Yankees: 3 reasons NYY should actually be scared of Twins in 2020 playoffs

1. Improved Pitching Staff

The Twins’ pitching staff has made drastic improvements compared to 2019.

While the Twins’ offense garners most of the spotlight after its historic output in both 2018 and 2019, their pitching staff has made considerable strides this year. For the season, Minnesota pitchers, according to FanGraphs, rank second in MLB in WAR (9.2), third in ERA (3.52), fourth in WHIP (1.20) and second in FIP (3.77).

The bolstered group has also allowed a league-low 59 home runs, which is undoubtedly one of the Yankees’ greatest strengths now that their lineup is back at full strength. What makes the Twins pitching resurgence so impressive is that both their starters and bullpen are getting it done.

Across 11 starts (66.2 innings), Kenta Maeda is 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 80 strikeouts and a 0.750 WHIP. He might very well receive some AL Cy Young votes, folks. Elsewhere, Jose Berrios is firing on all cylinders over the last month, and Michael Pineda has surprisingly been effective after returning from injury. Even Rich Hill has found a rhythm over his last handful of starts, and Jake Odorizzi, who is currently on the injured list with a blister, could be an x-factor if he’s activated in time (though he won’t make a start in the series — per Rocco Baldelli, it’s Maeda/Berrios/Pineda).

In the bullpen, veterans Sergio Romo and Tyler Clippard have made up for the struggles of closer Taylor Rogers by combining to log a 2.87 ERA. Their performances have translated to the success of relieving trio Tyler Duffey, Matt Wisler and Trevor May, all of whom were former starters.

If a revamped Twins pitching staff that never allows dingers doesn’t scare Yankees fans, regardless of the club’s storied history of choking in the playoffs, we don’t know what will.

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