MIN 10, SEA 2: Twins Treat Returning Fans With Dominant Victory

[Matthew Taylor]

The Twins hit three home runs, including Byron Buxton’s fourth of the season, in a dominant performance in their home opener Thursday. It was the first time Target Field hosted fans in 549 days. Much more on the game in today’s recap.Box Score

Berríos: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K

Home Runs: Garver (2), Buxton (4), Arraez (1)

Top 3 WPA: Garver .148, Berríos .141, Garlick .122

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs):

Download attachment: chart.png

 

After a 2020 season in which the Twins struggled to get anything together against left-handed pitching, the Minnesota Twins exploded against southpaw Marco Gonzales on Thursday afternoon.

 

The scoring parade started for the Twins in the third inning when Kyle Garlick drove in the first run of the day on an RBI single. Then three batters later with two runners on, Mitch Garver connected on a 2-2 changeup off Marco Gonzales to hit his second home run of the 2021 season.

 

 

The Garver home run was just the beginning for the Twins offense as two innings later Byron Buxton continued his scorching hot start to the season, hitting his fourth home run of the 2021 season on a towering 435-foot home run to the left field upper deck in the fifth inning.

 

 

The Twins pushed across two more runs in the fifth inning and one in the sixth before Luis Arraez pushed the Minnesota Twins into double digits in the run column for the second time this season with his first home run of the 2021 season in the seventh inning.

 

 

On the pitching side for the Minnesota Twins, José Berríos got the start for the home opener at Target Field. Berríos wasn’t as sharp as his start on Saturday, but still got credited with a win on a solid outing, allowing just two runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight. Berríos struggled with his command, allowing 3 free passes, but was able to get key strikeouts when he needed them and limited himself to damage on a RBI single in the third and a José Marmolejos home run in the sixth.

 

Home Opener Excitement

 

Today’s home opener was arguably the most exciting one in team history as it was the first time in over a year that fans were able to cheer on their home team Minnesota Twins. It was a sellout crowd for the hometown faithful of 9,675 and they had plenty to cheer about.

 

 

Max Kepler Removed From Game

 

After reaching base on an infield single in the bottom of the sixth inning, Max Kepler was removed from the game with what appeared to be some leg discomfort. It appeared that the injury wasn’t serious and was precautionary, but more information will be coming out to confirm.

 

Byron Buxton ... MVP?

 

It was another incredible game in an unbelievable start to the season for Byron Buxton who went 3-for-5 with a home run and just a triple shy of the cycle. After today’s performance, Buxton’s slash line is now up to .421/.476/1.211. Now finally getting the chance to play in front of fans at Target Field, Buxton received “M-V-P” chants. It’s much too early for any MVP discussion, but after so many years of theoretical potential, it’s so refreshing to watch Byron Buxton put it all together at the plate as well as in the field.

 

Postgame With Baldelli

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

Download attachment: bullpen.png

 

What were your thoughts on today’s game? How confident do you feel about the prospect of this team moving forward? Did you attend today’s game? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

 

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[VivaBomboRivera!]

Governor Walz has announced that the whinging and the hand-wringing can stop now (even though it was just the Mariners).

[Dr. Evil]

Nice to see Garver looking confident and driving the ball. Lots of positives to point to in this game. These guys seem to genuinely pull for each other and enjoy one another's successes. Side note, Cruz may be in the clubhouse bragging about his blazing speed to anyone who will listen right now!

[FlauerPauer]

Couple made plays from being 7-0. Gotta like that. Taking care of business when you need to. Couple blowout wins. When the offense is on, they can be scary. 

 

Great to see Buxton having fun. Hopefully he realizes that a diving catch in the 5th inning is great for the highlight reel, but staying healthy and getting 600 AB's is much more important to the team.

 

Bullpen has been pretty solid. Starters have been solid. Hope that Happ can go more than 4 innings in his starts. Shoemaker was a pleasant surprise in his debut. Can he keep it up? Berrios and Maeda (outside 1 inning) have looked great. Pineda put up a good start. 

 

Go Twins!

[cHawk]

We’ll need to continue to be hot like this for the next few weeks. It looks like it will be some time until we face a real opponent so we should pick up as many wins as we can.

[D.C Twins]

Um... that will work...

[Dman]

Pretty much everyone with a hit tonight even Sano so not much to complain about there.  Buxton was in the 4 spot and hit one out.  I can't believe I am saying this but I like him in that spot.  I used to cringe when he came to bat and now I can't wait to see him up there.  I know we have a long ways to go but I am loving Simmons eye at the plate and his bat.  His offense has been a much needed boost early this year.

 

Astudillo with another hit to get to a 500 BA.  He looks better at the plate this year.  Garlick has looked much better than Rooker at the plate and much more productive as well. Arraez and Garver with HR's it was a good night for the bats.

 

Berrios pitched well but man they scorched some of his balls. He gives up a lot of hard contact but he did get 8 K's and almost made it 6 innings. Alcala was efficient with a 9 pitch inning but gave up hard contact as well.  Waddell got to debut under favorable conditions with an 8 run lead.  He looked a little shaky at times but he got the job done without giving up any runs.

 

A fun home opener to watch and if this team continues to hit well and hit for power they could be pretty scary. I can get used to games like this. Next up is Pineda and hopefully the bats carry over the momentum to the weekend.  

[MNT1996]

Really good team win. Everybody in the lineup contributed

[D.C Twins]

Buxton seems to have gotten rid of nearly all of the leg kick..... just a little step in the front leg for timing purposes.

 

It would be great to read a Parker H. breakdown of his 2021 swing and how it may differ from before. Shameless request

[ashbury]

It would be great to read a Parker H. breakdown of his 2021 swing and how it may differ from before. Shameless request

Concur.

 

 

[High heat]

Nice to not have to use up the late inning relievers as well.  Going to need to pile up wins.

[mickeymental]

why don’t the twins ever latch onto a stud like lance lynn?

[Monticore]

Laughers against sub-par teams provide an illusory perspective, but, they're nice. The Turtle up to .500 with that pinch-hit. Looking for him to go deep.

[Linus]

Buxton seems to have gotten rid of nearly all of the leg kick..... just a little step in the front leg for timing purposes.

 

It would be great to read a Parker H. breakdown of his 2021 swing and how it may differ from before. Shameless request

He hit like that all of last year. I really like Buck he tries so hard and never complains.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Buxton seems to have gotten rid of nearly all of the leg kick..... just a little step in the front leg for timing purposes.

 

It would be great to read a Parker H. breakdown of his 2021 swing and how it may differ from before. Shameless request

Maybe Parker will end up expanding upon this, but for now here's a look at from last year to this year:

 

[jkcarew]

One of those games where Berrios had no idea where the ball was going. It works against a lineup like Seattle’s...not against top-end experienced lineups.

 

Still fun to watch him, works fast and never afraid to throw the ball over the heart of the plate (or try to) when the situation is calling for that.

[bobs]

Nice to see Garver resemble "2019 Mitch".  But my jaw is on the floor watching Buxton right now.  The first legit MVP candidate since the M & M years.  If he plays 130 games and is healthy for the playoffs, this team is for real.

[D.C Twins]

 

Maybe Parker will end up expanding upon this, but for now here's a look at from last year to this year:

 

Thanks to you and Parker....I'll never turn down some instant gratification

[D.C Twins]

Also seems like right elbow dipping/scooping more for more launch (and the right elbow seems to be driving through the strike zone and not getting caught down by his side..... but could simply be dependent on different pitch location for the side by side.

 

Either way... great side by side and evaluation... thanks!

[jimbo92107]

This 2021 team fields better than the Bomba Squad. If they can stay healthy, Simmons and Buxton could subtract many hits and runs from the opposition over the season. 

 

At the plate they appear to be searching for an identity. Piranhas or Bombas? I'm fine with a bit of a split personality. Maybe they can execute either approach when needed. 

 

Surprised and pleased that Simba appears to be a high-contact guy, like Luis and Torts. The whole lineup has home run potential, tho maybe not in the bunches of the Bomba Squad. Hard to repeat that after the league took a couple psi from the ball. 

 

More and more impressed by the bullpen. Not perfect, but quite effective.

[bighat]

If you are a baseball fan, specifically a Twins baseball fan, yesterday's game could not have been better. Home Opener. Double-digits on the scoreboard. Three homers, including one from the breakout MVP candidate. Berrios to 2-0. Garver showing some swagger. These guys are having fun...

 

Only downside: Josh Donaldson watching from the bench. This team is firing on all cylinders without him, and Arraez in the lineup daily is looking more and more like a perfect fit. Must be frustrating for JD, not much he can do but sit back and enjoy the show. What a team this would be if Donaldson could stay on the field.

[Doctor Gast]

Although the defense isn't perfect, it's far cry from where it was. Love the offense output. Buck's and Simmons's WAR must be phenomenal. Thought Berrios did well under the conditions, most pitchers would come back from a delay and blow up if they do return.

[rdehring]

Biggest news yesterday wasn't on the field or in the stands, rather in the locker room later when most of the Twins were vaccinated. In a couple weeks they can think about getting back closer to normal.

 

Every year or two someone gets an opportunity and runs with it. Two years ago it was Arraez. Will it be Garlick this year? Will he end up blocking all those young prospects by performing way better than we could hope for?

[cHawk]

 

why don’t the twins ever latch onto a stud like lance lynn?

They may already have one.

[wabene]

Having another righty bat in the outfield like Garlic to mash lefties has been a missing ingredient on the last two teams. Good addition. Never did get Kevin Pillar but Garlic will do.

[Major League Ready]

 

 

Every year or two someone gets an opportunity and runs with it. Two years ago it was Arraez. Will it be Garlick this year? Will he end up blocking all those young prospects by performing way better than we could hope for?

 

That would be a great problem to have. They will make roster adjustments If Garlick is that good,. It just won't happen overnight. I would like to see Sano get going and eventually be traded at some point. I think a combination of Kirilloff / Larnach / Garlick or Rooker could be used to cover LF / 1B and DH at some point. Extend Byron and Celestino is your back-up for all OF positions and late inning replacement.

 

I would not even be shocked if Kepler is dealt. Let's hope Kirilloff and Larnach are good enough to  force the team to consider trading Kepler.

[Yargwin]

Dare I say that Garlick is adding a little spice to this lineup. Good win. 

[MNT1996]

 

I would not even be shocked if Kepler is dealt. Let's hope Kirilloff and Larnach are good enough to  force the team to consider trading Kepler.

 

Yeah I think this is going to happen. I know a lot of people think that it's going to be Kirilloff up first between himself and Larnach, but I think Larnach might be a more advanced hitter than Kirilloff right now. Either way, the Saints OF is loaded with talent and that intra-squad competition is always good.

[puckstopper1]

On what other team would Arraez be batting 9th (or 8th in the NL) even against a left handed starter?

 

Wonderful depth to the Twins lineup right now...

 

 

[twinfan]

Good to see Garver swing the bat well. Some, like Austudillo are off to good starts but will come back to earth. The troubling thing is all those injuries, not only with us but all around the league. It's almost like asking "who's next?". Scary! I hope Dobnack straightens himself out.