Here is an article with quotes from Nolasco basically stating the pitching coach from the Angels did what the Twins pitching coach couldn't.  I'm really hoping Molitor is gone next season along with the entire pitching staff.  With a new front office we can only hope they bring in a new coaching staff as well.

 

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/angels-730373-scng-final.html

Consider that a sinkerball pitcher tends to pitch to contact, and there is still rumblings about the Twins liking that style of pitching I find it a little hard to believe.

Ervin Santana was pulled tonight after 5 innings and 77 pitches, in what became loss number 102, so maybe Molitor is just trying to do some intensive bullpen auditions?

Ervin Santana was pulled tonight after 5 innings and 77 pitches, in what became loss number 102, so maybe Molitor is just trying to do some intensive bullpen auditions?

He has been very public about protecting his starters at the end of the year. Simply put he is not risking injury by letting guys go late in games when it doesn't matter.

He has been very public about protecting his starters at the end of the year. Simply put he is not risking injury by letting guys go late in games when it doesn't matter.

Hmmm, seems he's left them in about five months too long then.

 

I agree Nolasco has control over his pitches, how often and when he throws them but it's also the pitching coach's job to get the most out of all the pitchers.  It could also just be he's having a good couple of months and next year he'll revert back to what he's been.

 

I think Nolasco has built a career on that one line.  

 

It could also just be he's having a good couple of months and next year he'll revert back to what he's been.

 

 

I think Nolasco has built a career on that one line.  

 

That could be.  Nolasco actually had 3 similar months by FIP with the Twins, and his September for the Angels still has a higher xFIP than those (suggesting he's benefitting in part from an unusually low HR rate at the moment):

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/splitstool.aspx?playerid=3830&position=P&splitArr=&strgroup=month&type=2&startDate=2006-4-5&endDate=2016-9-29

 

It has been his best month ever by wOBA, and it has been his second most successful month by ERA, though (his only better one was August 2013 with the Dodgers), and 4th best month by WHIP (although one of his better WHIP months was April this season with the Twins!):

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/splitstool.aspx?playerid=3830&position=P&splitArr=&strgroup=month&type=1&startDate=2006-4-5&endDate=2016-9-29

 

He has been very public about protecting his starters at the end of the year. Simply put he is not risking injury by letting guys go late in games when it doesn't matter.

Yeah, when he pulled Santana last night, I figured that puts to rest the theory that he's trying to grind out marginal wins to help save his job.

 

Still, his quick hook seems unequally applied to Berrios.  Some of the other pitchers have been allowed to run up 90-100 pitches just to get through the 5th this month -- very doubtful they get pulled at 77 pitches with 2 out in the 5th, or pinch hit in a meaningless situation in the top of the 5th, even if they would have been removed not long after.

 

I wonder if Molitor isn't reacting to the Sep. 5th game against KC, where Berrios gave up 3 run HR with 2 outs in the 5th, and he's now in the mindset of pulling him too early rather than too late?  Of course, Berrios was at 88 pitches and facing Morales in that situation, as compared to 77 pitches and facing Dyson a couple nights ago...