Berrios already boosting Twins rotation with strikeouts
With just 290 strikeouts on the books in 2016 -- good enough for 18th in the league -- the Minnesota Twins' starting rotation is in need of a pitcher who can throw strikeouts.
Fortunately, they already have one, and he's set to make his fourth start on Monday, the first game of a three-game road series with the Detroit Tigers.
Highly-touted prospect Jose Berrios is finally here, and he's already living up to his nickname: "La Maquina."
The Machine.
Berrios was a force for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings before getting the call, throwing 20 strikeouts through just 17 innings of work, while posting a miniscule 1.06 ERA.
Berrios has posted 19 strikeouts through three games and 19 1/3 innings pitched in the majors, the Twins' highest mark through a pitcher's first three MLB games since Boof Bonser in 2006.
It's a list that also includes Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven.
Twins, Most Strikeouts in First 3 MLB Games Since 1961
| Pitcher | Year | Strikeouts |
| Jose Berrios | 2016 | 19 |
| Boof Bonser | 2006 | 18 |
| Jim Merritt | 1965 | 18 |
| Dave Boswell | 1964 | 18 |
| Pat Mahomes | 1992 | 17 |
| Bert Blyleven | 1970 | 17 |
Meanwhile, Berrios should be able to count on first baseman Joe Mauer for run support despite the veteran's recent struggles at the plate.
Mauer is second all-time with 98 hits at Detroit's Comerica Park, and the league's most prolific active player when visiting the Tigers.
Most Career Hits by Visiting Player at Comerica Park All-Time
| Player | Hits |
| Paul Konerko | 133 |
| Joe Mauer | 98 |
| Billy Butler | 93 |
| Ichiro Suzuki | 88 |
| A.J. Pierzynski | 84 |
Mauer has cooled after his hot start to the season, and has just six hits in his last 38 plate appearances, a stretch during which he has batted just .176 with a .263 OBP, but still leads the Twins with 36 hits.
Statistics courtesy of STATS, inc.
