Minnesota Twins: Afterthoughts from Opening Day
This is “Afterthoughts” focused on the Minnesota Twins. The thoughts and interesting stats from the previous game.
The Twins started the 2017 season with a 7-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. It’s the first opening day win for the Minnesota Twins since 2008 and the first opening day win at home since 2007.
The Twins win, thanks in large part to the Royals bullpen, was a pitcher’s duel until the seventh inning.
With the score tied at one, Lorenzo Cain walked to lead off the top half of the seventh inning for the Royals. He eventually stole second, putting pressure on the Twins. Santana kept the score tied by striking out Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, and Brandon Moss.
Danny Duffy exited the game, and the Royals bullpen took over. What followed was a total meltdown on the Royals end.
Jorge Polanco singled, Max Kepler singled on a bunt (was initially ruled out), and Eddie Rosario laid down a sac bunt. The Royals then intentionally walked Brian Dozier to load the bases.
The Twins went on to score six runs on three walks and two singles after loading the bases.
Last season the Twins slashed .198/.228/.305 with the bases loaded, by far the worst slash line among any MLB team. The team walked just seven times (tied for 20th in the MLB) and recorded 20 hits (tied for last in the MLB).
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In the first game of the year, the Twins already have half its walk total. Additionally, the team, with the bases loaded, is slashing .500/.800/.500. Lastly, the team is tied for the most RBI in bases loaded situations with five.
The Twins lineup yesterday was OBP heavy. In other words, the better OBP guys on the team batted before Miguel Sano. In fact, the top three OBP’s of the 2016 Twins Robbie Grossman, Joe Mauer, and Dozier, batted in the first four spots in the lineup.
The wave of valuing getting on base is resurfacing. Teams are valuing high OBP hitters and batting them in the leadoff spot rather than leading off with a speedy player. Guys such as Carlos Santana and Kyle Schwarber lead the list of slower, high OBP players who are leading off.
Look for the Twins to keep Sano in the fifth spot, but still as the cleanup hitter with the highest OBP guys hitting in front of him.