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Astros and Twins are both winning but have different teams
The Houston Astros face a tough test starting today versus the Minnesota Twins.
The Orioles had a 25-20 record before coming to play the Houston Astros for the weekend series. They leave town having lost seven games in a row with a 25-23 record. The Twins have not played as many games as they have a 26-20 record having won seven of their last ten games.
And here come the Astros, the best team in baseball, for three games.
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) May 29, 2017
They lost yesterday allowing 18 hits and eight runs versus the Rays in 15 innings. Now they have to face the best team in baseball in the Houston Astros. LaVelle E. Neal III, who covers the Twins, had this to say about the Stros. “And here come the Astros, the best team in baseball, for three games.”
The Twins were not expected to be in competition this year while there were high expectations in Houston. So let’s take a look at the two teams and try to draw some comparisons.
The Rotation.
The Astros are 18-3 in games that Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers start. If the top two pitchers are not on the mound, the Astros are 17-13. Charlie Morton was just put on the DL yesterday, but they won six of ten games that he pitched. That leaves a 9-9 record when the other pitchers take the bump.
The Astros rotation has a 24-10 record with a 3.45 ERA with 289 strikeouts in 297 innings.
Astros rotation for Twins series
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) May 27, 2017
Mon: Peacock
Tues: Morton
Wed: Musgrove
The Twins have a decent 1-2 combo in Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios. Hector Santiago is technically the second pitcher, but Berrios appears to have put everything together in his second chance. With the extra inning game yesterday, Santiago lost the game and will start on Wednesday. No matter the order, the Astros will face the top three starters in that series.
The Twins rotation has a 20-14 record with a 4.15 ERA with 187 strikeouts in 253 2/3 innings.
While the Astros rotation has the edge, this series the Twins will face Brad Peacock, Mike Fiers, and Joe Musgrove. Peacock will make only his second start of the season but showed promise striking out eight in 4 1/3 innings. Fiers was just removed from the rotation and now will return with Morton’s injury.
If Peacock and Musgrove pitch well, the Astros should win 2.
The Bullpen.
One of the Astros strengths this season despite the occasional clunker from Luke Gregerson. Chris Devenski has become a dynamic reliever who could pitch multiple innings. Despite over exposure, Devenski still finds a way of getting out of big trouble. On paper, it would appear that Brad Kintzler has better stats than Ken Giles.
The Astros bullpen has an 11-6 record with a 3.27 ERA with 209 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings pitched. They also have 18 saves.
HOU loses 6-3 despite a really good 7 IP by C. Morton. @ABREG_1 w/ HR, but a rare night when @Astros bullpen was outpitched.
— Todd Kalas (@RealToddKalas) May 25, 2017
Keep in mind that Peacock has been in the bullpen for most of the season and reinvented himself while doing it. Will Harris is back to being Mr. Reliable like he was last year before he became, this shortens the game. Imagine having to face Devenski, then Harris, then Gregerson, and finally Giles after Peacock goes five innings. The bullpen may not be the best in the league, but it is pretty effective.
The Twins bullpen has a 6-5 record with a 4.16 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings. They have 14 saves.
These stats strongly favor the Astros. If the Twins want to win, they need to score off the starters. While the bullpen can struggle, they need the starters to go deeper in games to limit use early in games.
The Hitters.
Unlike the Astros, the Twins offense is not as dynamic. While the Stros lineup has players who can hit up and down the lineup, the Twins power comes from two players. The Twins only have two players with six or more homers. They are Miguel Sano with 11 and Brian Dozier with seven. Conversely, the Astros seven players with six or more homers.
The Astros hitters have a slash line of .268/ .335/ .447/ .782 while scoring 244 runs with 71 homers. Stros baserunners have stolen 25 bases while only striking out 352 times.
This week's @TalkingStros on @SportsTalk790. We talked trade deadline, All-Stars, Morton's injury, and more #Astros. https://t.co/FpCG1qKIT7
— Talking Stros Podcast (@TalkingStros) May 30, 2017
This lineup has little holes in it, each player on the team is capable at any moment of being the hero. They are getting surprise performances from Marwin Gonzalez (11 homers) and Jake Marisnick (six homers). Josh Reddick has found a home batting second in the lineup, and Carlos Correa appears to be over the slump.
The Twins hitters have a slash line of .250/ .333/ .414/ .747 while scoring 204 runs with 51 homers. Twins baserunners have stolen 22 bases while striking out only 364 times.
Sano is finally living up to his promise while Byron Buxton is still trying to find his offensive game. Former Astros catcher Jason Castro has joined the team but is still showing signs of his diminished offensive game. Dozier has slowed down from his torrid home run tear from last year. The difference between the two teams could that Correa has become the star and Buxton has not.
Next: Here comes the inevitable Sonny Gray-to-Astros rumors
The starting pitching facing the Astros in this series is their best they have to offer. However, the Stros should be favored in this series, but Santana or Berrios is capable of shutting the offense down. Happy Memorial Day Astros fans, take the time to remember a family member or friend who served in the military, To my brother Chris Huysman in the Marine Corps, have a great day.
***Stats from Baseball-Reference and ESPN team stats***