Bailey Ober had a night he’d probably rather forget. The Minnesota Twins’ pitcher landed in the franchise history books for all the wrong reasons during a rough 10-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
He tied a 39-year-old team record by allowing four home runs in a single game. Giving up seven runs across 5 2/3 innings, Ober’s struggles are starting to raise real concerns for the Twins’ playoff hopes.
A Dubious Record for Ober: Four Home Runs Allowed
It was a historic night, but not in a good way. Ober gave up four home runs, matching Bert Blyleven’s 1984 franchise record for most home runs allowed in a single calendar month (14).
Only Pedro Ramos has allowed more in a month, with 17 back in June 1957. Detroit managed to hit those home runs off four different types of pitches, which really exposes some holes in Ober’s arsenal.
What’s Behind Ober’s Recent Struggles?
This wasn’t just a one-off bad outing for Ober. He’s now surrendered seven runs in three of his last four starts, and the Twins have lost seven straight games he’s started.
That’s a wild swing from earlier in the season, when Ober was riding a seven-game win streak. Manager Rocco Baldelli admitted things have been tough but credited Ober for grinding through almost six innings and keeping his pitch count down, even as Detroit scored in seven of eight frames.
Offensive Positives Amid Defensive Concerns
The pitching struggles grabbed the spotlight, but the Twins’ offense did have some bright spots. Byron Buxton put up a three-hit day, including his 19th home run of the season.
Carlos Correa added a two-run shot. Ryan Jeffers almost chipped in more, just missing a couple of home runs with some solid at-bats.
Still, those flashes weren’t enough to counter Detroit’s power at the plate.
The Path Forward for Bailey Ober and the Twins
Ryan Jeffers says the team still believes in Ober. His track record offers some reason for hope, but with the postseason on the horizon, the Twins can’t just rely on faith.
They’ll need to find real solutions—maybe giving Ober time to recalibrate or looking for extra help. The pressure’s on, and every game counts now.
Key Adjustments to Watch
To get back on track, the Twins might want to look at a few things:
- Adjusting Ober’s Pitch Mix: Since home runs are coming off four different pitches, he’s got to rethink his approach and maybe tighten up that repertoire.
- Adding Bullpen Support: Giving relievers a longer leash could take some heat off struggling starters like Ober.
- Offensive Momentum: Leaning on guys like Buxton and Correa to keep the runs coming, especially when the rotation is shaky.
Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for the Playoff Race
Saturday’s loss to the Tigers felt like a wake-up call for the Minnesota Twins. Bailey Ober struggled, but honestly, that’s not the whole story.
The team’s been fighting inconsistency everywhere. The offense flashed some potential, but October’s going to demand a lot more.
They need to figure things out soon. In the chaos of playoff baseball, every little weakness can turn into a big problem.
Here is the source article for this story: Minnesota Twins fall to Detroit Tigers; Bailey Ober’s woes mount
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