Twins Notebook 8/6: Seeking Another Sweep

[Nash Walker]

The Twins won their sixth straight game Wednesday and now lead the American League at 10-2. Randy Dobnak pitched six scoreless innings, gave up only three hits, and walked none. The Twins are 3-0 versus the Pirates and have a chance to sweep the season series Thursday with Kenta Maeda on the hill.Last Night's Game Recap

MIN 5, PIT 2: Randy Dobnak Delivers 6 Scoreless, Max Kepler Provides Key Insurance Homer

 

One Twins pitcher who induces weak contact relays into another for Thursday’s start. Kenta Maeda has begun 2020 in excellent fashion. His slider has continued to stymie right-handed hitters. Righties are hitting just .143 with a .174 wOBA against 24 Maeda frisbees.

 

There quite literally wasn’t a better pitcher than Maeda against righties in 2019:

 

Batting average against RHB (min. 300 faced):

 

1. Kenta Maeda .158

2. Yu Darvish .181

3. Justin Verlander / Jack Flaherty .182

 

Maeda’s changeup is a massive key to tightening up his platoon splits. So far in 2020, his changeup has been effective. Lefties swung and missed at nearly 32% of Maeda’s changeups during his first two starts.

 

 

Pittsburgh’s lineup presents more than a few challenges for the former Dodger. Josh Bell, a switch-hitter, posted a 1.002 OPS against righties in 2019. Bryan Reynolds, another switch-hitter, hit .334 with a .931 OPS from the left side. Kevin Newman hit .316 with an .824 OPS. Maeda’s changeup will be tested Thursday.

 

The Twins’ offense entered Wednesday’s game hitting a measly .237/.317/.410 (.727). Trevor Williams, who posted a 5.38 ERA in 2019, held them to just one run in seven innings. It isn’t quite fair to expect much offense from any team right now. The league had a cumulative .708 OPS heading into Wednesday. The Bomba Squad will find their groove.

 

Thursday’s matchup may provide that opportunity. Right-hander JT Brubaker has the nod for the Pirates. Brubaker has thrown a total of five major-league innings in his career, all during this season. He’s appeared twice in relief and allowed no runs.

 

Brubaker has seen 11 of his pitches put into play in 2020. Four of them were hit over 100 mph.

 

This upper-decker fastball mistake to Paul Goldschmidt should have the Twins licking their chops:

 

Download attachment: Screenshot 2020-08-06 at 6.51.04 AM.png

 

Brubaker isn’t stretched out to throw many pitches and the Twins should be striving to beat him out of the game quickly. The Pirates’ bullpen allowed a Max Kepler three-run shot after entering Wednesday with a bottom-8 4.91 ERA. They struggle to consistently throw strikes and the Twins have punished them for it since Monday.

 

Lineup

 

Around the AL Central

CLE 2, CIN 0

CHC 6, KCR 1

MIL 1, CHW 0

STL at DET Postponed

 

1. MIN 10-2 (+30 run differential)

2. CHW 7-5 (+7)

3. CLE 7-6 (+4)

4. DET 5-5 (-11)

5. KCR 3-10 (-22)

 

See Also

Will Good Teams Play Top Prospects?

The Unexpected Lyft In Randy Dobnak’s Game

Will Luis Arraez Return to His 2019 Form?

Mechanical Adjustments Make for Wicked Matt Wisler

 

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[JoshDungan1]

Games like today are why it's important to get into a bullpen early in a series. Let's make sure the Pirates pay for it.

[denarded]

This is going to sound greedy and arrogant, but we need to win this game. No excuse to be held to 1 run yesterday but a no name Pirate and no need not to pile on early and often today

[rdehring]

 

This is going to sound greedy and arrogant, but we need to win this game. No excuse to be held to 1 run yesterday but a no name Pirate and no need not to pile on early and often today

Yes, I like that idea. Let's pile on with a big score today. Time for the bats to wake up and put up double digit runs.

[Squirrel]

The game is underway and so is the game thread! Join us!

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/39618-game-thread-8620-minnesota-twins-pittsburgh-pirates-1235-cdt/