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Twins at the half-way mark: pitchers
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Twins' Closer Joe Nathan (right) Congratulated by Joe Mauer / AP Photo
In the first half-year review, we took a look at the Twins' hitters performance through 81 games with respect to the Runs Above Replacement (RAR) statistic. Today, we'll look at the pitchers' performance with respect to another metric.
The Twins are hovering around the .500 mark and have done so throughout the first half. The team was never more than two games above the break-even point through 81 games. This despite solid performances from Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Joe Nathan in the first half. Slowey led the majors in wins before going to the DL in early July. Blackburn has been the team's most consistent starter all season long, and Nathan has been his usual solid self, capitalizing on all but two save opportunities in the first half (21 of 23).
One way to analyze pitchers' value to their team is to look at the Wins Above Replacement (WAR) statistic. According to the "FanGraphs" site, WAR demonstrates how many wins a pitcher is worth to his team above (or below) a replacement pitcher, based on a number of factors (starter vs. reliever, ballpark, etc.).
When looking at Twins' pitchers WAR marks during the first half, some interesting conclusions can be drawn:
| Pitcher | WAR |
| Blackburn | 1.8 |
| Slowey | 1.4 |
| Perkins | 1.4 |
| Nathan | 1.3 |
| Baker | 1.2 |
| Liriano | 1.1 |
| Swarzak | 0.4 |
| Guerrier | 0.2 |
| Dickey | 0.2 |
| Ayala | 0.1 |
| Mijares | 0.1 |
| Keppel | 0.1 |
| Humber | 0.0 |
| Morillo | -0.1 |
| Duensing | -0.1 |
| Henn | -0.2 |
| Crain | -0.2 |
| Breslow | -0.3 |
| Team | 8.3 |
Blackburn and Slowey being at the top of the list is not surprising, as they have been consistent all season. The interesting part is at the bottom of the list. Brian Duensing was just recalled on July 2 from a AAA stint, but all other pitchers with a mark of 0.0 or below are not currently with the team. The WAR mark for each of these pitchers is but one metric to show how ineffective these pitchers was during his time in Minnesota.
The Twins' bullpen has been a question mark all season long leading to Nathan. Only Nathan and Matt Guerrier remain from the opening day bullpen roster, and the team has tried a litany of relievers to fill holes. The Twins should seriously consider making a bullpen move outside the organization - or at least promoting either Anthony Slama or Rob Delaney from their system - to address this weakness. With other teams looking to make similar moves, there is little chance. However, this piece from LaVelle E. Neal III on Friday says they are looking at Matt Capps and John Grabow of the Pirates; each of whom would fit in nicely. Stay tuned.
Honors for Morneau: Justin Morneau was named AL Player of the Week for the just-completed week. He was 12-25 last week for a .480 average with 4 homers and 8 RBI. At the beginning of last week, Morneau's batting line stood at a still-impressive .309/.388/.563; after last week's performance, it now reads .323/.399/.601.
Mid-Week Series against the Yankees: The Bronx Bombers come to town for their only visit of the season. The Yankees took all four games against the Twins in New York in May. The Yanks come in riding high, winners of 8 of their last 10 contests, and fresh off taking 3 of 4 against division rival Toronto. The Twins enter the series just 1.5 games behind first place Detroit, with the White Sox hot on their heels, just 1/2 game behind the Twins.
New York will send CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and someone to be determined on Thursday to the hill, while the Twins will counter with Scott Baker, Glen Perkins, and Anthony Swarzak.
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