Two days later… I’m still not over what happened on Wednesday. The Minnesota Twins defied all odds and lost 18-straight playoff games. Once again, the Twins went out and embarrassed themselves in front of the entire baseball world.

The worst part about the game-2 loss, was Rocco Baldelli’s decision to pull Jose Berrios after five amazing innings and just 75 total pitches. Since his debut in 2016, we’ve waiting for Berrios to do exactly what he did Wednesday. He cruised through five innings, like an ace, and was more fired up than anyone else in the stadium after what would be his final inning. When Rocco Baldelli (who melts down in the playoffs) broke the news, Jose was devastated. It was hard to watch.

What was Rocco telling him? “Hey buddy, I know you’ve been lights out, but you’re about to get lit up next inning so we’re bringing in Stashak and stretching him out for two. Thanks.”

Berrios crushed he’s being removed pic.twitter.com/Qawiv59CBM

— CJ Fogler (@cjzer0) September 30, 2020

Don’t get me wrong, I’m as big of an analytics or statistics guy as almost anyone out there. Berrios has struggled on his third trip through batting lineups this season and there is no denying that.

You still have to send him back out. Once in a while, you have to look past the numbers through the course of a baseball game and consider the human variables playing out in front of you. This isn’t some early-June game, where you’re getting Berrios out early to be cautious. Nope, this was literally the life or death of your season. The Astros could barely touch him, but that didn’t matter because the analytics said he was done.

Berríos OPS by times thru order:

1st – .592
2nd – .708
3rd – .905

The #MNTwins will more often follow the numbers, whether you like it or not.

— Nash Walker (@Nashwalker9) September 30, 2020

Maybe this wouldn’t be as big of a problem, if Rocco hadn’t traded out his lights-out starting pitcher (who still had a quarter tank of gas left in his tank), for a 13th round draft pick in Cody Stashak who he needed for TWO INNINGS! I like Stashak a lot. He’s a really good, young talent… but are you serious? You pulled a dealing Jose Berrios for two innings of Cody Stashak? Not Tyler Clippard? Jake Odorizzi? Michael Pineda? I don’t get it.

It’s a damn shame this offense can’t score more than one run per playoff game or we wouldn’t even be discussing this. It’s just an embarrassment all around… again.

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Twins have started the shortened MLB season 8-2. While the offense has started slowly, the pitching staff has absolutely dominated under the watchful eye of pitching coach Wes Johnson. The starting rotation is still working on stretching out, which means the bullpen has been shouldering a larger load. No problem.

What should be the nickname for the @Twins stellar bullpen?

Reliever Believers? Pen Pals?

Let’s hear your thoughts ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/D9Z72PVm1W

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) August 4, 2020

One of the biggest keys to creating this absolute monster bullpen has been pitching coach Wes Johnson. Johnson has taken this unit and transformed it from a liability a few years ago to a total lockdown unit in 2020. So what sort of changes has Johnson implemented and what is leading to so much success from? Let’s find out.

THE JOHNSON FACTOR

Johnson had his work cut out for him when he was named pitching coach in 2018. The Twins went 78-84 that season, and had a team ERA of 4.50. Johnson was able to trim that to 4.18 in his first season as pitching coach. So far this year? The Twins boast a 2.70 ERA as a staff (through Monday night’s game), which is 4th best in all of Major League Baseball.

Johnson came to the Twins with a goal of trying to embrace analytics. Wes has long been revered for his ability to help pitchers add to their velocity. On top of that, Johnson has the Twins pitchers focusing on their secondary stuff, and throwing fewer fastballs.

Is this type of success sustainable? The answer is a resounding yes. But how are the top Twins bullpen arms so dominant? The answer is in a variety of ways.

TYLER CLIPPARD

Clippard, who the Twins signed in the offseason, has brought experience and versatility to the Twins bullpen. He has experience as an opener, and a closer, and has thrown almost every inning in between. At 35, he may not possess what he once did in terms of stuff, but Clippard has excelled so far this year with his offspeed stuff. He seemingly generates weak popups with every out he records.

Tyler Clippard since his last Save on July 22, 2018:

80 Games
87.1 IP
3.09 ERA
0.973 WHIP
9.9 K/9
2.2 WPA

— Jim Passon ?? (@PassonJim) August 2, 2020

TYLER DUFFEY

Wes Johnson has turned Tyler Duffey into one of the most dominant relievers in baseball in just over 2 years. As a converted starter, Duffey came to the bullpen with a full arsenal of pitches. After removing a few from his repertoire, Duffey has relied on his fastball and lethal slider. He has become adept at missing bats, I mean good luck trying to hit that slider.

since august of last year tyler duffey’s 43% miss rate is the highest among all relievers with 20 or more appearances.

that breaking ball is FILTHY. #mntwins pic.twitter.com/TDU2DIbtkV

— parker hageman (@HagemanParker) August 1, 2020

TREVOR MAY

Trevor is another converted starter, but just seems much better suited for a late inning role. May has benefited from an uptick in velocity since joining the bullpen, and has the bulldog mentality required to handle high stress innings. May has dominated hitters with his explosive fastball and can lean on his offspeed pitches when necessary. But my favorite part about what he brings to this bullpen is the hunger to keep trying new things.

What is the next thing for Trevor May? How can he take another step forward in his career? https://t.co/55w35V1rMQ

— Twins Daily (@twinsdaily) August 1, 2020

CODY STASHAK

Stashak is the youngest member of this core Twins bullpen group. But make no mistake, Stashak definitely deserves the innings he’s getting. After setting a Major League Record most strikeouts before his second career walk, Stashak is fearless. If you step into the box with Stashak on the mound, be ready. He is going to come right after you.

Yep, that was Cody Stashak pitching as the #MNTwins setup man in the 8th inning of a close game on Saturday night. He made some history, too.https://t.co/CnkwHmuwdi

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) August 2, 2020

SERGIO ROMO

With so many options in the Twins bullpen that feature serious fastballs, it makes sense that there would be one or two options to slow things down. Romo has been around forever, and like Clippard, has a ton of valuable experience in many roles. An at-bat against Romo is going to feature nasty sliders and a frustrating lack of speed. Romo doesn’t need a blazing fastball to get you out. He can do that with movement and location.

Killer changeup for the K from #MNTwins Sergio Romo #BombaSquad pic.twitter.com/eUL1NEqUmS

— Michael Augustine (@AugustineMLB) August 3, 2020

TAYLOR ROGERS

All of these bullpen arms give way to the guy who finishes off most Twins wins. Rodgers has become one of the best closers in baseball. His explosive fastball is accented perfectly by his devastating slider. As previous Twins closers like to make the ninth inning eventful, Rogers usually wastes no time shutting the door. He has no fear and is the perfect leader for this group.

Taylor Rogers slider #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/qwacTZKspG

— Tom Froemming (@TFTwins) July 30, 2020

All of this has led to the best and deepest bullpen in Major League Baseball. Some of the adjustments made by this group have been mechanical, but others have been mentality changes. And all of them have turned this group into an absolute monster. We owe all of the success to Wes Johnson. Now hopefully Wes can fix the starting rotation.

Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan