Article: BOS 2, MIN 0: Offense Squanders Berrios’ Gem

[USAFChief]

 

Amen, brother. Amen. Polanco was bunting for a hit. Rocco did not call for the sacrifice, Polanco made his own decision. 1-0 pitcher's duel against a good team and that entire side of the infield open makes it a defensible decision to bunt. To say that play lost the game is a head scratcher. That person must have assumed that Polanco would have had a base hit instead of moving up the runners. Then, conveniently point to Cruz hitting a nubber as evidence hunting is bad.

He may have made the decision to bunt on his own, but it wasn't a bunt for a hit. He squared away earlier in the AB, any element of surprise was gone, and he squared away so early there wasn't any question his first objective was to sacrifice.

 

The "entire side of the infield" wasn't open. Boston wasn't in a shift.

 

I don't think anyone has said that one play lost the game. IMO it certainly contributed, however. 

 

As for the DP, Polanco has grounded into 3 DPs this year, in 274 ABs...a little over 1 percent chance. He's hitting in the .330's, so he had roughly 30 times more chance of a hit than grounding into a DP. If you just take ABs with runners on 1st, 1st and 2nd, or bases loaded, he has 67 ABs, so about a 4 percent chance of grounding into a DP. And that, of course, ignores the possibility of a walk. He might also have advanced both runners, or one runner, while making an out. And, of course, he might have roped a double into the corner, setting up a big inning and putting the game away.

 

The entire subject of DPs, for that matter, is too insignificant to worry about. The Twins have grounded into 41 DPs this year, in over 2700 PAs. Too rare to give up one out intentionally on the chance of not giving up two.

 

BTW, it's not "convenient" to point out the strategy failed. Simply moving a runner from second to third is no guarantee the run will score. 

 

[USAFChief]

 

Dear Rocco,

 

I'm lodging my first official complaint of 2019.

 

You are overusing Blake Parker at the moment. I'm not saying that he should be cut, I'm not saying that you can never use him again but, you've got to back off on his usage at the moment. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Riverbrian

Parker has appeared 7 times in June, for a total of 5 IP. Four times since June 7th. 

 

He's not being overused, he's simply not very good. It's 2019, every reliever will be used, used fairly frequently, and often pitch in situations where runs are extremely likely to impact the game. 

 

Who should be pitching those innings, if not Parker?

[USAFChief]

 

Makes me sick to see guys here piling on Polanco. Dude actually did his job - something most Twins hitters didn't do!

 

A normal grounder to the right side by Cruz, a sac fly by Cruz - pretty much anything aside from a nubber to the mound and we're tied.

 

Criticizing Polanco is like criticizing Berrios for giving up that 1 run. There are lots of hitters to blame for last night's loss, none of them are named Polanco.

 

There are lots of games left, I know losing 2 in a row makes everyone grumpy but these things happen. The Twins coaches will have to start coaching and getting guys to make adjustments pretty soon but this team should be fine.

The infield was in.

[mikelink45]

This is my kind of game. I don't like football scores. It was a tight end with great pitching and I like the bunt. Just one of the other commenters stated polanco did his job. What was needed was for the runners and the subsequent batteries to do theirs.

[Tomj14]

 

Who should be pitching those innings, if not Parker?

Any of the relief pitchers they traded for, oh wait!

[MMMordabito]

I didn't like the Polanco bunt, mostly because I though Brewer was the pitcher to attack and he doesn't have the best control.  However, given the game situation, it's still a justifiable play.  It was well executed.

 

Rosario got himself out against Brewer.  I would almost bet that the mound visit involved something along the lines of "Don't give this guy anything to hit" .... I can't blame Eddie for trying to get the big hit because that's what he does and he has, but patience in that PA could have loaded the bases for Cron against a bad control pitcher with a lot of pressure on him.

 

The Parker results were as expected. That 0-2 pitch to Boegarts was just dumb.

 

Berrios is a rock.  He has got to be a contract priority soon.  Don't let him get away like Johan.

 

I just don't understand the Cruz bashing.  He's been a godsend to this lineup.  It's a round ball and a round bat ... You will get the bad spin.  I'd take Cruz in that PA 10 of the next 10 times.

[Tom Froemming]

I will put myself in the precarious position of Blake Parker defender. It's not a glamorous job, but somebody's gotta do it!

 

Before I start, I just want to say that in no way am I trying to advocate for him to continue pitching in high-leverage situations. But, I am going to back down from an earlier take I had saying that he needs a 10-day stay on the IL. Why?

 

I'm encouraged that we're seeing the splitter more. His usage of that pitch has gone up from 20.3% and 20.7% in April and May to 33.6% in June. If he's going to be productive, he needs that pitch. I was also happy to see his four seamer averaged 92.6 mph last night, nearly a full mph above where it's been sitting on the season.

 

He should slide down in the pecking order, and each outing should continue to be monitored very closely, but I actually think last night was a good step forward. The Bogaerts RBI double came on a pitch that was a few inches off the plate, exactly where Castro wanted it. I think that was more a good piece of hitting than a bad pitch.

 

We've seen Parker pitch much worse and not give up any runs. Hmm ... somehow I feel like that may not make people feel any better, ha!

[Dantes929]

 

a couple points about the bunt:

If it had been more a try for a bunt hit, I wouldn't mind as much.

IMO, intentional outs do more to relieve pressure off the pitcher than anything else. In this case, I felt that's exactly what it accomplished. I was watching Boston's broadcast, they were both surprised to see Polanco square off there.

A sacrifice reduces the chance of multiple runs. With the Twins bullpen, I'm not so sure playing for a tie there is good strategy.

And finally, I can only speak for myself...but I will never second guess a decision not to sac bunt. There might be times late in games where I don't hate them, but I will never question not using them. You only get 3 outs per inning. Giving away one of them intentionally just doesn't appeal to me.

I'm way more concerned about the bullpen than last night's offense anyway.

To be honest, I didn't see the play and assumed hit was at least a little in Polanco's mind.   I think major leaguers are surprisingly so-so defending bunts and they really don't like them.   I would have liked to see the game at least tied there and if we had scored both the runs and won 2-1 I am not sure we have this discussion.   I do believe you when you say you would not have criticized if he hit into a double play and there are those who would have been advocating sacrifice,   and that there is a third group that would wait to see the results before taking a position.   I am in the 4th group.   Late in the ball game, down one.   Good hitter up but good RBI guy behind him and home field.   I am ok either way, but I think I have a little more faith in the bullpen than you do.    Bummer the results didn't go our way.

[AceWrigley]

 

Polanco, Odorizzi, Berrios are the only Twins who deserve to be elected to the all star game.

I would add Berrios, Kepler and Garver.

[Riverbrian]

 

Parker has appeared 7 times in June, for a total of 5 IP. Four times since June 7th. 

 

He's not being overused, he's simply not very good. It's 2019, every reliever will be used, used fairly frequently, and often pitch in situations where runs are extremely likely to impact the game. 

 

Who should be pitching those innings, if not Parker?

 

Well... We have 8 relievers in the bullpen and the starting pitching still carrying the bulk of the water so nobody is being overused in that sense.

 

But... you are right... He is simply not very good (as of lately). 

 

Parker has made 7 appearances in June.

 

8 appearances since spitting up a couple of runs against the Brewers (which was the beginning of his slide downward) on May 28th. He hasn't had a clean inning in any of those appearances with his ERA rising from 1.04 to 4.44 in a very short span of time. Those appearances have been high leverage primarily especially with Rogers down for a significant portion of the time. 

 

Prior to this downward slide... Parker had made 19 appearances... Not Allowing a run in 17 of those 19 appearances. 

 

These things happen from time to time and I'm not saying that we should just toss him aside for good but at the moment he is struggling so lessen his work load at least in terms of leverage (at least temporarily) and give those innings to someone else. 

 

Yeah... I know the big question... Just who is Baldelli supposed to turn to?

 

I don't care... Anybody else not named Magill because Magill is in the same boat as Parker at the moment. 

 

It is not my job to staff the roster. It is the job of the front office to provide the manager with options who can (at the very least) perform better than a guy who has a 1.83 WHIP in high leverage and can't seem to find the zero to hang. . 

 

It's the Logan Morrison from last year argument all over again. 

 

Riverbrian: Quit Playing Logan Morrison everyday

 

Others: Who else is Molitor going to play... We don't have anybody else to play. 

 

Riverbrian: I don't care... We are allowed a roster of 25 players just like everybody else. If we can't find a player to out perform Logan Morrison we have failed as an organization and we won't ever find a player who can out perform Logan Morrison if you don't play that player.    

 

I'm allowing the front office to choose who they roster without complaint... I am going to stay consistent with what I said I was going to do. That is watch deployment of that roster. 

 

It's June and I have for the first time reached the point of taking issue.  

 

 

[Tomj14]

 

 

He should slide down in the pecking order, and each outing should continue to be monitored very closely, but I actually think last night was a good step forward. The Bogaerts RBI double came on a pitch that was a few inches off the plate, exactly where Castro wanted it. I think that was more a good piece of hitting than a bad pitch.

After Rogers and Harper where does he fit? blow May but above Duffy?

 

[Riverbrian]

 

I will put myself in the precarious position of Blake Parker defender. It's not a glamorous job, but somebody's gotta do it!

 

Before I start, I just want to say that in no way am I trying to advocate for him to continue pitching in high-leverage situations. But, I am going to back down from an earlier take I had saying that he needs a 10-day stay on the IL. Why?

 

I'm encouraged that we're seeing the splitter more. His usage of that pitch has gone up from 20.3% and 20.7% in April and May to 33.6% in June. If he's going to be productive, he needs that pitch. I was also happy to see his four seamer averaged 92.6 mph last night, nearly a full mph above where it's been sitting on the season.

 

He should slide down in the pecking order, and each outing should continue to be monitored very closely, but I actually think last night was a good step forward. The Bogaerts RBI double came on a pitch that was a few inches off the plate, exactly where Castro wanted it. I think that was more a good piece of hitting than a bad pitch.

 

We've seen Parker pitch much worse and not give up any runs. Hmm ... somehow I feel like that may not make people feel any better, ha!

 

It's a completely sensible take (as long as it includes the sentence... he should slide down in the pecking order). 

 

Temporarily... We don't have to Baby with the Bathwater Blake. Just give him some low leverage work as he works the kinks out. 

[Tomj14]

 

 

I would add Berrios, Kepler and Garver.

It is going to be tough for Garver, since Sanchez and Chirinos have higher WAR and he has been hurt.

Odo, Berrios, and Polanco will probably make it with Kepler missing out. My guess

[Number3]

Bats will come alive against Price tonight and Gibson will shut the Sox down tomorrow. No worries.

As Ben Hogan said, the most important shot (game) is the next one.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Dear Rocco,

 

I'm lodging my first official complaint of 2019.

 

You are overusing Blake Parker at the moment. I'm not saying that he should be cut, I'm not saying that you can never use him again but, you've got to back off on his usage at the moment. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Riverbrian

 

 

 

Using Blake Parker is questionable in general, but using him in high leverage situations (like last night's game, down 1-0 in the 9th) is unjustifiable IMO. The guy isn't good, and it again showed last night.

[luckylager]

Maybe we need La Tortuga's mojo back on the bench? His presence seems to have a magical effect on the bat rack.  

Edited June 18, 2019 by luckylager

[Tom Froemming]

 

After Rogers and Harper where does he fit? blow May but above Duffy?

How I would rank them at this exact moment*

Rogers

May

Harper

Duffey

Parker

Morin

Magill 

Littell

 

*This is the type of thing that should be ever-changing. Guys get hot, guys go cold and you have to be willing to react to that. That doesn't mean to the extremes of DFA a guy who's cold and promote a guy who's hot to closer, but you do have to let things evolve quickly if the situation calls for it.

 

My main concern with May is the walks. He's only walked one of the last 15 men he's faced, so I'm going to slide him up. If Duffey's going to continue to get chances ... actually give him chances. See what's there. If you just know he's not a guy you're ever going to trust, might as well get somebody else up here or give a guy like Littell an extended look as opposed to all these cameo appearances they've been doing.

[Blake]

 

Using Blake Parker is questionable in general, but using him in high leverage situations (like last night's game, down 1-0 in the 9th) is unjustifiable IMO. The guy isn't good, and it again showed last night.

I can sort of defend using Parker in that situation. He's got the experience in that kind of high leverage situation and Baldelli didn't want to burn through Rogers if the Twins were unable to tie the game.

 

There just weren't a lot of great choices last night. 

 

Again, I was surprised Parker only gave up 1 run. I thought for sure we were going to see Boston put 4 or 5 on the board.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

I can sort of defend using Parker in that situation. He's got the experience in that kind of high leverage situation and Baldelli didn't want to burn through Rogers if the Twins were unable to tie the game.

 

There just weren't a lot of great choices last night. 

 

Again, I was surprised Parker only gave up 1 run. I thought for sure we were going to see Boston put 4 or 5 on the board.

 

Harper, Duffey, May, and Rogers were all available last night and hadn't been used much over the last few days. Those guys, right now, are all better options than Parker IMO. Just because someone has experience in high leverage situations doesn't mean they are the right person to go with.

[Blake]

 

Harper, Duffey, May, and Rogers were all available last night and hadn't been used much over the last few days. Those guys, right now, are all better options than Parker IMO. Just because someone has experience in high leverage situations doesn't mean they are the right person to go with.

"Sort" of defend.

 

[Riverbrian]

How I would rank them at this exact moment*

Rogers

May

Harper

Duffey

Parker

Morin

Magill

Littell

 

*This is the type of thing that should be ever-changing. Guys get hot, guys go cold and you have to be willing to react to that. That doesn't mean to the extremes of DFA a guy who's cold and promote a guy who's hot to closer, but you do have to let things evolve quickly if the situation calls for it.

 

My main concern with May is the walks. He's only walked one of the last 15 men he's faced, so I'm going to slide him up. If Duffey's going to continue to get chances ... actually give him chances. See what's there. If you just know he's not a guy you're ever going to trust, might as well get somebody else up here or give a guy like Littell an extended look as opposed to all these cameo appearances they've been doing.

Bingo

[SirLoin]

So who do we get tonight?  Oh yeah, David Price.  Good times.....

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

So who do we get tonight?  Oh yeah, David Price.  Good times.....

 

Got lit up in his last start against TEX. There is reason for optimism!

[Aggies7]

Bunting with the league leader in BA is bad karma, whoever called for it.

[Otto von Ballpark]

As Ben Hogan said, the most important shot (game) is the next one.

Or as Paul Hogan said, "Call that a knife? This is a knife."

[Doomtints]

 

So who do we get tonight?  Oh yeah, David Price.  Good times.....

 

The Twins have historically done a good job v. Price.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Bunting with the league leader in BA is bad karma, whoever called for it.

 

How to bunt...

 

1) Don't.

2) Hit a dinger.

Edited June 18, 2019 by SpicyGarvSauce

[jkcarew]

I don't mind the bunt there in general...at home, late,when even one run scored flips the win probability in a major way. Having said that, I don't think I would have chosen to bunt with that match-up. Watching him, Polanco definitely took a very conservative 'sacrifice-first' approach, IMO. Another way of saying it would be...if he was bunting for a hit, it was about the worse possible bunt approach/placement he could have taken.

 

Bottom line, just got beat by a good pitcher. Boston has a ton of very good starters. The encouraging thing is that Berrios dominated a playoff calibre lineup. You can look at his game logs the last couple of years and you'll see plenty of nice outings. But, he's seldom been able to dominate a really good lineup. It looked like that stuff he had last night would play in a matchup vs Sale, Verlander, etc.

Edited June 18, 2019 by jkcarew

[Doomtints]

Why not bunt if you think the defense is not expecting a bunt?

 

Fans hate bunts, especially when they don't work, but this is the worst reason to not bunt.

Edited June 18, 2019 by Doomtints

[SwainZag]

Man the Twins have had their chances their last 2 games.  Berrios looked downright amazing.  The Red Sox record won't show it, but that is a star studded lineup that Jose toyed with all night.  The way he blew Betts away with that 95 MPH heater in the 8th...... !!!  He looks like a true ace out there.  I really think what Jake has doing is overshadowing Berrios, but he is putting together a damn fine season.

 

I have to give my hat off to Porcello as well.  I have never thought extremely high of him, but he was on point last night.  He rarely ever got behind, he rarely ever left anything over the heart of the plate and frustrated our guys all night.  One of the only mistakes he did make, Cron crushed 410 feet and missed tying the game by mere feet, that goes over the fence, the whole outcome changes.  If anyone should watch him pitch, it should be Kyle Gibson.

 

I'd like to rag on Parker, but my real question is why wasn't it May or Duffy in that situation?  You want to keep the game close and you are facing the heart of the Boston order.....get someone who can strike someone out.  Parker did give up the two doubles, but it was two all star caliber players....he just isn't who I would have up there.  

 

I think the bats are pressing a little bit.  Some pretty huge swings early on the count on not great pitches.  I think that tends to happen when the team slumps a little bit.  It was bound to happen, let's just hope they relax a little and break out of the funk soon.

Edited June 18, 2019 by SwainZag