Article: Game Thread, Twins @ Palehose 1:10 CT

[Aggies7]

Fitting for Santana. AAAA player at best

[S.]

 

Why would we not pinch hit for Santana?

Cuz Paul Molitor.

[Winston Smith]

 

I know some people swear by the draft but I'm not seeing too many positives in losing now so we can pick someone who may help in 5 years

But it means we're in first place.

[TwinsCD]

Was following online...any explanation as to why you don't bat Mauer in any of those last 2 at-bats with a runner on base?  Surely, he could do more damage than Kepler or Santana would.  Why is Molitor still managing this band of misfits again?

[Craig Arko]

Another head scratcher.

[gocgo]

 

Goes all the way on a first date!

Even better!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Why would we not pinch hit for Santana?

Not exactly sure, but think it has something to do with managing to win.

[Vanimal46]

 

Why would we not pinch hit for Santana?

Something about speed, positional flexibility, and stealing bases? 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Another head scratcher.

Its good to hear your baseball opinions occasionally, however few and far between they come

[jimbo92107]

The Twins didn't look like they had a chance until after they got Milone out of there. I know anybody can have a bad day, but it's been a while since Milone looked competitive at the mlb level. 

[operation mindcrime]

Was following online...any explanation as to why you don't bat Mauer in any of those last 2 at-bats with a runner on base? Surely, he could do more damage than Kepler or Santana would. Why is Molitor still managing this band of misfits again?

Bilateral leg weakness?

[gocgo]

 

Something about speed, positional flexibility, and stealing bases? 

Got it!  We don't care about hitting the baseball.  Makes sense if I don't think about it.  Jim Thome anyone?

[Brandon Warne]

brutal decision not to bat Mauer for Santana. even if you're down on Mauer, he gives you a hell of a lot better PA than Santana.

 

and beyond that, you're then weighing Buxton v. Santana -- neither a shoo-in -- and the fact that the game is over if you don't get past the first one.

 

I....I just don't get it. 

[Vanimal46]

This decision is just another tally in the negative column for Molly. One of many tallies in that column this season. 

[Winston Smith]

Mauer hitting .059 last 7 days, .143 last 2 weeks and .222 last month. I'm not sure he is a better option right now.

[Mike Sixel]

Is Mauer dead?

 

If not, not sure why he doesn't hit there. Other than Molitor is really bad at his job....

[Craig Arko]

Its good to hear your baseball opinions occasionally, however few and far between they come

So here's the thing: I like Jimmy Carter. A lot. Really good man, really smart guy.

 

But he was an ineffective leader.

 

I am coming to the same point with Mr. Molitor.

[Aggies7]

Maybe molitor has bilateral brain weakness

[wsnydes]

If you want a chance at the top draft pick they're doing ok.

At least they're consistent.

[gocgo]

 

Mauer hitting .059 last 7 days, .143 last 2 weeks and .222 last month. I'm not sure he is a better option right now.

I get that and as bad as Park has been, he does give us a chance to win the game with one swing....and 3 outs, but I would almost rather see him in that situation than Santana.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Maybe molitor has bilateral brain weakness

In the spirit of the 80s...

 

 

[Winston Smith]

A bad team with a lot of bad options. I think it's called total system failure?

[Rosterman]

 

I was thinking the best use for Milone would be a 2-3 inning guy in the back of the bullpen order that could be used when our starters have a short start. But that is dumb when do our starters ever have short starts?

Hey, he could be that 8th guy in the bullpen. And, double-hey, when have the Twins used a relief pitcher for more than an inning. They may need a long-man, a mop-up guy, but let's not call him Milone.

 

Amazing. You get a second chance after strutting your stuff at AAA ball and look what you do. Let's count up all the dollars the Twins are wasting on pitching the past few years!

[Platoon]

Yup.

Didn't see her!

[Brandon Warne]

 

I think Molitor is a lousy manager, but I have ot agree with this decision.  With Suzuki on first it takes a double and a helicopter to score the run on one hit, i.e., a home run. All he's got on the bench is Mauer (.143 over the last 2 weeks), Park (2-34 over his last 10 games) and Centeno (5-31 over his last 10). Most likely good result from Mauer is a single putting Suzuki on second with Buxton up. Effectively, the choice is Buxton or Santana.  Lousy options but easy choice; Santana wins.

 

Bottom line is we're playing short handed as long as Park is on the team and we're carrying 13 pitchers. IF there was ever a game that showed why you have to make the "tough" decisions ot be successful, this was the game. Park shoudl have been sent down a week ago for Rosario, giving us more flexibility off the bench. Sano can come up when he's ready with a DFA of Jepsen or Santana, a trade or DL of Plouffe (the guy is hurt, he runs like he has a piano on his back) , a trade, or sending Rogers down.  TYhis is just poor roster management. Poor managing too, but Molitor had no where to go in the 9th. 

 

I just don't agree. You have to prolong the game before you can think about hypotheticals. If there's one out instead of two, I agree. With two outs, you keep the line moving as long as possible. 

[Platoon]

Wait, Miss Vanimal is in Chicago right now?

In a muscle shirt?

[Platoon]

Wait, Miss Vanimal is in Chicago right now?

In a muscle shirt?

After a *forced* bonding session earlier this season watching the Twins together, that would be something she would do during a baseball game. I chose the wrong season to introduce her to Twins baseball.

 

My wife went to her first game voluntarily, we did the forced bondage when we got home....... Er wait, let me read your post again! Ohhhhhhhhhh

[Platoon]

I know some people swear by the draft but I'm not seeing too many positives in losing now so we can pick someone who may help in 5 years

You might be short two years?

[Platoon]

Mauers recent hitting woes are a moot point, he's a veteran bat, who you often hit 3, and who frankly has had a pretty decent career, and is far more likely to succeed than DanSan or Buck. That part of the decision is a no brainer. That said, I would have hit for Santana because he is what he is, and we know it. I would have let Buxton hit for the experience. This season is WAY past being about winning games, it's about finding things out.

[jimmer]

 

Mauers recent hitting woes are a moot point, he's a veteran bat, who you often hit 3, and who frankly has had a pretty decent career, and is far more likely to succeed than DanSan or Buck. That part of the decision is a no brainer. That said, I would have hit for Santana because he is what he is, and we know it. I would have let Buxton hit for the experience. This season is WAY past being about winning games, it's about finding things out.

Wait, I didn't see the game.  We had MAUER on the bench and we didn't put him in the hit for Danny Santana when there was a guy on base and we were down by one?  Man.  Makes you wonder if Molitor is even paying attention or cares at all.