Article: Why Weren't The Twins Pitchers More Aggressive?

[Parker Hageman]

The Minnesota Twins retreated from Canada on Thursday night, soundly defeated by the Toronto Blue Jays over four games. In the process they lost their postseason position and winning record.

 

Reflecting back on what they could have done better to quiet the Blue Jays’ mighty lumber, the Twins admitted they failed to dominate the space between the batter and the plate effectively. Thursday night’s starter Kyle Gibson, who was shelled for eight runs over four and two-thirds innings, told reporters after the game that he failed in his attempts to establish his fastball inside.

 

“I didn’t establish an inside fastball at all. That’s something I wanted to do and needed to do,” Gibson said after the game. “You have to do it against those guys. You can’t put yourself in situations where you have to throw pitches out over the plate, that’s where you get in trouble.”Gibson simply picked up where others in the rotation had left off before him. The big bats for the Blue Jays were far too comfortable extending their arms and taking advantage of the outer-half. For instance, Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson was able to launch this opposite field shot off of Ervin Santana.

 

Shortly before the Twins slipped through customs, the Royals had taken umbrage at Donaldson’s pimping home runs. Kansas City’s starter Edinson Volquez then drilled Donaldson square in the shoulders on a first pitch offering to start the last game of the series.In the first three games, Donaldson had smacked two home runs and three doubles while driving in seven runs. On that fourth and final game, after being drilled in the shoulder in the first inning, Donaldson finished the day 0-for-3.

 

Take a look at how the Royals pitched Donaldson the first three games versus the final three games when he received three pitches up at his chin level.

 

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Should the Twins have followed suit?

 

Clearly the Twins needed to keep the Blue Jays’ best hitters from diving out over the plate. Hitters like Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki absolutely uncorked on offerings which seemingly appeared like they knew where and what was coming. At the same time, pitching inside against the Blue Jays is tricky. If the pitch is thrown with the intent to dislodge the cleats from the ground but the pitch misses its target towards the plate, Toronto’s hitters have proven they can punch that ball long ways. Their .501 slugging percentage on fastballs inside is only bested by the Yankees (whose short porch in right field helps).

 

While it may not seem like it following this series, the Twins are actually pretty good at throwing hard inside. Pitching on the inner third is something that Twins pitchers have excelled at all season. According to ESPN/TruMedia data, the local rotation throws more of their fastballs inside (37%) than any other teams besides the Pirates and White Sox. When they are able to locate those pitches inside but out of the zone, they have proven to have a great deal of success.

 

The results are a lower batting average and slugging percentage than the league’s average.

 

Pitching inside may have helped achieve a few more outs and it may have opened up the far edges of the zone better to avoid the catastrophic moments. But here’s the thing: They don’t inspire fear. The Twins’ starting pitchers are not in the feet-moving business. They have maimed just nine batters with their fastball, the Yankees, Giants and Astros are the only teams that have popped fewer hitters with the heat. Twins starters throw inside to set up other pitches, not to send messages.

 

Getting in a knockdown war with the Blue Jays didn’t really help the Royals either. When the smoke cleared, they still lost the game 5-2.

 

So what about throwing a pitch at their belts to send a message about toning down the post-dinger celebrations? After all, the Blue Jays took more than their share of time admiring their blasts and circling the bases with their arms out.

 

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Meanwhile, on the rare occasion a Twins hitter slugs a home run that is really worth admiring, like Miguel Sano did, he nonchalantly dropped the bat and began his trot.

 

Baseball purists and Twins fans will probably applaud Sano’s tactics over the Blue Jays'. On the other hand, the Toronto hitters are having fun and providing some entertainment to the game. Throwing at players just because of showboating reeks of the “get off my lawn” mentality. Players like Bautista and Encarnacion are well within their bounds to pimp some shots while pitchers like Volquez who take exception to the show are within their rights to sizzle a fastball near their belt. That’s baseball.

 

In the end, throwing inside should be about setting up other pitches rather than sending the proverbial message.

 

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[Willihammer]

Parker I was surprised by your conclusion. After reading this part

 

 

.In the first three games, Donaldson had smacked two home runs and three doubles while driving in seven runs. On that fourth and final game, after being drilled in the shoulder in the first inning, Donaldson finished the day 0-for-3.

 

it suggests maybe the Twins should have followed suit.

[TheLeviathan]

I loved all the post homeruns celebrating and admiring. It almost looked like some fun was happening!

[Mike Sixel]

Oh boy, another chance to talk about how admiring a HR is somehow disrespectful to the other team and the game......

 

Twins lost because they aren't as good as the Jays, no complex analysis needed, imo.

[Parker Hageman]

@willihammer

 

I do agree the Twins should have thrown inside -- just not as a response for "pimping" or showboating.

[Seth Stohs]

Have to pitch inside... Don't need to headhunt, but hitting a guy in the back side, or in the thigh will keep them from diving out over the plate... 

 

It also makes that fastball and changeup on the outside corner and at the knees very effective.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I loved all the post homeruns celebrating and admiring. It almost looked like some fun was happening!

 

Not much bugs me more than that... I don't mind taking a second to watch it while jogging but just run the bases. The Encarnacion arm bar is just dumb. 

 

They're a fun team to watch because of their power, but man, I can't stand them!

[USAFChief]

I think pimping a HR IS disrespectful to the other team and the game. Drill em.

[Mike Sixel]

Ya, heaven forbid you get excited when doing something well.......

[Kwak]

Definitely pitch inside--inside corner of the strike zone.  Let them jump back--and watch it called a strike!  No need to actually hit them--just jam them!

[nicksaviking]

 

Oh boy, another chance to talk about how admiring a HR is somehow disrespectful to the other team and the game......

 

Twins lost because they aren't as good as the Jays, no complex analysis needed, imo.

 

Particularly when you consider it wasn't a normal series for the Blue Jays.  This was the matchup that pulled the Blue Jays into a Wild Card spot and perhaps showed that they should be the AL favorites.  When it comes down to it, this may end up being the series they point to as the defining moment in their season.

 

Had it been the Twins, excitement would have been expected as well.

 

Though I did like Sano's classy non-celebretory trot.  Jubilation when your team is winning sends a different message than when your team is actually losing.

Edited August 7, 2015 by nicksaviking

[Willihammer]

 

@willihammer

I do agree the Twins should have thrown inside -- just not as a response for "pimping" or showboating.

There's inside, and there's INSIDE. You mention inner third. I'm talking about those three pitches in your second photo, ie. INSIDE.

 

I'm more interested in the pre-emption aspect. If the Royals just plunked Donaldson and then saw him go 0-3, the Twins might have started Donaldson out peppering the ribs/shoulder area. Just to get into his head for the rest of the game and the even the rest of the series. Possibly snap that 20+ game hitting streak he has against us.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Not much bugs me more than that... I don't mind taking a second to watch it while jogging but just run the bases. The Encarnacion arm bar is just dumb. 

 

They're a fun team to watch because of their power, but man, I can't stand them!

 

Why care?  They hit the crap out of the ball 30 times a year - enjoy the hell out of it.  Bat flip and do all sorts of stuff for all I care.

 

But yes, our pitchers should be busting them inside so that they can own the plate themselves.  Just don't pitch them inside because you want the game played like a make-believe tea party.

[jimmer]

I absolutely hate the idea of purposely hitting people.  What KC was allowed to do to the Jays last week was an embarrassment to the game and that umpire crew needs to be punished.  Saying we should plunk someone out the gate in the hopes he'll have a bad remaining game is something I hope my team never endorses.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

I absolutely hate the idea of purposely hitting people.  What KC was allowed to do to the Jays last week was an embarrassment to the game and that umpire crew needs to be punished.  Saying we should plunk someone out the gate in the hopes he'll have a bad remaining game is something I hope my team never endorses.  

 

Amen.

[Craig Arko]

It's Minnesota. The Twins pitchers are passive-aggressive 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I wonder if pitching inside can really be taught. It's not for everyone. Sure you can call for inside pitches. It might be more of a personality trait though, to throw brushbacks at the appropriate time, bust a guys hands or take back ownership of the inside part of the plate when you feel you might lose it. Not sure. It's been a long time since the Twins have done it well.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I absolutely hate the idea of purposely hitting people.  What KC was allowed to do to the Jays last week was an embarrassment to the game and that umpire crew needs to be punished.  Saying we should plunk someone out the gate in the hopes he'll have a bad remaining game is something I hope my team never endorses.

 

It's a fine line, for sure. But what Kansas City does is straight up retaliation, unfortunately.

[big dog]

You don't have to hit them on purpose, but you have to make them respect the inside part of the plate.  You have to make them move their feet once in a while.  The Twins were just throwing batting practice the whole series, looking scared and nibbling.  Bust 'em inside.  If they get hit, it's because they didn't respect you.

 

And there's a difference between "having fun" and "acting like a jerk".  Having fun might be a bat flip, pumping a fist, pointing into your own dugout, watching it as it leaves (and while you are trotting), etc.  Acting like a jerk involves making hand motions all the freaking way around the bases, Tulo's full-body high five with the third-base coach, standing and admiring, etc.  

 

I don't get the argument that says if you don't like it, don't let them hit home runs.  Everyone hits home runs.  Not everyone has to be a jerk about it.  There are varying degrees of celebration that are possible.  Suppose I want to celebrate by pantsing the first baseman as I trot past him, because it's fun.  Do I get to choose how I have fun?

[Loosey]

When I think of pitching inside I don't think of plunking guys.  Just make them move their feet every once in a while.  The Jays were WAY to comfortable in the batters box.  Pound inside off the plate, inside corner, etc.   Then you can pitch away effectively because they can't just sit and wait for the meaty one over the middle.

[TheLeviathan]

And there's a difference between "having fun" and "acting like a jerk".

Baseball players make no such distinction and find all sorts of ludicrous reasons to throw at each other.

 

As long as you don't touch the other team - celebrate and have fun. Most of all don't artificially neuter personalities in the name of some "integrity" nonsense.

[jimmer]

^{I also think it's naive to think that when a pitcher supposedly plunks a guy for pimping, part of that anger doesn't stem from his (or his teammates) lack of ability to execute his pitches or just getting beat.  A pitcher can hide behind the whole 'he was pimping' thing all they want when they hit someone, but it's more than likely it's just whining because his team keeps getting beat by a guy.  Do your} job, shut him down if you can, and if you can't tip your hat, move on and get better.

 

P.S.  I just don't know about my computer.  All this font change and movement, not planned at all.

Edited August 7, 2015 by jimmer

[Boom Boom]

I don't see the difference between what's incorrectly termed "pimping" a home run and doing the silly jump up and down bit after a walk-off... or outfielders doing that leaping butt-bump thing that they do.

 

Nothing the Jays did while rounding the bases struck me as all that disrespectful. They're having fun, and why wouldn't they, considering how weak the Twins pitching was in that series.

 

The Twins should be more upset about how badly they pitched.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I absolutely hate the idea of purposely hitting people.  What KC was allowed to do to the Jays last week was an embarrassment to the game and that umpire crew needs to be punished.  Saying we should plunk someone out the gate in the hopes he'll have a bad remaining game is something I hope my team never endorses.  

 

It's not about hitting them. I don't care if they hit the guy. I'd rather they not. However, they need to be able to gain control of the plate and to do that, the have to come inside. I would never advocate doing that anywhere near the head... but if you throw near a guy's thigh, it moves his feet and he can't dive out over the plate the way all of the Blue Jays pitchers were able to last night. 

[Mike Sixel]

You choose to make those actions "jerky". There is literally nothing inherently, in their very existence, that makes them "jerky". It is all on you deciding they are jerky. 100%, your decision inside your head.

 

I have no problem throwing inside, I have tons of problems intentionally hitting someone.

[big dog]

 

You choose to make those actions "jerky". There is literally nothing inherently, in their very existence, that makes them "jerky". It is all on you deciding they are jerky. 100%, your decision inside your head.

 

I have no problem throwing inside, I have tons of problems intentionally hitting someone.

And please note, nowhere in my post did I advocate intentionally hitting someone, because I don't.

 

It's not about me deciding what makes someone a jerk, and it's not about what's inside my head, it's about social mores.  It used to be that bullies weren't jerks, they were just part of life.  Maybe baseball should be less sensitive, that's up to them to decide.  But you can't just say that baseball culture doesn't matter, or is stupid, because it's a culture.  Maybe it should change.  That's up to them.

 

When Jeffrey Leonard did his famous "one flap down" slow trots following home runs in the mid-80s, the baseball world went nuts.  Now that's nothing compared to some of the other mini-celebrations.  Cultures change.

 

The point about walk-off wins is a good one.  I bet 25 years ago there were no celebrations like that.  Now there are, and they seem like the equivalent of winning a division- seems over the top to me, but it's not my culture.   At least that celebrates a team accomplishment that ends a game, rather than a good swing of the bat (or a terrible pitch) in the third inning.  I think those are different things that merit different degrees of satisfaction.

 

 

[COtwin]

I think some of our guys mght be too worried about hitting someone and they don't go inside enough (either in frequency or distance).  Shoot, if you can't totally control how far you throw inside and still show a willingness to do so, that is a great deterrent  to diving a cross.

 

Encarnacion should have gotten plunked for the D-Bag act.  Not up high or anything, just a stinging reminder.  Loved Sano' s response to his dinger.

[TheLeviathan]

Encarnacion runs (runs!) around the bases with one arm up like a flap and people want him to eat a baseball.

 

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[bird]

If you can't throw an inside pitch six inches off the plate without hitting a guy, maybe a guy's standing too close to the plate. Drill 'em.

[brvama]

I'm not a pitcher, only pitched a short time in college way back, but is it the mental aspect that makes it difficult for many pitchers to execute the inside pitch? (Note: As a lefty I couldn't throw a straight ball if my life depended on it.) Now it seems to me I that with the numerous repetitions they have had over the years that if they can hit the outside corner they should be able to pitch inside off the plate. My unsubstantiated guess is they are afraid to hit someone and put them on base. Some of that might be the team culture.