Article: MIN 9, BAL 2: Quality from Berrios, Quantity from the Bats

[Tom Froemming]

Jose Berrios turned in a quality start and the Twins lineup tallied nine more runs. The Twins hit five more home runs this afternoon, giving them 47 already through just 24 games. Last season, they had 26 homers through this same number of games.Box Score

Berrios: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 69.3% strikes (70 of 101 pitches)

Home Runs: Cron (5), Kepler 2 (6), Gonzalez (2), Castro (2)

Multi-Hit Games: Kepler (2-for-4, 2 HR), Cruz (2-for-4, 2B), Cron (2-for-4, HR)

WPA of +0.1: Cron .254, Cruz .131

WPA of -0.1: Schoop -.149

Download attachment: Win427.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

Berrios appeared to have a hard time commanding pretty much anything but his four-seam fastball today. He had been using his curveball 37.6% of the time coming into today, but went to that pitch less than half as often, just 17 times among his 101 pitches.

 

We saw more changeups than usual, but Berrios seemed to be using that more as a show-me pitch. Coming into today, the most he had thrown that pitch in any outing was 13 times. This afternoon, Jose went to the change 23 times. Here’s the location on those pitches:

Download attachment: BerriosChange.png

There were a lot more uncompetitive pitches than we’ve seen from Berrios in any start so far this season, but he and Jason Castro made it work. Berrios entered this game with a very strong 66.2 strike percentage, which would represent a career high. He pounded the zone even harder today, throwing nearly 70% of his pitches for strikes.

 

Even though the changeup wasn’t exactly there, it still helped on an afternoon in which Berrios was forced to feature the four-seamer. He struck out eight, did not walk a batter and still got 13 swinging strikes.

 

I think we’re seeing an evolution in 2019. Berrios appears to be a guy who’s learning to make adjustments on the fly and how to properly shift the game plan when something isn’t there. That should go a long way toward him becoming a little less streaky.

 

Despite the quality start, Berrios exited this game with the Twins trailing 2-1. In the bottom of the sixth, however, C.J. Cron ripped a two-run homer 113.4 mph to put the Twins on top.

Max Kepler added a two-run home run of his own in the bottom of the seventh. As if that wasn’t enough, the Twins clobbered three more home runs in the eighth — a solo shot from Marwin Gonzalez, a two-run blast from Jason Castro and Kepler’s second tater of the afternoon.

 

The Twins now have six batters on pace to hit more than 30 home runs this season. It’s obviously early, but that’s a hell of a fun stat.

 

Trevor May struck out two in a perfect seventh inning, Taylor Rogers gave up a hit but also struck out three batters in a scoreless eighth and Adalberto Mejia turned in a scoreless ninth inning.

 

Willians Astudillo got another start out in right field. He appeared to tweak a muscle tagging up from third base on a sacrifice fly and exited this game after three innings. Astudillo is expected to be placed on the injured list with a corresponding move coming tomorrow.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

Bullpen Usage

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

Download attachment: Bullpen427.png

Next Three Games

Sun vs. BAL, 1:10 pm CT (Gibson-Bundy)

Mon vs. HOU, 6:40 pm CT (TBD)

Tue vs. HOUT, 6:40 pm CT (TBD)

 

Last Game

MIN 6, BAL 1: Sticking to the Formula

 

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[carlito_b]

Marwin Gonzalez needs to be batting ninth.a good sano makes this lineup SCARY! how good are the Kepler and polanco extensions looking right now for the twins?

[jtkoupal]

Dear Rob Manfred:

 

Can Baltimore move to the AL Central?

 

Sincerely,

 

Jordan

[yarnivek1972]

May have to give Parker the 9th tomorrow regardless of score just to keep him sharp.

[Channing1964]

Wow man dont pinch me, if this is a dream i wanna sleep till October

[goulik]

Went to my first game of the year today. This was fun! Had my 3 year old grand daughter with. She points towards left field and says “the fire works are going off over there.” We asked, “are there going to be fireworks after the game?” A moment later a ball leaves Cron’s bat with less arch than a throw by Polanco from deep in the hole. She just looks at us like “told ya”

[Lasorda_This_Out]

Equipment question: Noticed Buxton was wearing the left hand protector when he got on base today after the walk. Nice steal of second! Looking at the padded protector, it appears to extend maybe an inch or two beyond where his fingertips would be if barehanded. So I got to thinking, how would he be ruled in say a super close attempted steal of third ( or any base for that matter) if it went to video replay and he beat a tag by the tip of the protector touching the base? Safe? Challenged by opposing manager because of the added length of the padded protector?

Maybe the situation is already addressed by a rule in baseball? Any thoughts?  Thanks!

[Joe A. Preusser]

Marwin Gonzalez needs to be batting ninth.a good sano makes this lineup SCARY! how good are the Kepler and polanco extensions looking right now for the twins?

 

A strong Sano instead of MG and this might be the best offensiive lineup since...i have no idea when. I suppose one of the M&M/TH/Cuddy years.

[DocBauer]

Bad stuff: NOOOOO as to Astudillo tweaking anything!!

 

Good stuff:

 

1] Agreed Berrios is evolving. A game where something doesn't seem to work right? He just adjusts and throws what is working. That is a PITCHER.

 

2] I am about to look up recipes for crow in regard to Perez. (I didn't get to post in last night's thread)

 

3] Kepler and Cron beginning to heat up.

 

4] Couple consecutive good outings by May. A good one from Mejia today. Harper OK so far. Magill mediocre in his debut, but glad to have him back and hope he helps. Romero not great last night, but not bad. Stuff still looks nasty! Pen still needs at least one more arm, if not two, to become GOOD. Can Romero be one of those at least?

 

I'm having a blast with this season so far!

[Riverbrian]

 

Equipment question: Noticed Buxton was wearing the left hand protector when he got on base today after the walk. Nice steal of second! Looking at the padded protector, it appears to extend maybe an inch or two beyond where his fingertips would be if barehanded. So I got to thinking, how would he be ruled in say a super close attempted steal of third ( or any base for that matter) if it went to video replay and he beat a tag by the tip of the protector touching the base? Safe? Challenged by opposing manager because of the added length of the padded protector?

Maybe the situation is already addressed by a rule in baseball? Any thoughts?  Thanks!

 

Well... Never thought about that... But Yeah... It does extend. 

 

Baseball is truly a game of inches. 

[Mr. Brooks]

I've been super busy the last two days, so I apologize if this has been addressed.

 

Is Buxton nursing an injury or illness or something?

Benched, off day, start, benched. One start in 4 days, is there a reason?

Edited April 28, 2019 by Mr. Brooks

[MMMordabito]

I've been super busy the last two days, so I apologize if this has been addressed.

 

Is Buxton nursing an injury or illness or something?

Benched, off day, start, benched. One start in 4 days, is there a reason?

He fouled a ball off his leg between the shinguard and knee yesterday... It looked like it hurt like a MF

 

They sat him today to try to keep him off his feet but said he was available.

[Nine of twelve]

Caution: nitpick alert. I think that 3 or fewer earned runs allowed by a starter in 6 or more innings is a good benchmark to use for determining whether he has done his job. But I wish the term quality start wouldn't have been coined for such a start. I'd rather call it a satisfactory start.

[mikelink45]

This is so fun. But I had to curb some of my enthusiasm when I realize we are 10 - 9 against the rest of the league.  We are a good club and we have a chance.  But after tomorrow - no more Baltimore this season.  So lets say good bye with five more dingers.

[Riverbrian]

 

This is so fun. But I had to curb some of my enthusiasm when I realize we are 10 - 9 against the rest of the league.  We are a good club and we have a chance.  But after tomorrow - no more Baltimore this season.  So lets say good bye with five more dingers.

 

Yeah but we still get those Royals. 

 

And Tigers and White Sox. Winning against the bad teams is what separates 1st and 2nd place teams in the end. 

 

Everything is hunky dory so far. 

[BoofBonser]

 

This is so fun. But I had to curb some of my enthusiasm when I realize we are 10 - 9 against the rest of the league.  We are a good club and we have a chance.  But after tomorrow - no more Baltimore this season.  So lets say good bye with five more dingers.

That's a pretty solid record when you think about the teams they've played: Cleveland, Houston, NYM, and Philly.. also are 4-0 against Detroit and KC

[Kelly Vance]

 

Equipment question: Noticed Buxton was wearing the left hand protector when he got on base today after the walk. Nice steal of second! Looking at the padded protector, it appears to extend maybe an inch or two beyond where his fingertips would be if barehanded. So I got to thinking, how would he be ruled in say a super close attempted steal of third ( or any base for that matter) if it went to video replay and he beat a tag by the tip of the protector touching the base? Safe? Challenged by opposing manager because of the added length of the padded protector?

Maybe the situation is already addressed by a rule in baseball? Any thoughts?  Thanks!

You are nothing but a troublemaker. I know, because I was thinking the same thing

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

This is so fun. But I had to curb some of my enthusiasm when I realize we are 10 - 9 against the rest of the league.  We are a good club and we have a chance.  But after tomorrow - no more Baltimore this season.  So lets say good bye with five more dingers.

This is how decent teams operate. They fight against the great teams and often lose. They battle against the mediocre teams and balance it out.

 

But they pound the awful teams.

[Lasorda_This_Out]

"You are nothing but a troublemaker. I know, because I was thinking the same thing"

 

Haha, thanks Kelly Vance...maybe I shouldn't have said anything!  My guess is that the Orioles would have protested the protector when Byron was on first if they felt it gave arguably the fastest base runner in Baseball even the teeniest advantage in stealing a base? They did not so I guess it's OK..... 

As Riverbrian said, it's a game of inches but it makes you wonder....

Anyway, way to go Buck!!!

[Dantes929]

 

This is so fun. But I had to curb some of my enthusiasm when I realize we are 10 - 9 against the rest of the league.  We are a good club and we have a chance.  But after tomorrow - no more Baltimore this season.  So lets say good bye with five more dingers.

This is nothing but good.    Orioles have won two games already against each of Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Rays.    The biggest reason by far that their record looks so bad is the Twins.   By a large margin I am guessing the two most likely outcomes of a 6 game series with the Orioles is 3-3 and 4-2.   Fortunately, the most likely outcome of a 1 game at home is 1-0 so lets make it happen tomorrow.

[jimbo92107]

I'm willing to give Jason Castro credit for helping Berrios navigate through this game with iffy off-speed stuff. Good job Castro, and he also hit a rocket home run. 

 

I just wish Kepler would stop hitting those easy pop flies! ;-)

[rghrbek]

 

This is nothing but good.    Orioles have won two games already against each of Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Rays.    The biggest reason by far that their record looks so bad is the Twins.   By a large margin I am guessing the two most likely outcomes of a 6 game series with the Orioles is 3-3 and 4-2.   Fortunately, the most likely outcome of a 1 game at home is 1-0 so lets make it happen tomorrow.

Listen, this is all great.  I love it.  We have to beat these teams.  But beiting crap, this is what we did under Gardy and the mid 2000s. Is this team ready to beat the Astros when they come into town?  We will see.  Being good is fun, and I love it.  Being good and able to beat a playoff team is different.

 

Maybe this team will be different.  Just beat good teams, so if and when playoffs happen you are not embarrassed by a truly good team.

 

21 home runs is 5 games? C'mon video game stuff

[rdehring]

About a month before the season began, I predicted the Twins would hit between 225 and 240 home runs.  That's beginning to look conservative.  Unfortunately, we will be done with the O's after today.

 

I guess roster logjams have a way of working themselves out.  Astudillo to the IL for 10 days or two weeks.  Then he will go to Rochester for a week of rehab before being ready to come back.  Did Cave have time down there to even play in a game?

 

The big question is what happens when Sano is ready in three weeks?  Gotta believe they do something about the duplication of Gonzales and Adrianza.  Maybe they can package one of them with a good prospect for a relief pitcher.

 

 

[stringer bell]

My thought is that when (and if) Sano returns next month that Cave goes back to Rochester. The extra outfielder is Gonzalez/Astudillo/Adrianza (probably in that order). That is assuming that everyone is healthy when Miggy is ready for the majors.

 

12 pitchers should be enough. Getting length out of the starters is the key factor.

[jkcarew]

Only a quality start because Berrios was facing a AAAA lineup (without Mancini). He had nothing as evidenced by the fact that two struggling relievers...May and Mejia...both had innings that were cleaner than almost every inning Berrios pitched. Still, Berrios is not one to give up easily and the 6 innings were important for the bullpen.

[TheLeviathan]

 

This is how decent teams operate. They fight against the great teams and often lose. They battle against the mediocre teams and balance it out.

 

But they pound the awful teams.

 

Last year Boston went 16-3 against Baltimore, 15-4 against Toronto, and 11-2 against the Royals/Tigers.  Take that record (42-9) out of their overall record and they went 66-45.  Still a good team, clearly, but not as gawdy.

 

So, yeah, pound the bad teams.  

[KirbyDome89]

This looked like what those Toronto teams in 14' and 15' used to do to the Twins. 

[ashbury]

Last year Boston went 16-3 against Baltimore, 15-4 against Toronto, and 11-2 against the Royals/Tigers.  Take that record (42-9) out of their overall record and they went 66-45.  Still a good team, clearly, but not as gawdy.

 

So, yeah, pound the bad teams.  

When you take away the best results, and they still are on a 96-win pace, that's a pretty awesome year.

[mikelink45]

 

This is how decent teams operate. They fight against the great teams and often lose. They battle against the mediocre teams and balance it out.

 

But they pound the awful teams.

No argument, but it the Orioles are not the team we should be judged by.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

No argument, but it the Orioles are not the team we should be judged by.

Well... yeah.