Box Score
SP: Devin Smeltzer: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, (101 pitches, 71 strikes (70.3 %))
Home Runs: Gary Sanchez (6)
Top 3 WPA: Devin Smeltzer (.154), Trevor Larnach (.140), Max Kepler (.135)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
Pregame Notes
After a tough loss Monday, the day got even tougher as it was announced that during Monday’s game, the Twins received news that Carlos Correa had tested positive for COVID. This will be extremely difficult given that the Twins play seven games in the next six days and Correa is such a vital piece of the team.
This news would be easier to handle if the Twins hadn’t recently placed Royce Lewis on the injured list due to a bone bruise in his right knee. This leaves the Twins sparse with shortstop options, as they will probably give some games at shortstop to Nick Gordon and Jorge Polanco. A minor league option that they recalled Tuesday morning is Jermaine Palacios, who has hit .262/.325/.376 (.701) with eight doubles and three home runs through 163 plate appearances in St. Paul thus far in 2022. Palacios will make his debut Tuesday, batting ninth and playing shortstop. With the debut, Palacios will become the first Twin to ever wear the number 87.
This is also increasingly difficult because the Twins will travel to Toronto to play three games starting on Friday, and five unvaccinated Twins will be unable to travel with the team, leaving them with major questions about their depth and they will have to bring several inexperienced players across the northern border with them.
Smeltzer Excellent Once Again
Left-hander Devin Smeltzer turned in another very good outing for the Twins, going six and ⅔ innings while only allowing two earned runs, walking no batters, and striking out four. In 2022, Smeltzer has allowed only four earned runs in 24 innings, good for an ERA of 1.50. With uncertainty about Sonny Gray’s health, the Twins need someone to step up in a starter role, and they should look no further than Smeltzer, who has been excellent.
Larnach Stays Hot
Smeltzer was gifted a two-run lead before ever taking the mound in the top of the first when Trevor Larnach roped a double off the wall in right-center, scoring Luis Arraez and Max Kepler who both singled. Larnach is now hitting .259/.382/.667 (1.049) with five extra-base hits in nine games since returning from the injured list on May 22.
Quad Not a Problem For Kepler
After leaving Saturday’s game due to an issue with his right quad, Max Kepler took Sunday and Monday off. In game one Tuesday, he returned to the lineup as the designated hitter, and his impact was immediately felt, as he singled and came around to score in his first at-bat on Larnach’s double. In his second at-bat, he roped the first pitch he saw into the right-field corner for a double to score Byron Buxton from first base and later came around to score. In the seventh inning, Kepler came up with two runners in scoring position and hammered a single through a drawn-in infield to extend the Twins’ lead to seven runs.
Kepler has absolutely destroyed Tiger pitching this year, going 8-for-25 (.320) with two doubles, four homers, 12 RBI, and eight runs scored. He has posted a 1.313 OPS against the Tigers in 2022, his best against any opponent.
Don’t Let Gary Get Hot
The last thing that opposing pitchers want to see is Gary Sanchez on fire. After homering Monday, Sanchez came up with two runners on base in the third inning on Tuesday, got a hanging curveball, and didn’t miss it. Gary unloaded on it and hit it 381 feet to left field for a three-run homer to give the Twins an early six-run lead. Sanchez now has six home runs on the year.
Other Notes
- Luis Arraez went 2-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
- Devin Smeltzer got the sixth win of his career and his second career win against the Tigers.
What’s Next?
The Twins will have a quick turnaround, as they take on the Tigers again at 6:10 CST. Right-hander Cole Sands (0-0, 6.75 ERA) will take the mound for the Twins as they hope to complete the doubleheader sweep. The Tigers will counter with left-hander Joey Wentz (0-1, 20.25 ERA). Wentz only has two and ⅔ career MLB innings, so the Twins will look to feast on an inexperienced pitcher and go deep into the Tiger bullpen in game two.
On Wednesday, the Twins play the Tigers at 6:10 CST as they send 6’9” Bailey Ober (1-1, 3.25 ERA) to the mound against the Tiger ace Tarik Skubal (3-2, 2.44 ERA) who enters Wednesday’s contest with the second-best FIP among qualified major league pitchers. He is also second among all major league pitchers in fWAR at 2.0 only two months into the season.
On Thursday, the Twins will finish their series with Detroit at 12:10 CST. The Twins will send right-hander Chris Archer (0-2, 4.19 ERA) to the mound to oppose the Tigers' right-hander Alex Faedo (1-2, 3.00 ERA)
And on Friday, the Twins head north of the border for a tough three-game set with the Blue Jays. The Twins will have a depleted team because of COVID restrictions, so it will be interesting to see the roster moves made for the weekend.
Postgame Interview
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
|
FRI |
SAT |
SUN |
MON |
TUE |
TOT |
|
|
Megill |
26 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
0 |
60 |
|
Moran |
0 |
34 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
|
Smith |
18 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
34 |
|
Minaya |
0 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
31 |
|
Thielbar |
1 |
0 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
|
Duffey |
0 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
|
Jax |
0 |
0 |
20 |
0 |
33 |
53 |
|
Duran |
19 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
19 |
|
Pagán |
3 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
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