Article: MIN 7, NYY 3: Curse This

[Tom Froemming]

Friday night’s ugly performance in a 6-3 defeat was yet another chapter in Twins futility in New York. Just when it feels like this franchise will be forever cursed at Yankee Stadium, the Twins went out and sent a reminder this afternoon. New team, new manager, new mojo. Curse? What curse?Box Score

Odorizzi: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, 65.0% strikes (65 of 100 pitches)

Home Runs: Garver (6), Cron (6), Cruz (7)

Multi-Hit Games: Garver (3-for-5, HR), Schoop (2-for 3), Buxton (2-for-4, 2B)

WPA of +0.1: Odorizzi .316, Garver .215

WPA of -0.1: None

Download attachment: Win54.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

It’s only one game in early May, but this victory carries a lot of weight across Twins Territory. Even with the team's excellent start, a sweep at the hands of the Yankees would have been pretty devastating to fan morale. We now know that’s not going to happen.

 

Jake Odorizzi held New York to just two hits over six shutout innings and the offense was relentless. The Twins tallied 12 hits and scored in six different innings. When the Yankees scored two in the seventh off Trevor Hildenberger, the Twins responded with a run. When New York added another run in the eighth, the lineup responded again with a run and topped off with another in the ninth just for good measure.

 

Odorizzi finished strong, something he's struggled with over his career. He had to face the meat of the Yankee lineup in his sixth and final inning. It was that dreaded third time he was working through the order, so there was plenty of cause for concern, but he got Luke Voit and Gary Sanchez to ground out. He surrendered a single to Miguel Andujar, but then struck out Gleyber Torres on three pitches to end an incredibly encouraging performance on a high note.

 

And it could have been even worse for the Yankees. Jonathan Scoop appeared to have hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning, but Cameron Maybin made a sensational catch to rob the home run and end the inning. It was all good, because Mitch Garver, C.J. Cron and Nelson Cruz all managed to homer. It’s nice to see a Twins team able to take full advantage of the dimensions of Yankee Stadium, though Cruz’s shot was a no-doubter.

 

That constant stream of run scoring took a ton of pressure off the bullpen. Taylor Rogers pitched an efficient 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the victory and put the mind of Twins fans at ease. Yes, this is a beat up Bronx Bombers team, but a win in New York is a win in New York.

 

These suckers have been tough to come by. Enjoy it.

 

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: Bullpen54.png

Next Three Games

Sun at NYY, 3:05 pm CT (Pineda-German)

Mon at TOR, 6:07 pm CT (TBD-Stroman)

Tue at TOR, 6:07 pm CT (TBD-Sanchez)

 

Last Game

NYY 6, MIN 3: All Too Familiar at Yankee Stadium

 

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[ScooterDance]

Told a buddy coming into this 7 game stretch that 3-4 is what I expected. 4-3 or better and I’d believe. A win tomorrow and I’ll go on record as the twins being a team that will not just content for the central, but be a contender to go to the World Series.

 

Man this team is fun to watch.

[twinsfanstreif]

I haven't been able to watch much Twins this year since my move to the UK but I caught this one. I've never noticed Garver's pitch framing before but it caught my eye today. Kind of an interesting approach, he frames the pitch and then drops his glove to the ground and pulls it back up to catch it. I wonder if this is a habit that he formed by accident or if it's an intentional thing? Seems like it might be an advantage for borderline calls to kind of fool the ump. Anyways just an observation, go Twins!

[twinssporto]

The Twins should have won Friday night...Bases loaded two times and nothing, errors, etc.  Not a good showing and we beat ourselves.  Today's game illustrates how we can play with anyone, especially after beating up on Houston.  This team is for real.  They will contend barring the usual pitfalls: Injuries, pitching, blah, blah, blah...

 

This lineup is scary good.  If Sano produces you'll wish you'd bought the Vegas Sport Book for Twins as ALCS Champs and WS Champs.  

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Told a buddy coming into this 7 game stretch that 3-4 is what I expected. 4-3 or better and I’d believe. A win tomorrow and I’ll go on record as the twins being a team that will not just content for the central, but be a contender to go to the World Series.

Man this team is fun to watch.

 

Yeah, I was thinking winning 3 out of 7 in this stretch would have been nice. 4 out of 7 was probably wishful thinking... They've won 4 of 6 with one to go.

 

Obviously there will be some rough stretches, losses to teams they could beat, etc. But it's official that this team is a legit contender... and I'll stand by this from the other day:

 

https://twitter.com/SethTweets/status/1124038668006699008 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I haven't been able to watch much Twins this year since my move to the UK but I caught this one. I've never noticed Garver's pitch framing before but it caught my eye today. Kind of an interesting approach, he frames the pitch and then drops his glove to the ground and pulls it back up to catch it. I wonder if this is a habit that he formed by accident or if it's an intentional thing? Seems like it might be an advantage for borderline calls to kind of fool the ump. Anyways just an observation, go Twins!

 

Everything he is doing is intentional. I'm sure there are moments, but as he continues to get used to his new mechanics and catches more pitches, it'll continue to become more natural. 

[h2oface]

I remember when Garver and Turner were both in the minors. Those that made prospect lists always favored Turner by far. I never understood it. Always advanced Turner before Garver. I would advocate for Garver, and didn't think Turner, with such a week bat, could ever be the future. Garver was one of the 3 finalista along with Turner for the Johnny Bench award in 2013 (that Turner won) that last year before the draft. Garver all the way, baby. Defense will just get better and better. Turner still can't hit.

[h2oface]

Great time for Pineda to start to pitch well and take it to his former team, and leave NY with a 2-1 series win.

[Blake]

I think not having Astudillo's bat Friday cost the team.

 

Glad to see the Twins win one. Maybe even get out of NY with a series win.

[theBOMisthebomb]

The king is dead, long live the king!

[Mike Sixel]

Garver is a baseball player. Plain and simple.

 

Nice win.

[jimbo92107]

I like how the veterans are supporting this team. Cron, Cruz, and Schoop have been supplying timely hits and homers, while Gonzo has filled the defensive gaps, and now his bat is coming alive. 

 

The other factor is the effect of Wes Johnson's coaching. Really looks to me like he has had a positive effect on Odorizzi and Perez, while I see no signs of any negative effects. Odo's compact delivery looks even more efficient now, practically effortless, and Perez...well, he's just a different pitcher now.

[USAFChief]

Nice job, Odorizzi!

 

It's very encouraging, so far at least, that a bad game seems to be an isolated event, rather than the start of a trend.

 

I really feel like the addition of Cruz has made a huge difference in the lineup, and in the dugout. Everyone else can relax, without the need to be the big stick in the middle of the lineup, and just having that recognizable big league hitter makes everyone else feel more legitimate.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Nice job, Odorizzi!

 

It's very encouraging, so far at least, that a bad game seems to be an isolated event, rather than the start of a trend.

 

I really feel like the addition of Cruz has made a huge difference in the lineup, and in the dugout. Everyone else can relax, without the need to be the big stick in the middle of the lineup, and just having that recognizable big league hitter makes everyone else feel more legitimate.

Most of us thought Cruz was a savvy acquisition but I think there’s a new mentality throughout the team and it’s for the better. I suspect Cruz is a large part of the reason for that but Cron, Schoop, and Gonzalez likely play a part as well.

[Brock Beauchamp]

While I’m not quick to cast judgment on a team, this is starting to resemble a very good baseball team. Not just good, perhaps very good.

 

Now add an arm to the pen, please.

[bighat]

I have nothing more to add except let's keep it rolling and go get em tomorrow! Fun season so far.

[TheLeviathan]

My Odorizzi doubt is looking stupider by the day.  And I'm fine with that.

 

Also, Mitch Garver continues to call brilliant performances.  I want the man behind the dish 75% of the time please.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

My Odorizzi doubt is looking stupider by the day.  And I'm fine with that.

 

Also, Mitch Garver continues to call brilliant performances.  I want the man behind the dish 75% of the time please.

I'm the inverse of you. I actually had some faith in Odorizzi but little in Garver.

 

Yay for being wrong!

 

Garver still isn't a good defensive catcher but it appears he's improving and by quite a bit. 

 

And it's pretty easy to field a mediocre defensive catcher if the dude is hitting like Piazza.

[gil4]

 

Garver still isn't a good defensive catcher but it appears he's improving and by quite a bit. 

 

And it's pretty easy to field a mediocre defensive catcher if the dude is hitting like Piazza.

I'd be happy if he just hit like Brian Harper.

[wallyrichards]

Its so nice having hitters who can hit the ball the other way. I got so sick of Dozier trying to pull everything and Mauer always slapping it to left. Dozier wanted to pull it and hit home runs all the time and it made him so one dimensional. Easy to pitch to and same with Mauer. He never pulled it always hitting it to left and for some reason he couldn't hit with any power. This team is much better and the guys they added are really good. I know Joe was a hell of a athlete but with his huge salary it really hand cuffed the team. With the way Barrios, Odorizia and Perez have pitched we may not need to add pitching.  

[Old Twins Cap]

Best part of game, seeing Garver's lazy fly ball to RF go into the stands.

 

Aaron Judge does that all the time, and it's nauseating.

 

Of course, Judge would have likely caught Garver's fly if he were out there.

[stringer bell]

There certainly is room for more pitching. Not factoring in injuries, the bottom half (less leverage) of the bully has been poor, the top half is OK, but besides Rogers, there isn't a guy I feel comfortable with pitching in high leverage situations. A  right handed complement to Rogers would leave lower leverage situations for Parker, May and Hildy. 

 

As far as the rotation, Perez has been outstanding, Pineda pretty poor and Gibson's numbers are not good. There is room for better in the rotation and there isn't a season without pitchers missing significant time with injuries, so the club should have a plan when a guy or two go down. From what I've seen of reports from Rochester, there isn't much help there.

[jmlease1]

Odorizzi getting through 6 more this year is a really wonderful result. Takes a lot of pressure off the bullpen, takes some of the pressure off the starters going before or after him in the rotation and just improves the team. He's landed 3 starts with a Game Score over 70 already this year; last year he only hit that mark 4 times for the entire season. Would like him to bring the BBs down a little, but I'm very happy with how he's missing bats. Great start again, he's pitching with confidence.

 

Marwin looks like he's starting to come around at the plate; combined with his wonderful defense I think he's going to be a terrific asset this season even with the ice-cold start.

 

I'd say Schoop was smart to bet on himself, eh? If he hits like this the rest of the year, 2017 doesn't look like a fluke year any longer, but more like a pattern and he'll get paid at 28 with a very nice deal.

 

Cant say enough good things about Garver. He's seizing the opportunity with both hands.

[scottz]

With the way Barrios, Odorizia and Perez have pitched we may not need to add pitching.

I think you mean Parez.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Garver’s first at bat leading off the game, was: strike one, strike two, strike three, looking looking looking.

 

Seemed like it would be another one of “those games”

[Dantes929]

Odorizzi just shut out Astros and the Yankees.   I worry less about having an ace for possible playoffs cuz I know there are guys capable of pitching like aces at any given time and aces that can get rocked at any given time.   I would rather have an ace but how can you currently classify Odorizzi's last two weeks as anyting but ace like?