Article: KC 2, MIN 1: Every Game is the Same Game

[Tom Froemming]

The Twins got a great start from [insert starting pitcher] and the bullpen was solid, but the bats couldn’t get anything going and the Twins fell [insert score] to the [insert team] on a walk-off loss.

 

But hey, things are bound to turn around, and at least the Twins have loads more of these games against the AL Central, right?Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Current record: 22-28

Kyle Gibson: 78 Game Score, 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 8 K, 1 BB, 64.4% strikes

Bullpen: 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 K, 2 BB

Lineup: 2-for-7 w/RISP, 13 LOB

Top three per WPA: Gibson .509, Magill .496, Hildenberger .290

Download attachment: WinEx528.png

This wasn’t just good Gibby, great Gibby showed up Tuesday night. He allowed very little traffic in his seven innings of work, limiting the Royals to five hits and one walk. This was the first time Kyle completed seven innings this season and the fourth time in 11 starts he walked fewer than two batters.

 

Here’s a look at Gibson’s pitch usage and outcomes via Baseball Savant. The slider continues to be an elite pitch, but he really upped its usage tonight.

Download attachment: GibsonGraph.png

As has far too often been the case this season for the Twins, they let that excellent start go to waste. Their one run came on a bases-loaded single form Miguel Sano. Brian Dozier was thrown out at home on that play and Eddie Rosario was later caught being over aggressive on a turn at first base.

Still, Gibson exited this game with a 1-0 lead. Addison Reed came on in the eighth and gave up a leadoff single to Jon Jay, a one-out single to Mike Moustakas then hit Salvador Perez to load the bases. Reed walked Jorge Soler to bring in the game-tying run. He hadn’t walked a batter in his previous eight appearances.

 

Mitch Garver led off the top of the ninth with a single and was replaced with pinch runner Byron Buxton. Ehire Adrianza bunted him over to second, but pinch hitter Logan Morrison lined out and Dozier grounded out to strand the runner and send the game into the bottom of the ninth tied.

 

The Twins loaded up the bases with two outs in the 10th. Buxton flew out. The best the Twins could muster in the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th innings was one lousy walk. That Garver single to open the ninth would be their final base hit of the evening.

 

Trevor Hildenberger pitched two scoreless innings and Matt Magill tossed 3 1/3 no-hit innings. Taylor Rogers gave up a walk-of homer to Alcides Escobar to end it in the bottom of the 14th inning.

 

You never know what you’re going to see in a baseball game, but this is getting to be unbelievable.

 

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Bullpen528.png

Next Three Games

Wed at KC, 7:15 pm CT

Thu vs. CLE, 7:10 pm CT

Fri vs. CLE, 7:10 pm CT

 

Last Three Games

MIN 8, KC 5: Bats Break Out

SEA 3, MIN 1: Worst Birthday Ever

SEA 4, MIN 3: Zuni-Not Again

 

More From Twins Daily

Twins Minor League Report (5/29): Miracle Blast Threshers

Twins Daily Roundtable: Minnesota's All-Star Selection

Overshadowed Twins Pitching Staff is Roundly Excelling

 

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[h2oface]

Someone explain to me again how Addison Reed is so good, please?

[70charger]

Every game is the same game...

 

...when you have no offense.

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

 

Someone explain to me again how Addison Reed is so good, please?

 

29 SO in 27.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP...

 

If we had seven relievers on the staff who put up those numbers, we'd have one of the best bullpens in MLB.

 

Is anyone else getting worried about Reed and Ryan Pressly's workload? Reed's on pace to appear in 84 games this season and Pressly in 93. I find this more than a bit worrisome.

[jimbo92107]

Bring up Gordon, Wade, Rooker, and Navaretto.

Cut Wilson, Grossman, Petit, and Adrianza.

Better hitting. 

[nclahammer]

Last night I felt like I was watching a baseball version of Groudhog Day.

[Puckett34]

 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

8 walk off losses in the first 50 games of the season... You can't make it up. Wow.

[bighat]

If the team's gonna be bad, I'd prefer the Twins to be a bad pitching team. A crappy team that can hit is much more enjoyable to watch.

 

Every game is the same game, and they are excruciating to watch. It's like watching an NFL team run the ball up the middle for 1 yard, every single play. Gag.

[rv78]

Yes fans, 8 runs was a fluke. The real Twins were back in game 2. 

[mikelink45]

 

Bring up Gordon, Wade, Rooker, and Navaretto.

Cut Wilson, Grossman, Petit, and Adrianza.

Better hitting. 

I am glad to have someone else calling for the young players.  They called up Romero and the pitching staff changed.  But on the offense we have stumbled along with the same players and an abiding faith that Buxton and Sano would turn into stars and nothing is happening.  I want all the players you list.  Do we have to wait until June 1?  Escobar, Rosario, Kepler, and Garver are the only ones who deserve their positions.  Grossman, Morrison are not carrying their weight. 

 

Will Wade create a new three man OF with Buxton for defensive replacement and pinch running or is there another CF out there?

 

Do something different.  We have had two second place division finishes in 7 years and those were 500 teams in a poor division, while the other 5 years were just abysmal.  We need to have something happen to keep the fan base and the players involved with some hope.   http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/history/year_by_year_results.jsp

[mikelink45]

Okay, nitpicking again, but - I know Buxton has not hit, however, when he pinch runs he is on base so why do we sacrifice instead of having him steal?  When is his last steal?  He can run and he can catch, but we seem to be eliminating the SB which is his one true offensive contribution.  Last night was a mystery again.

[jtkoupal]

2018 is rapidly approaching "bust"

 

The only thing keeping us alive is the Indians underperforming to this point. 

 

Things have to turn around quickly, and the 7 games that we have against Cleveland in the next three weeks will be telling of the direction the team is going to have to move in the near future. 

 

[Doctor Wu]

 

Okay, nitpicking again, but - I know Buxton has not hit, however, when he pinch runs he is on base so why do we sacrifice instead of having him steal?  When is his last steal?  He can run and he can catch, but we seem to be eliminating the SB which is his one true offensive contribution.  Last night was a mystery again.

Yeah, it would have been nice to see Buxton attempt a steal at that point. Then again, gotta have at least one hit to bring him home. Sign.

[Doctor Wu]

It's a depressing thought (one of many I've had this week), and I know this is a VERY premature one, but I hope Buxton's future is not as a  pinch runner and/or late inning defensive replacement. Double sign.

[bighat]

 

Okay, nitpicking again, but - I know Buxton has not hit, however, when he pinch runs he is on base so why do we sacrifice instead of having him steal?  When is his last steal?  He can run and he can catch, but we seem to be eliminating the SB which is his one true offensive contribution.  Last night was a mystery again.

 

I have to agree. Pinch Run. Steal. THEN sacrifice. Now Morrison's fly ball scores a run. Easier said from this side of the dugout I'm sure, but still I hear ya.

[bighat]

 

 

It's a depressing thought (one of many I've had this week), and I know this is a VERY premature one, but I hope Buxton's future is not as a  pinch runner and/or late inning defensive replacement. Double sign.

 

When I saw him come in last night I thought "awww jeeez. Could we be looking at Buxton's MLB future"?

 

What I really hope does not happen is that the Twins end up trading him for chopped liver, and he goes on to great success elsewhere. It's happened before with Hicks. It's embarrassing to see the Twins bungle can't miss talent. I think we're all very angry right now so I am aware I'm probably being a bit over dramatic.

 

I find it strange that Buxton sat last night after putting the ball in play 4 times and getting a hit in Game 1.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Bring up Gordon, Wade, Rooker, and Navaretto.

Cut Wilson, Grossman, Petit, and Adrianza.

Better hitting. 

 

The actions you're talking about are the ones a team takes when it is out of the race – promote youth, get rid of veterans. That's not the Twins, it's still May. They’re still contending.

 

Navaretto would be so much worse than Wilson. So much worse. He's likely not as good at calling games (youth) and his AA OPS is .624. If things went well he might put up a .550 OPS in the majors. You’re going to get worse offense and you may stunt the development of a guy who seems like he could be a serviceable backup someday. If you want to upgrade Wilson, look outside the organization. Which is to be expected, third catchers are never good.

 

Grossman is a better option than Wade because he can hit right handed. He's also got a .779 OPS since April 26 and went 2-4 with a walk last night so odd timing on calling for him to be released. Wade may be a good player for the Twins someday but he doesn't fit this team due to his handedness (and should be playing every day). Also curious why you would want to cut Grossman (who you would likely lose) vs. Lamarre (who is worse and you wouldn't lose)?

 

I can buy Gordon over Petit, though I think it would be short-lived since Polanco is due back in 30 days. Gordon should be playing every day so he’d be stunted playing a utility role. But down for a 30 day experiment. Adrianza should stay though, you’ll need a utility infielder at some point (Escobar seems likely to be a regular whether that’s 3B, DH, SS or 2B on any given day). He’s just miscast as a starter but that was always true – the Twins didn’t have great options once Sano and Polanco were down. Now that Sano is back, Adrianza at short shouldn’t be an everyday thing.

 

Not fair to blame any of the guys you’re blaming. The Twins aren’t struggling because Petit, Adrianza, Wilson and Grossman are playing the way they are. All of those guys are role players who are doing as well as could be expected. The Twins are struggling because Dozier is inconsistent, Mauer is hurt and Sano/Buxton can’t hit. Let’s place the blame where it should belong. And be excited Mauer is back Thursday, that will make this lineup much more dangerous.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Okay, nitpicking again, but - I know Buxton has not hit, however, when he pinch runs he is on base so why do we sacrifice instead of having him steal?  When is his last steal?  He can run and he can catch, but we seem to be eliminating the SB which is his one true offensive contribution.  Last night was a mystery again.

 

I don't think it's nitpicking but I'm not sure who to blame for it. It didn't feel like he was going at any point. I know its a lefty on the mound but relievers aren't known for controlling run games particularly well. Especially when the count went 1-0 it seemed like he should be off. That gives Adrianza another pitch to lay down a bunt and get Buxton to 3B. Morrison's fly ball scores him.

 

Would be interesting to see if Buxton had a green light and never got comfortable or if Molitor was behind playing it cautious.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Yeah, it would have been nice to see Buxton attempt a steal at that point. Then again, gotta have at least one hit to bring him home. Sign.

 

Not really. He steals second, gets bunted to 3B and scores on Morrison's fly ball. It was the perfect time for some small ball since injuries have made the bottom 1/3 of the Twins lineup so feeble.

[ThejacKmp]

 

2018 is rapidly approaching "bust"

 

The only thing keeping us alive is the Indians underperforming to this point. 

 

Are the Indians underperforming or is this who they are? You're comfortable saying the Twins are a bust but not the Indians?

 

I'd be more worried if the Twins pitching was imploding. I trust that the bats will get rolling at some point. There's too much talent for them not to. Hopefully in a week, this is a distant memory. Let's not get too pessimistic.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Grossman, Morrison are not carrying their weight. 

 

Grossman since April 26th: .779 OPS. That's fine for a bench player, not ideal for a starter (but certainly not awful). The issue is that Grossman is DHing too often due to injury. Hopefully with Mauer back Thursday and Polanco back in a month Grossman will have a role that fits his talents better.

 

Logan Morrison since April 27th: .827 OPS. That's with a .284 BABIP that is in line with his career stats so it's not like he's getting lucky. He's likely not going to be the guy he was last year but that .827 OPS would be about halfway between normal Logan Morrison and 2017 Logan Morrison. Logan Morrison has not been the problem for the last month.

 

 

[ThejacKmp]

 

If the team's gonna be bad, I'd prefer the Twins to be a bad pitching team. A crappy team that can hit is much more enjoyable to watch.

 

Every game is the same game, and they are excruciating to watch. It's like watching an NFL team run the ball up the middle for 1 yard, every single play. Gag.

 

I almost agree. But then I think of Cole DeVries starting and I shudder. And then I think about being excited for a Sam Deduno start and I whimper.

 

I think I prefer it this way. At least you're always in a well-pitched game.

[gil4]

 

Last night I felt like I was watching a baseball version of Groudhog Day.

Maybe the Twins can really practice a lot so when time resumes its normal progress they will be awesome. Or maybe they will just spend their time partying and killing people without consequences (since it's all wiped out in the morning).. As long as they get Hawk Harrelson a few times, that would be OK.

[alarp33]

 

Grossman since April 26th: .779 OPS. That's fine for a bench player, not ideal for a starter (but certainly not awful). The issue is that Grossman is DHing too often due to injury. Hopefully with Mauer back Thursday and Polanco back in a month Grossman will have a role that fits his talents better.

 

 

You are literally including the only real solid game of the season Grossman has had, and your numbers are still wrong. 

 

Grossman April 26-May 29: .276/.366/.390  (.756 ops)

Grossman April 27 - May 29: .247/.348/,315  (..663 ops)

 

In the month of May his OPS is .586.  I don't know in what world that's an acceptable OPS for an every day player who can't play defense

Edited May 30, 2018 by alarp33

[Steve Penz]

Brian Dozier.   Please come to life.  

[sloopjont]

Buxton swinging into a pop-out with the bases loaded because of two straight walks and a hit batter and a ball one count to him is incomprehensible.

[lukeduke1980]

Shake up something to save the season.  Influx of youth with Gordon.  Addition by subtraction by dropping Adrianza and Grossman.  Catch lightning in a bottle with the triumphant arrival of Chris Carter.  Buxton and Sano to AAA.  I turned off the game after 7 last night because I new the ending.  I'm going to stop turning on the games.

[wsnydes]

 

Are the Indians underperforming or is this who they are? You're comfortable saying the Twins are a bust but not the Indians?

 

I'd be more worried if the Twins pitching was imploding. I trust that the bats will get rolling at some point. There's too much talent for them not to. Hopefully in a week, this is a distant memory. Let's not get too pessimistic.

I'd say that the Indians are underachieving, but they're still 3 games over .500 and 4.5 games clear at the moment.  It's true, if they were performing as expected they should be in a better position.  

 

There's still a lot of baseball to be played and I also expect the bats to pick up, but this team hasn't been able to capitalize on Cleveland's early struggles and they may be finding their groove.  By the time the Twins bats come to life, if that happens at all, it may be too late.  They've been extremely fortunate that they aren't in a bigger hole considering how poorly they've been playing.

[Franz]

 

29 SO in 27.2 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.16 WHIP...

 

If we had seven relievers on the staff who put up those numbers, we'd have one of the best bullpens in MLB.

 

Is anyone else getting worried about Reed and Ryan Pressly's workload? Reed's on pace to appear in 84 games this season and Pressly in 93. I find this more than a bit worrisome.

Count me in as worried. It worries me that Tom's pitch-count matrix shows that four of the seven relievers have pitched in three of the last four games. And Reed has pitched in four of the last five. Some of that is due to extended extra-inning games, but still, it seems like we should see some fresh arms getting off the plane in KC this morning.

 

I've never totally bought into the "twice through the order then a bullpen parade" that I feel was popularized by the Royals during their world series years. It just doesn't 'feel' sustainable to me over the course of a 162 game season. Perhaps time will tell how the practice affects career trajectories of starters and/or relievers. Anyone doing stats on that?

 

Final thought...should the Twins put their faith in a bullpen coach whose nickname is "Everyday"?