This Ain't Over

[Riverbrian]

I'm shocked by the prevailing winds around here. 

 

Pennant races are like horse races. Every year there is a back and forth, just like the race track. 

 

Leads often change hands, distances are shortened and then lengthened or lengthened and then shortened.

 

It doesn't end until the finish line. No one knows what is going to happen. 

 

 

The Jockey who flipped was Ron Gardenhire riding his horse "Tiger". 

[operation mindcrime]

Does this jockey think he's Byron Buxton or something?

[tbhysgb]

I remember driving to Kansas the night of a game 163, trying to find a station playing the game going through South Dakota, then Nebraska. There’s a story there if I can find my point.

 

Oh yea, it’s a long season and it’s gonna be tight.

[ashbury]

When I think of the 2019 Twins I now shall evermore think too of this video. They are inextricably linked. Thanks!

[IndianaTwin]

You just wanted an excuse to post that video, didn’t you? That’s hilarious.

[twinssporto]

We're gonna have at least 8 games of nerves in the playoffs (if we sweep everyone) and yes we will make the playoffs. We also could have 14 games of nerves and adrenaline.

 

Everyone relax. This is training for your nerves and optimism.  

[Darius]

It’s certainly not over.

 

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to feel like the division race looks bleak at the moment (even after last night’s win). I think that’s probably the most realistic.

 

Our most valuable offensive player (Cruz) and most valuable defensive player (Buxton) are both missing significant time down the stretch. Meanwhile, Lindor looks like an MVP, Ramirez and Kipnes are producing, and Clevinger and Beiber look like two of the best pitchers in the game. Cleveland has been the best team in baseball since June. We’re just over .500 during that time.

 

Given the way things have going for quite some time now, it’s really difficult to see he Twins outpacing them through the final 50 or so games. I’m sure many will consider this trolling, but I think it’s just reality right now.

[Riverbrian]

 

It’s certainly not over.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to feel like the division race looks bleak at the moment (even after last night’s win). I think that’s probably the most realistic.

Our most valuable offensive player (Cruz) and most valuable defensive player (Buxton) are both missing significant time down the stretch. Meanwhile, Lindor looks like an MVP, Ramirez and Kipnes are producing, and Clevinger and Beiber look like two of the best pitchers in the game. Cleveland has been the best team in baseball since June. We’re just over .500 during that time.

Given the way things have going for quite some time now, it’s really difficult to see he Twins outpacing them through the final 50 or so games. I’m sure many will consider this trolling, but I think it’s just reality right now.

[wabene]

I think with the remaining schedule we are in good shape. Something like 10 or 12 of the games we will be playing the dregs while Cleveland is up against the top teams. That's about a quarter of the remaining games we have a much easier road. 6 remaining against them and we are tied head to head right now. Cleveland and the Twins have the same winning percentage against losing and winning teams this year, so if we have an easier schedule...It's going to be tight and if we're down we have a big scheduling advantage right at the end for possible end of season heroics. This is setting up nicely. If we send them to New York down two I'll be pumped.

[TwinsCD]

 

It’s certainly not over.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to feel like the division race looks bleak at the moment (even after last night’s win). I think that’s probably the most realistic.

Our most valuable offensive player (Cruz) and most valuable defensive player (Buxton) are both missing significant time down the stretch. Meanwhile, Lindor looks like an MVP, Ramirez and Kipnes are producing, and Clevinger and Beiber look like two of the best pitchers in the game. Cleveland has been the best team in baseball since June. We’re just over .500 during that time.

Given the way things have going for quite some time now, it’s really difficult to see he Twins outpacing them through the final 50 or so games. I’m sure many will consider this trolling, but I think it’s just reality right now.

 

26 of the Twins last 45 games are against the soft underbelly of the AL Central.  If they don't get it done against that weak schedule -- the same weak schedule Cleveland feasted on after the ASB -- then they don't deserve to win the division.

[ewen21]

Does this jockey think he's Byron Buxton or something?

Oh no, you didn't

[ewen21]

26 of the Twins last 45 games are against the soft underbelly of the AL Central. If they don't get it done against that weak schedule -- the same weak schedule Cleveland feasted on after the ASB -- then they don't deserve to win the division.

Exactly...and that is why it will be easy to let go if this team falters through all that.

 

That said, if this team bows out in the first round without so much as a peep I will be pretty irate.

 

Funny how that works

 

For me we just can't have that without massive changes in the approach. I'm talking about playing for revenge if it's the Yankees that take us out again. If somehow we meet them and fall down AGAIN....it's time to start beaning some dudes in pinstripes in 2020

[akmanak]

Hopefully I dont get the ban hammer again for asking this, but how do you really believe we can make the playoffs when we are getting thumped by teams with a winning record on a consistent basis?

[bighat]

 

It’s certainly not over.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to feel like the division race looks bleak at the moment (even after last night’s win). I think that’s probably the most realistic.

Our most valuable offensive player (Cruz) and most valuable defensive player (Buxton) are both missing significant time down the stretch. Meanwhile, Lindor looks like an MVP, Ramirez and Kipnes are producing, and Clevinger and Beiber look like two of the best pitchers in the game. Cleveland has been the best team in baseball since June. We’re just over .500 during that time.

Given the way things have going for quite some time now, it’s really difficult to see he Twins outpacing them through the final 50 or so games. I’m sure many will consider this trolling, but I think it’s just reality right now.

 

You forgot "Kluber's coming back" also.

 

I do think you're being a bit pessimistic - but at the same time, given all the reasons you listed it's hard to argue.

 

This Twins team has surprised us all year, though. Don't count them out now. Cleveland has a rough schedule here the next couple weeks: they'll host Boston and go to Yankee Stadium next week, in fact.

 

The Twins certainly need their starting pitching to step up. And a loss today would be brutal. But there's a chance this team gets red-hot again, and if they do, watch out.

[Blake]

 

 

 

 

The Jockey who flipped was Ron Gardenhire riding his horse "Tiger". 

 

[wabene]

Hopefully I dont get the ban hammer again for asking this, but how do you really believe we can make the playoffs when we are getting thumped by teams with a winning record on a consistent basis?

Record vs winning teams 27-30

Record vs American League East 18-11

Cleveland 20-25 & 15-9.

Looks exactly the same to me except one thing; the damn tribe has 12 more remaining games against winning teams than us.

[wabene]

Teams like the Yankees Dodgers Astros and even the Braves have winning records against winning teams. That means if the Twins do make the postseason they won't be the favorites. #@#&$- I'll take that, especially after the last decade we've been through.

[Riverbrian]

 

Hopefully I dont get the ban hammer again for asking this, but how do you really believe we can make the playoffs when we are getting thumped by teams with a winning record on a consistent basis?

 

Because you are wrong. 

 

Check the words you use. 

 

Thumped?

Consistent? 

 

Then check the standings

Then check the run differential

Then check the remaining schedule

Then consider if you tend to embellish toward the "Everything with the Twins is ****" side of things... just a little bit. 

 

Then check the actual records against winning teams. 

Then check the box scores of the actual games.

Then check the actual records of other winning teams against other winning teams.

Then compare and contrast. 

Then consider the moving target that is (winning/losing teams). 

Are the Mets a winning team Now? Were the Mets a winning team a month ago? 

 

Then strongly consider if you are twisting the definition of "Thumped" and "Consistent" beyond the recognition of those with a standard education. 

 

Then consider that you are walking into a room full of people who have checked all of the things listed above and many more things not listed. 

 

And then consider if they know what "Thumped" and "Consistent" means. 

 

And then imagine their opinion of your CONSISTENT, "Everything with the Twins is ****" posts. 

 

[ewen21]

It's nice to be glass half full, but I don't brush aside history or warning signs. We certainly had a great run this year. There is no denying that, but there is still a lot of baseball to be played and we are now neck and neck with a team that has momentum. If fans want to be confident then I say good for them. I'm not in that camp, though

 

If I subscribed to the gumdrops and lollipops angle then we are going all the way. I don't think anyone is that over-confident (although I remain hopeful as long as we have a shot)

 

Being a fan for well over 40 years and understanding the shifts and twists and turns in a baseball season I can't be too optimistic. We've lost key guys and they will be out for a while. We have no pitching depth. Even with our cited record against the American League East I have no confidence that we can beat the Yankees in a short series. That brutal loss a couple of weeks ago joins a long line of brutal losses against that team which began with that Friday night Giambi walk-off grand slam in May of 2002. We have lost the last 13 post season games against them.

 

Show me something first before I get excited. I (all of us) have seen that rerun and it's old. I will nothing from a one and done sweep at the hands of the Yankees. I would rather we not get in at all if that were to happen

 

That's just me

[Rosterman]

You never know. At one point we would all be happy if the Twins played .500 ball...they seemed a shoo-in with a double-digit lead.

 

But Cleveland played like the Twins did at season's beginning. Hey, look at the Mets 15-1 in the last 16 games. You never know. Remember when Oakland in Moneyball pulled off 20 straight? 

 

There is always the Wildcard race.

 

The key is managing the team. Playing hard, still having fun, resting guys, etc. etc. The Twins never give up. It looks like they will have Dyson, Pineda and Cruz back in the next 10-12 days. Then September will see roster expansion.

 

But the Indians have showed how a team CAN improve. They have the hitting the Twins have, so even their lesser pitchers just have to hold the otehr team down in the runs number. Twins have to do the same (which, again, brings us abck to managing. Don't let the hole get too deep, as you have the potential to battle back and score big ... especially against lesser bullpens.)

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Because you are wrong.

 

Check the words you use.

 

Thumped?

Consistent?

 

Then check the standings

Then check the run differential

Then check the remaining schedule

Then consider if you tend to embellish toward the "Everything with the Twins is ****" side of things... just a little bit.

 

Then check the actual records against winning teams.

Then check the box scores of the actual games.

Then check the actual records of other winning teams against other winning teams.

Then compare and contrast.

Then consider the moving target that is (winning/losing teams).

Are the Mets a winning team Now? Were the Mets a winning team a month ago?

 

Then strongly consider if you are twisting the definition of "Thumped" and "Consistent" beyond the recognition of those with a standard education.

 

Then consider that you are walking into a room full of people who have checked all of the things listed above and many more things not listed.

 

And then consider if they know what "Thumped" and "Consistent" means.

 

And then imagine their opinion of your CONSISTENT, "Everything with the Twins is ****" posts.

[Riverbrian]

 

It's nice to be glass half full, but I don't brush aside history or warning signs. We certainly had a great run this year. There is no denying that, but there is still a lot of baseball to be played and we are now neck and neck with a team that has momentum. If fans want to be confident then I say good for them. I'm not in that camp, though

If I subscribed to the gumdrops and lollipops angle then we are going all the way. I don't think anyone is that over-confident (although I remain hopeful as long as we have a shot)

Being a fan for well over 40 years and understanding the shifts and twists and turns in a baseball season I can't be too optimistic. We've lost key guys and they will be out for a while. We have no pitching depth. Even with our cited record against the American League East I have no confidence that we can beat the Yankees in a short series. That brutal loss a couple of weeks ago joins a long line of brutal losses against that team which began with that Friday night Giambi walk-off grand slam in May of 2002. We have lost the last 13 post season games against them.

Show me something first before I get excited. I (all of us) have seen that rerun and it's old. I will nothing from a one and done sweep at the hands of the Yankees. I would rather we not get in at all if that were to happen

That's just me

 

There is a clear difference between

 

Camp A: Gumdrops and Lollipops

 

Camp B: Not Knowing what is going to happen

 

Camp C: Not Brushing Aside past history or warning signs. 

 

 

Sometimes while countering confident Camp C Posts

 

The Camp B Posters gets accused of sounding like an Camp A poster. 

 

 

[ewen21]

There is a clear difference between

 

Camp A: Gumdrops and Lollipops

 

Camp B: Not Knowing what is going to happen

 

Camp C: Not Brushing Aside past history or warning signs.

 

 

Sometimes while countering confident Camp C Posts

 

The Camp B Posters gets accused of sounding like an Camp A poster.

I never claimed to know the future, but I wouldn't put a dollar on us TODAY in a playoff series against the Yankees.

[Riverbrian]

 

I never claimed to know the future, but I wouldn't put a dollar on us TODAY in a playoff series against the Yankees.

 

Oh God... I won't put a dollar on the Twins against the Yankees in a playoff series either. 

 

 

I also won't put a dollar on the Yankees against the Twins either. 

 

I've seen decades and decades of playoff series results and have acquired enough information over my lifetime to not touch this sort of bet with a ten foot pole. 

[Dantes929]

 

It’s certainly not over.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to feel like the division race looks bleak at the moment (even after last night’s win). I think that’s probably the most realistic.

Our most valuable offensive player (Cruz) and most valuable defensive player (Buxton) are both missing significant time down the stretch. Meanwhile, Lindor looks like an MVP, Ramirez and Kipnes are producing, and Clevinger and Beiber look like two of the best pitchers in the game. Cleveland has been the best team in baseball since June. We’re just over .500 during that time.

Given the way things have going for quite some time now, it’s really difficult to see he Twins outpacing them through the final 50 or so games. I’m sure many will consider this trolling, but I think it’s just reality right now.

All your reasons are very valid but they are also the prevailing winds Riverbrian was talking about.    Maybe in 3 weeks Cleveland starts to feel the effects of losing all of Bauer's innings.   Maybe Buxton and Cruz come back and the offense ignites and the pitchers feel better about the defense.   Winds shift.   Then they shift again again,  Then again.

[wabene]

Being on sports, not the best idea I think.

[wabene]

With the way the schedule finishes up this year I think even if the twins are three games back and ten games left they'll still have a shot. Translation: should be exciting right up to the end of the marathon.

[Riverbrian]

 

All your reasons are very valid but they are also the prevailing winds Riverbrian was talking about.    Maybe in 3 weeks Cleveland starts to feel the effects of losing all of Bauer's innings.   Maybe Buxton and Cruz come back and the offense ignites and the pitchers feel better about the defense.   Winds shift.   Then they shift again again,  Then again.

 

Maybe Jack Cave goes 8 for 10 with 4 home runs in the next series against the Indians. 

 

The possibility of all possibilities are hard to list without carpal tunnel afterwards. 

[TwinsCD]

 

 That brutal loss a couple of weeks ago joins a long line of brutal losses against that team which began with that Friday night Giambi walk-off grand slam in May of 2002. We have lost the last 13 post season games against them.

 

 

I was at that game.  Thanks for the flashback.  Now I gotta get my PTSD prescription renewed.

[USAFChief]

Maybe Jack Cave goes 8 for 10 with 4 home runs in the next series against the Indians.

 

The possibility of all possibilities are hard to list without carpal tunnel afterwards.

meaning...Jake Cave truly was the player to be named later?