Article: MIN 8, CHW 1: Gibby Sizzles Over 7 Solid Innings

[Andrew Gebo]

All this team does is win. Kyle Gibson was spectacular, completing seven innings for the second time this season, and the lineup stayed hot, scratching across eight more runs. The Twins have now won five straight and 10 of their last 11 games.Box Score

Gibson: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 69.4% strikes (68 of 98 pitches)

Home Runs: Adrianza (4)

Multi-Hit Games: Adrianza (3-for-4, HR), Polanco (2-for-5), Cron (2-for-3, 2B, BB)

WPA of +0.1: Cron .218, Gibson .214

WPA of -0.1: None

Download attachment: Win525.png

(chart via FanGraphs)

 

When You’re Hot, You’re Hot

The Twins got on the board early, which seems to be an ongoing theme in 2019. The two runs came in different varieties, however. With two on and two away in the first inning, C.J. Cron lifted an easy fly ball to right field that should have been a routine “can of corn” to end the inning but the baseball god’s had other ideas. The White Sox right fielder seemingly never had a good read on the ball, allowing it to drop in for a two-run double. The old adage, “the ball never lies” once again proved to be true when Cron was later thrown out trying to take third on a passed ball.

 

Thanks to RBI singles from C.J. Cron and Ehire Adrianza, the Twins added three more in the fourth inning and stretched their lead to 5-1. The lone run for the White Sox came from a Jose Abreu solo home run. With the way Gibson was throwing this game looked to be over before the fifth inning.

 

Quality Start for Kyle Gibson

Throughout most of this season, Kyle has struggled with working deep into games and has had a handful of outings where everything went wrong in one inning. That was not the case today. Gibby looked sharp from the first pitch of the game until his last. His final line was 7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

 

Going Streaking in Minneapolis

Every time a team goes on a winning streak I can’t help but remember this gem of a quote, “If we win today, it’s called two in a row, and if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a winning streak. It has happened before”. Luckily for the 2019 Twins, they are much better than the 1989 Lou Brown-led Indians from the classic film, Major League.

 

Today’s win was the fifth in a row for the Twins. The last time they won five in a row? Oh jeez, only about a week ago when they won five straight before dropping game four in Seattle last Sunday, May 19.

 

Selling Out For Taters

Call me a sellout but I love seeing taters and sold out baseball stadiums. When I began typing this segment of my story I had planned to write about how the Twins won without hitting a home run. then Ehire Adrianza decided to make me use the backspace button when he launched a three-run homer in the eighth inning breaking the score open and giving the Twins an 8-1 lead.

 

There was a lot of awesomeness in today’s game. Gibson pitched well, Adrianza had a multi-hit game and four RBIs, and the Twins won — again. The most awesome part about today though, at least to me, was the sellout crowd at Target Field. There’s something special and beautiful about a sea of red and blue filling the seats and cheering on the best team in the league. Hopefully the sellouts continue all through the summer.

 

MLB Draft DOES Matter

The MLB Draft will begin on June 3, so let’s go a decade back in time to the 2009 draft. Today’s starter, Kyle Gibson, is one of two starting pitchers taken in the first round that year who is still pitching for the team that drafted him. The other is Stephen Strasburg, who went first overall to the Nationals. In 2009, the Twins drafted Gibson with the 22nd overall pick and of the 16 pitchers taken in the first round, Kyle was the 14th pitcher to come off the board — meaning 13 other pitchers were taken before him.

 

A decade later it looks like the Twins didn’t miss on their first round pick, unlike many other teams that year. Here are a handful of the pitchers taken before Gibson and If you remember any of these names I will be very impressed: Matt Hobgood, Jacob Turner, Tyler Matzek, Aaron Crow, Matt Purke, Alex White, Chad James, and Chad Jenkins. Of those eight pitchers, only six of them ever appeared in a big league game. Those lucky six combined for a career WAR of 4.0 - which if you’re not familiar with WAR, just know that’s really bad. A WAR of 4.0 for a single player over the course of one season is pretty good, an all-star level player, but a six player combined career WAR of four is what’s referred to as “replacement level” production.

 

As I write this in 2019, Kyle Gibson has a career WAR of 9.3, which is the fourth best of the sixteen pitchers taken in the first round of 2009. Here are the three with a better career WAR: Stephen Strasburg (26.3), Mike Leake (12.6) and Mike Minor (10.1). A decade later it’s fair to say the Twins did well with their 22nd overall pick in 2009.

 

While you’re likely now feeling all warm and fuzzy and thinking “Oh wow, that is great! Good for the Twins!” There is one other relatively minor detail about that 22nd pick in 2009 - a guy named Mike Trout, was taken three picks later by the Angels with the 25th overall selection. Not only is he the first player to have a career earnings over half a billion dollars but he also has a career WAR of 67.5 which is more than Strasburg, Leake, Minor and Gibson combined.

 

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: Pen525.png

Next Game

Sun vs. CHW, 1:10 pm CT (Odorizzi-Covey)

 

Last Game

MIN 11, CWS 4: Twins Make Home Run History

 

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Click here to view the article

[h2oface]

I think I heard Gibson say, as he left the field, "Bite me, Nibwits." I was just reading lips though.

[MNT1996]

Over the past 10 games we've averaged 9.4 runs per game. Wow.

[IndianaTwin]

 

Over the past 10 games we've averaged 9.4 runs per game. Wow.

 

In the 24 games in May, we are averaging 6.95 and allowing 3.33.

 

[jkcarew]

For about a month now, Gonzalez showing why I thought he might be a good signing at the time. Of course, the argument to 'simply' keep/extend Escobar is as strong as ever (he's having a great year)...but, once they didn't, seems Gonzalez was a good choice given how this roster has shaped up.

[Han Joelo]

I do recall a few of those pitchers; certainly Aaron Crow--he was a Royal, no?  However, Purke and Hobgood?  I think I'll use that to name a Potion Shop or something, if I ever write a children's Harry Potter type novel.  

 

*winning has become so de rigeur (did I do that right?) that I don't even have a comment about the game to make.

[Andrew Gebo]

I do recall a few of those pitchers; certainly Aaron Crow--he was a Royal, no?  However, Purke and Hobgood?  I think I'll use that to name a Potion Shop or something, if I ever write a children's Harry Potter type novel.  

 

*winning has become so de rigeur (did I do that right?) that I don't even have a comment about the game to make.

 

I know how you feel! I felt the same way when writing this story. That’s why it features a quote from Major League and a history of the 2009 draft. Winning is fun though!

[james2334]

Wow, this team is amazing. I haven't felt this way about a sports teams since the 98 Vikings. I hope this doesn't end like that, with me in the fetal position, crying like a small child. Either way I'm all in. 

 

By the way does this lineup have a nickname? Something like the "Minneapolis Mashers" or the "The tater factory"? I don't know it feels like there should be something. 

[D.C Twins]

And Anotha one....

[D.C Twins]

Different player every night.....that's the sign of a champion in any sport....

[Nine of twelve]

 

For about a month now, Gonzalez showing why I thought he might be a good signing at the time. Of course, the argument to 'simply' keep/extend Escobar is as strong as ever (he's having a great year)...but, once they didn't, seems Gonzalez was a good choice given how this roster has shaped up.

Gonzalez is maybe half a tick below Escobar on infield defense but he's played outfield enough that I have more confidence in him as a 4th outfielder than I would Escobar.

Edited May 25, 2019 by Nine of twelve

[D.C Twins]

 

The new Minnesota Twins Hype Man...

[bighat]

 

Wow, this team is amazing. I haven't felt this way about a sports teams since the 98 Vikings. I hope this doesn't end like that, with me in the fetal position, crying like a small child. Either way I'm all in. 

 

By the way does this lineup have a nickname? Something like the "Minneapolis Mashers" or the "The tater factory"? I don't know it feels like there should be something. 

 

I threw a few out there last week. I think "The Grain Belters" was the most popular (ie: one person said they liked it).

This team is on a ridiculous roll. Do the Twins face any true MLB aces in the next week? I'd like to see a game against a Sale or Verlander type because at this point the Twins are just crushing mediocre and bad pitching without a second thought.

[jimbo92107]

 

Over the past 10 games we've averaged 9.4 runs per game. Wow.

That's just below Jack Morris's guarantee: You give me ten runs, I guarantee a win!

 

Close enough...

[jimbo92107]

The way the starters are pitching, I hope Baldy will keep sending out the weaker relief pitchers, let guys like Rogers rest a while. 

 

Oh wait, there's only one guy like Rogers. Hmmm. Well, they're all pitching pretty well right now, so keep sending them all out! 

[VATwinsFan]

Looks like it will be a 9 game lead over Cleveland later this evening. Rays are up 6-1 in the 7th.

[IndianaTwin]

During May, the Twins have only had one game in which the starter didn’t go at least five innings, and that was the game when Berrios had a big lead and got pulled an out short.

[Dman]

I know this a great offensive team but championships are won with great defense as well.  Austudillo's throw out at second was a thing of beauty.  Gonzalaz's run saving catch was fantastic.  Those are the plays that make me excited for this teams chances.  

 

The Whitesox were never able to recover after making mistakes in the field and to beat this Twins team you can't give away runs.  To some extent the Sox beat themselves today.

 

The Twins also knocked another starter out before the 5th inning.  This offense is so tough to face.  Every guy can do damage.  You can't pitch around players.

 

I haven't even mentioned Gibson yet.  What a crazy good job pitching today.  The Sox have some tough batters and other than the one HR he gave up he rolled through that lineup.

 

This team is starting to make up for all the miserable season I have watched the last several years.  I just love watching this team play every day.

[james2334]

 

I threw a few out there last week. I think "The Grain Belters" was the most popular (ie: one person said they liked it).

This team is on a ridiculous roll. Do the Twins face any true MLB aces in the next week? I'd like to see a game against a Sale or Verlander type because at this point the Twins are just crushing mediocre and bad pitching without a second thought.

They have 4 games at Tampa Bay at the end of the month that should test them. They may not have Sale or Verlander, but their pitching has been pretty good all year.

[VATwinsFan]

Looks like it will be a 9 game lead over Cleveland later this evening. Rays are up 6-1 in the 7th.

 

Rays beat Cleveland 6-2. Twins up by 9.

[jtkoupal]

Cleveland loses again! Twins now have a 9 game lead in the Central.

 

Some numbers to chew on:

 

Twins Magic Number: 103

 

The Twins can get to 90 Wins by going 55-56, the Indians would need to go 64-47 (.577, or a 93-win pace over 162 games) to get to 90 Wins.

 

The Twins can play about .550 ball and win 96 games, in which case the Indians would need to go 71-40 (.640, ~ a 103-win pace over 162)

 

The Twins have gone 8-8 against the Astros, Yankees, Indians, and Phillies. They have gone 27-8 (.771) against everyone else (non-contenders)

 

Throwing Tampa, Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta into the Contenders category, the Twins are on pace to win 110 games if they play .500 against contenders (39 games left) and .771 against non-contenders (72 Games Left).

[biswrest]

Rogers with one pitch over the last five, they probably are sending an arm down when cruz comes back.

[Danchat]

 

Rogers with one pitch over the last five, they probably are sending an arm down when cruz comes back.

I think Arraez goes to AAA because he should be getting everyday ABs. Adrianza has looked better as of late and can stay as the utility infielder for now.

[VATwinsFan]

Here's an interesting number -- the Twins have 35 wins but only 16 have offered a save opportunity to the bullpen. Only 6 teams in MLB have fewer.

[yarnivek1972]

We’re getting to the point where 8 relievers seems excessive again. The most pitches thrown by the entire pen in any one game this week is 53. The Twins top 2 relievers in terms of leverage have thrown 11 pitches since Tuesday. Pretty clear that when Cruz returns, a pitcher will be sent out. No point in keeping an extra arm that isn’t needed. They can always bring someone back if they need to.

[DocBauer]

He's been teasing us, but this is the Kyle Gibson we've been expecting and waiting for. With all due, respect, appreciation and hope and love for Perez and Odorizzi, don't be surprised if Gibson isn't out second best SP come playoff time.

 

In the FWIW category, Adrianza is nothing special. But in his last two seasons, he has been a quality utility glove man with an above .250 AVG with some pop and a few stolen bases along the way. He's been solid in his role. He got off to a BRUTSL start to the season. Currently his slash line looks like this:

 

.231AVG/ .306OB/ .359SLG/ .665OPS

 

But after his brutal start, and with mkre regular playing time filling in here and there, see what has been going on:

 

Last 30 games: .240/.341/.413/.754

Last 15 games: .333/.432/.611/1.043

Last 7 games: .438/.474/.813/1.257

 

Yes he's been on a hot streak. No he is not that good of a performer over the long haul. But it still shows he's not some waiver wire utility guy. And his past 2 solid season's add to that. There is a reason he hasn't been some automatic DFA to make room on the roster.

 

Man this team is fun to watch!!

[twinssporto]

I always knew this team was going to be great this year. I bet $1500 on the Twins to win ALCS back in December. Begged and pleaded for Perez signing and Cruz. Screamed for an extension for Kepler and Polanco...drafted Buxton, Odorizzi and Garver for fantasy league. Foresaw Rocco playing the shift in ways only actuaries could understand.

 

Sorry...got lost in the camp fire. I might need to slow down on the bourbon...Loons won’t stop screaming. Camp finally dried out. Twins won too. Ecstasy!

[Darius]

I threw a few out there last week. I think "The Grain Belters" was the most popular (ie: one person said they liked it).

This team is on a ridiculous roll. Do the Twins face any true MLB aces in the next week? I'd like to see a game against a Sale or Verlander type because at this point the Twins are just crushing mediocre and bad pitching without a second thought.

Grain Belt beer tweeted out last week that Dan Barreiro and Lavelle Neal were discussing nicknames for the team on KFAN. One was the The Grain Belters. Coincidence?

[Darius]

I think Arraez goes to AAA because he should be getting everyday ABs. Adrianza has looked better as of late and can stay as the utility infielder for now.

Agree.

 

Adrianza has superior position flexibility (could basically play anywhere but catcher/pitcher in a pinch).

 

It was a hot take that I was all over for a few days, myself. The longer it marinades, the less sense it makes to keep Arraez up here if the team gets healthy.

 

He’ll surely be up when rosters expand. But, there’s a pretty good chance we’ll see him before that. There will be another injury or two along the way.

Edited May 26, 2019 by Darius

[USAFChief]

Someone came up with "Tater Trot Hot Dish."

 

Like it.