Twins Video
Starter: Kenta Maeda 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Home Runs: None
Top 3 WPA: Maeda .303, Polanco .142, Kirilloff .090
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):
Maeda had to Grind, Punches Out 8
As has been the theme for Maeda this season, he once again seemed to be fighting his control throughout the game. At least for tonight he was able to find a way to exit the game with a “0” next to the Rangers name on the scoreboard. It took some timely strikeouts to help the Twins starter get there.
Maeda fought his way through a big at-bat in the second as he faced Joey Gallo. After falling behind 3-0, Maeda was able to work back to strike Gallo out. It took another big strikeout to get Maeda out of a third inning that left two runners in scoring position.
What was especially encouraging about Maeda’s start was after a long bottom of the third offensively for the Twins, the righty seemed to come back with a different sense of control. He turned in a big 1-2-3 fourth inning and a good fifth inning as well. Maeda’s control still needs work, but it was valuable for Maeda to give the Twins a start in which he put the team in position to work towards a win.
Kirilloff Drives the Offense
It wasn’t only Kirilloff who had his bat going Monday night, but his bat did seem to be the catalyst on a night when the Twins scored five runs. The rookie paired a second inning double with aggressive base running on a Gallo errant throw to score the Twins first run of the game.
Kirilloff also helped spark the three-run sixth inning with another double hit to left field off of left-handed reliever Kolby Allard.
https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1389396535037861889
Arraez Goes 1st to Shin Guard
In a pivotal but strange moment of the third inning, Donaldson lined a double down the left field line. Arraez got going hard from first to score and ended up having Rangers catcher Trevino catch the ball right above him as he began his slide into home. If you didn’t see it you simply need to watch it below. After initially being called out the call was overturned as Trevino never actually placed a tag on Arraez.
https://twitter.com/HagemanParker/status/1389394212085542916
Donaldson, Simmons flash their leather
As Maeda struggled with his control, there were plenty of instances where a grounder through a hole or a defensive miscue could have seen the Rangers plate several runs. Instead of that, Donaldson and Simmons (outside of the ninth inning throw) showed us exactly why the Twins wanted to upgrade the infield defense the past two offseasons. Both turned in some excellent plays.
https://twitter.com/Nashwalker9/status/1389389067343863809
Bullpen Makes it Interesting
At this point it just doesn’t seem like a Twins game without some bullpen shenanigans. In fairness the Twins needed to try and see Waddell in a game and it unfortunately just did not go well for him as the Rangers scored three in the inning he started. Rogers needs to be able to get batters like Gallo out, but he is one of the more powerful bats in the league.
In the end, Rogers got the final out and the Twins got the win. We as fans will continue to wonder how the Twins can avoid these sort of bullpen outings in the future.
Postgame Interview
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
Click here to see the bullpen usage over the past five days (link opens a Google Sheet).








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