Front Page: Twins Game Recap (7/31): Berrios Throws Gem as Bombas Fly

[AceWrigley]

 

A little off topic, but I have noticed something interesting about when plate umpires blow calls on balls and strikes. Often it appears that, if you draw an imaginary line from the ump's face to the area of the strike zone where they miss a call, you'll notice that the catcher's head is blocking the umpire's view of the spot where the ball crosses the zone...or misses the zone. This would mean that umps are blowing calls literally because they cannot see where the ball is at the instant it needs to be seen. 

 

If this is true, or even mostly true, then it suggests a different solution than robo ump. Instead of removing human umpires, maybe we need to augment their vision, perhaps with a head's up display of the ball's path, drawn by a computer.

Or use headless catchers. 

[MABB1959]

Help!  If you have Dish TV, how long are you going to wait before changing.  I do not want to change but I don't want to miss  the rest of baseball season. I have been waiting 10 years for this.  Is Dish really trying to save us money or does FSN need more money to pay people like the Pohlads.  I am so torn.  I have MLB on my iPad and can listen. It is okay but yesterday I really missed watching Berrios.  What are your or would you do?

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Absolutely no problem with Berrios being pulled with a 7-0 lead at 80-odd pitches. After throwing a bunch of pitches in his last two starts, it was especially good to keep his workload low in this one. He has a big start against a good Atlanta team coming up, being prepared for that is far more important than padding stats against the Fish.

 

Also no problem with Sean Poppen pitching the ninth, but I thought the move to Rogers was a bit of an overreaction. Why not start the ninth with Lewis Thorpe stretching? When Poppen gives up the first couple hits, you're ready to bring Thorpe in. Seemed like whiplash to go from having your worst reliever out there to having to use your best.

 

It's not the end of the world though. Although Rogers won't be available today, the rest of the bullpen will be ready, plus Sam The Vacuum Man. 

[mikelink45]

I am delighted with Berrios he has been almost consistent and best pitcher for The last two years. I was really hoping we would give him another strong starter to compliment his efforts.

[yarnivek1972]

Edited August 1, 2019 by yarnivek1972

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

Kepler has a good chance to get to 40. I remember when Yelich was with the Marlins, someone on here said Kepler projected similarly to Yelich. Last year when Yelich exploded I thought to myself that I wish that were true. Is he finally starting to break out? He is going to be special

Thank you FO for signing Kep and Polanco to extensions. Look at the seasons they are having. Amazing !

[bird]

 

It wasn't that long ago (2006) when Morneau crossed the 30 mark and was the first Twins planer in decades to do it... all of these guys and then some may cross that number this year. 

 

Yeah, that 19 year drought between 30 HR players is almost as unfathomable as what's going on now. Almost.

[Aerodeliria]

Rocco is always taking the long view, so I wasn't a bit surprised to see Berrios come out after only 81 pitches.

[bird]

 

Kepler has a good chance to get to 40. I remember when Yelich was with the Marlins, someone on here said Kepler projected similarly to Yelich. Last year when Yelich exploded I thought to myself that I wish that were true. Is he finally starting to break out? He is going to be special

 

 

I recall Molitor drawing a comparison of Kepler's potential to Yelich. It was a seemingly absurd thought. At the same time, quite a few people were arguing to sit Kepler down in favor of Cave, and to dangle Kepler as trade bait. Guess which idea sounds absurd now, right?

[PDX Twin]

 

Keep racking up these wins against bad teams. Let's get the sweep tomorrow gang!

 

I don't think we sweep anymore now that we have a Dyson.

[jkcarew]

Kepler 2018 vs 2019

 

OPS+... 97 ; 129

K%...15.7; 15.7

BB%...11.6; 9.7

BABiP....236;  .251

HR%....3.3; 6.5

 

Kepler career BABiP: .255

Christian Yelich career BABiP: .358

 

Kepler's improvement is almost completely tied to balls in the air traveling over the fence. That may or may not be sustainable (the ball, contact quality data, etc.). But, would love to see him improve at hitting balls hard to left and left-center and see him get more 'relief' from the BABiP.

 

[Mike Sixel]

I endorse pulling Berrios. This is about the season and team, not individual stats.

[yarnivek1972]

Kepler 2018 vs 2019

 

OPS+... 97 ; 129

K%...15.7; 15.7

BB%...11.6; 9.7

BABiP....236; .251

HR%....3.3; 6.5

 

Kepler career BABiP: .255

Christian Yelich career BABiP: .358

 

Kepler's improvement is almost completely tied to balls in the air traveling over the fence. That may or may not be sustainable (the ball, contact quality data, etc.). But, would love to see him improve at hitting balls hard to left and left-center and see him get more 'relief' from the BABiP.

Of course, Kepler’s BABIP takes a hit (sort of) on those balls over the fence. If he had any thing close to a league average BABIP he might be putting up numbers second only to Trout.