Minnesota Twins: Who Starts in the Wild Card One Game Playoff?
Is rookie Tyler Duffey ready for the spotlight?
Sep 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tyler Duffey (56) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
With his most recent performance, rookie Tyler Duffey now has four wins in seven starts. Called up when Hughes was put on the DL, Duffey has four quality starts. The only blemish is Duffey’s first career start against the Blue Jays. Like a big juicy steak thrown to a pack of lions, Duffey gave up six runs in just two innings pitched to, at the time, the hottest team in baseball. Since then, he has allowed no more than three runs. In only seven starts, Duffey already has the highest SO/9 rate, 8.61, among Twins starters.
A 4-1 record is nice but do not be fooled. Duffey has received plenty of run support. When Duffey has been on the mound, the Twins have scored an averaged of more than seven runs per game. The fewest runs being four, just once. Duffey’s knockout pitch seems to be a sweeping curve. He has gotten hitters to strikeout looking on it several times. But when they go down looking at his curve, it appears to be hanging down the middle of the strike zone. A good hitter will tee off on his curve eventually.
Even though he is a rookie he has not pitched like one. Disregarding Duffey’s debut, his ERA is a lowly 2.67 and opponents are hitting just .239. Duffey has the ability to pitch a good game, he has shown so already. His curveball is his best pitch. Freezing right-handed hitters and disappearing out of the zone against left-handed hitters. If the Twins are matched up in the wild card game against the Yankees, why not let him start? He is the hottest pitcher currently. If the Twins end up facing the Blue Jays in the wild card game, find a better option.