Twins Notebook 8/18: On Kenta Meada, Patience and Baseball's Unwritten Rules

[Matthew Taylor]

After taking three of four games from the Kansas City Royals over the weekend, the Minnesota Twins will look to continue their winning ways as they open up a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday evening. The Twins will turn to starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to kick off the series.YESTERDAY’S GAME RECAP

MIN 4, KCR 1: Nelson Cruz Continues to Defy Logic

 

Today:

Minnesota @ Milwaukee, 7:10 PM CT

 

Twins Starter: Kenta Maeda

3-0, 2.66 ERA, 0.72 WHIP

 

Download attachment: maeda 2.png

 

 

Because he makes it look so easy, it’s easy to miss just how outstanding Kenta Maeda has been to begin the 2020 season. Maeda is first on the Minnesota Twins in FIP (fielding independent pitching), WHIP, and K/BB. In addition to the excellent movement he gets on his pitches and the weak contact he induces, what makes Maeda so great is the simple fact that he throws strikes. Maeda leads the Minnesota Twins in strike % with 68.1% of his pitches going for strikes.

 

Maeda’s last start came against the Brewers last Wednesday and he was particularly great, allowing just 2 runs in 6.2 innings. Maeda threw 74% of his 85 pitches for strikes, and a 2-run single in the 6th inning in a 12-2 game was the only blemish for Maeda on an otherwise outstanding appearance. Where Maeda found the most success in his last outing against Milwaukee was with the pitch that usually gives him success, his slider. Using his slider against righties, Maeda held the Brewers to just one hit and an average exit velocity of 82.8 MPH.

 

Brewers Starter: Corbin Burnes

0-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.19 WHIP

 

Download attachment: corbin.png

After the Twins crushed left handed pitcher, Eric Lauer, in their last meeting, the Brewers sent Lauer down to their alternate training site and have swapped in right hander Corbin Burnes to take his place in the rotation. Burnes has largely been a reliever in his 2+ year career, making just 5 starts in his career prior to tonight. In his only other start this season, Burnes lasted just 3.1 innings. Burnes has good pitches in his arsenal, touting a fastball that hovers around 96 MPH and a slider that gets batters to whiff >50% of the time. Where Burnes has struggled this year has been with his control, as he has a 16.7% walk percentage thus far in 2020, 8th worst in baseball.

 

Lineup:

 

 

 

2 Things to Watch For:

 

1. Patience is a Virtue

The Minnesota Twins will be facing off against a reliever-turned-starter tonight in Corbin Burnes who has struggled with his command for most of the 2020 season. In his previous 5 starts, Burnes has never pitched more than 5 innings, and in his only other start in 2020, the right hander tossed just 3.1 innings. If the Twins’ batters can work counts early and get up Burnes’ pitch count early, they can force Milwaukee to get to their bullpen early. Having the Brewers burn their bullpen in the first game of a 3-game series would set up the Twins extremely well for the 3-gamer and patience at the plate will be something to monitor tonight.

 

2. Can Maeda Go Seven?

While it will be a key for the Twins to knock out Corbin Burnes early, it will equally be a key for the Twins to get good length from Kenta Maeda. To this point in the season, Maeda has yet to throw more than 85 pitches in a start, yet has thrown at least 6 innings in each of his last 3 starts. After a bullpen game yesterday when the Twins used six of their bullpen arms, including Clippard, May, and Duffey, it might behoove the Twins to stretch out Maeda to 90-95 pitches tonight, allow him to go 7 innings, and reset the bullpen for the final two games of the series.

 

Other Notes:

• The story coming out of baseball last night came in a west coast game when San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. swung at a 3-0 pitch with a 6-run lead and hit a grand slam to give the Padres a 14-4 lead. The home run ticked off Rangers’ manager, Chris Woodward, who said of the slam, “You’re up by seven in the eighth inning; it’s typically not a good time to swing 3-0. It’s kind of the way we were all raised in the game.” Tatis’s own manager,Jayce Tingler, didn’t approve of Tatis’s home run either saying, “...that’s a learning opportunity, that’s it and he’ll grow from it”. Tatis was later forced to apologize for his “actions”, saying “Those experiences, you got to learn from it. Probably next time, I take a pitch now that I learned from it.”

This is not the first time that the Rangers have gotten upset about a team “running up the score”. If you’ll remember last season, Jake Cake hit a 3-0 pitch for a single when the Twins were up 13-5 in the 9th inning and the Rangers weren’t happy about that either.

 

The “unwritten rules” of baseball are such an embarrassment to the sport. You have a generational superstar in Tatis Jr. and he’s being told not to hit a home run because he shouldn’t hurt the other team's feelings.

 

Around the AL Central:

CWS 7, DET 2

 

MIN 15-8 (+38 run differential)

CLE 13-9 (+21)

CWS 12-11 (+2)

DET 9-11 (-17)

KCR 9-14 (-10)

 

See also:

Who is the Twins’ Ace?

Sergio Romo to Royals: Keep Talking

 

What are you watching for in tonight’s game? What is your score prediction? What do you think about baseball’s “unwritten rules”? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

 

Click here to view the article

[Squirrel]

Maybe the Rangers should have forfeited the game before then if it's so bad for them

[Dantes929]

"The “unwritten rules” of baseball are such an embarrassment to the sport. You have a generational superstar in Tatis Jr. and he’s being told not to hit a home run because he shouldn’t hurt the other team's feelings."   Anyone complaining if he pops up to the infield?    No, didn't think so.    If this stupid unwritten rule is so important to them then just put in a written rule that if you are up by such and such and have a 3-0 count it automatically turns to 3-1 without throwing a pitch.  Ridiculous.

[TheDude]

I didn't play long enough to understand this, but if a coach sent a signal for him to take a pitch and he doesn't, said coach has a right to be pissed, no?   Or is it more of a suggestion - do hitters shake off signals like pitchers?  

[T_J]

Did the rangers promise to to try to win the rest of the game? They could have just walked Tatis! 7 runs with six more outs isn't an unheard of comeback! You know whats better than a 7 run lead? An 11 run lead.

[Trov]

The unwritten rules are so dumb.  You cannot celebrate too much, you cannot bunt for a hit with no hitter late in game, you cannot swing 3-0 with large lead late in game, so on and so on.  

 

I agree with T-J that I have seen 6 run come backs late in games.  If teams are so worried lets put in a mercy rule.  What if he Swung 0-0 and hit it, should be yelled at for not falling behind in count?  How did the others get on base?  I mean come on. 

[South Dakota Tom]

 

I didn't play long enough to understand this, but if a coach sent a signal for him to take a pitch and he doesn't, said coach has a right to be pissed, no?   Or is it more of a suggestion - do hitters shake off signals like pitchers?  

Hitters do not shake off signals (they aren't even given the option in most leagues at most levels); they receive the signal from the 3rd base coach or manager, and they do what they are instructed to do.  Yes, if you miss a sign or ignore one, you are in trouble (oftentimes, they forgive you if you hit a home run when the bunt sign was on, but even then....).

 

[Sielk]

I'm speechless. If you don't want a 3-0 pitch hit for a grand slam, pitch better. Instead of letting a fastball hang in the zone like an invitation.

 

Rangers just sound like bad losers. And I sincerely hope that Tatis doesn't "learn" from this.

[South Dakota Tom]

I also like the unwritten rules of baseball.  Not all "good behavior" is codified into law, either, but in a game where a human holds a ball capable of throwing it at you at high speed, courtesy matters.  Baseball isn't just a set of rules - there is a necessary element of respect for the history of the game.  Sure, you play to win, but you don't grind the other guy's face in it.  I've always believed baseball was the least of the "guy on the other team is your enemy" sports (sorry, Bob Gibson); between the lines, play hard.  But with respect for the game and the other team, or someone's gonna get plunked.

 

I agree that up 6 or 7 runs in the 8th inning is not a "you must take a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded" situation.  The other team could come back.  But I'd run fast with my head down....

[Sielk]

 

I also like the unwritten rules of baseball.  Not all "good behavior" is codified into law, either, but in a game where a human holds a ball capable of throwing it at you at high speed, courtesy matters.  Baseball isn't just a set of rules - there is a necessary element of respect for the history of the game.  Sure, you play to win, but you don't grind the other guy's face in it.  I've always believed baseball was the least of the "guy on the other team is your enemy" sports (sorry, Bob Gibson); between the lines, play hard.  But with respect for the game and the other team, or someone's gonna get plunked.

 

I agree that up 6 or 7 runs in the 8th inning is not a "you must take a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded" situation.  The other team could come back.  But I'd run fast with my head down....

I am all for respecting the game and some of the unwritten rules have their merits but I don't understand this one. Tatis gets a good pitch and is supposed to take it because it's a 3-0 count?

Hitting a home run when you're given the chance (in a game that isn't entirely out of reach) isn't what I would call showing up your opponent.

[adjacent]

What can be more disrespectful to the game and to the opponent than not to play as hard as you can?

[denarded]

Some unwritten rules are rules. No. You do not bunt in the 9th inning of a no-hitter if your team is trailing by more than a run. No. You do not let yourself get hit by a pitch in the 9th with a perfect game on the line. Arbitrary? Maybe. Good Sportsmanship? Yes. I'm sure Charlie Hustle would beg to differ. 

 

Over/Under of Twins SP throwing 7 innings this year? I'm going under no matter the spread.

 

Go Twins

[twinbythebay]

Jake Cake... mmmm....

[Otto von Ballpark]

I agree that up 6 or 7 runs in the 8th inning is not a "you must take a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded" situation. The other team could come back. But I'd run fast with my head down....

FWIW, Tatis did exactly that. No bat flip, ran the bases without emotion... he did some celebratory high fives with his teammates after crossing home plate and in the dugout, but nothing showy.

[Nine of twelve]

 

The unwritten rules are so dumb.  You cannot celebrate too much, you cannot bunt for a hit with no hitter late in game, you cannot swing 3-0 with large lead late in game, so on and so on.  

 

I agree with T-J that I have seen 6 run come backs late in games.  If teams are so worried lets put in a mercy rule.  What if he Swung 0-0 and hit it, should be yelled at for not falling behind in count?  How did the others get on base?  I mean come on. 

Celebrating is great as long as you show sportsmanship and do not put any of it in the face of your opponent. When it comes to the approach you take to hitting in a one-sided game, SQUIRREL was spot on. If the team that is behind promises to stop trying to win the game, and I have never heard of that happening, then the team that is ahead should ease up. When it comes to breaking up a no-hitter, if it's a close game and you would bunt if it's not a no-hitter then you should not be castigated for bunting if it is a no-hitter.

[Dantes929]

 

Some unwritten rules are rules. No. You do not bunt in the 9th inning of a no-hitter if your team is trailing by more than a run. No. You do not let yourself get hit by a pitch in the 9th with a perfect game on the line. Arbitrary? Maybe. Good Sportsmanship? Yes. I'm sure Charlie Hustle would beg to differ. 

 

Over/Under of Twins SP throwing 7 innings this year? I'm going under no matter the spread.

 

Go Twins

I would take the under as well.   The problem with your unwritten rules are rules comment is this.    Compare your first example to the link I am sharing.   It was a perfect game in the 8th inning and down by two so already farther away from your examples.   So it is absolutely arbitrary and I absolutely differ on the good sportsmanship.    Its not good sportsmanship towards your teammates to consider your opponents feelings when it reduces your chances.    In this example it was the 8th inning, down by 2 in a perfect game and might I add a point in the season where they were only down by one game in the standings.   So in that case you have an opposing pitcher and manager that to this day rip on a guy for bunting and violating baseball's unwritten rules.    I remember at the time Tony Gwynn countering that his guy did nothing wrong and vaguely remember another all star at the time saying something like "If he was my teammate and thought his best chance of getting on base was to bunt but didn't bunt because someone on the other team thought it was violating an unwritten rule I wouldn't want him on my team."   How can you have unwritten rules when no one knows what the unwritten rules are?   https://www.mlb.com/news/tbt-bunt-spoils-curt-schilling-s-perfecto-c180341170

[Trov]

 

Celebrating is great as long as you show sportsmanship and do not put any of it in the face of your opponent. When it comes to the approach you take to hitting in a one-sided game, SQUIRREL was spot on. If the team that is behind promises to stop trying to win the game, and I have never heard of that happening, then the team that is ahead should ease up. When it comes to breaking up a no-hitter, if it's a close game and you would bunt if it's not a no-hitter then you should not be castigated for bunting if it is a no-hitter.

Last night is perfect example of the no-hitter no bunt rule.  Yes, it was not a bunt, but it was a weak hit that got Meada out of the game due to no-hitter broken and pitch count.  What happens?  Three runs later game is tied.  The question is how close is too close, or if the guy would normally bunt.  If shift is on and they giving the base hit should it be taken?  I mean once the pitching changed happened the whole game changed, if it was done via bunt people would be outraged, but the hit gave brew crew chance to win, thankfully they did not.  The point is, getting runners on base is how you win and change the dynamics of the game.  If you know a bunt will get the pitcher out because of pitch count, do the bunt change up the game give your team a chance.  I will agree if say it was 10-0 lead in the 9th a bunt for a hit to get pitcher out may be bush league, but 10 run innings happen.  The beauty of baseball is it is never over until that last out happens.  

 

In terms of celebrations, if you cannot handle the other team celebrating, do give them something to celebrate.  If you beat them and shut them up how will they shove it in your face?  It is not the other teams job to help you look good.  What is even more crazy is when the other team is upset about 1 player they throw at other players, like it is that players fault for the "broken rule" that is even more bush league to me.  Also, the celebration rule is very much against non-white cultures.  In Hispanic ball they will do all kinds of celebrations but then they are expected to form to the white norm of not doing it when they come to play MLB. 

 

I got an idea, lets not make guys run bases on HR anymore, like they do in slow pitch softball just hit and walk to bench.  Do not allow curten calls or 50 game suspension, if you do not run out of the box or do a bat flip, 50 game suspension.  If anyone on the bench claps or screams when something good happens 50 game suspension for them all.  Lets take all celebrations out of baseball so not upset people if you "cross the line"  The line will be any, because if not then the line is subjective for each person and how do you know if you have crossed it.   

[Squirrel]

 

I also like the unwritten rules of baseball.  Not all "good behavior" is codified into law, either, but in a game where a human holds a ball capable of throwing it at you at high speed, courtesy matters.  Baseball isn't just a set of rules - there is a necessary element of respect for the history of the game.  Sure, you play to win, but you don't grind the other guy's face in it.  I've always believed baseball was the least of the "guy on the other team is your enemy" sports (sorry, Bob Gibson); between the lines, play hard.  But with respect for the game and the other team, or someone's gonna get plunked.

 

I agree that up 6 or 7 runs in the 8th inning is not a "you must take a 3-0 pitch with the bases loaded" situation.  The other team could come back.  But I'd run fast with my head down....

 

It wasn't so many years ago that I'm sure the Tigers would have liked to have added a grand slam to their score before the Twins scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 9th to walk off win the game. It happens. You don't take a large score for granted. And if it is going to bother the Rangers, then perhaps they should have conceded the game before then. It's not about courtesy at all ... it's about scoring runs to win a game. And yeah, the score was already lopsided ... but it ain't over 'til it's over. Continuing to add runs is not discourteous. Hitting a home run is not discourteous. You don't want hitters to hit? Pitch better. You don't want to lose the game? Play better. Stuff happens. Play to the end or give up and go home.

[USAFChief]

I guess we know for the Twins, a 7 run lead is insurmountable, the point at which you put Adrianza on the mound.