Twins Notebook 8/10: How Will Baldelli Use the Bullpen After Clippard Opens?

YESTERDAY’S GAME RECAP

MIN 4, MIL 2: The Randy and Rosie Show

QUESTION OF THE DAY

How do you feel about the infield playing in early in a game?

TODAY

Twins at Brewers 7:10 pm CT

Betting lines: Minnesota -105, O/U 9.0

Twins opener: Tyler Clippard RHP, 0-0 1.17 ERA

Rocco Baldelli is going with an opener for tonight’s action against the Brew Crew. With Minnesota still putting together somewhat of a piecemeal rotation they have sprinkled pen games in. Clippard has been very good for the Twins this season allowing just a single run in his seven appearances thus far.

When Clippard was tasked with taking the ball to start against Cleveland nine days ago he gave the Twins two innings out of the gate. They were hitless and walkless while he earned one punchout. How much length he gives the Twins, and who the bulk guy is, remains to be seen.

Last night Baldelli used each one of his horses in the bullpen. Only Taylor Rogers was taxed from a pitch total standpoint, and he struggled in back-to-back outings a year ago. Lewis Thorpe was hit around his last time out and has seen diminished velocity for most of the year. Devin Smeltzer could also be an option to follow Clippard with his start coming on August 7th.

Brewers starter: Josh Lindblom RHP, 1-0 4.15 ERA

This season is Lindblom’s first back in the major leagues since 2017. He spent the last two years overseas pitching for the Doosan Bears in the KBO. His sub-3.00 ERA’s and near 200 innings of performance were enough to have the Brewers enticed.

Through two starts this season Lindblom owns a 12/4 K/BB and has given up four earned runs on seven hits in 8.2 IP. The secondary stats and numbers under the hood suggest there could be opportunity for the Twins to strike tonight.

Lindblom has allowed a 47% hard hit rate while generating just a 21% ground ball rate. Giving up so many line drives and fly balls, the recipe for objects to start leaving the yard is there.

He’s a fastball-slider pitcher and the velo on his heater rests at just 90 mph. Minnesota’s lineup still hasn’t begun to click, but this is another opportunity for them to get going tonight.

Lineup:

https://twitter.com/dailyrotonews/status/1293255637670023170

News and notes:

• The Indians were off yesterday, but it didn’t stop more bad news coming from their club. Mike Clevinger was also with fellow dummy Zach Plesac in going out on the town in Chicago. Their rotation-mate, Carlos Carrasco, recovered from Leukemia last season. Both are now quarantined and have had their starts altered.
  

• St. Louis continues to look for a clean bill of health prior to any game action return. Their doubleheader with the Tigers on Thursday has been banged.
  

Around the AL Central

DET 5, CWS 1

MIN 11-6 (+25 run differential)

DET 9-5 (+4)

CLE 10-7 (+22)

CWS 8-9 (-7)

KC 7-10 (-5)

Tomorrow’s game

Minnesota @ Milwaukee, 6:10 pm CT

Kenta Maeda vs Eric Lauer

See Also:

Ranking the Twins' Current Injury Concerns

Why Harder Might Not Mean Better for José Berríos