5 October 2023
On one side, a future hall of famer. On the other, well, the Twins haven’t yet announced who will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series, but they like their options.
The Astros, who earned a first-round bye in the playoffs and have not played since the regular season wrapped up on Sunday, will send Justin Verlander to the mound on Saturday. They also have announced that all-star Framber Valdez will start Game 2.
The Twins were planning on starting Joe Ryan on Thursday if the Wild Card Series had gone three games. It didn’t.
And now they have an important decision to make.
They could go with Ryan, who is plenty rested. They could opt for Bailey Ober, who likely would have been the choice had Ryan pitched on Thursday. Or, it seems less likely, but they could turn to veteran Kenta Maeda, who was on the playoff roster for the Wild Card Series available out of the bullpen but did not pitch.
“Hopefully whatever they think is best is what they’re going to roll with,” Ober said. “I think every one of these guys is going to step up and do their part.”
Of that group, only Ryan started against the Astros this year, giving up three home runs and nine total runs against them in 10 innings pitched.
Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey didn’t tip his hand when asked about it on Thursday, saying it was something that they were working through.
“Obviously Joe is going to be a big part of this, as is Kenta, Bailey, Pablo (López), Sonny (Gray),” Falvey said. “We have so many guys on this staff that could start games, and big games, for us,” Falvey said. “And they’re going to need to, and they’re going to need to pitch well.”
López started the first game of the Wild Card Series, giving up one run in 5 2/3 innings on Tuesday. That would line him up to start Game 2 as well as a potential Game 5. Gray, who threw five shutout innings Wednesday, would be the logical option for Game 3, which will be back at Target Field.
Ober said Thursday before the team’s workout that he hadn’t yet heard anything. The last time he took the mound was Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in the regular-season finale, when he gave up one run on two hits in 6 2/3 innings.
“I’m ready,” he said. “I’m ready for whenever, whether it’s the first game or whenever the other time might (be). I’ll be ready to go out and take the ball and help this team try to win.”
It would be the first postseason start for Ober or Ryan, both of whom debuted in 2021.
“I’m sure there’ll be some very deep conversations that will go on about who gets that Game 1 nod,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “… Whatever the context that they decide to go in, I think we have faith as a team and in general in that locker room. Whoever they put on the mound, they’re doing it for what they think is the best case for us.”
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