While the Twins are enjoying the opportunity to play in front of their home fans at Target Field, the stadium proved to be a bit disadvantageous to hitters early on in Game 3 of the ALDS.
Although the Astros managed to tack on four runs in the first inning, Minnesota’s batters appeared to be struggling to cope with the natural shadows that appeared over the pitcher’s mound and home plate.
Star shortstop Carlos Correa struck out during his at-bat in the first inning, and the replay from the perspective of the “Ump Cam” shows just how significantly the shadows are impacting the view of batters.
Ump Cam of Carlos Correa's at-bat against Cristian Javier in the first inning 😯
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 10, 2023
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/nP8fz5fbrw
During Minnesota’s first at-bats of the game, the pitcher’s mound at Target Field was covered by a shadow. This made the ball extremely difficult for batters to track.
“You try and see that pitch. I can’t... Woo! Watch your face,” said commentator A.J. Pierzynski of Correa’s at-bat against Cristian Javier during the Fox broadcast of the game.
Correa looked frustrated after his early strikeout, and the footage from the umpire’s perspective gave fans an indication as to why he wasn’t able to keep up with Javier during their first battle of the night.
