Louie Varland Will Make His MLB Debut for Twins on Wednesday

[Brock Beauchamp]

Making his MLB debut in Yankee Stadium during a September run for the playoffs.

I'm going to avoid the heartbreak and skip the game tonight.

Godspeed, Mr Varland. 

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, Dave Overlund said:

I wasn't talking about failures. Just that an untested Duensing started a playoff game against the Yankees in 2009 and Randy Dobnak did it in 2019 (both at Yankee Stadium) so there is a history an unproven pitcher taking on the Yankees in the playoffs/during a pennant race. 

They lost Maeda / Ober / Paddack / Winder and now Mahle.  That's an entire rotation.  So complaining is to say let's just ignore 5 starting pitchers going down and suggest it's poor management.  Do you have a better solution at this point or are you suggesting they should have another 5 experienced (quality) veterans to make up for all the injuries.  I am thinking this is somewhat inevitable when you have this many injuries.  You might even go so far as to say we are fortunate to have a quality rookie like Varland to take on this challenge.

[Brock Beauchamp]

5 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

The lost Maeda / Ober / Paddack / Winder and now Mahle.  That's an entire rotation.  So complaining is to say let's just ignore 5 starting pitchers going down and suggest it's poor management.  Do you have a better solution at this point or are you suggesting they should have another 5 experienced (quality) veterans to make up for all the injuries.  I am thinking this is somewhat inevitable when you have this many injuries.  You might even go so far as to say we are fortunate to have a quality rookie like Varland to take on this challenge.

I don't fault the Twins for being forced to start Varland here in the sense that they've suffered an enormous number of injuries but I'm starting to really question their medical team. Year in and year out, the Twins have gone into September looking like a shell of their April selves. Yes, injuries are way up in baseball but why do the Twins always seem to face other teams still rostering most of their original squad in September and October while the Twins look like the third act of a zombie movie?

[USAFChief]

28 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Making his MLB debut in Yankee Stadium during a September run for the playoffs.

I'm going to avoid the heartbreak and skip the game tonight.

Godspeed, Mr Varland. 

You will want to skip tomorrow's game too.

[Dave Overlund]

28 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

The lost Maeda / Ober / Paddack / Winder and now Mahle.  That's an entire rotation.  So complaining is to say let's just ignore 5 starting pitchers going down and suggest it's poor management.  Do you have a better solution at this point or are you suggesting they should have another 5 experienced (quality) veterans to make up for all the injuries.  I am thinking this is somewhat inevitable when you have this many injuries.  You might even go so far as to say we are fortunate to have a quality rookie like Varland to take on this challenge.

I honestly don't understand where you get me complaining from? Or that I said a single word about poor management? Or not starting Varland (which I am actually in favor of him starting)...  Help me understand! 

I am just noting that the Twins have used a rookie starting pitcher in this type of situation before. It's much more simple than you are making it out to be. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

13 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

You will want to skip tomorrow's game too.

Holiday weekend. I have no idea what day it is anymore. 

[MN_ExPat]

***Note: This reference may not make any sense unless one knows of Blackadder  

[IndianaTwin]

There's a practical reality here...

• Ryan pitched last Wednesday and is scheduled for tonight.
• Gray pitched last Friday and could go on Wednesday. 
• Mahle pitched last Saturday, but is on the IL. Sanchez stepped in, but wasn't particularly effective. But because of the number of innings he threw, he probably can't go until Thursday. They are also going to need someone on Sunday (see below).
• Bundy went Sunday, so he can't go until Friday.

So, by using Varland Wednesday night, they give Gray an extra day by pushing him back to Thursday. 

And now, with the pretty good likelihood of a rainout tonight, they're looking at a doubleheader Wednesday or Thursday. If that's the case, they can make the Varland the 29th man without making any other changes, right? If the DH is Wednesday, it will be Ryan and Varland on Wednesday and Gray on Thursday. If it's Thursday, it will be Ryan on Wednesday and Gray and Varland on Thursday.

Then Bundy on Friday and Archer on Saturday. Today's likely rainout does create a problem for Sunday, since Ryan wouldn't be available if he doesn't pitch until Wednesday. So we'll likely still get Sanchez (or a bullpen game, but I repeat myself) on Sunday. 

There's an off day next Monday to be able to reset. Ryan will go on Tuesday on either five or six days rest, and then they can go to Gray on Wednesday, etc., if they want to. 

 

EDIT TO ADD: To carry this out further, Gray on next Wednesday could mean Bundy on Thursday, Archer on Friday. with Sanchez on Saturday and Varland again as the 29th man for the DH on the 17th. But better have the bullpen (and perhaps Gordon and Palacios ?) rested for starts by Sanchez, Archer and Varland in two days!

[Game7-91]

For those of us old enough to remember a Mn born and bred rookie making his MLB debut in Yankee stadium. Sending these positive vibes Louie Varlands way:

 

[MN_ExPat]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Making his MLB debut in Yankee Stadium during a September run for the playoffs.

I'm going to avoid the heartbreak and skip the game tonight.

Godspeed, Mr Varland. 

It shouldn't be seen as a matter of heartbreak (I too probably share your trepidation about his debut... although not nearly as much as my son's upcoming college debut, MAJOR butterflies  ). 

Personally, I will tune in and watch the game because I want to celebrate the moment of a home town product who has fulfilled his dream of making it to the game's grandest stage win, loose or draw.  Trust me, I know the hesitance to watch, not knowing what the outcome will be (my son's HS varsity debut start did NOT go well, but we were there regardless ).

So come, join in the festivities with the rest of us... your cheering may just help turn the tide .

Edited September 6, 2022 by MN_ExPat

[IndianaTwin]

14 minutes ago, Game7-91 said:

For those of us old enough to remember a Mn born and bred rookie making his MLB debut in Yankee stadium. Sending these positive vibes Louie Varlands way:

 

 

Great memory -- I remember reading about it in the newspaper* after getting home from school the next day.

*A "newspaper," for the younger among us, is a printed document reporting the previous day's events. It would show up on your door or in the mailbox each day. 

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Holiday weekend. I have no idea what day it is anymore. 

Wait until you're retired, sonny.

[MN_ExPat]

22 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

 

Great memory -- I remember reading about it in the newspaper* after getting home from school the next day.

*A "newspaper," for the younger among us, is a printed document reporting the previous day's events. It would show up on your door or in the mailbox each day. 

[roger]

1 hour ago, MN_ExPat said:

It shouldn't be seen as a matter of heartbreak (I too probably share your trepidation about his debut... although not nearly as much as my son's upcoming college debut, MAJOR butterflies  ). 

Personally, I will tune in and watch the game because I want to celebrate the moment of a home town product who has fulfilled his dream of making it to the game's grandest stage win, loose or draw.  Trust me, I know the hesitance to watch, not knowing what the outcome will be (my son's HS varsity debut start did NOT go well, but we were there regardless ).

So come, join in the festivities with the rest of us... your cheering may just help turn the tide .

Where does your son play his college ball?

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, Dave Overlund said:

I honestly don't understand where you get me complaining from? Or that I said a single word about poor management? Or not starting Varland (which I am actually in favor of him starting)...  Help me understand! 

I am just noting that the Twins have used a rookie starting pitcher in this type of situation before. It's much more simple than you are making it out to be. 

My bad.  I misread your post which was a response to Mark G complaining.  Sorry.

[Mark G]

5 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

My bad.  I misread your post which was a response to Mark G complaining.  Sorry.

Awww, was it something I said?    

[Dave Overlund]

9 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

My bad.  I misread your post which was a response to Mark G complaining.  Sorry.

No worries man! Go Twins and Louie! 

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

2 hours ago, Game7-91 said:

For those of us old enough to remember a Mn born and bred rookie making his MLB debut in Yankee stadium. Sending these positive vibes Louie Varlands way:

 

This also brought back many memories for me.  I recall watching this game and Hrbek's home run and at the time hoped he would become somewhat of a savior which he did (with a little help from Puck)..

I also recall watching TWIB every Saturday and the announcer, Mel Allen, utilize his weekly quote "Well, how about that!".  Without cable/streaming/MLB Network options TWIB and the Saturday Game of the Week was all we had to keep up with the rest of MLB.

Good luck to you Louie!  We'll all be rooting for you.

[MN_ExPat]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Where does your son play his college ball?

Covenant College.  It's a small D3 near Chattanooga.

[Rosterman]

Welcome Louie! Nothing more memorable than your first major league start in Yankee Stadium!

[roger]

24 minutes ago, MN_ExPat said:

Covenant College.  It's a small D3 near Chattanooga.

Love the Choo-Choo city, will be stopping one night late next month.  Sure is beautiful around there.   Do you get there often? 

[MN_ExPat]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Love the Choo-Choo city, will be stopping one night late next month.  Sure is beautiful around there.   Do you get there often? 

Been up there twice for his school. Once for his official visit and then last month to drop him off for his freshman orientation.

We plan to visit more often now that he’s up there. Really fun city (went axe throwing last time ?).

[Johnny Ringo]

As the great Vin Scully said, "The pitching mound at Yankee Stadium; the loneliest place on Earth." Good luck Louie. Everyone here is rooting for you. 

Ps. Pitching around Judge is not capitulation. It's smart ball. 

[Rosterman]

Did the Twins catch a roster break, able to add Varland as an extra guy for the double-header? They still have to make a 40-man move. Remember that they also have an upcoming double-header happening with Cleveland.

[Longdistancetwins]

11 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Making his MLB debut in Yankee Stadium during a September run for the playoffs.

I'm going to avoid the heartbreak and skip the game tonight.

Godspeed, Mr Varland. 

Thanks for all this background (don’t follow prospects much).  I’ll be at the doubleheader and am fully expecting heartbreak.  

[IndyTwinsFan]

Can't help but feel good for the young man. 

I just hope that not many of us jump to hasty conclusions on him or the organization based solely on how this start goes.  That would be so unfair at so many levels. 

[IndyTwinsFan]

11 hours ago, Game7-91 said:

For those of us old enough to remember a Mn born and bred rookie making his MLB debut in Yankee stadium. Sending these positive vibes Louie Varlands way:

 

Straight out of A ball in Visalia IIRC.

[bean5302]

Very exciting for Varland to get called up! I hope he views the Yankees as just another team and not so pensively as fans on this site. If he goes out and shows command of his pitches, he'll have a good shot at giving the Twins a solid start.

Sometimes I do wonder if the Twins psyche themselves out when facing New York. The Yankees average 5.0 runs per game at home and 4.2 on the road. Less than a run per game per difference, but it feels like the expectation is they'll hang 10 on the Twins.