Article: Twins Game Recap (7/27): Nova Nixes Twins Chances

[Ted Schwerzler]

Minnesota needed a win tonight to secure the series victory over the Chicago White Sox. Facing arguably the worst starter for the Southsiders they were pretty heavy favorites. Even with his home run tendencies Nova kept the ball in the yard, did not get burned by the top of the Twins lineup, and earned the victory in a rather lifeless effort from the opposition.Box Score

Perez: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K 64% strikes (64-100)

Bullpen: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

 

Home Runs: None

Multi-Hit Games: Buxton (2-for-3, R, 2B)

Top WPA: Polanco .093, Buxton .028

 

Perez Solid but Not Dominant

 

The past few turns through the rotation have been pretty back and forth for the Twins lefty. After posting a strong outing against the New York Mets 10 days ago the New York Yankees beat him around last time out. Tonight Martin gave Minnesota a quality turn going six innings, allowing seven hits, and giving up three earned runs.

 

Chicago never put two runs across in any inning against the Twins starter and Perez left down just two runs. Unfortunately Minnesota’s bats struggled to get anything going and came up empty in an early bases loaded situation as well.

 

Next time out he’ll look to post back-to-back quality starts for the first time since May 6.

 

Nova Neutralizes the Bomba Squad

 

Facing the White Sox best pitcher and then their youngest one the last two nights, Minnesota sent baseballs into the Chicago sky at an alarming pace. Nova came into tonight with a 5.49 ERA and a 1.7 HR/9. Somehow the only run he gave up was unearned and Ivan didn’t let the ball leave the yard.

 

Nelson Cruz was looking to homer in a sixth straight game and not only did he fail to do so off of Nova, but Ivan held Minnesota batters to just two hits. Sometimes baseball makes very little sense, and this lineup being shut down by this pitcher doesn’t add up. Tonight Nova came out on top.

 

Romo Incoming

 

During the game news broke that the Minnesota Twins have acquired Sergio Romo from the Miami Marlins. It has been confirmed that he’ll be with the team tomorrow despite the Twins upcoming trip to Miami. While the 40 man roster has openings there will need to be a 25-man roster move made.

 

Cody Stashak was the most recent relief promotion from Triple-A and he did work an inning tonight in Chicago. It would seem to make some sense that he’d be the guy optioned back to Rochester in order to get Romo in the pen. Derek Falvey almost certainly will be making other moves, but this was a good one to get the ball rolling.

 

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

[MNT1996]

The reality that we could very well be tied with Cleveland by the end of tomorrow is just mind blowing. Twins fans are putting a lot of faith in Cleveland not performing against the good teams in their upcoming schedule. Just don't be surprised if they keep on playing great baseball against those teams with that pitching staff they have. Twins seemed too comfortable with that 11.5 game lead, and this is what happens.

[USAFChief]

I was disappointed to see the Twins playing the infield in, a sharp ground ball hit to Sano, who makes a nice diving stop...and then doesn't know what to do with the ball.

 

The reason you were playing in, good sir, was to cut off the run at the plate. The decision was already made to forgo the DP. Plenty of time in this case, too, until he started to throw to second.

 

That's the kind of mental error that bugs me. Physical errors happen, and can certainly be aggravating, but it's impossible to play without occasional errors. But...when you are specifically playing in, in the hopes of getting a ground ball and cutting off the run, and you get one, and still don't get the out...

 

 

 

 

[jdoffing11]

 

The reality that we could very well be tied with Cleveland by the end of tomorrow is just mind blowing. Twins fans are putting a lot of faith in Cleveland not performing against the good teams in their upcoming schedule. Just don't be surprised if they keep on playing great baseball against those teams with that pitching staff they have. Twins seemed too comfortable with that 11.5 game lead, and this is what happens.

Anyone who looked at the upcoming schedules and realized the natural ebbs and flows of a 162 game season knew the lead wasn't going to continue to stay at 11.5. It may have come down quicker then some expected. And regardless of competition the Indians are playing at least a little better than the beginning of the season, we will find out soon how much is real. But the fact of the matter is the Indians also have a 15-21 record vs .500 or better teams (20th in league), and now play 23 of those games in a rown. Coming into tonight their record was 3 games better than their pythWL (calculates what your record should be based on % of runs scored vs allowed) suggesting luck and future regression (for comparison ours is 1 better). And that's against to this point by far the weakest schedule in the league (http://powerrankingsguru.com/mlb/strength-of-schedule.php). Last thing, we have 23 games left against teams on pace for 100 losses vs their 9. We also play head to head 10 times (7 at Target Field). Take care of those two things, and get another decent arm or two at the deadline, and we'll absolutely win the division.

[terrydactyls]

Yesterday was Saturday, July 27, it was the 104th game of the year and the Twins hit 0 home runs giving them a total of 201 home runs for the season. The Twins are now 64% of the way through the season. Out of 59 years, the current team ranks 4th on the all-time list of Twins' home runs in one season and are on a pace to hit 313 home runs this season. They are now 66 home runs behind the single season MLB record. The next Twins team to pass is the 2017 team that hit 206 home runs.

 

[Old Twins Cap]

It's been a fun season.

 

How many years over the last decade would we have killed to have a team like this and to be in the playoff hunt?

 

Buck up Twins' boosters and enjoy the ride.

 

The young boys are getting a great experience and whatever happens will build character and capacity for the future.

 

All in on the next two months.

[Tom Froemming]

Some nights you hit three home runs, some nights the only thing you hit is your own face.

[Darius]

A lot of talk going around about how the Indians are taking advantage of a weak schedule and that’s why they are where they are.

 

Well, we lost our last series to the White Sox in June. We got swept by the Mets. Now, we’re in danger of splitting a four gamer to one of the worst teams in baseball without two of their three best players (Anderson, Jimenez). Unacceptable.

 

It’s time to place responsibility where it’s due. The Indians are playing bad teams, sure. But, that’s not why this lead has evaporated. I’m getting tired of that cop-out excuse.

 

The lead is gone because the Twins have been playing bad, error-ridden baseball for two months. It’s the Twins fault for not taking care of business. They’re not beating the teams they need to be beating. They’re blowing it. Choking, if you will.

 

I’m sure the Indians are quaking in their cleats at the thought of now having to face Sergio Romo’s 88 mph fastball down the stretch. If they split with the White Sox, this division race will be as good as over in my mind.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Darius

[SwainZag]

 

A lot of talk going around about how the Indians are taking advantage of a weak schedule and that’s why they are where they are.

Well, we lost our last series to the White Sox in June. We got swept by the Mets. Now, we’re in danger of splitting a four gamer to one of the worst teams in baseball without two of their three best players (Anderson, Jimenez). Unacceptable.

It’s time to place responsibility where it’s due. The Indians are playing bad teams, sure. But, that’s not why this lead has evaporated. I’m getting tired of that cop-out excuse.

The lead is gone because the Twins have been playing bad, error-ridden baseball for two months. It’s the Twins fault for not taking care of business. They’re not beating the teams they need to be beating. They’re blowing it. Choking, if you will.

I’m sure the Indians are quaking in their cleats at the thought of now having to face Sergio Romo’s 88 mph fastball down the stretch. If they split with the White Sox, this division race will be as good as over in my mind.

 

The Indians are winning at a 75% clip over their last 45 games or so and if they keep up that pace they are going to win 108 games and be the #1 seed going into the playoffs.  Yes, the Twins have treaded water over that same period, but give the Indians some credit, they are playing lights out baseball right now.  That being said, there is a lot of baseball left this season.

[bighat]

I'm going to press pause on my frustration-o-meter for this game. If the Twins win Sunday's game, all is forgiven with this clunker. If they lose, I'll be extra grouchy.

 

Nibbly Gibby is on the hill for a huge game. His last big game test against the Yankees did not go well. Twins need this guy to perform at his best from here on out, can't just rely on Berrios any more.

[Doomtints]

The extended sloppy play by the Twins infield is unacceptable. Has Baldelli talked about this in any substantial way? Talk about the pitching all you want, every pitcher is going to look bad with this defense behind it.

 

I have never seen a Twins infield play defense this poorly.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Doomtints