Don't get into the habit of losing

[Number3]

If the Twins think they can simply turn on the charm any time they want to they had better think again. If they lose tonight against the probably playoff bound Nats, they will be 1-3 on the current home stand against contending teams. Then they will have to win the next 2 to win the series and break even on the home stand before going to Cleveland. I suggest they play this game like there is no tomorrow because a long losing streak is not only possible but would not be surprising. How they play tonight is what I will be looking for, not so much whether they win. It starts with Berrios and whether he is in attack mode or not. Next is the lineup and it had best be a playoff lineup or as close as possible. If they use resting players and really not needing this game as an excuse, look out.

[Tovar12]

I concur

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Play ball and run out all those ground balls.

[woolywoolhouse]

I keep hearing "The Twins are 5 games up with only 19 left to go; what's the worst that can happen?" Maybe we should ask the 2009 Detroit Tigers, who had a 4.5 game lead with 19 left?

[MMMordabito]

Ryan LaMarre better not sniff the field unless the Twins have a double-digit lead.  If he is in there when it's close, Baldelli is punting.  If he is in there when they are down big, the team didn't show up and doesn't care.

[bighat]

 

I keep hearing "The Twins are 5 games up with only 19 left to go; what's the worst that can happen?" Maybe we should ask the 2009 Detroit Tigers, who had a 4.5 game lead with 19 left?

 

Man I totally hear you. People are saying "The division is locked up, no worries about that". Really? Are they watching the same games as the rest of us? Cleveland isn't going away, the Twins play them again this week, and they've been frankly dominating the head-to-head matchups. The Twins' players are dropping like flies and the offense looks as bad as it's looked all year. I know we have the Royals and Tigers on the schedule but those aren't guaranteed wins.

[nicksaviking]

 

Ryan LaMarre better not sniff the field unless the Twins have a double-digit lead.  If he is in their when it's close, Baldelli is punting.  If he is in there when they are down big, the team didn't show up and doesn't care.

 

Does Baldelli have a choice except between LaMarre, Wade and Miller? Do we know if Kepler, Buxton, Sano, Cruz and Gonzalez are good to go?

 

I think it's also fairly offensive to claim that the manager and the players don't care about winning.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I keep hearing "The Twins are 5 games up with only 19 left to go; what's the worst that can happen?" Maybe we should ask the 2009 Detroit Tigers, who had a 4.5 game lead with 19 left?

Actually, the 2009 Tigers had a 5.5 game lead with 19 scheduled games left to play, just like the 2019 Twins before Cleveland won yesterday (I think you were counting the game 163 tiebreaker as part of the last 19 in 2009). The 2009 Twins even had 1 fewer game remaining (18) than the Tigers, just like 2019 Cleveland entering play yesterday.

 

Interestingly, those 2009 Tigers even managed a near split -- 3-4 -- head-to-head with the Twins over those last 19, but still blew the lead. Overall the Tigers were 9-10 in that span, and the Twins 14-4 -- so the Twins were 10-1 in non-Tigers games in that stretch! All common opponents too.

 

2009 Twins (14-4):

2-0 vs CLE (65-97 that season)

3-0 vs CHW (79-83)

5-1 vs KC (65-97)

4-3 vs DET

 

2009 Tigers (9-10):

1-2 vs KC (65-97)

2-4 vs CHW (79-83)

3-0 vs CLE (65-97)

3-4 vs MIN

[SwainZag]

 

Ryan LaMarre better not sniff the field unless the Twins have a double-digit lead.  If he is in there when it's close, Baldelli is punting.  If he is in there when they are down big, the team didn't show up and doesn't care.

 

How is Baldelli punting? He has a pretty beat up roster right now.

 

Twins are 11-4 in their last 15, 6-4 in their last 10.  LaMarre had 1 AB, and as far as I can tell....there really weren't many options.  Saying this team doesn't show up and doesn't care is pretty damn insulting.

[Otto von Ballpark]

How might a 2009-Tigers-esque collapse/comeback look in 2019?

 

Twins (9-10):

1-2 vs WSN

1-2 vs CLE

1-2 vs CHW

4-3 vs KC

2-1 vs DET

 

Cleveland (14-4):

3-0 vs LAA

2-1 vs MIN

3-0 vs DET

2-1 vs PHI

2-1 vs CHW

2-1 vs WSN

 

Cleveland's already 1-0 in this quest, with a win over LAA last night.

 

This would lead us to a tie after 162, forcing another game 163.

 

The odds of this happening aren't too high, though -- Fangraphs still gives us 97.1% odds right now at winning the division in 2019. Only 2.2% odds of a tie atop the AL Central. (Yes, those odds were probably similar at this time for the 2009 Tigers )

[Bandit34]

 

How might a 2009-Tigers-esque collapse/comeback look in 2019?

 

Twins (9-10):

1-2 vs WSN

1-2 vs CLE

1-2 vs CHW

4-3 vs KC

2-1 vs DET

 

Cleveland (14-4):

3-0 vs LAA

2-1 vs MIN

3-0 vs DET

2-1 vs PHI

2-1 vs CHW

2-1 vs WSN

 

Cleveland's already 1-0 in this quest, with a win over LAA last night.

 

This would lead us to a tie after 162, forcing another game 163.

 

The odds of this happening aren't too high, though -- Fangraphs still gives us 97.1% odds right now at winning the division in 2019. Only 2.2% odds of a tie atop the AL Central. (Yes, those odds were probably similar at this time for the 2009 Tigers )

This is very possible as I look at this chart. It's a very good possibility we lose 2 out of 3 to the White Sox. I definitely think we lose 2 out of 3 to the Nationals.  We very rarely sweep the Tigers and KC always plays us tough. Cleveland will definitely dominate the Angels and I think their pitching will beat the Nationals. Good possibility of this happening especially with seemingly half our team injured. 

[Bandit34]

I totally agree with the original poster. Better play your best guys and play your hardest these last 20 games. In my opinion, Wild Card doesn't mean squat! It's just a gimmick! You play the season to win your division. 

[Taildragger8791]

I think the Twins will back into the playoffs but we've already seen that this team can easily drop a series to the Tigers and other bad teams and they struggle to win against good pitching. Now the offense is further banged up and the rotation is so uncompetitive they're throwing bullpen games to try and squeak by. It may come down to whether or not Cleveland takes care of their business, and lately they're looking like a tough out.

[Rosterman]

I imagine Cleveland is pumped and Terry Francona is doing everything he can to make this competitive when the Twins come to Cleveland in 3 days. The next six games are playoff games, folks.

 

Sadly, Cave has to be well, Sano ahs to be on the field, and Arraez has to be somewhere. Without Cruz, the Twins have...Willians as DH? Anyone know when Gonzalez might come back? 

 

You would think this team would own Target Field. Great crowds. Some funky spots. Real grass. Did I say great crowds?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

This is very possible as I look at this chart. It's a very good possibility we lose 2 out of 3 to the White Sox. I definitely think we lose 2 out of 3 to the Nationals.  We very rarely sweep the Tigers and KC always plays us tough. Cleveland will definitely dominate the Angels and I think their pitching will beat the Nationals. Good possibility of this happening especially with seemingly half our team injured. 

Yeah, the Twins schedule is easier, but Cleveland's may not be as tough as it looks. They're playing the Angels without Trout right now. Philly may be virtually eliminated by the time Clevelands plays them. And they get to play Washington at the very end of the season, when Washington's wild card spot may be wrapped up.

[USAFChief]

 

Yeah, the Twins schedule is easier, but Cleveland's may not be as tough as it looks. They're playing the Angels without Trout right now. Philly may be virtually eliminated by the time Clevelands plays them. And they get to play Washington at the very end of the season, when Washington's wild card spot may be wrapped up.

Boy, you're just full of good news today, ain'tcha?? 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Boy, you're just full of good news today, ain'tcha?? 

 

[SwainZag]

 

I imagine Cleveland is pumped and Terry Francona is doing everything he can to make this competitive when the Twins come to Cleveland in 3 days. The next six games are playoff games, folks.

 

Sadly, Cave has to be well, Sano ahs to be on the field, and Arraez has to be somewhere. Without Cruz, the Twins have...Willians as DH? Anyone know when Gonzalez might come back? 

 

You would think this team would own Target Field. Great crowds. Some funky spots. Real grass. Did I say great crowds?

 

On the contrary, Cleveland has lost 5.5 games to the Twins in less than a month.  They went from up 1/2 game to down 5 in 25 games.  They have lost ground to the Twins in the last 10 days and currently sit 1/2 game out of the 2nd Wild Card position.  If this were Indians daily, I am guessing the panic button would be stuck to the table after being jammed so many times.

 

They might be pumped, but the Twins are very much in the driver's seat while they are on the outside looking in.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

I think the Twins will back into the playoffs but we've already seen that this team can easily drop a series to the Tigers and other bad teams and they struggle to win against good pitching.

The Twins haven't dropped a series to the Tigers yet this season (they did split one 4-gamer). The only series they've dropped against "bad teams" would be losing 2 of 3 to the White Sox, and then losing 3 of 4 to Toronto way back in April.

 

As for struggling against good pitchers, I'd guess most teams do that, otherwise we wouldn't call it "good pitching". That said, since the start of August, we've won games against Soroka, Minor, Lynn, Lopez, and Giolito. We don't win them all, but we hold our own against good pitchers.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

On the contrary, Cleveland has lost 5.5 games to the Twins in less than a month.  They went from up 1/2 game to down 5 in 25 games.  They have lost ground to the Twins in the last 10 days and currently sit 1/2 game out of the 2nd Wild Card position.  If this were Indians daily, I am guessing the panic button would be stuck to the table after being jammed so many times.

 

They might be pumped, but the Twins are very much in the driver's seat while they are on the outside looking in.

Yeah, I imagine Cleveland fans might be brooding about getting swept by the Mets and Rays recently -- those aren't bad teams, but a team in Cleveland's position can't really afford to get swept at this point in the season. Especially when they're in direct competition with the Rays, and they haven't been absolutely perfect vs KC and CHW either.

 

Or they're probably focused on the wild card. FWIW, the wild card wasn't an option in the 2009 Tigers-Twins pennant race as discussed above (Boston won it handily, at least over the AL Central).

[MMMordabito]

 

Saying this team doesn't show up and doesn't care is pretty damn insulting.

 

Context much?

 

You must have misplaced the qualifier.

[MMMordabito]

 

I think it's also fairly offensive to claim that the manager and the players don't care about winning.

 

Baldelli didn't seem to care about winning with two outs in the bottom of the ninth in the last Cleveland game.  

[SwainZag]

 

Baldelli didn't seem to care about winning with two outs in the bottom of the ninth in the last Cleveland game.  

 

Because he let LaMarre hit?  If I am looking at the roster correctly the only player left on the roster to hit was Castro.  What's the "care about winning" decision there?

 

Marwin, Cruz, Buxton and Sano were unavailable due to injury.  Kepler was taken out for injury in the game.  Miller and Cron had already been used and replaced.  

[MMMordabito]

 

Because he let LaMarre hit?  If I am looking at the roster correctly the only player left on the roster to hit was Castro.  What's the "care about winning" decision there?

 

Marwin, Cruz, Buxton and Sano were unavailable due to injury.  Kepler was taken out for injury in the game.  Miller and Cron had already been used and replaced.  

 

Cruz is in the lineup today.  Don't tell me that he couldn't have taken one PA.  Astudillo could have gone to first. Castro could have caught. Adrianza could have gone to the outfield.  The way Hand was pitching, Cruz would have added even more pressure.  

 

 

[SwainZag]

 

Cruz is in the lineup today.  Don't tell me that he couldn't have taken one PA.  Astudillo could have gone to first. Castro could have caught. Adrianza could have gone to the outfield.  The way Hand was pitching, Cruz would have added even more pressure.  

 

Because Cruz is playing today means that 2 days ago he was fine to go?  If he wasn't 100% there's no reason to risk further injury to that wrist.  Before the game he was deemed unavailable.  It obviously wasn't the most the sought after situation with LaMarre up there in the 9th as the tying run, but to accuse Rocco of not caring about winning just seems like a low blow to the manager in a tough spot.

[nicksaviking]

 

Cruz is in the lineup today.  Don't tell me that he couldn't have taken one PA.  Astudillo could have gone to first. Castro could have caught. Adrianza could have gone to the outfield.  The way Hand was pitching, Cruz would have added even more pressure.  

 

So you find it more likely that Baldelli is purposefully losing than the idea that his players were unavailable.

 

What do you suppose his motivation is for throwing games? He's certainly not very good at it, the team is on pace for 100 wins.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Because he let LaMarre hit?  If I am looking at the roster correctly the only player left on the roster to hit was Castro.  What's the "care about winning" decision there?

 

Marwin, Cruz, Buxton and Sano were unavailable due to injury.  Kepler was taken out for injury in the game.  Miller and Cron had already been used and replaced.  

I will say -- if he knew that many players are unavailable due to injury, Baldelli probably shouldn't have taken Cron out after his PH appearance. Cron could have gone to 1B, and Adrianza to the outfield (or Adrianza to 3B, and Arraez to the outfield).

 

Don't put yourself into the position where you can't pinch-hit for Ryan LaMarre!

[Jham]

I keep hearing "The Twins are 5 games up with only 19 left to go; what's the worst that can happen?" Maybe we should ask the 2009 Detroit Tigers, who had a 4.5 game lead with 19 left?

I remember game 163 at the dome. It was broadcast on TBS who had a slogan at the time: "very funny".

 

A twins fan brought a sign that read: "Tigers Blow Season (TBS): very funny"

 

I loved that sign.

[SwainZag]

I will say -- if he knew that many players are unavailable due to injury, Baldelli probably shouldn't have taken Cron out after his PH appearance. Cron could have gone to 1B, and Adrianza to the outfield (or Adrianza to 3B, and Arraez to the outfield).

 

Don't put yourself into the position where you can't pinch-hit for Ryan LaMarre!

You've actually got a point here. Move Wade back to CF, Adrianza to LF and insert Cron at 1st. It seems more like over sight in a 6-0 rather than a manager who doesn't care about winning though.

[mrtwinsfan]

 

You've actually got a point here. Move Wade back to CF, Adrianza to LF and insert Cron at 1st. It seems more like over sight in a 6-0 rather than a manager who doesn't care about winning though.

Oversight, c,mon  No its his job Knowing Ryan Lamar  might be needed to bat