The Minnesota Twins’ rotation has rapidly become one of the most powerful teams in the American League, setting the standard with consistently excellent play. The team’s pitching comeback is being propelled by a core group of four exceptional starters who have overcome difficult starts to dominate in recent weeks, and they have top-10 marks in ERA, FIP, and fWAR.
Early in the season, worries surrounded Minnesota’s potential to match last year’s pitching performance. Even the most seasoned arms struggled with command errors, erratic velocity, and control problems as the rotation faltered out of the start in April. However, the plot has drastically changed since then.
Joe Ryan, previously plagued by home run difficulties, has recovered his fastball command and is now generating weak contact at a career-best rate. His FIP, a more accurate measure of pitching performance, places him among the league’s best arms, and his ERA has been gradually declining. Batters are having fits thanks to the right-hander’s improved splitter, which has added another weapon to his toolbox.
After a difficult start to the season, Pablo Lopez, who was expected to be the best, has settled in. His strikeout rate has increased in May, and he’s controlling hard contact better than before. López attributes his current string of strong starts to better pitch sequencing and confidence in his slider.
Despite sometimes going unnoticed, Bailey Ober has quietly become one of the AL’s most effective pitchers.
Despite sometimes going unnoticed, Bailey Ober has quietly become one of the AL’s most effective pitchers. Ober leads the team in WHIP and continues to surgically dismantle opposing lineups with his precise command and talent at shifting eye levels.
Simeon Woods Richardson, a rookie, has come out as possibly the biggest surprise. The 23-year-old has found rhythm and confidence after struggling with command issues during spring training, as evidenced by his sub-3.00 ERA over his last four starts. Coaches and veterans alike have praised his ability to mix speeds and maintain composure under pressure.
This quartet has worked together to propel the Twins into the top tier in the league in important advanced measures. Their combined fWAR shows not only individual brilliance but also a crew that works well together and reliably.
Thanks in large part to a rotation that has weathered its early turbulence and is now securely guiding the ship, the Twins are solidly in the AL Central battle as the calendar turns to May.
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