The Houston Astros can’t leave town fast enough after the Twins got lit up like Dresden in February 1945. The Astros laid waste to Twins pitching by scoring 40 runs over three games (a new franchise record), including 16 runs on Monday and 17 more on Wednesday. In both contests, the bullpen got shelled. In Monday’s game, they gave up 11 runs in the eighth inning, followed by 13 more late in the game on Wednesday.
The Twins now head to Los Angeles to lick their wounds and to hopefully get back on track against the Angels. If their road record is any indication, the Twins should be fine. They are a surprising 14-5 on the road and now face sub-.500 clubs in the Angels, Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants.
The question is whether the Twins can sustain their winning ways on the road because they don’t appear to have an advantage at Target Field. At home, the Twins are an American League-worst 12-18. Why? I’m not really sure. Is it still too cold in Minnesota? Is Target Field too big? Is there not enough fan support? Or is it still too early to say that the Twins can’t win at home? For the moment they can’t, but that’s bound to change.
Extra innings…
-The Game 2 loss versus the Astros went to Jose Berrios, who fell to 3-1. Berrios wasn’t terrible, but he also wasn’t sharp, throwing more than 100 pitches in five innings with four walks.
-Starting pitching suddenly doesn’t look so good outside of Ervin Santana. Kyle Gibson continues to be Kyle Gibson, while Hector Santiago got roughed up on Wednesday. Adalberto Mejia gets the ball on Thursday versus the Angels.
-Surrendering 40 runs over three games won’t do wonders for your bullpen, which explains why the Twins have the worst bullpen ERA in the majors, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
-The result has been a bullpen shakeup. Jason Wheeler has been designated for assignment and Ryan Pressly was sent to Triple-A Rochester, while Randy Rosario and Alex Wimmers have been called up.
-Despite the four-game losing streak, the Twins remain atop the AL Central at 26-23.