Max Kepler’s first two at bats in 2020 go for home runs.
Maximilian Kepler comes out in mid-season form in the 2020 season opener.
The Minnesota Twins outfielder didn’t take long at all to remind the MLB the Twins are coming off a season where they hit the most homers in a single season. That 2019 season, the Twins hit 307 home runs as a team — the most ever for a ball club as they edged out the 2019 New York Yankees by one homer. Kepler cashed in on two home runs his first two at bats on Friday.
Even more unique, the very first pitch during the Twins vs Chicago White Sox 2020 season opener was a Kepler bomba, a phrase the Twins refer to home runs as with the sluggers on that record-breaking squad from a year ago nicknamed “Bomba Squad.“
”#BombaSquad’s back, alright!” the Twins tweeted out.
In the very next inning with Kepler at the plate on a 2-2 count, he slammed another ball outside of the park.
“Kep, you don’t have to try and break the team home-run record all by yourself. 😂 #BombaSquad,” the Minnesota Twins tweeted out with a laughing emoji along with the highlight of Kepler’s second home run of 2020.
The White Sox have fan cut outs in their stands and are playing audio tracks of crowd noise like a sitcom at Guaranteed Rate Field. Perhaps, they should find some “boo” tracks to heckle Kepler during their opening homestand to slow him down.
Either way, Kepler playing in mid season form is not good for the AL Central foes. But for the Twins, it is an early indication that the bats are alive and have gone nowhere this 2020 season. If the Twins continue their string of hot hitting, this will be a dangerous team in this 60-game format.