Derek Shelton Points to One Problem Behind Zebby Matthews' Latest Struggles

Derek Shelton wasn't particularly interested in turning Zebby Matthews' latest rough outing into a bigger trend than it needed to be.

The numbers make that difficult to avoid.

Matthews lasted just 2 1/3 innings in the Minnesota Twins' 7-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, allowing five runs on two hits and four walks. It was his shortest outing of the season and a far cry from the stretch that had made him one of Minnesota's more dependable starters in August.

Shelton's explanation was much simpler.

"I think he was just fighting the command," Shelton said postgame, via Twins TV. "It's really uncharacteristic of him, especially versus right-handers. He just doesn't walk right-handers, and today it just didn't look like he was sharp."

Matthews had lasted at least five innings in eight consecutive starts entering Wednesday. All while posting a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 39/12 K/BB ratio over that stretch. He never settled in against Detroit, throwing just 27 strikes on 58 pitches.

Matthews admitted afterward that the lack of command was frustrating because there wasn't an obvious physical reason for it.

"I've never really struggled to command and throw strikes like that," Matthews said after the game, via MLB.com's Matthew Leach. "Body feels good."

The difficult part for the Twins is that this wasn't happening in isolation. Matthews has struggled considerably more on the road this season, entering Wednesday with a 6.45 ERA in 11 road starts compared with a 2.84 ERA in nine starts at Target Field.

"No, I wouldn't say that," Shelton said when asked whether he makes anything of the home-road difference.

He pointed back to Matthews' start in Seattle, which he considered one of the pitcher's best outings of the season despite coming away from home.

There is another number Shelton acknowledged is worth watching: Matthews has now allowed seven first-inning home runs this season.

Again, the manager didn't have an easy explanation.

"Nothing that stands out," Shelton said. "But definitely something because it definitely puts you at a disadvantage."

That disadvantage showed up immediately on Wednesday. Matthews walked Hao-Yu Lee on four pitches in the first before Colt Keith followed with a two-run homer. Three more walks in the third eventually forced Minnesota to turn to the bullpen with the bases loaded.

Their offense would manage back-to-back home runs from Kody Clemens and Josh Bell in the fourth, but otherwise struggled to create opportunities against Detroit pitching. Shelton gave credit to the Tigers for attacking the strike zone and using their bullpen aggressively, while also acknowledging that Minnesota "did not have very good at-bats."

That leaves the Twins heading home after a 2-4 road trip and still 4.5 games behind the Guardians, who they happen to have next up for a three-game weekend series. The perfect chance to gain ground on the final American League Wild Card spot with 16 games remaining.

As for Matthews, he's slated to face the Yankees in his next start, giving him a chance to address the problems Shelton doesn't necessarily believe define him.