Game 123: Mariners vs. Twins

Feierabend vs. Perkins

Feierabend's had a pretty decent 13-game run in the minors this year--75 IP, 48 K, 15 BB, 2.04 ERA--especially considering that the PCL is a hitters' league. IIRC, though, he is mostly a no-stuff lefty who relies on command to work his magic. (Best pitch is probably his change, from what I understand.) I have absolutely no data to back this up--and I could be dead wrong--but I suspect that the Twins, as a team that hits for a high average* but don't really take many walks, should generally fare well against this sort of pitcher.

*At .277, they are 3rd in the AL, and the two teams ahead of them (Boston, Texas) play in pretty extreme hitters parks.

Clearly, Perkins has a problem with facing the Mariners in the 7th inning of games where he has a 5-run lead. If the Twins happen to be in that situation again, I suggest moving Perkins into the outfield and letting Delmon pitch the 7th. I mean, he's got a live arm and not all that much control, so he'd probably scare the crap out of Mariners batters--and would he really give up more than 10 runs? Then Perkins could come back for the 8th. I forget the rules exactly, but the Twins would probably lose the DH by employing this strategy. I think that ultimately it would be a good trade-off just to avoid the 10-run inning and get the bullpen some rest.

Now, the first step is getting a 5-run lead in the 7th inning again...

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