Twins Notebook 8/10: How Will Baldelli Use the Bullpen After Clippard Opens?

[Ted Schwerzler]

Last night Randy Dobnak took the title of Twins ace and continued his mastery on the mound. Allowing just a single run in five innings of work, his MLB best ERA continued to get the job done for Minnesota. With the losing streak snapped, Tyler Clippard and the bullpen will look to keep the Twins rolling tonight.YESTERDAY’S GAME RECAP

MIN 4, MIL 2: The Randy and Rosie Show

QUESTION OF THE DAY

How do you feel about the infield playing in early in a game?

 

TODAY

Twins at Brewers 7:10 pm CT

Betting lines: Minnesota -105, O/U 9.0

 

Twins opener: Tyler Clippard RHP, 0-0 1.17 ERA

 

Rocco Baldelli is going with an opener for tonight’s action against the Brew Crew. With Minnesota still putting together somewhat of a piecemeal rotation they have sprinkled pen games in. Clippard has been very good for the Twins this season allowing just a single run in his seven appearances thus far.

 

When Clippard was tasked with taking the ball to start against Cleveland nine days ago he gave the Twins two innings out of the gate. They were hitless and walkless while he earned one punchout. How much length he gives the Twins, and who the bulk guy is, remains to be seen.

 

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Last night Baldelli used each one of his horses in the bullpen. Only Taylor Rogers was taxed from a pitch total standpoint, and he struggled in back-to-back outings a year ago. Lewis Thorpe was hit around his last time out and has seen diminished velocity for most of the year. Devin Smeltzer could also be an option to follow Clippard with his start coming on August 7th.

 

Brewers starter: Josh Lindblom RHP, 1-0 4.15 ERA

 

This season is Lindblom’s first back in the major leagues since 2017. He spent the last two years overseas pitching for the Doosan Bears in the KBO. His sub-3.00 ERA’s and near 200 innings of performance were enough to have the Brewers enticed.

 

Through two starts this season Lindblom owns a 12/4 K/BB and has given up four earned runs on seven hits in 8.2 IP. The secondary stats and numbers under the hood suggest there could be opportunity for the Twins to strike tonight.

Lindblom has allowed a 47% hard hit rate while generating just a 21% ground ball rate. Giving up so many line drives and fly balls, the recipe for objects to start leaving the yard is there.

 

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He’s a fastball-slider pitcher and the velo on his heater rests at just 90 mph. Minnesota’s lineup still hasn’t begun to click, but this is another opportunity for them to get going tonight.

 

Lineup:

 

 

News and notes:

• The Indians were off yesterday, but it didn’t stop more bad news coming from their club. Mike Clevinger was also with fellow dummy Zach Plesac in going out on the town in Chicago. Their rotation-mate, Carlos Carrasco, recovered from Leukemia last season. Both are now quarantined and have had their starts altered.

• St. Louis continues to look for a clean bill of health prior to any game action return. Their doubleheader with the Tigers on Thursday has been banged.

Around the AL Central

DET 5, CWS 1

 

MIN 11-6 (+25 run differential)

DET 9-5 (+4)

CLE 10-7 (+22)

CWS 8-9 (-7)

KC 7-10 (-5)

 

Tomorrow’s game

Minnesota @ Milwaukee, 6:10 pm CT

Kenta Maeda vs Eric Lauer

 

See Also:

Ranking the Twins' Current Injury Concerns

Why Harder Might Not Mean Better for José Berríos

 

Click here to view the article

[Doctor Gast]

Why has   Maeda been pushed back his normal turn?

[Trov]

For the question of the day.  I am not a fan of the infield in for first inning.  I assume they have data to suggest it is the right play, but it has backfired too.  I would like to know the data they are using to show it is the right play and then I could have a more educated answer.  My guess is it is not common that a back infield produces that many more outs that a drawn in infield does not, and therefore the risk reward factor weighs in favor of playing in.  I would like to know the difference though to determine if I think it is worth it early in game.  It also depends on who is pitching, hitting, and running in my mind.  

 

In terms of pitcher after Clippard I bet they go smeltzer, unless they have plans for him after Meada but the off day most likely allows to go back to Odo after off day.  However, they may want to give him that 6th day like they have been doing so Smeltzer would be most likely after the off day.  Then that leaves Thorpe, stashak, and Acala most likely to follow depending on situation. 

[rdehring]

Expect Clippard to go 2 innings with Smeltzer following for the next 3. Next expect to see some combination of the guys who didn't pitch last night beginning with Stashak.

 

Don't have a clue if we will see Thorpe tonight or again this summer.  Huge fan of his, but this messed up summer hasn't been his best.

[Linus]

Never thought we would have had two bullpen games at this point

 

Clevinger and Plesac must be real D bags

[big dog]

I hope that I don't see Thorpe in a ML game for some time- he doesn't look good. These games count.

[mikelink45]

I would have Thorpe in St Paul to figure things out.  Give Alcala the ball and let him go until he runs out of gas.  He has the potential to be a starter and Thorpe and Smeltzer do not excite me.  Clippard 2 - Alcala 4 - then mix and match.  At least we have the A lineup for the game.  Lets score some runs, get some baserunners on, and not just wait for one inning and one hit.

[Squirrel]

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