Sherry Cerny

The Twins had a glimmer of hope in what needed to be a bounceback game, after dropping the first half of a Sunday doubleheader. It was extinguished in a torrent of missed opportunities and Red Sox runs, and now, the team is in real trouble. Image courtesy of © Eric Canha-Imagn Images Box Score SP: Zebby Matthews 4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (87 pitches, 55 strikes (63%)) Home Runs: N/A Top 3 WPA: Cole Irvin (-.405), Cole Sands (.-202), Carlos Correa (-.079) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) Zebby Matthews made his eighth start of the season against Boston in game two on Sunday, a makeup game to the rainout on Saturday. Matthews has been a really positive developmental story this season. It’s not easy to start in the league as a starting pitcher, and harder still to come in during a pennant race, but he's truly holding his own. Crucially, the youngster pitched well enough to provide himself with the luxury of pitching around Triston Casas twice--something Pablo López couldn't afford to do when Casas came up the first two times in the first game of the day. Matthews kept a calm demeanor, and the longer he stayed, the more locked in he became. The offense showed up big-time (by their recent standards) in the fifth inning, giving the kid some run support from none other than Kyle Farmer and Christian Vázquez, who have both been on hitting streaks over the past 13 games. Farmer got the fun started with a single to first, followed by a single from Vázquez and another single from Byron Buxton bringing home Farmer to get the Twins on the board first. After the Buxton RBI, Trevor Larnach singled on a hard sharp line drive to right field bringing in Vasquez to go up 2-0 on the Red Sox. Matthews didn’t get to finish out the fifth. Manager Rocco Baldelli replaced him with Cole Irvin with two outs, one on base and lefty Jarren Duran coming in. Irvin walked his primary assigned man, though, which brought Romy Gonzalez to the plate. Improbably, yet predictably, the light-hitting Gonzalez clubbed a three-run homer, giving the Red Sox the 3-2 lead in a split second. Irvin continued to implode as his appearance went on, hitting Wilyer Abreu with a sinker that didn’t move. Irvin was taken out of the game after throwing 25 pitches and recording just two outs. Cole Sands came in to prevent runners from doing any further damage in the sixth inning, but after a single to load the bases, he hit Ceddanne Rafaela in the same place as Abreu, walking in a run and putting the Red Sox up 4-2. Then, in the blink of a weary eye, a double on a fly ball from Duran brought in three more to run up the score: 7-2. The bleeding didn’t stop. Sands was replaced by Michael Tonkin, who gave up two more runs before the inning closed out at 9-2. The Twins rallied in the eighth, managing to load the bases and bringing up Willi Castro with two outs. Castro battled through the at-bat, refusing to go down without a fight. Watching Castro’s appearances has been a fun part of the game, he continues to stay disciplined and make the pitchers work, driving up the count. Josh Winckowski was brought in to relieve starter Kutter Crawford, and Castro worked him up to a full count before taking a walk, bringing in a run and another RBI to narrow the gap to 9-3. Carlos Santana came up to bat, and while he battled, too, he ended up hitting a harmless fly ball to kill the rally. What’s Next? The Twins have Monday off, which is welcome news. They head home for the final week of the campaign, starting with a three-game set against the NL-worst Miami Marlins, which is even more welcome news. The only question, alas: Does it matter who or where this team plays? Or have they become an unstoppable losing machine? Postgame Interviews Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article

After dropping the opening game of their series at Kauffman Stadium, the Twins needed to press the gas and rally out of their recent funk. Bailey Ober ensured that gas was pedal to the metal tonight, but the bullpen brought the brakes to a screeching halt in an other crushing defeat. Image courtesy of Peter Aiken-Imagn Images Box Score SP: Bailey Ober 7 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (83 pitches, 59 strikes (71%)) Home Runs: -0- Bottom 3 WPA: Griffin Jax (-.468), Jhoan Duran (-.241), Royce Lewis (-.128) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) Edouard Julien has not been in the leadoff position for some good time, but that changed tonight. Julien got the game off a good start battling against starting pitcher Alec Marsh, looking like his old self, and took seven pitches before hitting a line single to left. The Twins mounted a threat in the first but stranded two runners aboard. Bailey Ober faced the Royals Saturday night for the third time this season. His first and second meetings were both ugly losses. He could have pitched in August against the Royals, but they moved him off the rotation, potentially stoking his fire for redemption. Ober wasted no time setting the tone, striking out Tommy Pham, and getting Bobby Witt, Jr out on a pop-fly before bringing up Salvador Perez. The last time Ober and Perez met, Perez hung two home runs on Ober, so when Ober struck Perez in the shoulder during the first pitch of the at-bat, Perez slowly removed his guards and strolled to first base, never taking his eyes off of Ober. The pitcher was unfazed and finished the inning with no damage. The Twins and fans at the field and online welcomed rookie DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to center field and the lineup. Keirsey appeared defensively in the game on September 5th, but this game was his start, batting ninth. In Keirsey's first at-bat, he made contact on the second pitch, getting just a bit under it for a pop-out. He continued to make contact in each at-bat and showed promise for being a solid big-league hitter. In his second AB, Julien notched a double, putting him in the scoring position for Miranda, who'd struck out his first time up. Miranda squared up and hit a line-drive triple, scoring Julien. Wallner came up to bat and swung so hard at the first pitch he knocked himself down, but his next swing found contact, resulting in another line drive double, scoring Miranda for back-to-back runs, producing hits, and giving the Twins a 2-0 lead on the Royals. The game remained relatively calm for a while. The Royals brought in lefty reliever Daniel Lynch in the sixth, and he completely shut the Twins down for three innings. Ober cruised through inning after inning, retiring the last 15 men he faced. With a 2-0 lead, and Ober still at 83 pitches, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli made the controversial decision to bring in Jhoan Duran for the eighth inning, Things quickly turned stressful. Freddy Fermin got on base, and Duran then hit Robbie Grossman with a pitch to put up two runners on with one out. It was the most players the Royals had on all night. Kyle Isbel singled sharply to drive in a run, cutting the deficit in half. In this precarious spot, Baldelli pulled Duran and turned to Griffin Jax, with the tying run on second and go-ahead on first. Jax induced a chopper to short, but a charging Brooks Lee had no play at first. He threw it anyway, it short-hopped Kyle Farmer (replacement for Carlos Santana, who left with illness) and the Royals tied the game. Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a bloop single to take the lead. He was thrown out at home two at-bats later to end the inning, but not before the Royals had added another run. The Twins went down 1-2-3 in the ninth to cap off another hugely discouraging loss in an important game. What’s Next? The Twins continue with the Royals tomorrow in hopes of getting a win to not be swept. Simeon Woods-Richardson (5-3; 3.95 ERA) taking the bump against Michael Wacha (11-7; 3.50 ERA) at 1:10PM CST. Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article

The Twins announced on Friday that they're officially moving Louie Varland to the bullpen for the rest of the season. His latest performance made clear this was the right course of action. Image courtesy of © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Louie Varland’s potential as a pitcher is undeniable, but his optimal role within the Minnesota Twins’ roster is as a reliever rather than a starter. Now, he'll be able to fulfill that role with the team announcing Friday that he's officially moving to the bullpen. This comes after his latest performance added to Varland's track record of fluctuations in performance, and wavering ability to maintain effectiveness across multiple innings. He can help the Twins. But it' became all the more clear he wasn't going to do it in a starting role. Although it further thins out the team's starting depth, moving him to the late innings will allow Varland to be the best pitcher he can be. His performance metrics, pitch selection, stamina concerns, and ability to handle high-pressure situations all suggest that his talents could be better utilized in relief. Starting pitching involves a deep array of pitches and the ability to adjust strategies as the game progresses. Varland has shown potential with a few compelling pitches, but his pitch selection has sometimes seemed less versatile than what is typically needed for a starter. Meanwhile, his stuff has clearly played down after one trip through the order. Varland’s ability to perform under pressure has been notable, and his stuff tends to play up in shorter appearances. The bullpen role allows him to leverage his strengths in tight spots, a scenario where his competitive nature and sharpness could shine more brightly compared to the extended grind of a starting role. Varland absolutely has a phenomenal arm and has shown he knows how to use it, but his execution after more than three or four innings becomes disastrous. Over the course of his age-26 season, Varland has shuttled back and forth between Triple-A and the majors, showing occasional bursts of improvement that keep failing to sustain. The starts and stops of his season were perfectly showcased on Wednesday night versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Entering after the first, Varland started hot through two perfect innings innings, but was obliterated in the fourth inning, giving up eight runs before finally being relieved by pitcher Scott Blewett to close out the inning. The defense did not help Varland in that situation, however, it was another example of the right-hander running into rocky tides after initial smooth sailing. By transitioning Varland to the bullpen, the team can utilize his skills in a role where he will have a more immediate impact. Additionally, this move allows the Twins to balance their rotation while maximizing Varland’s effectiveness in shorter, high-stakes situations. Wednesday's game was a microcosm of what we saw last year, when Varland demonstrated a sharp contrast between two pitching roles. Between April 2023 and June 2023, Varland started 10 games and posted a 5.30 ERA, striking out 54 and allowing 14 home runs in 56 innings. He went to Triple-A and returned in September as a starter, working his way into increasingly high-level spots, striking out 17 over 12 innings with a 1.50 ERA. As we've seen, Varland can maximize his effectiveness in a bullpen role by focusing on his best pitches in high-leverage situations without needing a deep arsenal to navigate an entire lineup. The more he can go to this best pitches and avoid batters seeing any one pitch too much, the better off he'll be. By focusing Varland on high-leverage relief appearances, the Twins can harness his strengths more effectively while also preserving his durability for the long term. As the team continues to refine its pitching strategy, embracing Varland’s role in the bullpen could be a savvy move that benefits both the pitcher and the team. What do you think? Are you excited to see Varland in the bullpen again? Do you think it's a switch that will (or should) stick permanently this time? Share your thoughts in the comments. View full article

The Twins are jockeying for wild-card position with the Kansas City Royals, who have outplayed both Minnesota and Cleveland since the All-Star break, setting this weekend series at Kauffman up as a big one. The Royals set an emphatic tone in the opener. Image courtesy of Denny Medley-Imagn Images Box Score SP: Zebby Matthews 5 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (89 pitches, 60 strikes (67%) Home Runs: None Bottom 3 WPA: Zebby Matthews (-.122), Carlos Santana (-.064), Austin Martin (-.064) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Twins and the Royals have met 11 times this season, starting with the first series out of spring training. The Twins have won all three series heading into this final showdown of the season, with the two teams neck-and-neck for second place in the division and the race for the wild card. This was rookie Zebby Matthews' second time facing the Royals. His first meeting was his major-league debut, and he got the win. Matthews outlasted Royals pitcher Seth Lugo, staying on the mound for five innings, throwing 77 pitches, only two earned runs, no walks, and five strikeouts. However, Matthews' most recent start against Toronto was a very rough one. Tonight, he looked to bounce back against veteran Royals All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans. The offense was going to be challenged to put up some runs to help the rookie out like they did the last time against KC. Minnesota's lineup could not get on the board early on in the game. They mounted a threat against Ragans in the first but couldn't capitalize. Twins hitters spent the next six innings chasing pitches and striking out against Ragans, who was dominant. The Twins' best threat to score came in the fourth. Kyle Farmer was on first when Austin Martin hit a ball deep into the left field corner. Tommy Watkins the third base coach waved Farmer around, and the relay from Bobby Witt Jr. made it to catcher Salvador Perez who easily tagged Farmer out to end the inning. The sends from Watkins have been questionable lately and have created some frustrating outcomes for the players. The Royals struck first on an RBI double from Tommy Pham, bringing home Kyle Isbel, who was Matthews's only walk of the game. The defense and Matthews' pitching kept the Royals to one run until Michael Massey hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth for a 2-0 lead. Kansas City tacked on two more in the fifth, and Matthews exited down 4-0. Ronny Henriquez came in for the sixth and seventh innings and not only had two clean outings on 13 pitches but was assisted by a fantastic catch from Martin to rob MJ Melendez of continuing the inning. Caleb Thielbar handled the eighth and gave up a run. The Twins never really had a chance in this one. The bats were dead on arrival, leading to their ninth shutout of the season. With the Royals now a half-game ahead of the Twins, these next two games are vital to the club if they want to stay in front of Kansas City in the playoff pecking order. What’s Next? The Twins continue with the Royals in this critical series. Bailey Ober (12-6; 3.95 ERA) taking the bump against Alec Marsh (7-8; 4.70 ERA) at 6:15PM CST. Both pitchers have been crucial to their teams, so it will be a battle. Postgame Interviews Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article

The Twins were shut out by the Blue Jays, but that's not the worst part of the night. Jose Berrios’ redemption game left the Twins and fans alike shaking their head in disbelief. Image courtesy of Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports Box Score SP: Zebby Matthews 2 IP, 10 H, 9 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (69 pitches, 45 strikes (78%)) Home Runs: 0 Bottom 3 WPA: Zebby Matthews (-.462), Trevor Larnach (-.017), Matt Wallner (-.014) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Past vs. The Present Saturday night’s pitching matchup had some history as it was a rematch of last year’s Game 1 of the Wild Card round. Tonight’s matchup - Jose Berrios versus Zebby Matthews - has some history, too, but in a more philosophical vein. When Berrios was traded from the Twins to the Blue Jays in 2021, many assumed the Twins’ impetus was primarily financial. Berrios had talked openly about looking forward to free agency. The reality was that any contract extension to extend his time as a Twin wouldn’t include any significant hometown discount. Indeed, after being traded to the Blue Jays, he did sign an extension, but that 7-year, $131M contract reflected costs similar to what he might have made as a free agent. However, looking at the path the Twins have taken since then, especially with their starting pitching, suggests there may have been a philosophical component, too. Berrios was drafted, developed, and made his Major League debut while Terry Ryan was the Twins GM. Berrios was a bit of an outlier compared to other pitchers that Ryan’s group developed. He was shorter (6’ 0”), had higher velocity (93 mph fastball), was drafted out of high school, and displayed a higher strikeout rate than, say, Kyle Gibson, Scott Baker, or Kevin Slowey. But like them, he was an early draft pick (1st round) and steadily marched through the minors, duplicating his stuff and success from level to level. On the other hand, his rival tonight represented the prototypical template of Derek Falvey’s overhaul of the Twins' pitching pipeline. Matthews was not a high draft pick (8th round). His velocity (95 mph) and stuff have jumped considerably from when he was drafted. And his progression through the minors has been anything but slow and steady; he started this year in A ball. This is not to say that Matthews will have anywhere near Berrios' career. Indeed, projecting any pitching prospect to match that career thus far - starting 238 games with a career 4.10 ERA and 1319 punchouts - is more than optimistic. Plus, at only 30 years old, Berrios is not done yet. But in retrospect, it’s easy to see that Berrios did not fit the template that the new Twins front office had in mind for their future, especially given his future cost. Berrios can be seen as representing the last example of a different era for the Twins. Matthews, along with Bailey Ober and David Festa, represents a very different philosophy for how to find, develop and leverage starting pitchers. A Totally Different Story Tonight, Berrios outlasted Matthews, completing 6 innings and gave up no runs. Matthews, meanwhile, lasted two innings and did not return for the third inning after the Blue Jays hung nine on the rookie, leaving the bullpen to fight through the remaining innings. The Blue Jays continued to stomp on the Twins pitching pushing the score up 15-0, and the bleeding only stopped when the game ended. Honorable mention goes to Kyle Farmer who pitched the last inning for the Twins. He allowed one run, which seems insurmountable. The Twins offense was unable to compete against Berrios arsenal early in the game. They made an effort to start coming back in the sixth inning when Berrios started to give up hits, but the RISP continued to be an issue and the guys were left stranded. The Twins didn’t remain hitless, but they didn’t get any runs, getting completely shut out by the Blue Jays, their fifth shutout this season. What’s Next? The Twins continue with the Blue Jays in the last game of the series with Bailey Ober (12-6; 4.06 ERA) taking the bump against Yariel Rodriguez (1-6; 4.82 ERA) at 1:10pm EST, in hopes to secure the series before heading out on a long road trip starting with Tampa Bay starting on Monday. Postgame Interviews Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet John Bonnes contributed to this story. View full article

In the ever-evolving landscape of Major League Baseball, rosters and roles shift with the seasons. The Minnesota Twins have an intriguing opportunity to solidify their bullpen, by giving a more concrete gig to one of their up-and-down arms. Image courtesy of © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports Josh Winder has demonstrated a powerful arm and a dynamic pitch arsenal. His fastball (which regularly touches the mid-90s), coupled with an effective slider and changeup, can be devastating. Winder’s ability to generate swings and misses and his strikeout potential are invaluable in high-leverage situations, where every pitch counts. In his past four appearances with the Twins, Winder has pitched nine innings, and while he allowed seven hits and three earned runs, all of those were in his appearance back on Jul. 5. In his appearances in August, he hasn’t allowed any runs; he’s only had two walks and eight strikeouts. The fact that he is not a permanent reliever with the club is head-scratching. Winder started the season in St. Paul, before suffering an injury and needing to spend time in Florida. He was moved back up to Triple-A in May. Winder has allowed 13 walks and 50 hits in 38 innings for the Saints, and a .426 BABIP. His surface-level numbers are ugly, but the underlying indices are strong. His changeup is racking up whiffs at a phenomenal rate, for instance. One of Winder’s strengths is his versatility. Having experience as both a starter and a reliever, he brings a well-rounded skill set. His experience as a starter allows him to understand how to adjust his approach based on hitters’ tendencies and game situations. He has been brought up to cover for other relievers and injuries, and fallen victim to the numbers game in the bullpen. More than once, the Twins have sent him down simply because he was the arm they could farm out without exposing anyone to waivers. Injuries and that roster crunch have made it difficult for Winder to establish himself in the big leagues, but with players like Josh Staumont and Steven Okert now out the door, there's a pathway for him. Winder continues to improve, and has adapted well to being placed in a late relief position, showing he has what it takes to adjust. His calm demeanor, ability to stay focused, and track record indicate he has the mental fortitude to excel, which the Twins need, especially if they want to make a postseason run. Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, and Cole Sands are trustworthy high-leverage arms for Rocco Baldelli, but they need one or two more. Brock Stewart is unavailable, and Jorge Alcalá isn't exactly dependable. A reliable late reliever to help when the arms are tired is essential for maintaining leads and securing victories, and Winder’s potential to fulfill this role could help strengthen the Twins' overall performance and playoff aspirations. The Twins went out and got Trevor Richards at the trade deadline, seemingly more to appease the masses than to materially improve, but that was the last thing they indeed did, and with the injuries from Chris Paddack and Joe Ryan, not making a massive move for the bullpen is something that has affected the team. While there are complaints about Baldelli’s bullpen management, it's extremely challenging to manage what you don’t have. Winder’s combination of pitch mix, control, mental toughness, and versatility makes him an appealing option for the Minnesota Twins’ relief corps. By allowing Winder a full spot on the roster as a late reliever, the Twins could benefit from a pitcher with the tools and demeanor to thrive in high-pressure situations. As the Twins look to solidify their bullpen and enhance their competitive edge, Winder represents a promising solution for helping secure victories. View full article

I felt ridiculous only in the sense that I know, there has to be a LOT of better pitching calls made and go ahead runs. I really like the younger guys and I think they can survive without Buck and Correa on the field, but there has to be some serious things done with the pitching and management.

I'm trying to believe we can do it ... I honestly like the team we have - but Buck and Correa do make a difference.

Buck says he feels good, but he continues to have problems with inflammation. I don't think he will be ready for a bit longer.

So I have to admit, the stance of the article was the youth on the team - but there are a LOT of things that I couldn't put in here that will lead to other articles. THere is NO WAY we make it to October without pitching. There is no way we can fully expect to create a winning postseason without strong bullpen. I really am impressed with the youth, but I do know Carlos and Buck make a difference. Also, Management on the field I agree with Plouffe as well. You are saying a lot of the things I feel.

It wasn't a do-or-die game, but it is getting to the point where wins become more critical every time. With the Royals sliding into second place with their win on Friday and the Twins losing to the Cardinals. Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray played a massive role in the Twins postseason run last year, and on this night, Twins fans saw a fun pitching matchup. Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Box Score SP: Pablo Lopez 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (96 pitches, 75 strikes (78%)) Home Runs: Trevor Larnach 2 (14), Matt Wallner (9) Top 3 WPA: Pablo Lopez (.257), Trevor Larnach (.252), Austin Martin (.042) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) Pablo Lopez took the mound opposing former Twins pitcher and friend Sonny Gray. Carlos Santana got a rare day off with Jose Miranda taking over at first base. While the team is very familiar with Gray and his arsenal, it will be their first time facing him since not re-signing him in free agency last offseason. Lopez wasted no time setting the tone with a quick inning, giving way to the Twins lineup to set the same tone. But Gray answered and reminded the Twins of who he was by ending the inning for the Twins with a nearly immaculate inning. The Cardinals continued to threaten in the top of the third as Lopez’s pitch count climbed. Victor Scott II hit a line drive double. Masyn Winn laid down a beautiful bunt. He was fast, but Lopez was faster, throwing to Miranda to get the out. However, the sac-bunt did its job to get Scott II 90 feet closer to home. With Alec Burleson at-bat and the run to home looming, Christian Vasquez threw a nasty pick-off to third baseman Royce Lewis to get the second out, and then Lopez struck out Burleson for the third out. Plays like this show just how solid the Twins' defense is and how smart Vasquez is behind the plate. Once the Twins settled in, they started to get hard contact on the ball in the third inning, starting with a double by Austin Martin and a walk to Willi Castro. Trevor Larnach followed with a three-run home run, giving the Twins the lead 3-0. The Cardinals pitching coach came to talk to Gray to calm him down, which didn't work. Lewis and Matt Wallner reached base on singles which meant five Twins reached base in a row. Lewis came home on a Max Kepler fielder's choice giving the Twins a 4-0 lead. Lopez struggled a bit off and on throughout the night, but managed to get out of the innings with no damage. In the top of the fifth, Lopez slowed down a bit and lost command, striking out the first batter, but allowing the next two on base. Vasquez took a moment to talk to his pitcher, then took a foul ball to the mask, leaving a small nick on the bridge of his nose, but he got right back into the game and helped Lopez get out of the inning unscathed. Larnach looked lost during his first at-bat with Gray, but it only took one time of seeing him to learn. Larnach launched his second home run of the game off of Gray in the fifth inning, and it was the first time Larnach had a multi-home run game. It gave the Twins another bump in their lead to 5-0. Lopez finished with seven shutout innings, with five runs of insurance. He left the bullpen to come in and close out the game. Griffin Jax came out of the 'pen for the 8th inning and maintained the shutout. The Twins offense got another chance to add some runs before the closer came in. Wallner hit a 430-foot bomb to centerfield. It was on the first pitch of Cardinals reliever Kyle Leahy, pushing the lead 6-0. Since returning to the big leagues, Wallner has had the highest barrel rate of any hitter in the big leagues since July 23. 2% ahead of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto of the Yankees. With a scoreless inning from Jhoan Duran, who hasn't pitched a game since the weekend, was a welcome way to end the the game. What’s Next? The Twins continue with the Cardinals in the last game of the series with rookie Zebby Matthews (1-1; 3.60 ERA) taking the bump against Erick Fedde (8-7; 3.39 ERA) at 12:10 pm central, in hopes to secure the series before hosting the Braves starting on Monday. Postgame Interviews Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article

As MLB teams gear up for the stretch run of the 2024 season, the Twins are without two of their best players, due to injuries that they might be able to play through, if the situation were more urgent. This strategic decision reflects a long-term vision aimed at balancing immediate success with future potential. Image courtesy of © John Froschauer-USA TODAY Sports One of the primary benefits of giving younger players increased playing time is the opportunity to build depth, and one thing that the organization certainly has is depth. The Twins' lineup has long relied on the contributions of veteran leaders, but playoff success often hinges on the ability to call upon a deep roster. Mitigating Injury Risks This strategic rest can be invaluable for players like Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, who have dealt with their share of injuries over the course of this season. Yes, Buxton is on the injured list with a hip issue, but the collision with the wall he suffered a week before that and his earlier stint on the shelf with inflammation in his knee are part of the calculus, too. Ditto for Correa, sidelined by plantar fasciitis but worth protecting especially in the light of last year's similar problem, plus the intercostal strain that shelved him in April and some plunkings that bruised and battered him earlier in the summer. By reducing their workload in the regular season's final weeks, the Twins can minimize the risk of injuries that might otherwise jeopardize their postseason availability. This precautionary measure ensures that both players are fresh and fully prepared for the demands of the playoffs. Despite missing them, the Twins have thrived in their absence. They are currently in second place in the AL Central, with a record of 70-55. This is mainly due to the contributions of several young players who have stepped up in a big way. Fostering a Competitive Culture While the big contracts and impressive track records boasted by Buxton and Correa lead fans to demand that they're out there at every possible opportunity, both players have showed increasing maturity and patience with their own injury problems. For younger players, this recuperative time for the high-paid stars is a powerful motivator and a chance to demonstrate their value. The result is a more engaged and driven roster, where each member is focused on contributing to the team's success. In providing young players with more at-bats and defensive innings, the Twins are able to assess their readiness for high-pressure situations. This enhances the roster's flexibility and builds a foundation of experience that can be crucial in October and for replacing players. These injury absences have also allowed veterans like Carlos Santana and Max Kepler to compete to keep their positions. Santana, who is a one-year signing, is certainly making a case why re-signing him may be one of the best things the club could do, even as José Miranda has asserted himself. Kepler, who is coming up on free agency, has gotten more time to show his worth, which some fans argue is not worth what he is up for in the offseason. Still, were Buxton and Correa both in the mix at this moment, the team wouldn't be getting a chance to regularly play all of Kepler, Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner, without a substantial opportunity cost. Impact on the Younger Players The increased playing time for younger players like shortstop Brooks Lee, Wallner, Larnach, and utility man Austin Martin presents several critical advantages, like experience in crucial situations, confidence, and the biggest one: chemistry. One of the most impressive performers has been Royce Lewis. He is batting .267 with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs. Lewis certainly had his setbacks twice in the season, but he is making things happen while healthy--and despite letting Buxton and Correa treat their injuries judiciously, the Twins have had the patience to keep Lewis fresh with days off since his latest return. We have seen the younger core find great chemistry: Martin, Wallner, Edouard Julien, and Miranda, who have bounced back and forth between Triple-A St. Paul and the parent club, have shown great on-field chemistry and continue to improve. Two of the most significant improvements are Wallner and Martin, on base and defensively. Wallner has been much better since returning from St. Paul. Last night against San Diego, he had a double and an RBI, pushing up his batting average to .259, and his OPS is one of the highest on the team at .954. Martin gets on base at roughly an average rate, and makes things happen once he gets there. His defensive play has struggled, but he has taken considerable measures to improve and, in Buxton's absence, has started to look more tenable in center field. Looking Ahead The Twins' decision (to the extent that it is one, which might be greater than some realize) to rest Buxton and Correa while leaning on their younger players is not just about the present; it's about crafting a sustainable future. This strategy aligns with the broader goal of developing a resilient and adaptable roster capable of competing at the highest level for years, in addition to ensuring the longer-term health of two players in whom the organization has a huge remaining investment and without whom they would be much less dangerous in October. As the 2024 postseason approaches, the Twins are positioning themselves not just for a single run at glory but for sustained excellence. By trusting their young talent and strategically managing the workloads of their veterans, the Twins are preparing for the immediate challenge of the playoffs and laying the groundwork for future success. The resulting blend of experience and youth could be the key to a deep postseason run, especially because it makes it more likely that the team will be at full strength when the time for one comes. View full article

The Twins continue to excel without Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, taking the series from the Royals and now clinching a second straight against the defending champs. With the division deficit down to two, Minnesota will angle for a four-game sweep on Sunday. Image courtesy of Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Box Score SP: David Festa 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (81 pitches, 54 strikes (68%) Home Runs: Trevor Larnach (12) Top 3 WPA: Willi Castro(.257), Austin Martin (.125), Ronny Henriquez (.092) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Twins lineup continues to impress and hold their own in lieu of team veterans Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. Players like Christian Vásquez, who just celebrated his 10 years of MLB service time, have been among those players who contributed to the on-field success. Vasquez struggled off and on throughout the season, but over the last seven games has slashed .375/.407/.750. He has come in clutch many games, giving the Twins insurance runs that have been valuable. The first part of the Twins lineup was retired quickly in the top of the first. Willi Castro was first up and got on base first but was stranded after Trevor Larnach, Royce Lewis, and Matt Wallner were victims of in-game outs, stranding Castro. Twins Pitching Keeps It Low David Festa started his sixth game tonight since coming up from Triple-A. Festa has been learning the difference between hitters in the minors and majors, with some hard contact, but he has continued to adapt quickly, and has thrown strikes at a surprising rate. Saturday’s start was no different. The Rangers struck first with a run from Wyatt Langford. Langford got on base right away with a single and was able to advance on the two groundouts from other players before finally scoring on the single from Carson Kelly. Festa struck out the final hitter to close out the inning, giving the Twins a chance to answer, but they went scoreless. The Rangers carried their lead into the fourth, where Eovaldi fell behind Larnach 2-0 and the slugger took advantage, hitting a 403-foot solo home run to get the Twins on the board. Eovaldi continued to battle with players at the plate, running up his pitch count, but managed to prevent more damage. The Rangers answered the same inning after Jonah Heim doubled with two outs, followed by another double from Kelly on a fly ball to center field, scoring Heim. Kelly drove in both runs for the Rangers. Festa saw just one more inning before giving way in the sixth two Henriquez, who didn’t allow a run through his two innings. Twins Keep it Spicy Although Julien struggled at the plate tonight he made some adjustments and hit a single on a curveball to start the eighth. Vázquez followed with a line drive single to center, putting two on with no one out. Eovaldi had a mound visit with Mike Maddux to figure out a strategy to keep the hitters from scoring, but in the next at-bat, Austin Martin singled on a bunted ground ball to Josh Jung. Martin was initially called out on the close play, but Twins manager Rocco Baldelli challenged. New York overturned the call, loading up the bases with no outs. The Rangers brought in veteran reliever David Robertson; however, Castro ripped a single on the first pitch to center field, scoring Julien and Vázquez to put the Twins ahead 4-2. There were still no outs, but it ended quickly with a groundout from Larnach and a strikeout double play from Lewis that had Castro in a pickle, ending the inning. The Twins continued the threat against in the next inning against pitcher Walter Pennington, with Santana getting on base, followed by Max Kepler who has been hitless through this series delivering a line drive double to get Santana on third, bringing Farmer up to bat and one out. The Twins forced the Rangers to make another pitching change to bring in Jose LeClerc to keep the damage low, but instead, Farmer hit a sac fly to center field and Santana got a chance to come home pushing the score 5-2. This is the first win for Henriquez, leaving the Twins 17 games above .500 with their the 70th win this season! It took them until September of last season to get to 70 wins. With the Guardians falling to the Brewers, the division lead is down to two. Interviews What’s next? The Twins wrap up their series with the Rangers tomorrow. Minnesota will send out Pablo Lopez (11-8, 4.67 ERA) who continues to slowly improve, against Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle (0-1, 2.79 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:25PM CT. View full article

A slew of roster moves have plagued the Twins over the past 10 days, yet the twins have forged forward, taking the series from Kansas City, and now face the Texas Rangers who are struggling this season to look like their old selves. Box Score Starting Pitcher: Bailey Ober 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (93 pitches, 63 strikes (68%) Home Runs: Willi Castro (1) Top 3 WPA: Jhoan Durán (.204), Bailey Ober (.160), Jorge Alcalá (.108) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) Is it Ober? Bailey Ober has been terrific this season. He instills confidence in the team and its fans, alike. Thursday night, he came out and tried to shake all that confidence, right away. Ober threw 28 pitches, loaded the bases twice, walked in a run, and gave up a sac fly before closing the inning with two runs. The Rangers wouldn't score again. The second inning for Ober went much better, keeping his pitches down and getting out of the inning with some assistance from the defense. No damage was allowed, and retiring the side took only 10 pitches. Ober looked more controlled and calm, compared to the first inning. He's been so consistently efficient this season that, compared to where he has been on the mound, Thursday night was rough. At the end of the third inning, Ober had 54 pitches. The nerviness of the whole thing was out of character, but the results gradually came to match nicely with his other outings. Just Some More RISP The Twins answered Texas's opening volley immediately in the top of the second, with a solo home run from Willi Castro, followed by Kyle Farmer, the next at-bat, who drove one to left-center field and was able to get around the bases for an inside-the-park home run, called a triple due to an error from Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras. Max Kepler made it on base after taking a hit by a pitch to the shin, but was ultimately stranded after back-to-back outs from Austin Martin and Manuel Margot. Twins Daily's winning "Make It Official!" game recaps are sponsored by Official Fried Chicken, which you can find in center field of Target Field. With a name like "Official," we know we have to be the best in the game every day, and from your first bite, you'll know thats a promise we make good on. Both teams sat stagnant, and then there was a glimmer of hope for the Twins. Rangers sent out pitcher Jose Léclerc, and it looked like he would cycle quickly through the hitters, getting two outs right away, one of those being a foul ball off of Matt Wallner's knee, who stayed in but then struck out swinging. That quickly changed, though, as Léclerc walked Carlos Santana with Royce Lewis on deck. During Lewis’s at-bat with a 2-2 count, Santana picked up his fourth stolen base this season, in preparation for what would hopefully be some help from Lewis. Instead, it was another walk, with José Miranda on deck. Miranda battled tough, but unfortunately struck out swinging, bringing the runners left in scoring position for the night up to five, four of those with two outs. One Run and Done...Finally Griffin Jax took over for Ober in the seventh, along with defensive changes. Margot slid over to center field and Wallner took over in left, after pinch-hitting for Martin. It was yet another scoreless inning for Jax, with only one on base, giving the Twins a chance to break out of the tie--only for them to do nothing in the eighth. Jorge Alcala kept the Rangers from scoring any runs, pushing the game into the ninth inning. With both teams unable to move the offensive needle, the battle came down to breaking the tie from the bullpens and who would blink first. Rangers reliever Kirby Yates had one out, a popout from Kepler, before walking Wallner (who then stole second) and Margot. On a wild pitch to Santana that bounced in front of Jonah Heim, Wallner and Margot advanced, putting them in perfect position to score. And Santana, who just fouled off a ball that was nearly a home run, punched a sac fly to right, allowing Wallner to advance and take the lead, making way for Jhoan Durán to close out the game. Duran worked through a long battle with Marcus Semien, but he closed out the game with the Twins winning 3-2, allowing us all to breathe, until tomorrow night. What’s next? The Twins continue the series with the Rangers Thursday this weekend. Tomorrow, the Twins send out Simeon Woods-Richardson (3-3, 3.52 ERA) who continues to slowly improve, against Rangers pitcher Heaney (4-12, 4.05 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. View full article