Front Page: Week in Review: Bombs Away

[Nick Nelson]

Minnesota broke the all-time MLB home record with a month left to spare. September roster expansion brought with it a flurry of additions. And the Twins extended their lead in the AL Central by two more games with another dominant week on the road.

 

Let's break down where things stand as we head into the stretch run.

Weekly Snapshot: Mon, 8/26 through Sun, 9/1

***

Record Last Week: 5-1 (Overall: 84-52)

Run Differential Last Week: +23 (Overall: +174)

Standing: 1st Place in AL Central (5.5 GA)

Willians Watch: HE'S BACK!

Starting next season, September rosters will increase to 28. So for now, the Twins are enjoying their last year of unencumbered freedom by calling up a full complement of reinforcements for the final month.

 

Among the expected arrivals are a number of familiar pitchers: Zack Littell, Kohl Stewart, Lewis Thorpe, Devin Smeltzer. One of those pitchers (probably Smeltzer) will be at least temporarily replacing Kyle Gibson in the rotation, as he was placed on the shelf with ulcerative colitis – apparently it's been bothering him for most of the season, which... ouch. Poor guy.

 

The biggest name in the weekend's roster influx is Brusdar Graterol, Minnesota's top pitching prospect who joins much more as an impact infusion than simply a depth plug. He debuted on Sunday, tossing a scoreless ninth with a strikeout while giving up two weakly hit singles. As advertised, Graterol flashed 100 on the radar gun, and he impressed with his location on a few perfectly placed burners on the edges of the zone.

 

 

Next in line for his MLB debut is Ian Miller, the speedy outfielder acquired from Seattle last month. The 27-year-old will serve a very specific purpose: wheels on demand. He had 35 steals on 42 attempts in Triple-A this year and is 243-for-294 in seven minor-league seasons. Definitely a good piece to have, although the Twins are even happier to have their centerpiece blazer back.

 

Byron Buxton was activated on Sunday, after having his rehab paused early last week when he felt pain in his shoulder while swinging. He appeared as a defensive replacement late in his first game back. It sounds like he's still not going to be available to hit for the time being, but he can run and play defense so that's positive news. LaMonte Wade Jr., himself activated from a lengthy IL stint, also joins to bolster outfield depth and entered Sunday's game.

 

But... I've buried the lede here! Willians Astudillo has finally returned after hitting .325/.372/.500 in nine games at Triple-A. He started at first base on Sunday in his first game back, finishing 1-for-2 with a pair of HBPs.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

How. About. This. Offense.

 

By launching 15 more bombas last week, the Twins blasted past the major-league record for home runs in a season, set by the 2018 Yankees at 267. Multiple other teams will eclipse that mark this year, but the Twins got there first. It's an amazing feat on its own, and especially when you consider they accomplished it before the calendar flipped to September.

 

That wasn't the only notable slugging record to fall. On Saturday in Detroit, the Twins became the first team in MLB history to have eight different players reach 20 home runs, when Jorge Polanco crossed the milestone on a two-run jack. Back in January I wrote about how, as recently as 2013, the Twins didn't have a SINGLE PLAYER hit 20 home runs. It was clear at the time that this lineup would be fundamentally different from those of the Terry Ryan era. But no one could foreseen a turnaround this drastic.

 

 

Contributing to last week's bash-fest, which saw the lineup churn out 49 runs in six games and carry the team to a 5-1 record despite mostly subpar work from the rotation, were a combination of usual suspects and surprise faces. Let's run through some of the top producers in another monster week for the Bomba Squad:

• Nelson Cruz: He just continues to rake, and was 12-for-25 last week with a homer and eight RBIs. Despite the ruptured tendon in his wrist, the 39-year-old is starting everyday and producing relentlessly. He's even showing excellent vision at the plate, with three walks against four strikeouts last week.
• Jonathan Schoop: His late-season emergence is very intriguing. For much of the summer his undeniably strong production has been inflated by garbage-time feasting. But no one could say such a thing about last week, arguably his best of the year. Schoop went 7-for-17, with his three home runs including a key early bomb against Lucas Giolito and a tone-setting three-run shot the following day. Schoop still probably doesn't find his way into an optimal, healthy Twins lineup right now, but he's a great piece to have on hand.
• C.J. Cron: It sure seems like his thumb is feeling better. The first baseman struggled through a couple months while acknowledging his inflammation, going on the shelf two separate times. But of late he's been finding his stroke. Last week he put on a power-hitting clinic with two homers and three doubles among his seven hits. In five starts, he drove in seven runs.
• Polanco: Another (relative) recent laggard whose bat is once again heating up. The shortstop delivered a nonstop assault at the plate, going 12-for-24 to nudge his batting average back over .300.
• Max Kepler: He missed time while nursing a bruised knee but was outstanding while on the field, going 4-for-12 with a homer and two doubles.
• Mitch Garver: He hit the record-breaking home run on Saturday night, one of two on the day and three on the week for the best power-hitting catcher in franchise history. It still feels very weird and wonderful to write those words.
• Jake Cave: He saw his batting average – which flirted with .500 in the first three weeks of August – come down to earth a bit as he finished 5-for-23 on the week. But Cave mixed in two homers and a double, as well as a big early two-run single on Sunday.

In a game that epitomized the all-around contribution that serves as trademark for this historically potent offense, the Twins put up 10 runs on 16 hits in Chicago on Thursday to clinch a sweep despite the absences of banged-up Sano, Kepler, Marwin Gonzalez, and Buxton. Garver was also on the bench. I thought Cave's quote after the game said it all:

 

 

While the offense kept surging, the bullpen continued to assert itself as a strength for the Twins. On the week, relievers combined for 22 1/3 innings, allowing just four earned runs (1.61 ERA) with a 26-to-1 (!) K/BB ratio. Just outstanding work.

 

Particular standouts included Trevor May, who struck out eight over three scoreless innings, and Tyler Duffey, who turned in two shutout frames with four strikeouts. These two have quietly turned into overpowering late-inning threats. In August, May allowed just one run in 12 appearances while registering an 18% swinging strike rate. Duffey didn't allow a single run in his 13 appearances while holding opponents to a .167 average.

 

On top of the strong performances, the Twins were able to once again reserve Taylor Rogers, who pitched just once all week, just as he did the week prior. Getting their bullpen ace ample rest at this point of the season is a victory in itself.

 

LOWLIGHTS

 

As fantastically as the Twins have been playing, it becomes slightly harder to enjoy when Jose Berrios – perhaps the team's single most important player as far as postseason advancement is concerned – continues to bottom out. His latest turn counted as an improvement, as he allowed three runs over six innings to qualify for the lowest threshold of a "quality start," but the right-hander was still a far cry from ace form.

 

His velocity continues to sputter. His once-sharp command keeps faltering (he was charged with FOUR wild pitches in the start – one more than he had all season coming in). And once again the gas just seemed to run out midway through; Berrios got through four scoreless frames before giving up three runs in the fifth and sixth. All this against a very weak White Sox offense.

 

Alas, Berrios now must attempt to put a very ugly month behind him – he posted a 7.57 ERA in five August starts as opponents hit .333/.395/.556 – and turn the page in September. Phenomenal as their offense is, the Twins have little hope of winning a playoff series if they don't have a multiple starters who can keep another elite lineup in check. Right now, Berrios doesn't look capable. He's had his hands full with some of the league's worst offenses.

 

That's also true for Gibson, who at one point looked like a credible option to start playoff game No. 2 behind Berrios. For a second straight time on Friday, Gibson faced the AL's worst offense, and for a second straight time the Tigers had his number. This time around, Gibson allowed four runs on 10 hits while laboring through five innings on 107 pitches. Making the long, plodding outing all the more frustrating is that he was pitching with a big lead, having been handed a four-run lead before he even took the mound.

 

Much like Berrios, Gibson is experiencing a troubling decline in velocity at a troubling time. His steady emergence as a quality No. 2/3 type, which began around the middle of 2017, was fueled by all-around velo gains throughout his arsenal – perhaps the result of mechanical overhauls he implemented ahead of the '17 campaign.

 

As the progressive velocity chart below via Brooks Baseball indicates, Gibson saw a steady ascension throughout his pitch repertoire, starting in late 2017 and carrying over all the way to the middle of 2019. But of late? Yikes.

 

Download attachment: gibsonvelo1.png

 

That downward dive at the right end is alarming. It is likely that the ulcerative colitis issue, which landed him on the IL Sunday, helps explain Gibson's softened edge. This is a miserable digestive tract affliction that can take a toll on one's overall health, energy, and weight. From knowing people who've dealt with it, I can say it's not always the easiest to treat. But Gibson says he hopes to return after missing just one start.

 

The Twins are a great team. They've shown they can slug with any team in the game, and their bullpen is giving us reason to believe – especially with the arrival of Graterol. But it's just really damn hard to win against fellow great teams without high-end starting pitching, and two of Minnesota's best hopes on this front are completely out of whack with the postseason a month away.

 

Gibson has arguably the best stuff in the rotation. (His 13.3% swinging strike rate leads all Twins starters and ranks qualified among AL starters.) Berrios is undoubtedly the best overall pitcher in the rotation. Until they find a way to get going again, it's hard to have much confidence in the team making any kind of legitimate run.

 

TRENDING STORYLINE

 

While their primary focus for the next month will obviously be fending off Cleveland and locking up the Central, the Twins will simultaneously be trying to establish a pitching hierarchy for the postseason. That means lining up starters for a potential ALDS, of course, but also identifying the most trustworthy arms for the middle and late innings. Given the current state of their rotation, it's very possible the team will pivot to lean heavily on relievers come October.

 

Can Graterol make enough of an impression to warrant a roster spot for the playoffs? I think it's far from a given. Keep in mind he just turned 21 and has thrown only a handful if innings above Double-A. Can May and Duffey continue to distinguish themselves, especially against stronger competition in the next few weeks? Will Rogers look rested or rusty in the action to come after getting a lot of downtime the past couple weeks?

 

These are the threads I'm following closely as we roll into the final month.

 

DOWN ON THE FARM

 

On Thursday, Trevor Larnach was named Florida State League Player of the Year, in recognition of his .316/.382/.459 slash line over 84 games in a pitcher-friendly environment where the average hitter sat at .242/.313/.353. Although the FSL shut down early last week, with Hurricane Dorian bearing down on the Sunshine State, Larnach was still playing, having been promoted to Pensacola midway through July. He celebrated the honor by launching a homer in a 3-for-5 night, and has an .830 OPS through 42 games at Double-A, with Pensacola's regular season reaching its end on Monday.

 

As the minor-league seasons wind down, attention begins to turn fully toward the big-league roster, which is a lot more populous now than it was two days ago.

 

LOOKING AHEAD

 

Twins fans have been dealing with a strange medley of feelings lately. On the one hand, the Twins are setting records, racing toward their first division title in nine years, and winning a whole lotta games. They're 12-4 in their last five series. They're holding strong.

 

On the other hand, they've won only one series against a good team in the past two months. Their rotation looks like a mess even against bottom-dwelling clubs that have all but given up. And now, the difficulty level is about to turn up by several notches. It feels like a reckoning is coming unless Minnesota can rise to the challenge.

 

Fenway Park is an extremely difficult place to win when your pitchers are misfiring. If Berrios and Martin Perez can't turn things around quickly the Red Sox series may get ugly. Afterward, the Twins return home for a massively critical three-gamer against Cleveland, perhaps with a chance to bury the dagger.

 

It's crunch time.

 

MONDAY, 9/2: TWINS @ TIGERS – RHP Jake Odorizzi v. RHP Jordan Zimmermann

TUESDAY, 9/3: TWINS @ RED SOX – RHP Jose Berrios v. RHP Rick Porcello

WEDNESDAY, 9/4: TWINS @ RED SOX – TBA v. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

THURSDAY: 9/5: TWINS @ RED SOX – LHP Martin Perez v. RHP Nathan Eovaldi

FRIDAY, 9/6: INDIANS @ TWINS – RHP Adam Plutko v. RHP Michael Pineda

SATURDAY, 9/7: INDIANS @ TWINS – RHP Aaron Civale v. RHP Jake Odorizzi

SUNDAY, 9/8: INDIANS @ TWINS – RHP Mike Clevinger v. RHP Jose Berrios

 

Catch Up On Twins Daily Game Recaps

• Game 131| MIN 3, CWS 1: Bullpen Depth Proves Key In Twins Win
• Game 132 | MIN 8, CWS 2: Twins Sail Past White Sox for Series Win
• Game 133 | MIN 10, CWS 5: Break Out the Brooms on the South Side
• Game 134 | MIN 13, DET 5: Bats Back Up Gibson, Twins Win 6th Straight
• Game 135 | DET 10, MIN 7: Tigers Tally 10 Runs in Perez’s Worst Start of Season
• Game 136 | MIN 8, DET 3: Twins Strike Early, Beat Detroit in Brusdar Graterol's MLB Debut

 

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[Aerodeliria]

As always, thanks for these summaries. They're always informative, but this one was really packed with interesting tidbits.

 

Willians Watch: HE'S BACK!

 

(Some of us have been waiting for this!! Even if the Twins were lousy, wouldn't it still be fun to watch La Tortuga play?)

 

By launching 15 more bombas last week, the Twins blasted past the major-league record for home runs in a season, set by the 2018 Yankees at 267.

 

(That's the Twins, right? This is the most surreal thing this entire season. Must be something in those laughing waters...What would the Las Vegas payout be on betting the Twins would set this record in 2019? One could retire ten times over with the bet of $100.)

 

Next in line for his MLB debut is Ian Miller, the speedy outfielder acquired from Seattle last month. The 27-year-old will serve a very specific purpose: wheels on demand. He had 35 steals on 42 attempts in Triple-A this year and is 243-for-294 in seven minor-league seasons.

 

(How is his defense? He has wheels obviously, so that is a plus, so he can make up ground in a hurry, but it doesn't always equate with top-rate defense. Has anyone seen him play or just happen to know what kind of "D" he plays?)

 

On Thursday, Trevor Larnach was named Florida State League Player of the Year, in recognition of his .316/.382/.459 slash line over 84 games in a pitcher-friendly environment where the average hitter sat at .242/.313/.353.

 

(I've been completely impressed by Larnach. He just keeps hitting and hitting.)

[Han Joelo]

I guess I'm kind of surprised Berrios is not getting even one day of rest.  I have a fond (and I hope real) memory of lighting up Eovaldi last year.  Even in a down year for them, it would be nice to take it to the champs in their house.

[USAFChief]

I think Schoop clearly "finds his way into an optimal Twins lineup" against LH pitching.

[VATwinsFan]

So if the Twins one of the first two in Boston, does Graterol get the start on Wednesday?

 

Or does Roco play it "safe" by using Smeltzer or Thorpe?

 

Or all of the above?

[Nick Nelson]

 

I think Schoop clearly "finds his way into an optimal Twins lineup" against LH pitching.

You'd have Schoop in the starting lineup over Arraez against a lefty in a playoff game? I don't think I would, all things considered. It's certainly debatable though. 

[rdehring]

Thanks, Nick.  And what a week ahead.

 

I said on another post that La Tortuga is back.  All is good in Twins Territory!  He brings something to the team with his personality that is just plain good.  As a player, he can play almost anywhere doing an acceptable job at most.  

 

 

[wabene]

You'd have Schoop in the starting lineup over Arraez against a lefty in a playoff game? I don't think I would, all things considered. It's certainly debatable though.

Isn't it true the Schoop's current hot steak coincides with being used primarily against lefties?

[jorgenswest]

 

You'd have Schoop in the starting lineup over Arraez against a lefty in a playoff game? I don't think I would, all things considered. It's certainly debatable though.

 

Things I would consider...

 

- I like Schoop's defense a little better given his arm

- Arraez has not done well in his small sample against lefties.

- Schoop has done very well in his small sample against lefties.

 

The samples are small but consistent with their performance in recent seasons.

[Nick Nelson]

 

Things I would consider...

 

- I like Schoop's defense a little better given his arm

- Arraez has not done well in his small sample against lefties.

- Schoop has done very well in his small sample against lefties.

 

The samples are small but consistent with their performance in recent seasons.

Arraez has a .405 OBP against LHPs. In a postseason scenario with opponents throwing their best pitchers, I want the guy I can trust to take good ABs and swing only at strikes. Schoop definitely offers a lot more power but the Twins have no shortage in that dept. 

[USAFChief]

You'd have Schoop in the starting lineup over Arraez against a lefty in a playoff game? I don't think I would, all things considered. It's certainly debatable though.

absolutely, without question.

[jorgenswest]

Arraez has a .405 OBP against LHPs. In a postseason scenario with opponents throwing their best pitchers, I want the guy I can trust to take good ABs and swing only at strikes. Schoop definitely offers a lot more power but the Twins have no shortage in that dept.

 

I was looking at his split that included his AAA data from this year with the OPS below .700 but a good .379 OBP when both are combined. Perhaps his deficiency is minor league lefties.

 

His defense at 2B is poor by the eye test or by metric. How often do we hear “just out of the reach of Arraez” on the broadcast? Today we got two of those in the 5th.

 

I am starting him against righties but I am not trusting his defense or his longer track record against lefties.

[D.C Twins]

Into September. I for one will no longer lament what I wish we had (Minor).

 

We've got what we are going to have...and hopefully enough for the WS!

 

I'm going to transition into blind faith fandom for the rest of the season and enjoy the ride....

 

LET'S GO!

[Kelly Vance]

We clearly have a platoon at 2B and the lefty/righty thing is a valid reason. 

I thing Berrios needs to sit for a start or move him to every 8th game.

 

Otherwise, if it aint broke don't fix it. 

[USAFChief]

Arraez has a .405 OBP against LHPs. In a postseason scenario with opponents throwing their best pitchers, I want the guy I can trust to take good ABs and swing only at strikes. Schoop definitely offers a lot more power but the Twins have no shortage in that dept.

I would wager a great deal of money Arraez doesnt keep that up against LH pitching.

[LeatherAntenna]

Could Berrios be hurt? Just wild conjecture but what else would explain the velocity drop?

[LeatherAntenna]

Could Berrios be hurt? Just wild conjecture but what else would explain the velocity drop?

well, I guess a tired arm perhaps.

[highlander]

And the most important question of the day. Can the Twins hit 300 BIG FLIES?

[LeatherAntenna]

And the most important question of the day. Can the Twins hit 300 BIG FLIES?

Should happen easily, the lowest monthly total this year is 49.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

And the most important question of the day. Can the Twins hit 300 BIG FLIES?

Honestly, I think a lot of that will depend on how this week goes. If we take it to Cleveland this weekend and see that lead widen, a lot of guys are going to get rested...

 

I personally think even if we don't that it would be wise to skip a start or two from Berrios. We aren't going far if he isn't fixed.  

[Nick Nelson]

 

I would wager a great deal of money Arraez doesnt keep that up against LH pitching.

Well yeah of course he's not gonna keep up a .400 OBP lol. But he's also got a 6-to-14 K/BB ratio against LHP so there isn't much reason to think he won't keep taking those great ABs and getting himself aboard. Also, while he's finally shaking out of it, Schoop has shrunk in big spots pretty much all year long while the opposite is true for Arraez. That's a big factor for me in a postseason discussion.

 

Like I said, it's debatable but hardly a cinch IMO. 

[LeatherAntenna]

Honestly, I think a lot of that will depend on how this week goes. If we take it to Cleveland this weekend and see that lead widen, a lot of guys are going to get rested...

 

I personally think even if we don't that it would be wise to skip a start or two from Berrios. We aren't going far if he isn't fixed.

 

good thought that if the Twins enter a “we can take it easy” mode and rest people, but my guess the guys when they get in will be swinging “bombs away.”

[SpicyGarvSauce]

Looks like Dobnak is starting tonight for the Twins...?

[jkcarew]

 

So if the Twins one of the first two in Boston, does Graterol get the start on Wednesday?

 

Or does Roco play it "safe" by using Smeltzer or Thorpe?

 

Or all of the above?

Not even a remote chance Graterol gets a start...unless, it's in 'opener' fashion. So, maybe 'all of the above". The last time Graterol had an appearance that lasted more than 2 innings or 29 pitches was May 19...which was also his last appearance this season as a starting pitcher. The question at this point is...will Graterol start games next year? Lot's of signs that point to 'no'.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Not even a remote chance Graterol gets a start...unless, it's in 'opener' fashion. So, maybe 'all of the above". The last time Graterol had an appearance that lasted more than 2 innings or 29 pitches was May 19...which was also his last appearance this season as a starting pitcher. The question at this point is...will Graterol start games next year? Lot's of signs that point to 'no'.

 

Graterol would be a nice opener for someone like Smeltzer or Thorpe - or even Gibson or Perez.

[jkcarew]

"On the other hand, they've won only one series against a good team in the past two months. Their rotation looks like a mess even against bottom-dwelling clubs that have all but given up. And now, the difficulty level is about to turn up by several notches. It feels like a reckoning is coming unless Minnesota can rise to the challenge."

 

Fair assessment, IMO. Twins next 12 games: 6 against Cleveland; 6 against Boston/Washington (Nationals with best record in baseball over last 3+ months...58-28 since May 23).

 

Cleveland's next 12 games: 6 against Twins; 6 against Angels/White Sox.

 

We ain't home yet. Especially considering how the starting pitching match-ups could look over this stretch. This stretch is about surviving. Surviving should be good enough. Thriving would be great, and that's possible, but not my expectation.

[VATwinsFan]

 

And the most important question of the day. Can the Twins hit 300 BIG FLIES?

You mean this evening?