Twins Video
Box Score
Dallas Keuchel: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Home Runs: Carlos Correa (18)
Top 3 WPA: Carlos Correa (.121), Andrew Stevenson (.120), Caleb Thielbar (.086)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
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It had been a while: the Twins and Mets played each other for the first time since 2019, when Minnesota shockingly decimated Jacob deGrom in the middle of his historic terror, and Luis Arraez shook his head into our hearts with his legendary pinch-hit walk off of Edwin Díaz. Those may have been in two separate series, but such memorable events coming from these two teams facing off spoke to something happening tonight. Folks... just wait.
Kodai Senga started for New York. The 30-year-old Japanese sensation entered the game with an excellent 2023 already behind him, as his special “ghost-fork” has helped strike out the world. He’s had his issues, though: command occasionally eludes him, as the fork ball refuses to ever truly be mastered, and the Twins were well-prepared to wait him out early.
Jorge Polanco walked in the 1st, giving Minnesota their first base runner of the night. They quickly had their second base runner of the night; Royce Lewis scalded a double into the left-field corner, allowing Polanco to gallop home.
Dallas Keuchel appreciated the help. The veteran lefty was matched up against a lineup likely far younger than the Mets expected to have at this time of the year—and he diced them up with ease. He worked the edges early, opening up his arsenal of looping off-speed pitches. Usually behind in the count, New York’s rookies flailed helplessly, jutting all sorts of ligaments out over the plate as they swung in vain to make contact. He struck out six.
But, things weren’t always smooth sailing—the Mets still employed some talented veterans, after all—and Keuchel ran into trouble in the 4th inning. A walk and a pounded double by Pete Alonso placed two runners in scoring position. Francisco Lindor then caught a cutter far to center-cut not to hit, and plated both runners with a double. Keuchel escaped the trouble with yet another signature double play.
And the lead lasted four pitches. Carlos Correa—who was once almost a Met, if your memory can extend back that far—pulverized a Senga offering into the second deck. The ball looked to be rising as it reached the seats.
Things settled; Senga found control not previously seen on Saturday, and the Twins began their adventure through their bullpen. Runners sometimes reached, but all rallies died a tepid death.
That is, until the bottom of the 7th inning, when perhaps the most ridiculous play since Miguel Sanó lined a ball into right against the Tigers in 2022. With Andrew Stevenson on 2nd and Willi Castro on 1st, the Twins called for a double steal, sending both runners bolting for the next base. Sean Reid-Foley’s offering hit the dirt, shooting by Francisco Álvarez to give the runners their desired base. Stevenson was greedy. He took a few extra steps before letting the universe know through body language that he (messed) up. He scrambled back to third base. Álvarez’s throw scooted into left, sending Stevenson home; Tim Locastro’s throw scooted beyond anyone’s grasp, making Stevenson safe.
And, the Twins tacked on two more runs.
(The second scored on a Max Kepler dying quail that Bally Sports evidently deemed not cool enough to tweet).
That was about it. Jhoan Duran shook off drama after firing a 103 MPH to nowhere in particular, re-finding the strike zone, and ending the game with a pair of strikeouts and a fielder's choice.
Notes:
Dallas Keuchel's six strikeouts were the most for him in one outing since joining the Twins.
Carlos Correa is two homers away from having his 7th 20+ home run season in MLB.
Willi Castro's 31st stolen base ties him with 1976 Larry Hisle and 2001 Luis Rivas for the 14th-highest single season total in Twins history.
Royce Lewis' pair of doubles gave him his first multi extra-base-hit game since August 24th.
Post-Game Interview:
What’s Next?
The Twins and Mets will play the second game of their series on Saturday. First pitch will exit Kenta Maeda’s right hand at 1:10 PM.
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
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