Get it? Because he’s big? Like an elephant?
The Minnesota Twins didn’t give up double digit runs until last week, a remarkable run and testament to the depth of the Twins’ pitching staff. Now, they’ve given up 14+ runs three of their last seven, including 16 runs twice in this series to the Texas Rangers.
The blowups coincide with the losses of staff ace Pablo Lopez and promising rookie Zebby Matthews, but regression was always going to come for the Twins’ pitchers. The problem is that the Twins have three starters (potentially four, depending on your Chris Paddack feelings) who are very unreliable. Even Joe Ryan, a potential All-Star, can spiral quickly in a bad start when he starts bunching homers.
Bailey Ober, meanwhile, has made his career on reliable outings, but has stumbled this season. His surface numbers aren’t terrible, but everything below the surface spells concern. Ober’s average fastball velocity is down 1.2 MPH from last year, which is a big deal when you only throw 92 MPH in the first place. It tends to get worse as the game goes on, with him sitting around 88 MPH on his four-seamer in the later innings.
With diminished velocity on all his pitches, Ober is simply getting hammered. He pitched 4.2 innings today and gave up four homers and 10 hard hit balls, including 6 in the first two innings. Ober also walked a bunch of batters, but I wouldn’t be to concerned with that issue specifically moving forward. Beyond the numbers, it’s clear in his demeanor that he’s struggling. Normally as chill and inexpressive as they come, Ober was visibly upset with himself repeatedly today.
Ober had previously said he’s not injured, but yesterday he told Dan Hayes of The Athletic that he’s had some knee discomfort that led to mechanical issues. A fully healthy Twins staff could withstand a two-week break from him, but now they have to ask themselves if a diminished Ober is more effective than the likes of Travis Adams, Andrew Morris, Randy Dobnak, or Darren McCaughan. Ober has been bad of late, but none of those players are banging down the door for an opportunity.
There was some other baseball that was played, but none of it important. The offense turned things around just in time for the pitchers to turn into pumpkins, but that’s how baseball goes. Ober isn’t scheduled to go again until next Wednesday, so the Twins will have some time to determine the best course of action going forward.
For now, onto Houston!
STUDS
- Danny Coulombe: 1 pitch thrown, 1 out recorded
- Willi Castro: 2-4, 2B, 1 RBI
DUDS
- Bailey Ober: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 BB, 3 K, 4 HR allowed (!!)
- Cole Sands: 1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2K
- Joey Wentz: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 HR allowed