GAME THREAD: 9/30/20 Minnesota Twins VS Houston Astros, 12:08 CDT

[wavedog]

I have to say this team is an absolute joke in the playoffs.  Except it is not very funny if you are a fan.    I believe the worst team in either league, the Pirates or Rangers would sweep us.      

[Darius]

There was no need to use Rogers again today... Clippard and Wisler have had great season! Why not use them?!

Because Baldelli is incompetent.

 

But, hey, at least everyone is loose because he’s so laid back and milquetoast.

[JAWS33]

This is probably an emotional over reaction but I don't have a lot of excitement for next year with Rocco's game management decisions.

[Battle ur tail off]

 

First off, why PR Buxton if he's just going to stand at first.

 

 

 

This was more terrible postseason managing. Not only did he not run, but he took out the only hitter on the team that has done anything in a game that might have ended up tied. 

[umterp23]

 

The Astros have done a good job against the shift, and the Twins have utterly failed against it. Good hitters can beat shifts, it's pretty simple.

That is the point.  Why shift when if you play normal DP depth, then 2 outs and no infield in and you may get out the inning unscathed.  Shift with no one on, I get that but DP positioning vs shifting is a better play.  Kudos to hit where they aint, but shouldn't happen in late game situation

 

[MNT1996]

This is honestly the best comedy show out there right now

[LVTwinsfan]

No need to fear facing the Yankees anymore, that’s clearly not the problem, Astros have a losing record FFS.

[bighat]

 

Rogers brought in to face 2 lefties: BB off an 0-2 count, RBI single.

 

If I read one more time "but his underlying stats are GOOD!" I'm gonna climb right through this laptop and punch someone.

"But his BWRTP and his RTEDSG show that he's just getting unlucky", blah blah blah.

 

Show me the ERA and I'll tell you exactly how good (or bad, in this case) a guy is.

[Danchat]

For all the talk of analytics, I sure see a bunch of un-analytical decisions being made here, like using Rogers in back-to-back games, other poor bullpen decisions, bizarre pinch-hitting decisions... 

[dex8425]

I just don't get the bullpen usage. Why pull Berrios very early when he is pitching well and you used the good relievers yesterday? Why use Duffey and Rogers when both are bad pitching back to back days? 

[LewFordLives]

 

Cherry on the top of the season will be a 4-run 9th off of Taylor Rogers.  F Rocco and his decisions.

How did you forsee this!  Are you from the future?

[h2oface]

I hate "twinkies", absolutely hate it. But it is hard to deny it, right now. Total chumps. All the way around.

[mshnd06]

I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in the Twins.  A roster that looks good on first glance and more abject failure.  I don't believe in curses but there is a psychological impact of this streak.  Such futility, so disspiriting.  Granted I'm very much in the moment, but each of these post-season failures saps some of my hope going into the future.

 

[woolywoolhouse]

If the Twins make it to the postseason in 2021, they should bring Tom Kelly in as manager. Gardy, Molitor, and Rocco all seem to have the same postseasonitis disease. Must be lingering in the manager's office...

[Battle ur tail off]

 

I just don't get the bullpen usage. Why pull Berrios very early when he is pitching well and you used the good relievers yesterday? Why use Duffey and Rogers when both are bad pitching back to back days? 

 

Berrios should have gone another inning or possibly 2. Rocco did the same thing to him last year and it bit him in the ass, you think he would learn. 

 

That said, none of it matters when you have 1 hitter on the team and the rest just standing up there without a chance. 

[Vanimal46]

Expecting things to be any different...

 

[USAFChief]

I know he's a reserve, but the last two ABs by Cave and Brantley really show how / why some players are winners, and some aren't.

 

Brantlley falls behind 0-2, to a lefty no less, but won't swing out of the zone, and works a walk.

 

Cave, against a mediocre righty no less, gets to 3-2, goes into "swing at every GD thing" mode, and ends up K'ing on a ball half a foot high.

 

Bregman too. See's nobody on the right side, gets an outside FB, and just grounds it into right. 

 

We have WAY too few tough outs on this team.

[Aggies7]

Seriously, how did this franchise twin TWO titles

[dex8425]

 

If the Twins make it to the postseason in 2021, they should bring Tom Kelly in as manager. Gardy, Molitor, and Rocco all seem to have the same postseasonitis disease. Must be lingering in the manager's office...

It's not in the manager's office. It's the same thing the Vikings and Timberwolves have. The wolves are arguably the worst run professional sports franchise. It's only arguable because of the Cleveland Browns. 

[LVTwinsfan]

Pressly pitches for Astros now

[Battle ur tail off]

Also, way to waste 2 very good years of Nelson Cruz. 

 

Feels the same way as when they wasted Johan Santana or M&M. Most likely Cruz retires this offseason. If he doesn't, I doubt he will want to come back to this team. 

[twins_89]

The only positives in this series have been the starting pitching and Kirilloff's debut. 

 

Eddie Rosario likely ends his Twins career with an 0-7 playoff series cut short by getting ejected.

[LVTwinsfan]

Seriously, how did this franchise twin TWO titles

Puckett

[MNT1996]

 

Seriously, how did this franchise twin TWO titles

 

Tom Kelly was a great manager

[gunnarthor]

Soooo, been at work all day. Seems like I missed another great game. Ugh.

[operation mindcrime]

And I thought the debate last night was a trainwreck!

[JAWS33]

 

Seriously, how did this franchise twin TWO titles

Because they had players with heart and a great manager.  That isn't the case now.

[jud6312]

 

Rogers, always great on back to back days. Who could have seen it coming?

Fixed it for you.

[wsnydes]

Wow...they limited the damage nicely.

[dex8425]

 

Also, way to waste 2 very good years of Nelson Cruz. 

 

Feels the same way as when they wasted Johan Santana or M&M. Most likely Cruz retires this offseason. If he doesn't, I doubt he will want to come back to this team. 

Disagree. He will not retire. I'd bet on him OPS'ing at least .850 next year. Multiple teams will want him.