Article: MIN 10, CHW 3: Twins Hit 5 Homers, Kepler Reaches New Career High

[Tom Froemming]

Plenty of people who would have believed Max Kepler was going to set a new career high in home runs this season, but to do it before the end of June? This is incredible. Max homered twice, giving him a career-high 21 homers, as the Twins beat the White Sox 10-3 this afternoon.Box Score

Pineda: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 71.6% strikes (63 of 88 pitches)

Bullpen: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

 

Home Runs: Kepler 2 (21), Cruz 2 (15), Sano (12)

Multi-Hit Games: Cruz (4-for-5, 2 HR, 2B), Kepler (2-for-5, 2 HR), Polanco (2-for-4, BB), Castro (2-for-4)

 

Top 3 WPA: Pineda .229, Cruz .223, Kepler .086

Bottom 3 WPA: Buxton -.086, Gonzalez -.049, Cron -.048

 

Kepler’s first homer came off White Sox starter Ivan Nova, the second came against left-handed reliever Josh Osich. That’s Max’s fifth home run off a left-handed pitcher already this season. He entered 2019 with nine homers off southpaws in his entire career.

 

 

The Twins grabbed a lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a Nelson Cruz two-run homer, but it appeared for a moment Michael Pineda was going to cough up the lead right away in the bottom of the inning. Pineda loaded the bases before recording his first out of the game, but managed to limit Chicago to just one run in the first.

 

After that, Pineda dominated. He struck out eight batters in his six innings, getting 15 swinging strikes on his 88 pitches. He topped out at 95.6 mph, and his four seamer averaged 93.8 mph. He came into today’s game averaging 92.4 mph on that pitch so far this season.

 

While some of Pineda’s overall numbers aren’t outstanding, he’s given up three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his 16 starts now. Both his performance and his velocity are trending in the right direction.

 

Speaking of guys trending in the right direction, after blasting a pair of homers last night, Miguel Sano hit another homer and drew a walk this afternoon. He now has 12 home runs in just 33 games so far this season.

 

Cruz added his second homer of the game in the ninth inning, giving the Twins another five-homer game. Boomstick was a beast today, going 4-for-5 while driving in five runs.

 

 

Return of the Mack (and Marwin)

Prior to today’s game, both Byron Buxton and Marwin Gonzalez were activated off the IL. Jake Cave and LaMonte Wade headed back to Rochester to make room on the roster. Buxton was 0-for-4 while Gonzalez went 1-for-5.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

Click here for a review of the number of pitches thrown by each member of the bullpen over the past five days.

 

Click here to view the article

[VATwinsFan]

When you get a chance, watch the replay of Cruz's second home run and then look at the expression on Buxton's face.

[terrydactyls]

Today is Saturday, June 29 and it was the 82nd game of the year.  The Twins are now 51%  of the way through the season.  Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 15th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 308 home runs this season.

[VATwinsFan]

And for the second day in a row, Cleveland loses to Baltimore 13-0.

 

Ouch.

[Brandon]

Today would have been a perfect day to let Thorpe make his MLB debut in the 9th inning.

 

Also it's good that Kepler set his career high in HRs before the All Star break. You don't want to have that last one hanging over your head as something you didn't get done before a mini vacation.

[Monticore]

Pineda is alright. He got out of that 1st and that was big.

[Squirrel]

Today would have been a perfect day to let Thorpe make his MLB debut in the 9th inning.

Also it's good that Kepler set his career high in HRs before the All Star break. You don't want to have that last one hanging over your head as something you didn't get done before a mini vacation.

Thorpe will start tomorrow’s game.

[twinssporto]

A few take aways after watching the highlight reels and Rocco's interview:

 

1. This lineup is so crazy good.  I'm literally speechless on how dangerous they really are. They all look so confidant and sure of themselves.  The "mojo" they are displaying on a daily basis is impressive.  I think these guys are seriously playing a game that says, if I don't hit, no bother, my brother, the guy behind me will hit it. Good luck pitching around somebody. If I was a pitcher facing our full lineup I'd be like...Fudge! Hopefully I get out of here with 5 runs or less.  We've managed to decimate most of the Cy Young guys this year anyways.

 

2. Rocco looks like he might have hit his stride too.  He looks as relaxed as an Exlax pill.  When we are at full strength I will take this lineup over any Astro or Yankee team all day long. 

 

3. Yes, I know our bullpen can use some support and maybe our starting pitching too but if nothing changed, I'll take the odds this team goes the distance in October...As Jack Morris famously said, "In the immortal words of Marvin Gaye, Let's get it on".  

 

Tom - Thanks again for another great recap.  Much appreciated!!!

 

[Nine of twelve]

Per Phil Miller of the Strib Kepler's 333-foot dinger is the Twins' shortest since MLB began tracking that in 2008.

[MNT1996]

Kinda needed to win that one because tomorrow's game might get a little dicey. 

[jmlease1]

Still no 3-game losing streak for this squad. That's pretty amazing.

 

The power depth of the lineup is what's really remarkable.There's just no one out there that a pitcher can groove a fastball to and feel any confidence they won't hammer it. Cron, Kepler, Rosario, Sano, Cruz, Polanco, Buxton...all slugging over .500. That's absolutely ridiculous to have 7 guys doing that (and Garver's there too; swap Castro out of the starting lineup and we could have 8 guys over that). Even the Yankees can't do pull that off. (even healthy, they top out at 5 or 6 right now)

 

Love seeing this out of Kepler too. He'd been scuffling a bit recently, so it's good to see him come back from the elbow ding with a couple of HRs.

[DocBauer]

Not going to post twinssporto for brevity, but agree with his comments. End of June and a rash of injuries and questions about the BP and this team has yet to lose mkre than 2 games in a row??!! This team absolutely believes in itself!

 

1] A little disappointed Pineda didn't start the 7th. But I also see what Rocco is doing here. Very smart! Let him continue on his recovery arc and be effective for the whole season.

 

2] Anyone else notice that after a 7-10 stretch the pen has actually been damn good? Not saying we don't need improvement, but the rebound has been great and unexpected.

 

3] Sano: What do you say? He's rebounding emotionally, physically and mentally from a lost season with zero ST and possibly an abbreviated milb rehab. He looks good. Then he looks awefull. Pathetic even. SSS, he's on a sudden terror. I saw one AB today where Nova was pitching him outside. Not WAY outside as we've seen recently. And he stood tall, didn't swing or check swing, and took the BB. something is happening/changing.

 

In the broadcast today, there was serious and joking commentary about Cruz and Sano having fun mimicking one another on HR trots. And a comment was made that you couldn't ask for a better example on the club for Sano, and his maturation, than having Cruz on the team. I don't think this should be glossed over as hyperbole.

 

Excited to see Thorpe in his debut tomorrow!

[DocBauer]

BTW, been a believer in Kepler for a while now. Really thought 2018 might be the start of his coming of age season. Obviously wrong on that one,and admit it. But I also state I have been on record as to believing it was only a matter of time and growth before he put it together and dismissed opinion he was a 4th OF.

 

The guy just exudes athletic talent and potential. I was just a season, maybe, late for when it would all start to coalesce for him.

 

Funny how 2 years ago Rosario was a 4th OF. And a BTW, Polanco could never play SS. This past off season, Kepler was a 4th OF. Absolutely NOT picking on anyone! Just stating how frustrating the word "patience" can be. We might remember that ugly word when we think about and discuss Sano.

[denarded]

quick side note. I was at game today but running late and as I walked up to the park I heard loud applause and thought crap its already the bottom of the first ( White sox Batting) got in to stadium and it was Twins 2-0 There were that many Twins fans applauding Cruz' HR. Very cool. Sat next to a woman wearing a Bomba Squad Tshirt. On the flip side, there were some obnoxious Twins fans out after the game. I guess my point is I love the fandom at Comiskey ( or whatever it's called now) where there used to be few twins fans at games to a healthy portion on a Saturday but let's be cool and applaud ourselves for supporting the team

[jimbo92107]

Glad to see the team get back to its homer bashing ways. Sano finally is finding the top of the ball instead of swinging under it. Next, let's see Buxton hit some line drives. 

[rdehring]

Yes, the Twins need some help in the bullpen.  But Duffey seems to be developing into the answer for one of those late inning spots.  Looking at his face and body language he doesn't look all that confident, but his results are.

 

When the TV crew had Harold Baines in the booth yesterday, he and Bert were talking about the Hall.  Kept thinking who on the Twins could someday achieve that feat.  Depending on who you talk to, Mauer has a good chance or is likely, but he is retired.  Maybe Cruz, but how about anyone from this young core?

 

To get into the Hall you have to be very good, consistently good for a long time.  I have continued to support Kepler since his early years in the organization.  When some were talking of trading him or his being a fourth outfielder who played some first base, I didn't get it.  I saw him as a great athlete who was going to be a future star.  Coming from his background, it was just going to take a little longer.

 

Lets assume he has another dozen productive years.  No one knows what the future holds, but it is not unrealistic that he can have a career average around .280 and hit 35-40 home runs most years with around 100 runs and RBI's.  Take those numbers times 12 plus what he will have at the end of this year and you would have career stats of .280 lifetime average, 525-550 home runs, and 1,500 runs and RBI's.  Add good speed along with being a premier defensive right fielder who does a very solid job in center. 

 

He's not going to accomplish that every year, but should he average the above by the time he is 38, does that make the Hall?  I don't know, but if he would pick up a MVP or two he would certainly have serious consideration.  Does he continue to improve, remain healthy and play into his mid to late 30's, only time will tell.  

 

I imagine one can make the same set of projections for Polanco.  Kind of reminds me of when I was a younger man living in Wisconsin and the Brewers had Yount and Molitor.  The Twins look awfully smart having gotten Kepler and Polanco signed for the next 5-6-7 years.  Hopefully, they can do one step better than the Brew Crew and keep both for their entire careers.  If they do, us Twins fans should be in for one hell of a ride this next decade.  Unfortunately, its a long shot that old guys like me and others here will still be around 17 years from now to know whether or not Kep gets that call. 

[jimbo92107]

Just looked at Nelson Cruz hitting two homers yesterday. You know whose swing looks kinda like that? Mitch Garver's. I know people are always comparing Cruz to Sano, but Sano's swing is a lot bigger and more swoopy. Cruz is more short to the ball, which is Garv Sauce's whole emphasis. Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Garver add more power as he watches Cruz do his stuff in batting practice. 

 

In fact, it looks kinda like the whole batting order is getting tips from Cruz. It would explain a lot. 

[yarnivek1972]

Yes, the Twins need some help in the bullpen. But Duffey seems to be developing into the answer for one of those late inning spots. Looking at his face and body language he doesn't look all that confident, but his results are.

 

When the TV crew had Harold Baines in the booth yesterday, he and Bert were talking about the Hall. Kept thinking who on the Twins could someday achieve that feat. Depending on who you talk to, Mauer has a good chance or is likely, but he is retired. Maybe Cruz, but how about anyone from this young core?

 

To get into the Hall you have to be very good, consistently good for a long time. I have continued to support Kepler since his early years in the organization. When some were talking of trading him or his being a fourth outfielder who played some first base, I didn't get it. I saw him as a great athlete who was going to be a future star. Coming from his background, it was just going to take a little longer.

 

Lets assume he has another dozen productive years. No one knows what the future holds, but it is not unrealistic that he can have a career average around .280 and hit 35-40 home runs most years with around 100 runs and RBI's. Take those numbers times 12 plus what he will have at the end of this year and you would have career stats of .280 lifetime average, 525-550 home runs, and 1,500 runs and RBI's. Add good speed along with being a premier defensive right fielder who does a very solid job in center.

 

He's not going to accomplish that every year, but should he average the above by the time he is 38, does that make the Hall? I don't know, but if he would pick up a MVP or two he would certainly have serious consideration. Does he continue to improve, remain healthy and play into his mid to late 30's, only time will tell.

 

I imagine one can make the same set of projections for Polanco. Kind of reminds me of when I was a younger man living in Wisconsin and the Brewers had Yount and Molitor. The Twins look awfully smart having gotten Kepler and Polanco signed for the next 5-6-7 years. Hopefully, they can do one step better than the Brew Crew and keep both for their entire careers. If they do, us Twins fans should be in for one hell of a ride this next decade. Unfortunately, its a long shot that old guys like me and others here will still be around 17 years from now to know whether or not Kep gets that call.

This comment didn’t age well.

[Mr. Brooks]

This comment didn’t age well.

Why? Because he had one bad outing? What about the 9 scoreless appearances (and 12 of 13) before that?

[yarnivek1972]

Why? Because he had one bad outing? What about the 9 scoreless appearances (and 12 of 13) before that?

Because exactly this has been his pattern for the past three years. He will tantalize with a good couple weeks and then revert to his same failings.

[Mr. Brooks]

Because exactly this has been his pattern for the past three years. He will tantalize with a good couple weeks and then revert to his same failings.

One bad outing isn't enough to be considered "reverting back to his same failings" though. Everyone, no matter how good, has a bad outing here or there.

[stringer bell]

Duffey allowed four straight singles, I think that happens and you have to shake your head and move on. He didn't make matters worse by walking or plunking a couple of guys. If he puts together another half dozen to ten good outings around this one, I'll chalk yesterday up to bad fortune.