Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
For all of the adversity that Mike Pelfrey has had to face this season, Sunday’s start was definitely an important one. After having a one-pitch mistake to Prince Fielder spoil his last outing in Detroit, Pelfrey appeared determined to get back on the winning track in his latest start against the Cleveland Indians. Pelfrey responded with his best outing of the season on Sunday when he delivered six strong innings surrendering four hits, one run, one walk and striking out seven batters to earn the quality start and the win. The Minnesota Twins bullpen then did the rest of the work and solidified the victory 4-2, despite a furious Indians rally in the ninth inning.
Pelfrey has struggled mightily all year, not making it through the sixth inning in any of his previous outings. He also gave up a minimum of four runs in each of his last four starts, so to say that Pelfrey was in a bit of a funk would be an understatement. A lot has been made out of Pelfrey’s rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery and many analysts have been pointing to that injury as an excuse for Pelfrey’s poor performances. I personally believe that it isn’t Pelfrey’s arm or recovery from injury that is causing all of his problems. Instead it is his approach and adjustment to a new league and his inability to control his pitches. Pelfrey’s arm strength has returned with his fastball consistently hitting 94-95 mph throughout the game, but Pelfrey’s approach to pitching and his feel of his complementary pitches are what have hindered him during the early portions of this season.
Once Pelfrey can become comfortable with his complementary pitches and begins to get a feel for how to pitch certain hitters in the American League, then the Twins will be able to evaluate what kind of pitcher they truly have. The question remains, can Pelfrey ever regain the feel of all of his pitches and will he be able to adjust to the American League? A lot has to play out before the Twins will have the answer to that question; but in the short-term, it will be important to see how Pelfrey pitches in his next start. If Pelfrey can carry over his strong performance on Sunday into his next start, he may be able to build off of it and turn his season around.
Pelfrey has begun to show signs of life in his last two stats and it is encouraging to see, as the Twins pitching staff sorely needs Pelfrey to continue to get better and eat up some innings out of the rotation. There is no telling how long the Kevin Correia hot streak will last and who knows what’s going to happen with the other unknowns throughout the rotation; but if Pelfrey can continue to show progress in his upcoming starts, he could solve a lot of problems for the Twins and cause a lot fewer headaches for manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson.
Brian Wille is a Minnesota Twins writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BeeWill15 or “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
