MIN 5, MIL 3: Smeltzer Shines in Emotional MLB Debut

I am sorry now that I wasn't a believer but I had this game as a loss with Devin on the mound. Of course I couldn't have been more wrong, Devin was brilliant tonight and now we have our best pitchers ready for the Tampa series. He man handled that tough Brewers lineup tonight. I was shocked at the out come. I hope he gets another chance to prove himself.

Very happy to grab a split with a tough NL team. Here's to hoping the bats come alive against Tampa.

Friday and Saturday home vs Baltimore??

Okay. That’s my favorite Twins game in years.

First, foremost and most importantly, a tip of the cap to Smeltzer. Not only for his amazing debut, but for his victory over cancer and to move forward with his life and his dream. If you haven't read about his battle and determination as a youngster, and what he has done to give back, shame on you and start reading.

He is already one of my favorite players in the organization.

I said thjs in the game thread, but think it bears repeating: The box score may not show he won this game, but he was the winning pitcher. And he's already a winner in so many ways!

As to what he did on the mound, I missed the first couple of innings. Heard some on the radio, and watched his last 2IP. It's still only 1 game, and a debut. But what I saw was control, location, change of speed, a mix of pitches, and some stuff that broke the looked nasty. Don't know how good he can be, but I saw enough to think he has a future.

In regard to bullpen usage, I am generally very impressed the way Rocco has used the pen. (Lineup as well). I really like how nobody seems overworked, and everyone gets used regularly to stay sharp. Used to kill me how Molitor would use his best RP's in a 4-5 run deficit game in the hopes of a comeback.

Hard to argue with the results.

The only negative I can see, and this goes back to the "rust" idea, is there have been a couple stretches here and there where Rogers and others sat for a good 3 games at a time. Keeping everyone fresh is one thing. And it is a long season. But you also need to stay sharp.

Friday and Saturday home vs Baltimore??

Mistake there.   Four game series with Tampa.   We are done with Baltimore.

Great win. A hard-throwing shut down BP arm NEEDS to be a priority.

The Polka-man is Kohl Stewart's worst nightmare.

The Polka-man also deserved a better fate. That was really something to remember. 76.8% strikes? Who throws that many strikes? I would have thought it was a 'typo' if not for MLB.com. Who does this guy think he is, Greg Maddux?

I thought it was interesting that the competing pitchers were very similar in their approach. No one throwing 90+, but very little solid contact--keep throwing strikes and keep the hitters off-balance.

Smeltzer was fun to watch. He came at hitters and seemed to have the same arm slot on every pitch.

6 IP and we already won the Dozier trade. 

Smeltzer! What a performance. And only 69 pitches in 6 innings. He sure proved my doubts wrong this night. 

In regard to bullpen usage, I am generally very impressed the way Rocco has used the pen. (Lineup as well). I really like how nobody seems overworked, and everyone gets used regularly to stay sharp. Used to kill me how Molitor would use his best RP's in a 4-5 run deficit game in the hopes of a comeback. Hard to argue with the results. The only negative I can see, and this goes back to the "rust" idea, is there have been a couple stretches here and there where Rogers and others sat for a good 3 games at a time. Keeping everyone fresh is one thing. And it is a long season. But you also need to stay sharp.

Every team wants that shutdown bullpen. Even with a triumvirate of studs for the last 3 innings, things can and do go afoul. There was some good info in this article ....

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/05/twins-go-bargain-shopping-reap-rewards.html

Harper:

Granted, regression for the soft-tossing Harper is likely on the way – it’ll be hard to maintain a .220 batting average on balls in play and an 85.2 percent stand rate, and perhaps even tougher for a fly ball-heavy hurler to continue limiting home runs. Nevertheless, one can’t quibble with the unexpected production he has given Minnesota to this stage.

Parker:

The 33-year-old Parker has been similarly effective through 17 1/3 innings, having registered a 1.04 ERA in an effort to prove the Angels were wrong in non-tendering him last November. Parker isn’t going to keep this up, as his .190 BABIP, 96.2 percent strand rate, uninspiring strikeout and walk rates (7.27 K/9, 3.63 BB/9), and FIP (3.63) indicate.

And not in the article, but Rogers in touting a 1.41 WHIP and a .283 batting average against in 22.2 innings compared to a .95/.206 in 68.1 innings last year, and a career 1.20/.243. If he went down now, it would be career worsts for a season.

They all have time to upgrade their lines, and they have been successful so far. But it is not the pen to rely on for the season, and it surely indicates that if this team is to get to and go deep in the playoffs, that the front office's work is just beginning in regards to fortifying this staff that we are all enjoying.

And injuries really haven't happened..... yet.

I noticed that all of the runs the Twins scored were earned...I thought there was an error on the throw to second that contributed to the five runs...it's a curious curiosity.

This series was fun to watch.  The playoff feeling was real vs another good team.

Smeltzer was super impressive, the kid can obviously pitch and I don't see how he doesn't get a real shot now, at least at a pen spot. 

I came away believing in the offense and defense but the holes in the pen showed.  Come playoff time If Rodgers isn't lights out they are super thin, if Parker doesn't have his split going they are done.  They require a top line reliever, realistically they need two. 

Very happy for Smeltzer. What a beautiful story.

6 IP and we already won the Dozier trade. 

The Dozier trade was won simply by his departure. Schoop's success is frosting. This is piling on.

I didn't get to watch the game. Smeltzer was obviously cruising, so why did he get pulled after 6 innings?

I think he was just gassed. 

Twins may have something with Smeltzer here. Think about some of the other debuts of recent AAA guys: Stewart, Gonsalves, Littell....last night's performance reminded me more of what Romero was doing last year in his first appearances. Smeltzer just may stick.

That said, regardless of what his MLB future holds, the kid is playing with house money. He's already beaten the toughest opponent he'll ever face. Awesome job last night, what a story and it was great to see his family supporting him big time. They were emotional and proud of him. Too cool.

Buxton almost had that catch. Chief was right, this game felt almost like a playoff game or at the very least a late-season important game. Crowd was into it, good fight from both teams. Overall an entertaining little series for sure.

 Used to kill me how Molitor would use his best RP's in a 4-5 run deficit game in the hopes of a comeback. 

 

Good point, but...I'm struggling to remember the last time Baldelli had a 4-5 run deficit to worry about.  Maybe he'll get to make that mistake himself but he's not had many opportunities so far.

What a season.

How about keeping Yelich to one sac fly RBI in the series! Go Twins!

Baldelli has done a fine job managing the bullpen. But honestly, the starters have made the job a lot easier in 2019. The Twins have the 2nd fewest IP by a bullpen this year.  Add another 40 IP for the RP and Baldelli's job gets tougher.

I noticed that all of the runs the Twins scored were earned...I thought there was an error on the throw to second that contributed to the five runs...it's a curious curiosity.

I didn't see the play, but it appears that the play was ruled a fielders choice on the grounder, suggesting that the scorer placed Castro at second in reconstructing the inning. The doink-off-the-helmet error allowed Castro to advance to third and Astudillo to second. But because Kepler and Cron doubled, the runs would have scored anyway, so the error didn't make a difference in the scoring.