The Minnesota Twins have been searching for starting pitching answers since Sonny Gray left over the offseason. In something of a full circle moment, it was Pablo Lopez providing a great answer against the former Twins ace on Saturday.
Minnesota Twins getting the best version of Pablo Lopez
This season did not start out on a strong note for Pablo Lopez. After a successful Opening Day start against the Kansas City Royals, Lopez surrendered at least three runs in four of his next five starts. Despite impressive secondary numbers, Lopez bottomed out with a 5.63 ERA after his 15th start of the year. He has been trending well again of late and Saturday’s start against the St. Louis Cardinals was a culmination of that.
As Lopez squared off against Gray, his former rotation mate, he twirled 7.0 innings of scoreless baseball. 21 whiffs across 96 pitches made for an impressive 22% whiff rate . The Twins hurler allowed just four hits and a single walk. He struck out nine and lowered his ERA to 4.26. It’s the best mark he has owned this season since his ninth start of the year.
Since his 14-strikeout performance on June 23rd against the Oakland Athletics, Lopez has been on a heater. The period of 11 starts has resulted in a 2.65 ERA and 2.98 FIP. Opponents have just a .600 OPS against him and he has struck out 74 in 68 innings.
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Down the stretch, this is absolutely the pitcher Minnesota needs.
Lopez looks like the ace the Minnesota Twins need in October
Part of the expectation for Minnesota to acquire another starter was that they needed someone capable of starting a postseason game. They didn’t get that person from outside the organization, but Simeon Woods Richardson has elevated himself to being an answer from within. An untested rookie is dicey, but it’s mitigated by a hurler that can shut down an offense. It’s mitigated by this version of Pablo Lopez.
Rocco Baldelli’s expected rotation has been all but blown up. It’s hard to believe in a reality where Joe Ryan returns for the Twins. Chris Paddack probably isn’t coming back , and he wasn’t great when healthy. Lopez anchoring the rotation with what Bailey Ober has been developed into is massive.
When Baldelli sets up his rotation against the opposition in the playoffs, Lopez looks like a guarantee for any Game 1. His current version should put Minnesota in a great spot any time he toes the rubber. If the Twins can get expected outings from Lopez, it takes pressure off every other arm that steps on the mound.
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Minnesota has been waiting for their ace to return, and he has been getting it done right before your eyes.
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