Phil Hughes (4-1, 4.32 ERA, 93 ERA+, 4.33 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 6:21 BB:SO, 33.1 IP)
-v-
Derek Holland (3-2, 2.02 ERA, 192 ERA+, 3.68 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 12:30 BB:SO, 35.2 IP)
I can't touch free's open from last night, so I won't even try.
Also ... "Guaranteed Rate Field" ... I know, I know, this is just the logical result of "Fenway Park" and "Wrigley Field*" (but seriously)?
*
So, now they're back to using position players as pitchers? But what about that nine man bullpen? In 20 1/3 innings over the last four games, 11 relievers have combined to allow 15 runs. After a stretch of games where the pitching was good enough to win some but the offense was nowhere to be seen, we've now had stretch where the pitching, both starters and relievers, are regressing while the offense is ... well ... improving.
Hopefully today, Phil Hughes (10-7, 4.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) is able to keep the ball in the park, pitch deep into the game, and get some offense from his offense.
His offense will be facing the reigning Cy Young winner in Corey Kluber (6-12, 3.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) who with 32 BB's 176 K's over 162.2 innings this year will, in all likelihood, strike out about a dozen Twins hitters today. In his last four games against Minnesota, he's 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA with 37 K's over 31 1/3 innings. Perhaps interspersed with those strikeouts will be some hits...hopefully?
If you missed the game, I found the file footage of Yankees pitching
Miguel Sano's two run HR in the first was really something. (side not, how many times are we going to something like that over his career? 100? 150?) Taking borderline pitches to work the count then found a hanging cutter and crushed it over the CF wall and he didnt full extension of his arms!
Two runs is all Phil Hughes needed as he scattered 7 hits over 7 innings of work as the Twins moved to 52-44 on the season and gained a game on the Royals in the AL Central race. I dont like seeing Wild Card standings. The WC is a crap shoot. Winning divisions guarantees you 3 playoff games.
Kurt Suzuki flashed some of his 2014 form by knocking in two runs to pad the lead. Torii Hunter lined a HR in the 7th, then Trevor Plouffe and Brian Dozier blasted homers in the 8th to make it a laugher. Also of note Eddie Rosario hit 3 doubles.
I love when the Twins beat down an opponent, but there are two teams I really love to see them against: The White Sox and the Yankees. Yeah, this game was awesome. Lets do it again Saturday night!
