Joe Ryan Has Solidified Himself as the Twins Third Starting Pitcher in the Playoffs

I was confused at first, until I realised this article was written before Ryan's start last night.

No doubt in my mind Ryan is #3. He got knocked around a bit last night but I just don't see a better option at this time. IF they win round 1 I'm guessing Ober is #4. Maeda is in the pen, Keuchel is out.

I think it is still an open question or at least it should be. All three have been effective at times and not effective during some stretches. Last night’s game didn’t help this decision. And Keuchel isn’t even going to make the first round playoff roster. 

25 minutes ago, Karbo said:

No doubt in my mind Ryan is #3. He got knocked around a bit last night but I just don't see a better option at this time. IF they win round 1 I'm guessing Ober is #4. Maeda is in the pen, Keuchel is out.

This is my thinking. Now if Joe has another clunker with diminished velo it could change. Then it's Ober or Maeda. For the 3 game series maybe you don't need as many bullpen arms and Maeda gets the game 3 start, or Ober looks so good it's him. 

Poor timing on this article after last night. I think steal a game with Ober. Keep short (5) innings then 3 for Varland.

this average 90mph fastball is questionable.

Absolutely Not! Ryan's last two outings:

4 innings, 100 pitches 

5 innings , 4 runs and 85 pitches.

Maeda went 7+ and allowed only 2 runs on 95 pitches. He is #3 with Ober #4 & Ryan in the pen.

I'd go with Ober over Ryan.  Joe just has not looked the same since he came back.  Ober has dropped off some but not as much as Ryan.  Either of these two, or Maeda, would require a quick hook and a solid piggy back option IMO.

Maeda is my choice.   Ryans been rubber armed for quite some time now.  Keuchel cannot even be on the playoff roster.

he may be # 3..but he will get rocked in playoffs against good hitting teams. he relies on a very avg fastball w no movement...and is too bullheaded to realize he doesn't have swing and miss stuff

His first couple of starts after coming back, Ryan looked very good.  Last 2 starts, not very good.  You can't throw change-ups right over the middle of the plate, up in the zone and not have a hitter like Benson crush it.  (you also can't walk the RH #8 hitter with 2 out and nobody on either). 

Ober's first start was encouraging.  I'd like to have Ober and Ryan battle it out and the best man wins the #3 SP.  Loser goes to the pen.  I'd still prefer Maeda work out of the pen like he did for the Dodgers in the post season.  His track record is outstanding.  

Keuchel has pitched himself off the post season roster.  He's had some moments, but the numbers don't lie.  He gives up far too many base runners and too much LOUD contact.  With "Brock the Rock" close to returning, Paddock showing well in two 50+ pitch rehab outings and Funderburk looking good, those three will make Keuchel expendable.

I'm curious to see if the Twins will trim one pitching spot and add one positional player spot once the post season begins.  A guy with speed like Stevenson (or even an Austin Martin) could prove VERY valuable in late game situations in the post season where "small-ball" takes on greater importance than relying on 3-run HR's.  Of course, Rocco has to understand that and push the right buttons accordingly, but let's hope he does.  

It's tough.  Ryan has simply not been good in his career against good competition.   But I don't trust Maeda as a #3 either.

I just heard Falvey on KFAN saying starters get pulled earlier in the playoffs.  Here we go - my biggest fear for these playoffs.  Get ready for the Twins to try to win this series by neutralizing their strength (starting pitching) in order to live or die by their "not a priority" weakness (bullpen).  And we're not even going to have a starting pitching advantage to begin with if we play Seattle or Toronto (and Texas has 2 lefty options).  

But if Falvey is going to implement a 4/5-and-fly for starters, like he has in every single playoff game during his tenure, it really doesn't matter who starts.  The series will be won and lost in innings 5-9.  

1 hour ago, KBJ1 said:

Absolutely Not! Ryan's last two outings:

4 innings, 100 pitches 

5 innings , 4 runs and 85 pitches.

Maeda went 7+ and allowed only 2 runs on 95 pitches. He is #3 with Ober #4 & Ryan in the pen.

I agree. Last night did nothing to make me think this is a done deal. Game 3 will be do-or-die and the start last night was disappointing. I think, depending on the opponent, game 3 will be a decision made once they know who they are playing.

1 hour ago, MinnInPa said:

he may be # 3..but he will get rocked in playoffs against good hitting teams. he relies on a very avg fastball w no movement...and is too bullheaded to realize he doesn't have swing and miss stuff

Nonsense.

Kinda hard to average 10K/9IP without swing and miss stuff.  Ryan is actually above average there.

He didn't have the command yesterday to generate his typical chase rates,  When he missed, it was way out of the zone and non-competitive.

Good thing they have 2 weeks with additional starts from these guys to allow Rocco to get a better idea on which version of them we have going into the playoffs.  It would be a very difficult choice if WC game 3 was this Thursday.

17 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

I like Maeda potentially followed by Ryan in a playoff game. Very different styles.

Maeda has experience & I like Ryan’s stuff out of the Pen. It seems to take more cuts to damage Maeda v. the Big Swing with Ryan.

We’ll see over the next 10 days…….I think Ober sits first Series to get maximum bats on roster.

Kuechel is too much risk to bring into a playoff game - not sharp enough, consistently.

Ryan’s fastball command was poor last night and he can’t lean on his other pitches enough to be effective without his velocity in the zone. His high fastball has to be called or swung at 70% of the time. Last night it was a “take pitch” and then the splitter was getting tagged when it was up!

Agree. Or what about a piggyback with Maeda for 3-4 innings followed by Ryan for 3-5 innings

Is Ryan, at this point for some reason, suffering from a demon that has hampered other Twins pitchers , past and present;: a great game followed by  a game where he is kaput already in early innings.

Frankly, right now, for the Wild Card round, I’d rather put Maeda as #3 than Ryan. I have more confidence of getting 5 good innings from Kenta than Joe. I realize this was written before last night’s game but I still stand by that. 

‘Now, for the ALDS should the Twins go there, I am good with Ryan as the #3, especially if the Twins are up 2-0 or it’s tied 1-1. I’m not comfortable with him in an elimination game 

I am for Maeda at #3.  He has a much better chance at getting the job done, no matter what the opponent. Stick Ryan in the pen or Ober in the pen and leave Ryan off the roster until the next series. 

It's a no for me on Ryan.

He can change my mind though. 

Right now I'd give Maeda the nod.

And just like that, due to a bad start from Ryan and a good one from Maeda.  Ryan goes from the solid #3 starter to possibly not making the wild card roster.