Ranking the Minnesota Twins starting rotation

#1 – Jose Berrios

Most Minnesota Twins fans out there probably saw this one coming from a mile away. As much of a Jose Berrios fan as anyone, it was truly a tough decision between him and Odorizzi. Again, the reason Berrios got the nod is mostly because of his sustained success on the mound over the past few years. However, I do think that if you watch Berrios pitch, it’s also fairly obvious to see it in the “stuff” he possesses as well.

Berrios has one of the nastiest curves in the game when it’s firing on all cylinders. Nasty enough, in fact, to make hitters duck out-of-the-way at times just to see it drop in the strike-zone for a backwards-K.

A lifetime 4.15 ERA, mostly due to a rough first year with the Minnesota Twins, Berrios has been lights out yet again in 2019. With an ERA at 2.86 and 94 strikeouts in 97.2 innings pitched, “La Makina” is a man on a mission. Continuing on his current path and trajectory he seems nearly a lock for the MLB All-Star Game set in Cleveland this year. If he continues to dominate post All-Star break, it’s fair to assume he would have to be in the running for the AL Cy-Young award.

He’s only 8-3 on the season, so not necessarily an extraordinary record, but solid nonetheless. In his most recent game against the powerful and surging (as of late) Boston Red Sox, Berrios unfortunately was handed the loss. Though given the tough loss, Berrios was lights-out pitching 8 innings while striking out 10, walking 0, and giving up 1 earned-run. If the Twins lose simply because the offense can’t push runs across the plate, I’ll take that outing from Jose 10 times out of 10.

The Twins are on a roll and their additions in the field and at the plate are a major reason why. Don’t count out this starting rotation though as they’ve been a lot better than the credit they’ve received suggests. Any 1 of the 5 starters can have a dominant game on any given day, let’s just hope they keep it rolling the remainder of the season.