Article: BOS 9, MIN 2: There Go Those Shiny Pitching Stats

[Tom Froemming]

Entering this game, the Twins hadn’t given up more than six runs all month and the pitching staff had a 3.17 ERA, good for sixth best in the league. The bullpen had been particularly strong in June, ranking fourth in all of baseball with a 2.60 ERA.

 

Kyle Gibson did his part, delivering another quality start, but all those pretty numbers listed above look a lot more bloated after the bullpen had a bad day against Boston.

 

Oh, and all the Eds are broken.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Kyle Gibson: 49 Game Score, 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 3 BB, 61.9% strikes

Bullpen: 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 4 K, 1 BB

Lineup: 0-for-2 w/RISP, 3 LOB

Bottom three per WPA: Pressly -.143, Mauer -.085, Grossman -.072

Download attachment: chart.png

This game didn’t end well, but you can’t be too sore about the Twins taking two out of three from Boston. Speaking of sore, the bigger concern at the moment is some ailing Twins. Just think, what’s the worst thing that could happen to this offense right now? Being Ed-less, right?

 

Well, Eddie Rosario was scratched from this game due to shoulder soreness and Eduardo Escobar was forced to leave after he was hit by a pitch. The good news is it sounds like Paul Molitor expects Rosie to be available tomorrow and Escobar only suffered a bruised elbow and is considered day-to-day.

 

Down their two hottest hitters, there was little the Twins could muster against Rick Porcello. He pitched seven one-hit innings. Altogether, the Twins got only four hits and scored both of their runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

 

It was too bad, because Gibby pitched well once again. He got into some trouble, giving up seven hits while walking three batters and hitting another, but limited the damage to two runs over six innings. He’s now given up two or fewer runs in 10 of his 15 starts on the season. He also accomplished that feat 10 times in 2017, but that was in 29 starts.

 

Entering this game, the Twins hadn’t given up more than six runs all month and the pitching staff had a 3.17 ERA, good for sixth best in the league. The bullpen had been particularly strong in June, ranking fourth in all of baseball with a 2.60 ERA.

 

Ryan Pressly was charged with three earned runs while recording only one out and Matt Belisle also gave up three runs in his inning of work. Matt Magill even gave up a run.

 

Molitor has already demoted Addison Reed from setup duties, at least temporarily, so Pressly’s continued struggles are especially worrisome. He hit a snag earlier this month and gave up two earned runs in three consecutive appearances. But since that bump, Pressly had strung together three scoreless innings in a row. Just when you thought he might be out of the woods, another rough outing pops up.

 

Pressly closed out May with a 2.22 ERA on the season, but so far this month he’s surrendered nine earned runs in just 6 1/3 innings. On the other hand, Magill hadn’t surrendered a run in more than nine innings. He gave up a run on three hits in the ninth inning.

 

It was a disappointing end to what had been a great series for the Twins. Next up, Texas comes to town. The Rangers are off to a poor start, but carry a five-game winning streak into Target Field.

 

AL Central Standings

CLE 40-33

DET 36-39 (-5)

MIN 33-38 (-6)

CHW (24-49 (-16)

KC 22-52 (-18.5)

 

Next Three Games

Fri vs. TEX, 7:10 pm CT: Mike Minor vs. Fernando Romero

Sat vs. TEX, 1:10 pm CT: Yovani Gallardo vs. Jake Odorizzi

Sun vs. TEX, 2:10 pm CT: Bartolo Colon vs. Jose Berrios

 

Last Three Games

MIN 4, BOS 1: For Grossman and Kepler, The Price Was Right

MIN 6, BOS 2: Bats Get to Boston Bullpen

CLE 4, MIN 1: Lots of Traffic, Just One Run

 

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[jimbo92107]

Bring up Bert Mejia as a long reliever, say buh-bye to Belisle. 

[mikelink45]

This is a good game to reflect on the criticism that Molitor gets for BP management.  Pressley has been given rest, Magill has not been overused and the FO gave him the new arm - Belisle. He was not over using Hildenberg, he was not using Taylor right after his best outing.  Reed has lost all our confidence and Duke just pitched.  He used what he had.  Gibson did not pitch as well as his line showed and if he had been asked to pitch one more inning the posts would have roasted Molly.  Sometimes a manager cannot win.

 

I looked at the batting averages from 1 - 9 and there was only one that looked really good.  It is getting hard to find fresh takes on this team.  Nice 2 game winning streak, but...

[Vanimal46]

Captain Obvious statement:

 

Belisle needs to go.

[jun]

Wilson needs to go. He should not even be brought up. He has no stick at all.

[Mike Sixel]

Captain Obvious statement:

 

Belisle needs to go.

Signing him in the first place is indefensible. Imo.

[jun]

Dozier had a nice double in the 9th. Well just when the game was out of reach, Dozier delivered a big hit. I really dislike those guys going for the stats instead of winning the game for the team. DELIVER BIG HITS WHEN IT MATTERS PLEASE.

[jun]

Molitor, please protect your players with some kind of authority.

[USAFChief]

 

Dozier had a nice double in the 9th. Well just when the game was out of reach, Dozier delivered a big hit. I really dislike those guys going for the stats instead of winning the game for the team. DELIVER BIG HITS WHEN IT MATTERS PLEASE.

Like last night?

[Shaitan]

 

Dozier had a nice double in the 9th. Well just when the game was out of reach, Dozier delivered a big hit. I really dislike those guys going for the stats instead of winning the game for the team. DELIVER BIG HITS WHEN IT MATTERS PLEASE.

 

I, too, would have preferred a 9 run home run.

[jun]

 

Like last night?

Last night Dozier played a big part, Kepler delivered the big hit. Dozier got another double to get another insurance run. Yeah I hope at least more of last night please.

[rghrbek]

Per Gleeman

 

Ryan Pressly has now pitched in 37 of the Twins' first 71 games. Mike Marshall in 1979 is the only right-handed pitcher in Twins history to make more appearances in the first 71 games of a season.

Also of note: Pressly has allowed multiple runs in four of his last seven outings.

 

Molly has got to stop with this.

[wavedog]

Just a general observation that has probably been made in other posts and not just specific to this game because this was a blowout - but we have 13 pitchers and 12 hitters.  So when Escobar goes down - that leaves 2 other bench bats available - one being the backup catcher and the other an injured Rosario. Starters go 5-6 innings and then on average we are using 3-4 relievers per game this year- and our starting pitching has been decent but yet some relievers overused.   What if instead of Belisle on the roster we had an extra bat  - Carter, Vargas, Wade or Granite and then Magill and/or other releivers could pitch more than an inning.  Is there an analytical study that shows it is better to have an extra pitcher than an extra bat?   Or othe arm recovers more quickly by using use a reliever for one inning to limit pitches.  I just wonder what is driving our relief usage - analytics or Molitor/Coaching preferences or the skill set of our relievers.   Our hitting is so futile it just seems it would be more beneficial to have another bat.   

[bighat]

On the plus side, at least we're not Argentina futbol fans. Ouch.

 

How about this: the Twins give Mauer a chance at 3rd base. Now we can call up Vargas or Carter. Mauer at 3b, Escobar at SS, Dozier at 2B and Carter/Vargas splitting time at 1B/DH or whatever.

 

Maybe that's far fetched but I say it's time to ditch Morrison and call up Vargas. For all the crap people talked about Vargas "not living up to the hype", he was never close to this terrible. He had some big hits for the Twins and should get another chance. Morrison is dead weight and really hurting this team. He's a sunk cost and keeping him longer isn't going to get the Twins any money back from this mistake. Move on with Vargas over LOMO.

Edited June 21, 2018 by bighat

[jun]

Release Belisle and Wilson.

Put Reed & Pressly on DL (dead arm syndrome).

Promote Astudillo and Sawyer (both catchers hitting well in AAA and Astudillo has some infield and outfield experience, he could be the additional backup infielder or outfielder if needed).

Promote Duffey and Busenitz.

[h2oface]

This front office is irresponsible. We have several pitchers, MLB ready, to do the option dance with and protect the pen. Plenty. Busenitz, Curtiss, Duffey, Mejia, Moya..... and then Gonsalves, Littell, Slegers........... What? We would lose guys like Belisle? Creative use of the DL for dead arms (Reed, Pressly, etc)..... no problem. We need to see these other pitchers, and use them and get them opportunities. What is wrong with this front office? This has been evident for a month, now! Instead, they go out and sign dumpster diving cast offs to block players from opportunities. 

 

And the replacement level players with no future like Wilson, LaMarre, Motter, Adrianza, Grossman, Cave, Garver - and the failure of Morrison....... what are they doing? How is this making the team better. We are getting crushed, and by the front office, not crushing it. There, I said it.

[h2oface]

 

Just a general observation that has probably been made in other posts and not just specific to this game because this was a blowout - but we have 13 pitchers and 12 hitters.  So when Escobar goes down - that leaves 2 other bench bats available - one being the backup catcher and the other an injured Rosario. Starters go 5-6 innings and then on average we are using 3-4 relievers per game this year- and our starting pitching has been decent but yet some relievers overused.   What if instead of Belisle on the roster we had an extra bat  - Carter, Vargas, Wade or Granite and then Magill and/or other releivers could pitch more than an inning.  Is there an analytical study that shows it is better to have an extra pitcher than an extra bat?   Or othe arm recovers more quickly by using use a reliever for one inning to limit pitches.  I just wonder what is driving our relief usage - analytics or Molitor/Coaching preferences or the skill set of our relievers.   Our hitting is so futile it just seems it would be more beneficial to have another bat.   

 

Granite can't even hit .200 in AAA this year.

[jun]

Wilson is really in the same boat with Belisle. Both of them need to retire.

[jun]

Hildenberger and Magill along with Duke should be the setup men.

Pressly and Reed both need to pitch in low leverage situation.

Belisle needs to be released.

[Danchat]

I'm just happy we took 2 out of 3 against the Red Sox and our pitchers held them to just 3 runs in the first two games.

 

But yes, as others have said, time to get some AAA arms up here. And I think we can safely say goodbye to Bobby Wilson... people complain about Buxton's bat, but have you seen Wilson at the plate?

[h2oface]

 

This is a good game to reflect on the criticism that Molitor gets for BP management.  Pressley has been given rest, Magill has not been overused and the FO gave him the new arm - Belisle. He was not over using Hildenberg, he was not using Taylor right after his best outing.  Reed has lost all our confidence and Duke just pitched.  He used what he had.  Gibson did not pitch as well as his line showed and if he had been asked to pitch one more inning the posts would have roasted Molly.  Sometimes a manager cannot win.

 

I looked at the batting averages from 1 - 9 and there was only one that looked really good.  It is getting hard to find fresh takes on this team.  Nice 2 game winning streak, but...

 

 

When pitchers aren't their sharpest, and they still only let 2 runs cross the plate in 6 complete...... I feel they pitched better than their line shows, not worse. 105 pitches was plenty (last two starts were 118 pitches/7 innings/2 runs and 103/7/1). That shows a pitcher, and a good pitcher. But once again, the team, bats and pen, lets him down. 1-2 record to show for it. The pen only need to get 9 outs, and they did, after giving up 7 runs.

[KGB]

Release Belisle and Wilson.

Put Reed & Pressly on DL (dead arm syndrome).

Promote Astudillo and Sawyer (both catchers hitting well in AAA and Astudillo has some infield and outfield experience, he could be the additional backup infielder or outfielder if needed).

Promote Duffey and Busenitz.

 

Dead arms throwing 13 innings a month's, old timers everywhere ask what's happening with our youth.

[jokin]

 

Signing him in the first place is indefensible. Imo.

 

Defensible? Maybe.

Wise? Absolutely not.

 

Not to worry, though, I doubt he'll still be around after the ASG.

[jokin]

 

Molitor, please protect your players with some kind of authority.

 

He straight out called the HBP very suspicious in the post-game presser.

[Darius]

As a fan, it's borderline insulting that they're using Belisle.

 

It's also rather discouraging that Molitor has already seemed to run Pressly and Reed into the ground and we haven't made it to the All-Star break.

 

Despite that, I can't really complain much about taking 2 of 3 from Boston with 3 great starting pitching performances against one of the best lineups in baseball. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

[Riverbrian]

 

This front office is irresponsible. We have several pitchers, MLB ready, to do the option dance with and protect the pen. Plenty. Busenitz, Curtiss, Duffey, Mejia, Moya..... and then Gonsalves, Littell, Slegers........... What? We would lose guys like Belisle? Creative use of the DL for dead arms (Reed, Pressly, etc)..... no problem. We need to see these other pitchers, and use them and get them opportunities. What is wrong with this front office? This has been evident for a month, now! Instead, they go out and sign dumpster diving cast offs to block players from opportunities. 

 

And the replacement level players with no future like Wilson, LaMarre, Motter, Adrianza, Grossman, Cave, Garver - and the failure of Morrison....... what are they doing? How is this making the team better. We are getting crushed, and by the front office, not crushing it. There, I said it.

 

I have no idea but if I had to guess... This has Molitor's fingerprints all over it... not the front office.

 

Of course the front office has to execute the acquisition but my guess would be at Molitor's behest. But again... I have no idea.  

 

Belisle was named the closer after the Kintzler trade, my assumption is that Molitor was the hand that hand picked him for that role and that would indicate a level of trust. 

 

 

Pressly and Reed usage has dropped considerably since the arrival of Belisle and I would imagine that Pressly, Reed usage would be a topic of discussion between the front office and the manager.  

 

Hence, Paul trusts him and will actually use him which would slow down the use of Pressly and Reed. 

 

Bottom Line: He's the hand picked solution to the Pressly, Reed overuse problem. 

 

Just a theory. 

[David HK]

God, what we could be doing with this year's starting pitching, and last year's offense...

 

...and next year's manager....

[Danchat]

 

As a fan, it's borderline insulting that they're using Belisle.

It's also rather discouraging that Molitor has already seemed to run Pressly and Reed into the ground and we haven't made it to the All-Star break.

Despite that, I can't really complain much about taking 2 of 3 from Boston with 3 great starting pitching performances against one of the best lineups in baseball. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

It seems like Molitor has learned his lesson with Reed... not sure about Pressly though. He might need a quick trip to the DL for rest.

[Han Joelo]

Well, one nice thing about this year is that we're able to just cut and paste the same comments from other losses.  Someone should make a bingo board.

 

2 run game or not, without the Ed's, this game was out of reach.  I'd imagine Pressly was using it as a spring training game, "working on some stuff."

 

Did Betts get any chin music?

[rghrbek]

 

I have no idea but if I had to guess... This has Molitor's fingerprints all over it... not the front office.

 

Of course the front office has to execute the acquisition but my guess would be at Molitor's behest. But again... I have no idea.  

 

Belisle was named the closer after the Kintzler trade, my assumption is that Molitor was the hand that hand picked him for that role and that would indicate a level of trust. 

 

 

Pressly and Reed usage has dropped considerably since the arrival of Belisle and I would imagine that Pressly, Reed usage would be a topic of discussion between the front office and the manager.  

 

Hence, Paul trusts him and will actually use him which would slow down the use of Pressly and Reed. 

 

Bottom Line: He's the hand picked solution to the Pressly, Reed overuse problem. 

 

Just a theory. 

Have we not seen what our best relievers are doing in Rochester?  The guys with MLB experience?

Are you kidding me?  Enough, bring em up and stop abusing Pressley.