Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez lost again on Sunday to the Boston Red Sox, 6-5. He’s now 0-4 this spring with a 7.98 ERA. Lopez has allowed 13 earned runs across 14-plus innings pitched.
Is this a problem?
Given the time of year, perhaps not. But it’s also not encouraging for a pitcher who has a tendency to struggle early in games before he gets stronger the deeper he goes. He did strike out eight batters across six innings, but he also served up two runs in the top of the first inning, then two more, both home runs, in the fourth inning.
In that fist inning, he allowed three hits, a walk, a sacrifice fly and the Red Sox grabbed an early 2-0 lead. His final line was four runs allowed on seven hits across six innings with a walk and the eight whiffs. Lopez is pegged to be the opening day starter, according to MLB.com.
In 2024, Lopez pitched to a 4.50 ERA in innings 1-3. His ERA then fell to 3.92 and 1.59 the remainder of the game, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
Extra innings…
-In addition to Lopez, the rest of the starters are Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson, MLB.com reports.
The only controversial choice is SWR, who pitched well, but Daniel Zebulon Matthews, better known as Zebby, pitched even better. SWR allowed just one earned run across 11 innings, but Zebulon allowed no earned runs across nine-plus frames. Yet it was Zebby who was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. I have a feeling the Twins will be calling on him soon enough.
-Joe Ryan wasn’t real sharp against the Pirates in a 4-2 loss on Monday. He allowed three runs on three hits, including two home runs, across four innings.
-Matt Wallner, though, has found a home leading off. He smacked his team-leading sixth home run on Monday.
-Reliever Griffin Jax struck out the side on 15 pitches in Sunday’s game against the Red Sox.