Game Thread: Twins v BoSox Double Header, 4/13/21 at 1:10pm and 4:25pm CT

[Mill1634]

 

Can someone ask Justin when MLB made it illegal to take BP before day games?

They didn't, but ya'know it might cause a player or two have to play while being slightly tired. That could lead to injures...and we couldn't dare risk that..cause we've proved rest = health plenty under this new regime. 

[LVTwinsfan]

Is pitching really the main problem for this team right now?

Pitching is always the problem with the Twins, it’s the elephant in the room. We’ve had the lead in just about every game, yes pitching is the main problem

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Sano walks!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I think Caleb is fine in his role. He gave up the homer and the single, but he's struck out like 55% of hitters on 25ish ABs. He isn't the issue.

 

i hope you are right. The lefty-on-lefty missile HR concerns me.

[Mill1634]

 

Pitching is always the problem with the Twins, it’s the elephant in the room. We’ve had the lead in just about every game, yes pitching is the main problem

I understand what you're saying...but in 4 of the 5 loses this stretch, the pitchers have been given 2 runs twice, and 1 run once. There aren't any teams in the MLB that are going to win consistently with that kind of run support. Blame the pitching all you want, but these games aren't on the pitching staff. 

[mrtwinsfan]

? Is there no depth of trying to make sano look good that Richard and Morny wont go tyo ??? Funny

[LVTwinsfan]

That was part of my 2019 comparison. That team crapped the bed in the playoffs.

 

You were being optimistic that the team would straighten things out though. This team, as it's currently producing, is nothing close to that comparison. I wasn't getting excited about anything.

no , I said the offense would come around

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Down to our last out.

 

No more margin for error.

[Mill1634]

 

i hope you are right. The lefty-on-lefty missile home run concerns me.

first homer he's given up since he's been brought back up

[wsnydes]

Interestingly enough, Maeda's loss was the first loss taken by a starting pitcher this season. The bullpen is a problem. Not the only problem, but definitely a problem.

[MNT1996]

The Sano/Kepler/Polanco era looks like it's on it's last leg. 

[mrtwinsfan]

 

Can someone ask Justin when MLB made it illegal to take BP before day games?

Must mean no one other than Cruz can use the one they always talk about i th back cages, 

[Vanimal46]

what's happened to almost everyone who won 101 games in 2019

No James Rowson and no super juiced baseball anymore

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

They didn't, but ya'know it might cause a player or two have to play while being slightly tired. That could lead to injures...and we couldn't dare risk that..cause we've proved rest = health plenty under this new regime.

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

The beard is on base with a walk.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Bazardo is pitching.

 

I looked at the screen and thought I saw “Baddoo” instead

[LVTwinsfan]

I understand what you're saying...but in 4 of the 5 loses this stretch, the pitchers have been given 2 runs twice, and 1 run once. There aren't any teams in the MLB that are going to win consistently with that kind of run support. Blame the pitching all you want, but these games aren't on the pitching staff.

Well I disagree, in the late innings when you have a lead, you expect your bullpen to shut the other team down, even if the score is 1-0. Obviously our opponents are doing that, teams win championships with good pitching, and that’s why the Twins always get swept in the playoffs

[Danchat]

 

No James Rowson and no super juiced baseball anymore

The un-juiced ball was supposed to reduce flyballs by about 8-10 feet... and we haven't seen many deep flyouts. The offense looks like its 2020 self, when the ball was still juiced.

[wsnydes]

no , I said the offense would come around

That's the optimism...

[LVTwinsfan]

Interestingly enough, Maeda's loss was the first loss taken by a starting pitcher this season. The bullpen is a problem. Not the only problem, but definitely a problem.

lot a pressure on the bullpen when the starter can’t go 6 innings

[MNT1996]

5 guys in the starting lineup hitting .200 or below.

 

Hitting coach should be canned. Today. 

[wsnydes]

The un-juiced ball was supposed to reduce flyballs by about 8-10 feet... and we haven't seen many deep flyouts. The offense looks like its 2020 self, when the ball was still juiced.

Too many strikeouts and abysmal situational hitting will do that.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Welp.

 

I guess that is it.

 

East Coast teams sure like to make the Twins seem inferior.

[wsnydes]

lot a pressure on the bullpen when the starter can’t go 6 innings

And the bats don't help build on a lead when they've got it.

[LVTwinsfan]

That's the optimism...

they will, it’s early, the only way the pitching gets better is with different pitchers

[wsnydes]

they will, it’s early, the only way the pitching gets better is with different pitchers

I'm not overly concerned yet. As you said, it is early. I'm not sure that I'm as optimistic about the offense as you because the issues they're having are issues they've had for several years now. And they're not hitting for power to make up for it, but their as a few things to give hope.

[LVTwinsfan]

And the bats don't help build on a lead when they've got it.

look at the last time the Royals won th World Series. If they had the lead after 6 innings they would win, they turned the game over to the pen and they shut down the opposition. How many games have the Twins lost already when leading after 6? It’s the difference between being in first place and last place

[wsnydes]

look at the last the Royals won th World Series. If they had the lead after 6 innings they would win, they turned the game over to the pen and they shut down the opposition. How many games have the Twins lost already when leading after 6?

Yup, I know. 5 of the Twins 7 losses are tagged to the pen. Shortening the game with a shutdown pen is today's game. Look at what TB did last year.

[Danchat]

1 for 16 today in RISP situations... that's hard to pull off! 

[wsnydes]

1 for 16 today in RISP situations... that's hard to pull off!

Yet, almost routine with this squad. So frustrating.