Andrew Albers has a fastball that averages 86 miles per hour. He has used immaculate control and mixing in off-speed pitches to work 8 1/3 and then 9 scoreless innings in his first two starts for the Twins.
There's a theory with soft throwers that familiarity will lead to bad results. In other words, if they face the same team within a couple of weeks, the hitters gain a better idea of when to wait back and are better able to square up pitches.
Albers made 22 starts for Class AAA Rochester before being recalled by the Twins. He was 11-5 with a 2.86 ERA and worked 132 1/3 innings.
He didn't have a quality start (6 innings or more, 3 innings or less) in the first four Rochester starts. Twelve of his 18 starts after that were quality. There were four examples of Albers facing teams in what could be considered close proximity.
Vs. Pawtucket: April 14--5 innings, 4 hits, no runs, 5 strikeouts, no decision. April 20--2 innings, 4 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 1 strikeout, HR allowed to Jose Iglesias, no decision.
Vs. Charlotte: May 23--6 innings, 10 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, win. June 2--6 innings, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 2 HRs allowed, win.
Vs. Gwinnett: June 7--9 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs, 7 strikeouts, win. June 13--7 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, win.
Vs. Scranton-Wilkes Barre: June 18--6 1/3 innings, 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, 2 HRs allowed, win. July 8--5 innings, 9 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, loss.