MIN 10, SEA 2: Twins Treat Returning Fans With Dominant Victory

Box Score

Berríos: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Home Runs: Garver (2), Buxton (4), Arraez (1)

Top 3 WPA: Garver .148, Berríos .141, Garlick .122

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):

After a 2020 season in which the Twins struggled to get anything together against left-handed pitching, the Minnesota Twins exploded against southpaw Marco Gonzales on Thursday afternoon.

The scoring parade started for the Twins in the third inning when Kyle Garlick drove in the first run of the day on an RBI single. Then three batters later with two runners on, Mitch Garver connected on a 2-2 changeup off Marco Gonzales to hit his second home run of the 2021 season.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1380269313848971266?s=20

The Garver home run was just the beginning for the Twins offense as two innings later Byron Buxton continued his scorching hot start to the season, hitting his fourth home run of the 2021 season on a towering 435-foot home run to the left field upper deck in the fifth inning.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1380284769896960000?s=20

The Twins pushed across two more runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth before Luis Arraez pushed the Minnesota Twins into double digits in the run column for the second time this season with his first home run of the 2021 season in the seventh inning.

https://twitter.com/BallySportsNOR/status/1380301542151094276?s=20

On the pitching side for the Minnesota Twins, José Berríos got the start for the home opener at Target Field. Berríos wasn’t as sharp as his start on Saturday, but still got credited with a win on a solid outing, allowing just two runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight. Berríos struggled with his command, allowing 3 free passes, but was able to get key strikeouts when he needed them and limited himself to damage on a RBI single in the third and a José Marmolejos home run in the sixth.

Home Opener Excitement

Today’s home opener was arguably the most exciting one in team history as it was the first time in over a year that fans were able to cheer on their home team Minnesota Twins. It was a sellout crowd for the hometown faithful of 9,675 and they had plenty to cheer about.

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Max Kepler Removed From Game

After reaching base on an infield single in the bottom of the sixth inning, Max Kepler was removed from the game with what appeared to be some leg discomfort. It appeared that the injury wasn’t serious and was precautionary, but more information will be coming out to confirm.

Byron Buxton ... MVP?

It was another incredible game in an unbelievable start to the season for Byron Buxton who went 3-for-5 with a home run and just a triple shy of the cycle. After today’s performance, Buxton’s slash line is now up to .421/.476/1.211. Now finally getting the chance to play in front of fans at Target Field, Buxton received “M-V-P” chants. It’s much too early for any MVP discussion, but after so many years of theoretical potential, it’s so refreshing to watch Byron Buxton put it all together at the plate as well as in the field.

Postgame With Baldelli

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

What were your thoughts on today’s game? How confident do you feel about the prospect of this team moving forward? Did you attend today’s game? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

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