Twins Video
Box Score
Bailey Ober: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Home Run: Max Kepler (4)
Top 3 WPA: Bailey Ober (.427), Max Kepler (.226), Jhoan Duran (.087)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
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If you successfully navigated the complex superhighway of streaming services, or perhaps sheepishly asked one of your younger, hipper relatives to assist you in the journey, then the Twins vs Guardians on Apple TV+ awaited you as your award. Well-protected and shielded by valuable paywall, the resulting content, the 18-14 Twins—led by Bailey Ober—taking on the 14-17 Guardians—led by Peyton Battenfield—proved a surprisingly wise selection.
It was a pitcher’s duel, nearly completely barren of offensive ability for the first five frames as Ober and Battenfield served zeroes. A 4th-inning Josh Naylor double was the only hit for awhile; Battenfield’s no-hitter bid reached the 6th.
Ober’s success was not altogether shocking, but for Battenfield—a rookie making his 4th career start—the outing was magnificent. His cutter deftly alluded Minnesota’s bats, leading to whiffs and weak contact as the Twins could not understand Battenfield’s movement; many batters walked back to the dugout in confusion.
But fortune changed quickly. After Christian Vázquez singled to break Battenfield’s perfect game, Max Kepler worked a full count, sat on one of those aforementioned cutters, and blasted the pitch 440 feet out to right field, suddenly catapulting the Twins ahead with a 2-0 advantage.
This author’s loud father would like the people of Twins Daily to know that he predicted the homer. He was insufferable.
With renewed vigor, and a lead for once, Ober continued his mission to mow down the Guardians. José Ramírez singled to apply some pressure, but two straight outs neutered his hit. With Ramírez on second, Oscar Gonzalez shot a grounder off the plate, sending a high, lazy fly ball to the pitcher’s mound; Ober needed to make a play. He did, catching the ball and firing to Donovan Solano off his back foot with not enough juice to catch Gonzalez. Ramírez—sensing an opportunity—scrambled home to try and score Cleveland’s first run, but Solano—quick-witted and aware—fired a throw to Vázquez, and nailed the runner at the plate.
And so Ober’s night came to a close. The results were astounding: 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 earned runs, 1 walks, and 6 strikeouts constituted one of the finest starts of his career; Minnesota will need more of that going forward as they look to patch their rotation following two critical injuries.
Jorge López worked a breezy 8th inning to set up Jhoan Duran in the 9th.
With maybe a desire for some drama, or because of elusive command, Duran kept the game interesting. A lead-off walk of Steven Kwan sunk the pit in Twins’ fans stomachs deeper; a blown lead felt inevitable. But Duran disagreed, and three unceasing outs capped by a strikeout of Josh Naylor ended the game in favor of the Twins.
Notes:
Bailey Ober's seven-inning start was the second-longest of his career.
Max Kepler has now hit 15 homers at Progressive Field—the most non-Target Field total of his career.
Jhoan Duran's seven saves ties him for sixth in MLB.
Post-Game Interview:
What’s Next?
Sonny Gray will face off against Logan Allen (the new one) in game two of the series; first pitch is at 5:10 PM.
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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