Article: MIL 3, MIN 2: Pushing Against a Stone

[Tom Froemming]

Some guys make it look so easy. After being shut out yesterday, the Twins were held scoreless through the first six innings today. They managed to finally scratch across a run in the seventh to tie the game at 1-1, but Milwaukee's first hitter in the bottom of the inning hit a go-ahead homer. They added another solo shot that inning, and even robbed what would have been a Brian Dozier homer on an insane catch by Keon Broxton.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Jose Berrios: 44 Game Score, 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 K, 2 BB, 61.9% strikes

Bullpen: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 K, 0 BB

Lineup: 1-for-8 w/RISP, 4 LOB

WPA of 0.1 or higher: Polanco .195

WPA of -0.1 or lower: Kepler -.222, Garver -.113, Cave -.110

Download attachment: WinEx74.png

The Twins have been an ugly combination of snake bitten and downright bad this season. It seems like even when things go well they can’t make any progress, like they’re trying to move a mountain.

 

Jose Berrios had a quality start, holding the Brewers to three runs over seven innings, but Milwaukee got big hits and made big plays when they needed them. Exhibit A: This sick catch by Keon Broxton in the ninth inning …

That ended up being a massive play because the very next hitter, Eduardo Escobar, hit a homer to bring the Twins within a run. Escobar had two hits and Jorge Polanco had a pair of hits, a walk and stole a base. Joe Mauer tied Kirby Puckett for the most doubles in team history.

 

The Twins are now 2-11 over their last 13 games and 35-48 on the season. That’s a pace for 94 losses. Wednesday’s loss put the Twins 11.5 games back of Cleveland in the AL Central.

 

It’s hard to find positives, but I guess if anything there should be no debate over where the Twins stand at the trade deadline. We saw last year how being in the middle ground can put a front office in a difficult position. It’s clear the Twins should be building/playing for the future.

 

Postgame With Molitor

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Bullpen74.png

AL Central Standings

CLE 47-37

DET 38-50 (-11)

MIN 35-48 (-11.5)

CHW 30-55 (17.5)

KC 25-60 (22.5)

 

Next Three Games

Thu vs. BAL, 7:10 pm CT: Aaron Slegers vs. Andrew Cashner

Fri vs. BAL, 7:10 pm CT: Lance Lynn vs. Dylan Bundy

Sat vs. BAL, 1:10 pm CT: Kyle Gibson vs. Kevin Gausman

 

Last Three Games

MIL 2, MIN 0: Strikeouts Galore

MIL 6, MIN 5: Oh, That Rodney Experience

CHC 11, MIN 10: Epic Comeback Falls Short

 

Click here to view the article

[Vanimal46]

Moya sent back to AAA. At what point are they ever going to use young relievers so they can build towards 2019?

 

All Moya did was shut down the Brewers for 2 innings yesterday. And Belisle still remains because veteran

[jun]

 

Moya sent back to AAA. At what point are they ever going to use young relievers so they can build towards 2019?

All Moya did was shut down the Brewers for 2 innings yesterday. And Belisle still remains because veteran

Trust me, no other club would let Belisle stay that long without producing anything positive.

[AZTwin]

Tear it down.... Time to have a 1999 Twins type year...

[Riverbrian]

I know that I've been having a love affair with the Brewers roster but... even though the Brewers offense hasn't been off the charts this year... They are built for games like this. 

 

They can scratch out a run with a home run or they can do it with their feet small ball style... Plus.. Killer defense and bullpen that can shut you down. 

 

Win and Losses are mattering less and less for me. I'm just hoping for a spark of something that can lead to a spark of something in 2019 at the moment. 

 

 

[jun]

 

Tear it down.... Time to have a 1999 Twins type year...

Sure. But save a few players who have hearts though.

Trade Lynn, Rodney and Dozier.

Extend or sign Gibson, Escobar and Duke. If Rodney is willing to be a set up guy, sign him for another year as well. Giving Rodney a clean inning of work in the 7th or the 8th would be ideal.

 

Edited July 4, 2018 by jun

[LeatherAntenna]

Bring up the whole triple A team. Triple A could score 3 runs in 23 innings.

[wsnydes]

"we're creating some of our own problems..."

 

The bad breaks I could handle just fine. The constant "creation of our own problems" is what drives me up a wall.

[Danchat]

 

Moya sent back to AAA. At what point are they ever going to use young relievers so they can build towards 2019?

All Moya did was shut down the Brewers for 2 innings yesterday. And Belisle still remains because veteran

Belisle hasn't pitch since the month of June (5 games ago). If they're going to put him on the roster, they should at least use him! 

[mikelink45]

If anyone wants to defend with FO - please start with Belisle.  Tell me why Moya went down, tell me why Romero went down.  I am even puzzled with the way they handled LaMarre instead of Grossman.  Tell me why we have old age relievers who will not be around when and if the Twins turn things around, but Busenitz and others are handed round trip tickets before they get to the bullpen.  

 

What are the trade talks and why does anyone want these players?  

 

Is Kepler the next player to single A?

 

Why does Garver seem to get fewer starts now?

 

What are the time lines for Buxton and Sano?

 

Do I have to wait a year to believe in the Twins again?

[Doomtints]

Seems like reality set in for the players on this team.

[joeshmoe]

Are we galvanized yet?

[jun]

 

"we're creating some of our own problems..."

The bad breaks I could handle just fine. The constant "creation of our own problems" is what drives me up a wall.

I think he nailed it. Signing Belisle, Motter, Wilson & Morrison are examples of creating own problems. Unwisely using or overusing bullpen arms is another example of that.

Edited July 5, 2018 by jun

[Otto von Ballpark]

Moya sent back to AAA.

This is the latest in a very frustrating sequence of pitching transactions.

 

1. Signing Belisle

2. Optioning Romero after a bad start from Odorizzi, and not even using the demotion to limit Romero's innings

3. Optioning Mejia after a bad start from Lynn (after Mejia wasn't too bad in Chicago, especially considering the conditions), and basically ensuring Mejia would miss at least the next 2 turns of the MLB rotation

4. Recalling Littell for pen duty when he has never relieved and he hasn't been particularly great this season

5. Now optioning Moya despite the fact he has been great at Rochester and in his first game back in MLB and he is rested, just because you need yet another starter and you can't part with Belisle

 

I am under no illusions that a different sequence of transactions would have us back in the playoff race or anything, but this has been a really inexplicable way to run the club.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Is Kepler the next player to single A?

Kepler is out of options. (I think he was eligible for a 4th option last year, but I think that goes away after the year even though we didn't use it.)

[MangLitch]

This team will lose 95+ games... might as well let the kids learn at the big level and get a high pick. Worst case is this team figures it out in August and ends up with 70 wins and a mid teen pick. Blow it up and try to get more top end talent.

 

I get it, some will argue it’s a perpetual cycle of trying to get prospects but let’s be real, this team is two years away at least. So test the young guys to see what you have, trade non core for lottery tickets and best case you see guys step up and show future.... and end up at 15. Worst case, you see who isn’t ready and end up top 5. Either way, you aren’t ready for a run.

 

Throw that towel baby

[ChrisKnutson]

Is anyone else at the point where they wouldn’t mind seeing a bullpen game every 5 days. Would be a good way to introduce Andrew Vasquez, Nick Anderson, and Jake Reed into the league.

[wsnydes]

I think he nailed it. Signing Belisle, Motter, Wilson & Morrison are examples of creating own problems. Unwisely using or overusing bullpen arms is another example of that.

Unfortunately, that's not what he meant. But I agree with what you said completely. Edited July 5, 2018 by wsnydes

[mngopherguy]

 

Moya sent back to AAA. At what point are they ever going to use young relievers so they can build towards 2019?

All Moya did was shut down the Brewers for 2 innings yesterday. And Belisle still remains because veteran

 

I wonder if after Slegers starts if he will be optioned and a different AAA guy will be up.  Shell game I guess.

[gocgo]

Sigh...I didn't watch the last 3 games.  I'm glad I didn't based on the frustration I'm sensing.  I'm sensing that the team is now lifeless in all aspects.  I don't know if they have had a team meeting, but I think one is needed.  They are professionals and they need to give their best effort every time out there.  Being on a MLB field is a privilege.  Respect the game and work your hardest.  That's all I've got.

[Mike Sixel]

Closing in on giving up on this front office. Their unwillingness to use the young players in a lost season hurts my brain, a lot.

[Platoon]

Lost in the shuffle and season long disappointment was the catch by Broxton. First of all, given the height he reached, one of the best I have ever saw. Secondly, he made one similar the other day. In neither case did he run into the wall and need to be escorted off the field. Yes, Buxton, I am looking at you. Lastly he was so purely estatic without being obnoxious you had to enjoy it. No Joe Cool here. Sadly I sort of expected to be seeing that regularly in MN, not in Rochester NY.

[wsnydes]

Closing in on giving up on this front office. Their unwillingness to use the young players in a lost season hurts my brain, a lot.

The lack of meaningful moves and roster adjustment all season long is quite discouraging. I'm not ready to give up on the FO yet, but this season has more than it's fair share of brow raising decisions; both made and not made. I get how there isn't a lot of position player depth in the minors, but the pitching depth is there and not rewarded. Whether it be because they aren't on the same page as Molitor or whatever, the lack of meaningful moves has hurt this team.

[mikelink45]

 

Kepler is out of options. (I think he was eligible for a 4th option last year, but I think that goes away after the year even though we didn't use it.)

Thanks - maybe we have to invent an injury so he can go down and rehab!  I had great hopes for him, but like Buxton and Sano he has definitely taken a step back.  How can all three of these players regressed unter the eyes of our expert coaches? 

[adjacent]

 

This team will lose 95+ games... might as well let the kids learn at the big level and get a high pick. Worst case is this team figures it out in August and ends up with 70 wins and a mid teen pick. Blow it up and try to get more top end talent.

I get it, some will argue it’s a perpetual cycle of trying to get prospects but let’s be real, this team is two years away at least. So test the young guys to see what you have, trade non core for lottery tickets and best case you see guys step up and show future.... and end up at 15. Worst case, you see who isn’t ready and end up top 5. Either way, you aren’t ready for a run.

Throw that towel baby

The problem with this is that the generation of Buxton, Sano, Rosario, Berrios was supposed to be "The Team". If this fails the Twins are in really big trouble for years

[S.]

 

I don't know if they have had a team meeting, but I think one is needed.

They need a team meeting for the team to meet the new manager.

[Vanimal46]

This is the latest in a very frustrating sequence of pitching transactions.

 

1. Signing Belisle

2. Optioning Romero after a bad start from Odorizzi, and not even using the demotion to limit Romero's innings

3. Optioning Mejia after a bad start from Lynn (after Mejia wasn't too bad in Chicago, especially considering the conditions), and basically ensuring Mejia would miss at least the next 2 turns of the MLB rotation

4. Recalling Littell for pen duty when he has never relieved and he hasn't been particularly great this season

5. Now optioning Moya despite the fact he has been great at Rochester and in his first game back in MLB and he is rested, just because you need yet another starter and you can't part with Belisle

 

I am under no illusions that a different sequence of transactions would have us back in the playoff race or anything, but this has been a really inexplicable way to run the club.

Yep. And will we get an answer why they're doing this and who's pulling the strings? Nope... Too controversial for beat writers to ask. They may get their press box seats taken away!

[TheLeviathan]

 

Closing in on giving up on this front office. Their unwillingness to use the young players in a lost season hurts my brain, a lot.

 

This 25 man roster come August 1st better look a helluva lot different or I'm right there with you.

[USAFChief]

Yep. And will we get an answer why they're doing this and who's pulling the strings? Nope... Too controversial for beat writers to ask. They may get their press box seats taken away!

Concur. Could someone, somewhere, please ask Falvine "Belisle...WHAT is going on here??"

[jokin]

I'm just hoping for a spark of something that can lead to a spark of something in 2019 at the moment.

 

I'm with you on the need for a spark to change this team's future fortunes... as long as they pack the dynamite and douse with petrol first.