Sink or Swim: The Next Stretch of 15 Games...

[kdrupp09]

I would love to see a sweep of the Yankees in NY. That would make me very happy.

 

Anyone else despise the NYY?

[iTwins]

I thought we'd learn a lot about this team after the stretch against the O's, Indians, Tigers and Red Sox. They played solid against good competition and at this point I don't think we can keep writing that off as a fluke. I like 7 to 8 wins on this next stretch.

 

I'll be interested to see if the Twins keep Hughes in his spot against the Yankees. After all of the talk that the NY stage and Yankee stadium got into Hughes' head, you'd think the Twins may just do him a favor and bump his start into the next series. (Then again, maybe Hughes WANTS to pitch against the Yankees in Yankee stadium?)

[TheLeviathan]

Surrounding Gardy, who's been something of a player's coach, with coaches who have strategic and technical expertise seems to be paying off. I'm not sure how Molitor manages the clubhouse or personalities, but maybe the Twins have pretty optimal staff as is.

 

That Gardy's retirement vests at the end of this season seemed to lay the foundation for his departure, though that seems a bit premature now...

 

I'm just struggling to find anywhere else to credit this team other than blind luck. It seems unfair to say they're blind lucky right now (they are to a large degree) but this feels like there is some method to it. It might just be there is a new set of voices with some new ideas and perspectives and that refreshing breath has been just what the team needed.

 

I think it's fair to say also that Bruno and Molly were two players that maximized their skillset in their careers. It might be why we're seeing the same from so many players right now.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm just struggling to find anywhere else to credit this team other than blind luck. It seems unfair to say they're blind lucky right now (they are to a large degree) but this feels like there is some method to it. It might just be there is a new set of voices with some new ideas and perspectives and that refreshing breath has been just what the team needed.

 

I think it's fair to say also that Bruno and Molly were two players that maximized their skillset in their careers. It might be why we're seeing the same from so many players right now.

 

Agreed. I think this is one of those "we just don't know because we're not there" situations. Something is different. I don't know what it is but something is definitely different.

[70charger]

I'll be interested to see if the Twins keep Hughes in his spot against the Yankees. After all of the talk that the NY stage and Yankee stadium got into Hughes' head, you'd think the Twins may just do him a favor and bump his start into the next series. (Then again, maybe Hughes WANTS to pitch against the Yankees in Yankee stadium?)

 

I think pulling him against the Yankees would be the worst thing you can do to him. He's pitching well now, so why assume he'll pitch that much worse (park factors excepted) against the Yankees?

 

Besides, if he has a bad game or a few players take him deep, the Yankees fans can go home thinking that they were right all along. Which is exactly what they were going to be thinking anyway being Yankees fans, so no harm no foul.

[Squirrel]

Agreed. I think this is one of those "we just don't know because we're not there" situations. Something is different. I don't know what it is but something is definitely different.

 

Well, and hate to get this one started, but Ryan hasn't been in the forefront, either. So who knows really who is making what call.

[iTwins]

I think pulling him against the Yankees would be the worst thing you can do to him. He's pitching well now, so why assume he'll pitch that much worse (park factors excepted) against the Yankees?

 

Besides, if he has a bad game or a few players take him deep, the Yankees fans can go home thinking that they were right all along. Which is exactly what they were going to be thinking anyway being Yankees fans, so no harm no foul.

 

I can see both points - since Hughes is rolling, why not let him face the Yankees? Maybe he'll shut them down and continue pitching on his hot streak. The Yankees aren't exactly world beaters at this point - why duck them?

 

Then again, he's still a flyball pitcher, and flyballs have a habit of becoming souvenirs in Yankee Stadium. I'd hate to see a shelling get into Hughes' head and mess with all of this progress he's made this season.

[ashbury]

The stubborn fact is the worm is bound to turn a bit on close games. In the 9-6 stretch just completed the Twins won all of those games by one or two runs. They were outscored despite winning 60% of those games.

 

Who's to say the worm won't turn the other way, and the Twins start to score a bit more and put these games out of reach, and even snag an extra win by a close margin?

[jokin]

This team is finding some unique ways to win. I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off but some scrub finds a flukey stretch to carry the team and they keep squeaking them out. A .500 month this month is (strange as this sounds to some) a real testament to the coaching staff.

 

I think Bruno and Molly are adding a ton to this club right now.

 

The 3.76 ERA/3.59 FIP from the Starters in May, so far, will certainly add a boosted shot of "luck" to bounce your way, along with the "fluky" outbreaks by the varied and assundry cast of overachievers and career year vets.

 

Molitor's quiet, but obviously difference-making tutelage is imprinting itself on the field in players like Dozier and Plouffe (even Kubel and Mauer were difference-makers on the basepaths last night- which appeared to be a direct result of Molitor's baserunning tips)....he very well might just be setting up a scenario for Gardy to take a Kelly-esque honorable retirement from the daily managerial role by season's-end.

[Fatt Crapps]

I hit swim, but meant sink. I'm thinking it'll be rough.

[TKGuy]

.500 ball would be great. Who knows how the Rangers will react to losing Prince and Profar for the year, plus their starters have been hurt. NYY is our kryptonite but their starters have not been great either except for Tanaka. Buster Olney was right, our schedule to start the season has been absolutely brutal.

 

treading water in this stretch will be fine for me.

[kdrupp09]

.500 ball would be great. Who knows how the Rangers will react to losing Prince and Profar for the year, plus their starters have been hurt. NYY is our kryptonite but their starters have not been great either except for Tanaka. Buster Olney was right, our schedule to start the season has been absolutely brutal.

treading water in this stretch will be fine for me.

 

Does anyone know if we get Darvish when we play Texas?

[jokin]

Does anyone know if we get Darvish when we play Texas?

 

Darvish-Hughes on Tuesday.....should be pretty epic (And besides.... I love games that come in under 2.5 hours or less).

[WLFINN]

How about Tanaka?

[jokin]

How about Tanaka?

 

Yeah, that will be an epic event too, epically awful that is....

 

"clears throat" and then whispers in dejected desperation....

 

Correia

[Paul Pleiss]

I'm a little late to this one, so maybe any rosey feelings I had after the team left San Diego have dissipated, but I can't see the Twins doing any better than 6-6 in the next 12, for 6-9 over the 15. That's best case scenario. I think 3-12 is a very real possibility.

[jokin]

I'm a little late to this one, so maybe any rosey feelings I had after the team left San Diego have dissipated, but I can't see the Twins doing any better than 6-6 in the next 12, for 6-9 over the 15. That's best case scenario. I think 3-12 is a very real possibility.

 

The best chance to win against the suddenly thunderous Ranger bats is with Hughes, only thing is, he goes up against Darvish. The Rangers Team BA over the last 8 games is .311 w/ an .871 OPS, and they were just crushing the likes of Verlander and Porcello. Arcia and Hammer better be ready to produce and re-energize this offense or this series might get ugly. And then Gardy's worst nightmare, playing in Yankee Stadium next weekend...followed by 2 in Milwaukee, just a little scary.

[twinsnorth49]

The Rangers Team BA over the last 8 games is .311 w/ an .871 OPS, and they were just crushing the likes of Verlander and Porcello.

 

Smells like regression.....

[Pius Jefferson]

I want to ask before stating an opinion. Is the better than expected start changing anything within the organization?

[Brandon]

So far we are off to a 1 - 4 start though we are winning tonight's game 0-0 in the 5th inning as I write this. Hopefully we pull through this and win tomorrow's game. that will put us back in the treading water game.

[Brandon]

make that 1-5 on the 15 game stretch.

[Reider]

Sinking ship so far. They'll have to sweep the Yankees to get back to treading water. A win tomorrow would be a bonus.

[Brandon]

2 - 6

 

I had them winning 8 of 15. So they need to go 6 - 1 to make my prediction. The Twins have 4 pitchers in AAA pitching like they want a chance to go to Minnesota if Corriea throws a clunker tomorrow.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 - 6

 

I had them winning 8 of 15. So they need to go 6 - 1 to make my prediction. The Twins have 4 pitchers in AAA pitching like they want a chance to go to Minnesota if Corriea throws a clunker tomorrow.

They'll give Correia at least one more start before they cut bait, unless by some miracle they trade him.

[Brandon]

3 - 7 with 5 games to go. Can we win 5 more straight to finish the stretch 8 - 7 going 6 - 9 will put our record at 29 - 30 so we won't be too far out of it.

[VandyTwinsFan]

Updating

[TABLE=class: tablehead, width: 922]

[TR=class: evenrow team-10-26, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]Fri, May 23[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• San Francisco
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]0-1[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow team-10-26]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]May 24[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• San Francisco
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center]0-2[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow team-10-26, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]May 25[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• San Francisco
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]0-3[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow team-10-13]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]May 26[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• Texas
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center]0-4[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow team-10-13, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]May 27[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• Texas
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Win[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]1-4[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow team-10-13]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]May 28[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• Texas
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center]1-5[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow team-10-13, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]May 29[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• Texas
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]1-6[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow team-10-10]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]May 30[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• NY Yankees
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]Win[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center]2-6[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

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[TR=class: evenrow team-10-10, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]May 31[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• NY Yankees
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]2-7[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: colhead, bgcolor: transparent]

JUNE

[TD=width: 20%]OPPONENT[/TD]

[TD=width: 10%, align: right][/TD]

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[TD=width: 14%][/TD]

[TD=width: 14%][/TD]

[TD=width: 22%, colspan: 2][/TD]

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[TR=class: oddrow team-10-10]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Jun 1[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• NY Yankees
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]Win[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center]3-7[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow team-10-8, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]Jun 2[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• Milwaukee
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Loss[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]3-8[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow team-10-8]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Jun 3[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• Milwaukee
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]Win[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center]4-8[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: evenrow team-10-8, bgcolor: transparent]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1]Jun 4[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: left]

• Milwaukee
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: right]Win[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, align: center]5-8[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: #F1F1F1, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR=class: oddrow team-10-8]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Jun 5[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: left]

• Milwaukee
  

[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: right]?[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, align: center][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent]Correia vs. Peralta[/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent][/TD]

[TD=bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Here's to hoping for a home sweep of the Brew Crew. Two of the losses to the rangers were one run. Too bad one of those couldn't have gone the other way. I'll just blame it on Kubel. It's hard for me to be mad at someone from South Dakota, but that guy is Killing me...with a capital K.