Front Page: Twins Game Recap (8/11): Frustrating Loss Marred by Heartbreaking Moments

[Battle ur tail off]

 

Yes, I think it might take more than one year to get the pitching in order unless the Twins very uncharacteristically open their wallets.

 

If the Twins had addressed the bullpen this year, they would only have to address the starting pitching next year. However, the Twins neglected to do that and will now have to address both.

 

The Twins showed they can win without Sano, so he could be a nice trade chip.

 

And my point is that to expect an offensive output similar to this year going forward isn't very realistic either. 

 

Cruz is having a monster year. Yes, he looks great, but will be 40 next year, who knows when the downturn will come. Kepler hitting bombs like it is his job is something I will bet no one thought would happen this season. Cron producing at the level he has is also something I don't think many bet on. Arreaz being an absolute stud from day one. Wait till the book gets out on him. 

 

My point is, the stars are aligned right now and the FO did jack squat to address it. Next year, this team could go back to average offensive production, then you will need excellent pitching just to be as good as they were this year, which we are finding out might not be enough the way it is. 

 

I guess I am just frustrated with all the years of the Twins being in this exact same positions and never doing anything to supplement. Now we have a new FO that promised to add if needed, an owner who says money is no object if it will help the team, etc. Turns out, it was the exact same type of process that has went on for years here. Iron is hot and ready, our core is producing, then you add a few B-C level options that don't move the needle. Hoard prospects that may or may not ever produce. Leak information to your beat writers acting as if the prices were unattainable to get real help, then we find out teams like the Mets get a nice starter for guys that wouldn't even be in our top 15 of prospect. Just gets old thats all. 

 

 

 

[rkevin]

I have no doubt, given this current record and tie for first place, that we would all feel different if we were seeing the April/May results right now and not the June/July/August ones.

[by jiminy]

The wild card is no sure thing now either. They are just 1.5 ahead of the Rays, and 4.0 ahead of Oakland. Oakland could add Puk, Manaea, and Luzardo, and they have been almost as hot as Cleveland without them. If Cleveland doesn't cool off they might not even make the one-game playoff.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The wild card is no sure thing now either. They are just 1.5 ahead of the Rays, and 4.0 ahead of Oakland. Oakland could add Puk, Manaea, and Luzardo, and they have been almost as hot as Cleveland without them. If Cleveland doesn't cool off they might not even make the one-game playoff.

Actually still 2.5 ahead of the Rays.

 

But yeah, the Rays and A's are two pretty good teams themselves and could/should put up a fight. Although Fangraphs only pegs the Rays finishing with 93 wins, and the A's with 90. (Twins projected for 97 right now.)

[yarnivek1972]

Rays don’t have a real tough schedule either. 6 combined with New York and Boston at the end of the year, all at home. By then the Red Sox could possibly be eliminated and the Yankees have clinched. 3 against the Dodgers, but they will surely clinched by then. 3 in Texas, who may not be over .500 by then. They have 6 coming up against the Astros and Indians, but that’s really it.

 

The A’s have a tough one. 6 with the Yankees, 8 with Astros, plus 4 with the Giants who are still kicking plus 6 against the Rangers.

 

I’m not counting Boston out. They have the 3 games against the Indians on deck. Plus 7 with the Yankees and Twins, all at home. The 4 September games in Tampa loom large...

Edited August 12, 2019 by yarnivek1972

[Doomtints]

 

And my point is that to expect an offensive output similar to this year going forward isn't very realistic either. 

 

 

I don't think they will need to maintain this year's offensive output to compete.

[jz7233]

 

Actually it’s about 65-70% likely that they score a run with runners on second and third with one out. The average run expectancy with that situation is 1.4 runs.

Well Schoop is the batter, he hardly comes through. 50% chance is a good estimate.

[jz7233]

 

I will say what I said on this website before the Twins played the Yankees in their last wild card game: The Twins can only beat the Yankees in the playoffs if it's a low scoring game and the Twins squeak out a run or two at the very end. If there is early scoring and it becomes a bullpen game, forget about it.

 

If you recall this is exactly what happened, and it's what will happen again.

 

The Twins fared very well against Houston this year, probably better than they have against any other playoff team. The Twins can beat them.

Early in the year, Houston had a few key players on injured list, Zack Greinke and Yordan Alvarez were not with the team, Houston is a much better team now. I don't think Twins have any chance to win in Houston against their top three starters nowadays.

[mrtwinsfan]

I wondered why Cave didnt run, leaves ya a better option with hand on the mound,,  Adriannza would of been available for schoop or  anything -  Dont understand the move  Ehire is not a fast or good baserunner, sorry!!

[mrtwinsfan]

Even Buxton would of been out by 5-10 feet , nice call Diaz

[mrtwinsfan]

Baledelli saying “the fight is still there,” says it all. The fact that he has to even say that gives away his confidence level.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Even Buxton would of been out by 5-10 feet , nice call Diaz

No.