Keys to the game:
1.) Well… we are going to have to score. Yesterday, Josh Tomlin
pitched an incredible game. 8 innings, 1 run on 6 hits… he was dealing (I am
actually looking forward to his next start!). But even after that fantastic
outing, he still walked away with the loss because our offense was unable to score
a single run. While Ervin Santana pitched fantastic yesterday for the Twins (7
innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 5 walks), we did have the opportunities, but were
unable to capitalize. Today we face Jose Berrios, who was recently recalled
from Triple-A Rochester. He will make his first major league start of the 2017
season today. While last season was full of struggles for Berrios (in 14 starts
he racked up a 8.02 ERA and a 1.87 WHIP), he has been pitching extremely well in
Triple-A. Our offense needs to figure out a way to score some runs. At the end
of the day- it doesn’t matter how well the pitcher pitches, or how solid the
defense is. If you don’t score runs… you don’t win.
2.) Score some runs, then score some more. I almost never do
a repeat key, but it has gotten to the point that this is the one aspect of the
team that has consistently struggled all season. Sure, we have had a game here
and there that the offense flexes. But for the most part, they have looked
pretty bad. We have the talent. We have the ability. Heck- we have had the
opportunities! But we have not been able to consistently score runs. I am not
entirely sure what our offense needs to do to get themselves going, but one
thing is for sure, they need to figure it out.
3.) Wash, rinse, repeat. Mike Clevenger made his first start
of the 2017 season in place of the injured Cory Kluber 6 days ago. He was
outstanding; going 5 2/3 innings, giving up 0 runs on just 1 hit. All the hard
work that he put in to making adjustments, fixing his mechanics, paid off. Now,
we just need him to come out and do it again! As I said yesterday, the one
Minnesota player he needs to watch out for is Miguel Sano. Don’t give him
anything he can hit! Nothing! Prove that you deserve to stay in the bigs.
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