Game 3: Twins at Brewers

First Pitch: 1:10 pm CDT

TV: Bally Sports North

Radio: WCCO 830, Audacy, The Wolf 102.9 FM, TIBN, twinsbeisbol.com

Know Thine Enemy: Brew Crew Ball

Happy Easter all, thanks for joining us in the game thread.

This afternoon Michael Pineda steps on the mound for the Twins, with something to prove.

Last season, in 2020, he pitched well, but everyone discounts the 2020 stats. In his case, its a classic small sample—not quite 27 innings, across five starts. This comes on the heels of several abbreviated seasons. In 2017, his season was cut short due to injury, and he missed all of 2018 rehabbing. In 2019 he was quite possibly the best Twins pitcher for stretches, until missing the end of the season due to a suspension—which led directly to rookie Randy Dobnak starting a playoff game at Yankee Stadium. Finishing out the suspension also cost Pineda part of 2020. Now, in 2021, he needs a full and productive season as he looks for a new contract this winter

On the other side of the equation is “some guy.” Specifically, it will be Adrian Houser, but after the last two pitchers the Twins faced, he might as well be a fan in the stands. According to Brew Crew Ball, “Houser is coming off a disappointing 2020 but was quite impressive as a rookie during the 2019 season.” Boy, are they not misleading us, after a couple quick cups of coffee in previous seasons, Houser posted a 3.72 ERA in 111 2019 innings, before following that up with an ERA of 5.30 in 56 innings, in the 2020 campaign. Houser appears to throw a fastball/sinker/cutter/slider/change arsenal from the right side that tops out in the mid-90s for the speedy ones, and various points in the 80’s for the various offspeed stuff. Unless his velocity took a huge leap this winter, it won’t be like facing Burnes, thankfully.

As a pregame discussion, lets talk Easter dinner. If you’re the kind that does a big meal, what do you make?