Well, that was fun while it lasted

[caninatl04]

I must admit that for a brief shining moment, I hoped against hope that my logical brain which bought into a magical season despite Vegas' 74 win prediction.

 

My logical brain (along with http://www.startribune.com/derek-falvey-twins-need-to-stay-committed-to-winning-eventually-not-settling-for-quick-fixes/425435653/?ref=nl&om_rid=1660923337&om_mid=46145993) knew that the winning record was based on duct tape and rain that allowed for only three starters.

 

It was fun.

 

It is every baseball's fan to dream.

 

Four losses and a long west coast road trip.  No days off so the Twins will actually have to field five starting pitchers.  The Twins' "top" three pitchers regressing to the mean.

 

Buxton hitting under .200 for the month and Sano-- well, you tell me.

 

So, Plan A it is-- let the young players mature and let the FO "evaluate".

 

Draft day and wonderful weather in September-- and the game itself.

 

It was fun.

[drjim]

They got pummeled by the best team. It happens. They can take 2 or 3 from LA and it looks different by the end of the weekend.

[Mike Sixel]

 

They got pummeled by the best team. It happens. They can take 2 or 3 from LA and it looks different by the end of the weekend.

 

They better. W/o Trout, LAA is a AAAA team.

[Vanimal46]

Not ready to throw up the white flag yet... Houston is a great team. Maybe even the best team in baseball record wise when it's all said and done. 

[drjim]

 

They better. W/o Trout, LAA is a AAAA team.

 

If they don't, then I'll retract my minimal optimism.

 

Getting on the road after the last four days is probably a positive.

[wsnydes]

 

They better. W/o Trout, LAA is a AAAA team.

Except the Astros just made the Twins pitching staff look like a AAAA staff at best.  That's my concern.  LAA is gettable though, that is for sure.

[Thrylos]

 

Not ready to throw up the white flag yet... Houston is a great team. Maybe even the best team in baseball record wise when it's all said and done. 

 

Here is the thing:  To get to the World Series, they'd have to get through Houston (among other places.)  Based on the last 3 days (and the 3 before,)  they might as well pack it in and see if they can get something for their veterans before they turn into pumpkins.  Santiago is 3/4 there, btw...

[Shaitan]

While this is likely a .500 team, I'm not ready to give up after a 4 game losing streak. That happens (many times) during a 162-game season.

 

These were competitive games over the first 7 innings. That's a good sign.

 

The other forced positive: um, I guess there's solidarity in the bullpen. I can't blame any single player for the past two games.

[Rosterman]

Yes,so far Houston has been dominate. We have to see how the next few weeks pan out. Hey, who expected the Twins to play .500 or better baseball.

 

The rotation is hanging tough. But, by and large, the bullpen is a shambles. Will Perkins return? Are there better pitchers still available for call-up than Boshers, Wheeler and Rucinski (Wimmers?).

 

Buxton is getting a long leash, probably a season long leash. The corner outfielders are producing, okay.

 

I still haven't figured out what a perfect Twins line-up should be (except everyone seems to think Dozier should be the only lead-off consideration). Molitor, sad to say, thinks the same way.

 

If rebuilding, again, I say we look at as many guys as we think will be here in 2018 and/or 2019. There's probably AT LEAST 14 names on the 40-man roster that WON'T be NECESSARY in 2018...be they possible folks looking at free agency (Santiago) or guys out-of-options, or guys not worth paying more than they make today (Gibson?).

 

The sad thing is that there really isn't anyone on the current Twins roster (perhaps Santana) that people will pay a premium for. And if they want our prospects, why not keep them ourselves and see why someone else would want them.

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

Will Perkins return?

 

Thank you.  That one made me laugh

[akmanak]

I am usually pretty negative, but because they are actually pulling the trigger and trying to plug the holes of this sinking ship. The season is still early and I am hoping they at least can pull one strong reliever from AAA and pick up another one via a trade.

[Doomtints]

The Twins can still beat most of our predictions, which were mostly in the lower 70s for wins. My last calculation was around 78 wins and I'm standing by that for now.  

 

We'll see though!

[bluechipper]

The 4 losses in a row are disappointing, but 2 were giveaways, and those were two good teams.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Here is the thing: To get to the World Series, they'd have to get through Houston (among other places.) Based on the last 3 days (and the 3 before,) they might as well pack it in and see if they can get something for their veterans before they turn into pumpkins. Santiago is 3/4 there, btw...

yeah, Erv is getting a bit rotund and orange as well.

[USAFChief]

Here is the thing:  To get to the World Series, they'd have to get through Houston (among other places.)  Based on the last 3 days (and the 3 before,)  they might as well pack it in and see if they can get something for their veterans before they turn into pumpkins.  Santiago is 3/4 there, btw...

How do you know they'd have to get through Houston?

[jimmer]

Twins pitching staff:  Last in the AL in FIP AND ERA.

[bird]

 

Twins pitching staff:  Last in the AL in FIP AND ERA.

 

 

This fact is not all that meaningful on a forward-looking basis.

 

I'm not terribly optimistic, but I'm mostly interested in seeing if they get okay starts in general from Santana, Berrios, Mejia, and Santiago. And if they can plug and play with a fifth starter that will at least keep them in the game every third start or so. From there, I'm interested in watching the RP parade from AAA and AA, seeing if a couple of these guys stick and give us MLB production for the remainder of the year.

 

I'm not going to feel a sense of dread by looking at those ERA and FIP stats here in early June.

[KirbyDome89]

 

This fact is not all that meaningful on a forward-looking basis.

What? Did they suddenly throw together a new staff that none of us are aware of?

[jimmer]

 

What? Did they suddenly throw together a new staff that none of us are aware of?

Exactly.  And it's not like our pitching was good last year where we can consider this year to be some bad fluke. In 2016 the Twins were last in the AL in ERA and 13th in FIP.

 

This year, we've had 7 starting pitchers..  5 of them have FIPs over 5.25.

 

Our pitching has been really bad most of the decade.  The worst pitching staff in the AL this decade and the worst rotation.

[caninatl04]

 

Thank you.  That one made me laugh

 

Of course Perkins will return-- monthly.  To pick up his check

[Dantes929]

I wonder if the fans from any of the other teams leading their divisions have done post mortems on their teams already.     I suspect so because most of them also are complaining about lack of starting pitching or relieving or their manager's incompetence.     9th inning against the Rays with no one on, one out and two run lead Buxton let a ball fall in front of him that he should have gone after since it was a meaningless run and going for the out was the smart play in that situation.    That led to a lot of extra innings which left them vulnerable to the big come back the next day and probably had ripple effects the next two games.     The outfield defense has probably been the biggest factor in favor of the Twins this year but another has been that when the starting pitching has done well so has the relief core.   Since they don't have enough depth in either this is a very significant thing but not something that was gong to last forever.    I accept occasional blow outs in the cause of being competitive in the other games.   We are a third of the way through the season and in first place.    I see no reason to throw dirt on this team's chances.  

 

[ashbury]

Of course Perkins will return-- monthly.  To pick up his check

Funny line, and I'm sure Perk would laugh too. But I somehow feel like being enough of a wet blanket to mention that he's been visible in the dugout, in uniform, mingling with fellow players.

[Mr. Brooks]

Funny line, and I'm sure Perk would laugh too. But I somehow feel like being enough of a wet blanket to mention that he's been visible in the dugout, in uniform, mingling with fellow players.

You must be a hoot at parties.