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Minnesota Twins: Series Against Cleveland Indians Could Be Telling

By Jackson Bruce

May 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 6, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Jose Berrios can prove he is ready to finally stay at the major league level.

Jose Berrios has been electric with the Twins’ Triple A squad, the Rochester Red Wings, this season. In six starts, he is a perfect 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA. He also has 39 strikeouts and has given up only five earned runs. However, he has not been as effective at the major league level.

In 14 starts, he carries a 3-7 major league record with a bloated 8.02 ERA in 58.1 innings. A little time in Triple A to start the season may have done him some good. The Twins need a reliable third arm (Phil Hughes has been lucky when it comes to runs support), and would benefit from a good start from the 22-year-old.

Berrios will go up against Mike Clevinger, a young Tribe pitcher with comparable major league experience. Clevinger is 4-3 with a 4.76 ERA in 58.2 innings. In his one start this season at the major league level, Clevinger worked 5.2 innings and gave up no runs while striking out five. He earned the win. Berrios will need to pitch well, and he has shown the potential to do so.

A solid start for Berrios could be promising for the 2017 Twins season. If he shows he can pitch effectively, he can stick on the major league roster and help solidify a Twins rotation that has had little help from the back end. Saturday will be all about how Berrios responds to his latest call up.

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