top of a very capable top of the MIL order (as well mine). MIL came in with a game plan of swinging at Zebby's pitches figuring that he'd be throwing strikes but he had other plans of having them chase outside the zone. Perfect, but MIL quickly adapted & Zebby had difficulty reining his pitches back in. 

Many were happy that SWR was sent down because the bum couldn't go more than 5 innings. I stated that don't expect Zebby to go over 5 either. I was happy that Zebby was given the chance to come up but was sad that SWR was sent down. IMO, SWR had things to work on but I think he had the ability to do so while in MLB. He had a less than spectacular outing his last game but so did Ober. We have been winning with SWR & I didn't think it was wise to further disrupt the group that was winning especially after losing a big chunk. SWR has the extra experience & maturity to adapt to the changing condition of the game which IMO Zebby could not. Because of the lack of chemistry hitters weren't capitalizing on opportunities especially with the bases loaded as before plus other situations that contributed to the loss.

We have very important  interdivision series coming up with CLE & KC. We have to have top pitching & defense & do a better job of clutch hitting to win both series. Prior I felt if we were behind we'd come back & win, With this group I'm not so sure. Hope my gut is wrong.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

The game has started and I bet there are not 5,,000 in attendance.