As of today the Twins have a 31.3% chance of making the playoffs and a 1% chance of winning the World Series, but as of today I'd be willing to take that World Series bet at 100-to-1 odds. A modest wager, of course, it's way too early to lose our heads. Still, a 10-7 record that includes a split four game series at Yankee Stadium is the kind of start you dream about when you're blowing the latest eight inches of snow off your driveway in the dark at 5:00 p.m.
About that start. I'd say it's fair to say that our pitching is contributing considerably more to the team's winning record than is the offense. The Twins sit atop the Central division but rank in the bottom third of the AL in most offensive categories with a meager .224 batting average (13th) and a .653 OPS (85 OPS+/12th). The pitching, on the other hand, has been uncharacteristically good, and especially so the starting rotation. As a team the Twins sport a 2.61 ERA (169 ERA+), the best in the American League, 179 strikeouts in 151.2 innings pitched (10.6K/9), and a .996 WHIP.
Today the Twins send Kenta Maeda back to the mound in search of his first victory, at 0-2 he's the only starter without a win this young season. Despite the lack of a W, Maeda has respectable numbers with a 4.09 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.00 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts in 11 innings over his first two starts. The Beantown nine counter Maeda with Tanner Houck, 2-0 in three starts with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.
Play ball!
Cleveland idle today so a win would put the Twins two games up. It would also further entrench Boston in the AL East cellar.
With recent game lengths, I'm guessing everyone should get back to the clubhouse in plenty of time.
Well, crap. That had to hurt real bad.
So, two innings for Maeda before he gets drilled by a batted ball and leaves the game. Why can't we have nice things?
Is Pagán considered a nice thing? Because we can have that. I guess.
Definitely not a nice thing. Unless you're a Bosox fan.
Pagan is in, it's a time for gratitude
It's just a lot of innings to have to cover with the bullpen. Headrick did the staff a big favor last night.
And heck, Pagan might have secured Headrick a longer cuppa.
Pagán gonna Pagán.
If this was the WBC, we'd be in danger of getting 5 inning/15 run ruled
*abesimpsonwalkinginwalkingout.gif*
Will he be DFA'd before the inning is over?
One certainly hopes Pagán has expedited his exit from the roster.
You know, usually a team brings in a long relief pitcher when the game is out of hand to soak up innings, not bring in long relief to turn it into a game where you needed that pitcher. Maybe this will convince management to finally release Pagán.
To be fair to Pagan, he had pitched pretty well this year until today. Small sample size, obviously. And I understand why there probably aren't very many people here are inclined to be fair to Pagan.
The Red Sox were inclined to be fair to Pagan since everything they did was in fair territory.
Everyone deserves another chance. He's had several anothers though.
My MLB radio feed is in constant buffering mode now. I'm taking it as a sign.
How soon before "random infielder" gets to pitch?
Turns out "random infielder" is Willi Castro.
good work there Kepler
My son was saying last night that he hopes Max - his favorite player, “…who even looks German.” never leaves the Twins. It’s okay to lie to your children, right?
rally kill 🙁
Pagan entered the game with an ERA of 1.42. He left the game with an ERA of 7.88.
Seems appropriate that the Twins got smoked today.
The way the Dubs are defending Sabonis, I don't understand why he doesn't take two dribbles and shoot uncontested 15-foot jumpers every possession.
He shot 51.2 pct for the season on 10-16 footers, but only took 41 attempts. Weird.