Article: Game Thread: Royals@Twins 10/2 7:10PM

[Aggies7]

With the Angels and Astros now winning, I have the same thought watching tonight unfold as I usually do on most of my dates: "that couldn't have gone much worse"

[SwainZag]

Pujols just knocked in Trout.  2-1 Angels, Top 9.

 

[Hrbowski]

 

I couldn't imagine how bad we would have been in 2012 with Molitor.  Bad rosters and bad managers usually don't turn out well.

You think he is a bad manager? Why? What has he done wrong? Moved us back into contention, great with young players, and is smarter than most managers in the game. We will be a force to be reckoned with for years because of his managing and Terry's development of the farm.

[Winston Smith]

Astros up 6-0

[DaveW]

 

Yes, this. Or, actually try using O'Rourke as a LOOGY. I know they don't trust him because he's a rookie and walks too many guys, but he's still really good versus lefties.

Yeah, true. Add that to the list of "puzzling" bullpen choices all year.

[Aggies7]

I literally could not have taken another playoff elimination at the hands of the Yankees, though.

[jimbo92107]

Yeah, I still would have went Cotts OR May over Perkins in that spot. He is clearly, clearly, not himself.

Twins must have a plan for phasing out Perkins as closer. He can't pitch that much anymore. That back isn't ever going to fully recover, and it will always tend to get re-injured. First rule of bad backs. Platooning with Jepsen could be the answer, at least for next season. Start working in Nick Burdi when the kid's ready...

[mikecgrimes]

 

You think he is a bad manager? Why? What has he done wrong? Moved us back into contention, great with young players, and is smarter than most managers in the game. We will be a force to be reckoned with for years because of his managing and Terry's development of the farm.

 

Smarter then most managers?  It's amazing how smart you can look when you have significantly better players then the previous.  Maybe Molitor can get credit for not being horrible, but he had next to nothing to do with all the good young players coming up this year.  I think a great manager easily would have got this team to the playoffs.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

If you were surprised by the outcome of this game you were simply blinded by being a fan. My prediction is almost there when I mentioned we would lost 6-1. I was wrong by the good game Santana tossed. Was a successful season and a fun one to watch. Next year will be great.

No one can predict the outcome of individual baseball games. This one or any one. The margin for error just is too small, and there are too many bounces and lucky breaks to account for. The Twins are down 3-1 (perhaps they'll be down further in a minute). It is what it is.

[DaveW]

 

Smarter then most managers?  It's amazing how smart you can look when you have significantly better players then the previous.  Maybe Molitor can get credit for not being horrible, but he had next to nothing to do with all the good young players coming up this year.  I think a great manager easily would have got this team to the playoffs.

My dog could have managed Sano to "hit it a long ways"

 

When it came to the bullpen? Might as well have just drawn a name out of the hat all season (not all molitors fault, mostly Ryan's, but still his bullpen choices left a lot to be desired)

[Danchat]

 

Twins must have a plan for phasing out Perkins as closer. He can't pitch that much anymore. That back isn't ever going to fully recover, and it will always tend to get re-injured. First rule of bad backs. Platooning with Jepsen could be the answer, at least for next season. Start working in Nick Burdi when the kid's ready...

I still believe Perkins can be the closer next year. When he's healthy and well-rested, I'd bet he'll be back to his early 2015 form - or close to it.

[DaveW]

3 outs left in the season.

 

Plouffe (who will be PR for ASAP)

Rosario

Hunter (who will be PR for)

then Santana PH for suzuki

[SwainZag]

Well.  Plouffe-Rosario-Hunter.  Now is the time boys.  Now is the time.

[Winston Smith]

Angels win.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Twins are going to need to rally here if they want to win this game.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Paul Molitor made the Twins great again. Gardy was horrible, Molitor has been great.

Great may be an overstatement, but I agree with your sentiment.

[DaveW]

 

 

I still believe Perkins can be the closer next year. When he's healthy and well-rested, I'd bet he'll be back to his early 2015 form - or close to it.

Early 2015 form is damn near impossible, he was beyond lights out. I hope when he is healthy he can get back close to "normal" though. I have faith, he has pitched poorly as of late but I am confident its 100% due to injury.

[SwainZag]

 

I still believe Perkins can be the closer next year. When he's healthy and well-rested, I'd bet he'll be back to his early 2015 form - or close to it.

 

Right.  Wait until next year when everyone is healthy.  Next April is a long time away.

[jimbo92107]

This is stupid. Jepsen should not have done that. If you just pulled a groin, you should NOT throw another pitch. Brave, but stupid.

[SwainZag]

 

Twins are going to need to rally here if they want to win this game.

 

Is that a John Madden-ism?

[spinowner]

The Angels just won, the Astros are up by 6 and we're down 2 in the bottom of the ninth. I needn't say more.

[jimbo92107]

I still believe Perkins can be the closer next year. When he's healthy and well-rested, I'd bet he'll be back to his early 2015 form - or close to it.

Oh, I agree completely. Perkins may well look completely healthy next spring. However, if he's the everyday closer next season, he will break down before the All Star game, and then it'll be just like this again - limping through the rest of the season either hurt or ineffective. That's why the Twins must platoon him with Jepsen and get the heir apparent ready to step in, which I think will be Nick Burdi. Could be that Jepsen can take over as closer, but I assume he will need a break, too.

[jimbo92107]

Meanwhile, congratulations to the Minnesota Twins on a season of surprises. This could be a very good team next year. 

[Vanimal46]

That's all, folks!

[Aggies7]

Wahhhhh I didn't want it to end. Too many missed chances throughout the year. Had a chance "and we let em off the hook!"

[Halsey Hall]

Will we have any more chicken this season?

[SwainZag]

Technically they can't be eliminated until tomorrow......

[jimbo92107]

Hey, maybe we'll see Max Kepler tomorrow!

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Meanwhile, congratulations to the Minnesota Twins on a season of surprises. This could be a very good team next year. 

I agree that we will likely be a better team next year, but that might not equate to even as good of a record as this year. Luck doesn't usually follow you year to year. 

[spinowner]

Keep in mind that we are not mathematically eliminated. 1%>0. Sorry, but that's about as optimistic as I can get.