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The Twins did something they hadn’t done since the Red Sox were still cursed: They won a playoff game. We have recaps from the first day of the postseason and a look at Craig Counsell’s future in (or out of) Milwaukee. I’m Levi Weaver, here with Ken Rosenthal – welcome to the Windup!
The twins’ streak of bad luck ends
“I’m getting back to work, that’s over; Now all I want is fun.”
I had a moment of panic today when I saw that the Twins had ended an “18-year postseason winning streak.” Oh oh. In yesterday’s Windup I wrote that it was an 18-game postseason losing streak.
Oh, phew, it was both. The last time the Twins won a playoff game was Game 1 of the 2004 ALDS. They then lost their next three to the Yankees and also lost their next 15 straight playoff games. Technically it’s been 19 years since that last win, but we can all stop talking about it now because Minnesota beat Toronto 3-1 yesterday and “a new streak begins.”
The game, played on an electrifying Target Field, definitely showcased the elements that helped the Twins win the AL Central – Carlos Correa’s instant, classic defensive gem at shortstop, shutting out Bo Bichette at home, Royce Lewis scored two Home runs and most of them All in all, solid starting pitching.
Pablo López, acquired from Miami last offseason in a trade for Luis Arraez, became the first Twins pitcher to win since Johan Santana in 2004 (OK, I guess we’re not done talking about that yet). talk). López was aware of this fact. He wore a Santana jersey to the ballpark, and I really liked this from Aaron Gleeman’s story:
“When asked if he was given the Santana jersey to wear or if he already owned it, López smiled and nodded sheepishly. It was in his closet.”
For the Blue Jays, the offense (or, for our Canadian readers: the offense) failed again. Today they get another chance.
Info about Blue Jays / Twins Game 2:
Toronto: Jose Berrios (11-12, 3.65)
Minnesota: Sonny Gray (8-8, 2.79)
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Stephen Nesbitt’s preview here
Ken’s notebook: Offseason shakeup for the Brewers?
No one knows yet whether Craig Counsell is truly ready to leave Milwaukee as a free agent manager. However, if the Brewers exit the postseason early, it will only underscore the team’s uncertain future.
The Brewers consist of their top three starters: Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta. Woodruff is a major consideration as he is out for at least the Wild Card Series due to a right shoulder capsular injury after missing nearly four months of the regular season with right shoulder inflammation. And only Peralta, whose contract includes club options for 2025 and 2026, is under team control beyond next season.
Both Burnes and Woodruff are about to begin their final salary negotiations before free agency. Burnes, who had a 3.39 ERA in 32 regular-season starts before allowing three home runs in the Brewers’ 6-3 loss to the Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, will receive a significant raise of $10.01 million -Dollar. It’s not out of the question that the Brewers will trade him.
Shortstop Willy Adames, making $8.7 million, is another potential free agent after next season. The Brewers, lacking a shortstop prospect anywhere near the majors, could potentially replace him by moving Brice Turang from second base. However, Turang only batted .218 with an OPS of .585 in his rookie season.
The future is not entirely bleak. 19-year-old outfielder Jackson Chourio is the game’s second-best player according to The Athletic’s Keith Law and has the potential to make the same impact as Corbin Carroll did with the Diamondbacks as early as next season. The Brewers’ farm system was rated as the second-best in the game behind that of the Orioles in the Baseball America organization’s midseason talent rankings. Chourio was one of six top-100 prospects, including outfielder Sal Frelick, who has since moved up to the majors.
Perhaps Brewers owner Mark Attanasio decides to make Counsell one of the highest-paid managers in the game. Perhaps Counsell will decide that his roots in Milwaukee are too strong to leave, even though teams with greater financial resources will likely pursue him. The Mets, now led by David Stearns, the Brewers’ former president of baseball operations, are looking for a manager. This also applies to the giants, guardians and angels. Other teams may have openings.
The questions surrounding Counsell will come to the forefront once the Brewers’ season ends. And that moment could come sooner than anyone thought.
More: The Diamondbacks flip the NL Wild Card Series script, defeating the Brewers’ ace and winning Game 1.
Information about Diamondbacks / Brewers Game 2:
Arizona: Zac Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA)
Milwaukee: Freddy Peralta (12-10, 3.86)
TV: 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Preview by Grant Brisbee here
The Rays defense weakens, Montgomery punts
“Seeing red flags in the morning is a warning“
It was touted (at least by me yesterday) as a meeting of the AL’s two most fearsome offenses, but the first game between the Rangers and Rays was defined by the Rangers’ pitching and the Rays’ defense – or lack thereof.
Jordan Montgomery continued his torrid performance from the last three weeks by pitching seven shutout innings against a team that had a higher OPS against left-handed pitchers (.783) than all but five major league teams (Texas was fourth best, by the way). ). .788). Meanwhile, Evan Carter — he has played just 23 big league games — went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two walks. Both Carter and Montgomery had defensive brilliance early on to keep the Rays’ offense in check. The Rangers won 4-0.
That was a big contrast to Tampa Bay’s defense, which committed four errors.
The other unfortunate storyline was attendance. Only 19,704 made the trip to the Trop – the lowest attendance for a postseason game since 1919. The drive from Tampa to St. Petersburg is arduous at best, so a 3:08 p.m. start on a Monday afternoon wasn’t ideal. But it’s not like Tampa hasn’t had weekday games in previous postseasons.
Two years ago, the Rays hosted the Red Sox for two games and drew 27,419 in a game that started at 3:06 p.m. (They also drew 37,616 in a night game that started at 7:02 p.m.).
So maybe the Rangers just aren’t much of a draw in St. Pete?
Information about the second Rangers/Rays game:
Texas: Nathan Eovaldi (12-5, 3.63)
Tampa Bay: Zach Eflin (16-8, 3.50)
TV: 3:00 p.m. ET, ABC
Stephen Nesbitt’s preview here
Phillies, Wheeler throttle Marlins
“I can’t say I was surprised; Isn’t that what we expect?”
Zack Wheeler shut out the Marlins in Game 1. (Bill Streicher/USA Today)
Of the four wild card matchups, the Marlins/Phillies seemed to have the least intrigue. The Marlins had a negative run differential and climbed into a wild-card spot on the strength of an absurd 33-13 record in one-run games. Oh, and their reigning Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara had a down year and then joined her young pitching phenom Eury Pérez on the IL. Meanwhile, the Phillies went to the World Series last year.
The odds were already high for Miami, and they’re a little higher now – the Phillies earned a 4-1 victory in Game 1 behind 6 2/3 dominant innings from Zack Wheeler, who struck out eight and struck out no hits allowed one run on five hits before handing things over to the bullpen, allowing just two hits and no walks the rest of the game.
We’re not writing off the fish yet. This record in one-run games is a reminder that anything can happen, so the Marlins could still pull off a small miracle in the next two days. But even if this isn’t the case, they appear to be headed in the right direction in the long term under Kim Ng’s leadership.
Information about the Marlins / Phillies second game:
Miami: Braxton Garrett (9-7, 3.66)
Philadelphia: Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.46)
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Preview by Grant Brisbee here
Handshakes and high fives
How hard is it to lose 18 games in a row? How big of an upset was the D-Backs against the Brewers? Jayson Stark sums up all the craziness and wildness that happened on the first day of the postseason.
As the Braves wait for the Marlins/Phillies winner, they’re hoping time will allow some reinforcements to heal. Namely Max Fried, who pitched in an intrasquad game on Tuesday.
This was published before the first games, but Grant Brisbee’s playoff tiers article is still relevant. However, it may not be the case after today, so read it now before a team is sent into the offseason later today.
Not sure which direction the Angels are going this offseason? You’re not alone. Sam Blum reviews GM Perry Minasian’s media availability at the end of the season.
Andrew Baggarly says that in addition to a new manager, the Giants also need to find their identity.
As expected, Terry Francona made it official yesterday. He resigns as manager of the Guardians. Just before the announcement was made, Zack Meisel took this look at Francona’s path to retirement.
Francona’s departure officially adds another team to the list of those looking for a new manager. So which performance would be the cutest? Our panel discusses.
The end of the Cubs season was ultimately disappointing, but they still exceeded some preseason expectations. To move forward, Sahadev Sharma says they need to either bring Cody Bellinger back or replace his production.
Will Sammon takes a look at the Mets’ 40-man roster and tries to figure out who will stick around in 2024 and beyond.
(Top photo by Bo Bichette: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)