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Minnesota Twins: What to watch for against the Royals

By Chris Schad

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to flying out during the fifth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimat Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 20, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 20: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to flying out during the fifth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimat Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 20, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JUNE 11: Martin Perez #33 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field on June 11, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JUNE 11: Martin Perez #33 of the Minnesota Twins pitches in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Target Field on June 11, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Can Martin Perez get back on track?

This was mentioned in the preview for the Seattle series earlier this week, but it bears repeating after Martin Perez delivered another clunker on Tuesday night. The left-hander couldn’t make it past the fifth inning for the fifth time in the past six starts against the Mariners as he gave up four earned runs on six hits, three walks and striking out seven while needing 95 pitches to do so.

Such has been the struggle for the 28-year old after an electric start to the season. The stretch in his first eight appearances this season (5-0, 2.83 ERA) is looking more like a mirage as we get deeper into the season and his last six starts (2-2, 5.59 ERA) are starting to look more like the pitcher the Texas Rangers let walk last winter.

What’s even more alarming is that only two of his five opponents (Los Angeles Angels, Seattle) during that stretch have ranked above the the league average in runs per game. The Royals will provide another opportunity for Perez to get right as they currently rank 23rd with 4.13 runs per game, but if he can’t get it done here, it may cause the Twins to think about other options within the organization and potentially the trade market.

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