Twins Pitching Pulling Its Weight

by Jesse on Jun 9, 2011 9:01 AM EDT in News

There have been so many problems with the Minnesota Twins this season that it can be difficult to pick just one and say: this is the reason my favorite team is terrible. Injuries played their part, but whether it was offense, defense or pitching, the Twins were rotten at them all.

Over their last seven games the Twins are 6-1. The offense and the defense has been better, without question. Sure, they scored just three runs yesterday and none at all on Tuesday, but in the five games prior they scored 32 runs. Which is outstanding, considering who's been in the lineup. But I'm giving credit to the pitchers today, because they've rocked the mound this week.

Date	Pitcher	IP	ER
June 2	Swarzak	6	2
June 3	Pavano	9	2
June 4	Blackburn	5	2
June 5	Duensing	8	0
June 6	Baker	7	3
June 7	Liriano	5	0
June 8	Pavano	7	1

Starters have pitched to the tune of a 1.19 ERA over the last seven games, if you're counting. Twins starters have also pitched in 47 of a possible 63 innings. If your starters can suck up 75% of a team's innings then they're doing something right. Especially if that means a suspect bullpen isn't left so exposed.

Now, to be fair, the home run that Matt Capps allowed yesterday was the first earned run that the bullpen allowed all week, too. That's one run in 16 innings. That's a 0.56 ERA.

Congratulations to the pitching staff on an amazing job this week.

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These #s from the starters....

Combined with the bullpen only giving up 1 run in 16 innings over the same stretch is great to see (Even if the one that Capps gave up was a HUGE one yesterday).

I just hope the pitching can stay at least close to this once our ‘good’ hitters come back.

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by alstevenmann on Jun 9, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Good signs for the future...

Brian Duensing continues to look like a fine young precision pitcher, and Anthony Swarzak looks like a young bulldog on the mound. Swarzak’s level of determination shows on his face, and on his explicit willingness to do anything for the major league club – start, relieve, sweep up the stadium after the game. He never wants to see Rochester again.

I also like what I’m seeing from the new guys in the pen. Chuck James looks like another precision lefty, tho his follow through could get him killed by a line drive. He appears to be sort of a cross between Liriano and Duensing. I see elements of Liriano’s follow through, but he gets to the balance point almost like Duensing.

Phil Dumatrait is better than I previously thought. The guy brings heat consistently in the 93-94mph range, and he’s been keeping the ball down. He appears to have a natural sinking fastball, almost a fastball/slider. Guy like that could get a lot of outs.

Ben Revere is definitely a gamer, although it’s just a matter of time before teams shift to intercept his slap hits to left-center. Can he adjust to hit the ball other places? It looks like he has improved his throw, but it may never be major league average. He has worked on getting his weight moving into the throw, like Span. Meanwhile, his speed is really fun to watch, like old Go-Go Gomez a few years back.

I am more and more impressed by Luke Hughes. The dude exudes an air of casual macho I haven’t seen since Dan Gladden, and he’s a good sub for three infield positions. I wonder if he can play corner outfield, too? Almost like a young Michael Cuddyer.

Alexi Casilla: WTF?? Where is this sudden surge of greatness coming from, desperation? Inspiration? I have no idea. Ride the wave while it lasts, I guess. If he keeps playing this good, then I’ll change my mind about cutting the little bugger. And then he’ll go back to hitting under .200… Sigh. No wonder the Twins drafted a bunch of shortstops.

Get well soon, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel, Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Denard Span, Joe Nathan, Jim Thome and everybody else with injuries!

by jimbo55403 on Jun 9, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions