The Twins shift a lot -- some 43 percent of the time, third highest in baseball. They are generally pretty effective with it, too. Last year the Twins were tied with the Rays with 31 runs saved by the shift, as figured by Sports Info Systems, third most most in the majors.
They aren't ranked so high so far this season, however. And on Monday night they gave up three hits via the shift -- a bunt by Kole Calhoun and two groundballs pushed to the right side by Albert Pujols, one of which drove in a run.
And good on Pujols. It's probably about time he did that.
There was a story late last season about how Pujols was the most-shifted-on batter in baseball and how much he struggled against the shifts. He certainly appeared Monday to be willing to follow the ancient dictum of Wee Willie Keeler and "hit 'em where they ain't." Neither of those against the shift hits were smashed, but as another saying goes, they look like line drives in the box score.
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The Twins didn't stay at 12 pitchers for long. Jake Cave was optioned out Monday and Tyler Duffey -- the 26th man for Saturday's doubleheader -- was returned to the roster.
I wonder if they even had him leave town Sunday or if they knew they were going to do something to keep him around.
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