CLE 5, MIN 2: Ervin Caps Banner Year With 5 Shutout Innings

Snapshot (chart via Fangraphs)

How huge is it that the Twins were able to clinch early? The majority of the regulars got to take a day off. The focus for this weekend can switch from sprinting to the finish to tuning up for what’s next. Heck, Miguel Sano may even have the opportunity to test his shin in a low-stress game situation, though that still sounds like a longshot.

A bunch of the young guys got in today against a team that still had something to play for and faced one of the better pitchers in baseball. Cleveland is trying to fend off the Houston Astros in the race for the best record in the American League, and their starter today, Carrasco, ranks fourth in the AL in pitcher WAR.

While resting the regulars and letting the young guys gain experience was a win-win, unfortunately, the Twins couldn’t also win the ballgame. Not that it matters at this point, the Twins are locked in as the second Wild Card team no matter what happens from here on.

Now it’s not like it was a complete skeleton crew for the Twins. Ervin Santana was pitching to Jason Castro. Robbie Grossman, Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler were also in the lineup, but it was pretty awesome to see a thinned out Twins roster at least hold its own against a 100-win Cleveland club.

Carrasco struck out 14 Twins hitters over 8.1 shutout innings. Mitch Garver drove in both of the Twins runs when he hit a two-out triple in the ninth. Santana threw 5.0 shutout innings, limiting Cleveland to four hits. He had one strikeout and did not issue a walk. He was very efficient, throwing just 57 pitches, but there was really no reason to push him any further than five frames.

Offense was up across the league this season, but apparently Ervin didn’t get that memo. He’ll finish the regular season with a 3.28 ERA over 211.1 innings. That’s the lowest ERA he’s registered since his 2013 season in Kansas City and the most innings he’s logged since way back in 2011 when he was still with the Angels.

Trevor Hildenberger and Alan Busenitz both gave up two-run homers and Nik Turley gave up a solo shot.

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Looking Ahead

Fri: Twins (Kyle Gibson) vs. Detroit (Matthew Boyd), 7:10 pm CT

Sat: Twins (TBD) vs. Detroit (Buck Farmer), 6:10 pm CT

Sun: Twins (TBD) vs. Detroit (Anibal Sanchez), 2:10 pm CT

Looking Back

CLE 4, MIN 2: Twins Lose, Clinch Postseason Berth Anyway

MIN 8, CLE 6: Twins Use Team Record 10 Pitchers In Victory

MIN 10, DET 4: Deja Vu All Over Again