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Box Score
SP: Bailey Ober: 5 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Home Runs: None, by either team
Bottom 3 WPA: Bailey Ober (-.240), Mickey Gasper (-.090), Austin Martin (-.80)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
The Pitchers
Bailey Ober took the mound for the Twins. He has been slightly more effective since returning from his IL stint for a hip issue, but he velo is still noticeably down. From a pure results standpoint, he has looked more like a fringy, backend starter than the playoff-caliber guy we have seen over the past few seasons. His last start was good, getting 17 whiffs, and he looked to build on that today. However, if we are being honest with ourselves: like Joe Ryan, he would probably benefit from being shut down to focus on recovery and building for next season. The only explanation I can come up with is that the Twins feel it’s important for them to know whether they can pencil him into the third spot in the rotation (or first or second, depending on offseason trades) or not, so he continues to go every fifth day.
The Guardians sent lefty Logan Allen to the mound. Even by lefty standards, he’s missing a few ticks on his pitches compared to average. On the positive, he also doesn’t strike anyone out, isn’t crafty, and walks too many. Surely the Twins could beat up on a pitcher like that, right. Right?!? Well, no. He’s exactly the sort of soft-tossing lefty that so often gives the Twins fits, and he went eight strong innings. By the way, that’s the deepest Allen has ever gone in his career.
Themes of the Game
Guardians? More Like Piranhas.
Is it possible that Guardians are really just a not-quite-right portmanteau of the Gardy-era piranhas? In the fifth inning, they hit six singles, a double, stole a base, and had a sac bunt before Ober finally escaped the inning. The good news? He allowed just six runs in the inning. Of course, the Guardians hit seven of their nine hits all clustered together to maximize the runs.
The Twins Continue To Not Hit
The Guardians have 21 consecutive scoreless innings against the Twins. through the eighth inning. The Twins had just five baserunners all game, and the first three were erased — two by double play, and the other when Carson McCusker attempted to steal second. Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis were the only other baserunners Allen allowed, and both were stranded, not making it past second. Fans have seen brutal stretches like this before, and it’s frustrating to watch every time it happens.
Mick Abel Flashes, But Can’t Find Consistency
Mick Abel, recalled Saturday to take Pablo Lopez’ spot on the roster, came in in relief of Ober. Many fans have been down on the return for Jhoan Duran based on his first two appearances, but tonight, he turned a corner – for a while. Abel sat 98 on his fastball and hit 99 multiple times. His stuff looked sharp, Guardians couldn’t square up against him, and he was hitting his spots for the most part. In fact, he was perfect through his first two innings. He lost his control with two outs in his third inning of work, walking three straight hitters before giving up a two-run single to Steven Kwan. He settled back down in his fourth inning of work and ended with six strikeouts in four innings. If he can limit the innings where he can’t throw strikes, he can be a legitimate weapon, perhaps even a frontline starter. If not, he’s likely destined for the bullpen.
Game Notes
Tomorrow is a new day. That’s about the most relevant thing to discuss.
What’s Next?
The Twins play the final game of their four-game series against the Guardians and conclude their season series. They hope to avoid the four-game sweep. Simeon Woods Richardson faces off against yet another lefty — Joey Cantillo. First pitch is at 1:10 PM.
Postgame Interviews
Stay tuned!
Bullpen Usage