Marlins 1, Twins 0: Twins Have No Answer for Alcantara

[NotAboutWinning]

9 minutes ago, rv78 said:

Can anyone explain the reason for NOT playing Buxton. Is DH that demanding that playing in 3 games straight warrants rest already? Rocco needs a kick in the head. You play your best players against the other teams best pitcher or else it looks like you are throwing the game away. Which may have been exactly what he did. At the DH spot you get what?.... 20 minutes of actual game time? How can anyone need rest after 3 days in which you did your job for a total of 1 hour? Quit babying him and play the man.

This semed like a throw-away from the start. Line-up was middling, and then bring Pagan into a 1 run game!

[2wins87]

11 hours ago, rv78 said:

First real true test for the lineup against a quality top-notch pitcher. They failed. Thumbs up to a great outing by Maeda. Pablo verses his old team tomorrow, We'll see if he can return the favor. 

I wouldn't say the offense did well against Alcantara, but there were a lot of well hit balls hit right at the outfielders.  Their expected batting average was .217 vs their actual .103 for the game.

So, yes they were shut down by an ace pitcher, but it was also kind of one of those days where the results didn't match the process.

[Trov]

The game really came down to 1 pitch, the solo HR.  Twins had a few very hard hit balls that just went to the defenders.  Gordon crushed a ball down the line with 1st base making diving stop preventing a double or possibly triple.  Miranda hit 2 solid balls one that almost took of the pitchers head, but right into the basic shift of 2nd baseman standing right behind pitcher.  Then he smoked a liner to right but the right fielder barely had to move.  Then to lose the game Larnach hit a ball pretty hard right up middle that almost hit 2nd base, but went right to the SS who was also just next to 2nd base.  

Not upset at how the game played out, for most part we had decent at bats, and pitched and fielded well.  However, I think we basically said we were going to lose the game and sat our best hitter.  Hopefully today we can hit some lefty pitching. 

[Peter]

Tough loss but menda pitched great!!  9 ks in 5 innings! Today Pablo gets twins back in win column 

[2wins87]

I was pretty worried about Maeda compared to the rest of the staff.  The Marlins' offense is not great, but he looked pretty good.  Hopefully there is another MPH to come on the fastball as he builds back, but he was controlling his secondaries pretty well for the most part.

One turn through the rotation with a 1.03 ERA and 3.11 FIP.  Less than 5 1/3 IP per start, but it seems like they were on pitch limits around 85 pitches for the first start, and I would guess that it would be around 95 or so for the second start.

I think this is totally fine to let the starters build up a little bit.  The bullpen has not been stressed at all yet.  In the future when the starters are cruising like several were in their first starts I'd like to see at least 6 innings.  But overall I'm feeling really good about the pitching so far.

[mikelink45]

We have Wallner and Celestino - why is Castro in the OF?  If we have the tools, use them.

[rv78]

2 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

We have Wallner and Celestino - why is Castro in the OF?  If we have the tools, use them.

Rocco needs to have a different lineup every day, if possible. Putting players where they aren't needed accomplishes this. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

10 hours ago, darwin22 said:

Game script was fairly easy to predict especially with Buxton & Kepler out of the lineup.  Alcantara is an absolute stud, who proved it tonight.  Just thankful we don't have to face him again this season.  Not the Cardinals have struggled over the past few seasons, but looking back on it now I bet they wished they had held onto him----as well as Zac Gallen--- when they traded for Marcel Ozuna in December 2017.

Very encouraged by Maeda's start tonight and hopeful his arm issue is nothing serious.  I know Ober is waiting in the wings at SP, but his first start wasn't too successful.

With all our main BP arms rested with an off day TH, I would think Rocco will be aggressive in pulling Lopez at the first hint of trouble.  Saying that, I expect Lopez to be ready to roll giving us a strong 5-6 IP.

The key is getting Luzardo's pitch count up early to get into Marlins bullpen.  I'm assuming Rocco will rest Kepler, which will likely keep Gordon in the lineup in LF.  I would fully expect Donovan Solano to start at 2B as he's 4-7 (.571 avg) against Luzardo.  Buxton will be back tomorrow.  Would be great to see the bats heat up early allowing Lopez to take control.  

 

Farmer hits leftys very well, so maybe let Farmer play 2B and let Solano play 1B  and Buck DH. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Was Buck "resting" yesterday? If so, why? 

[cheeseheadgophfan]

37 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

We have Wallner and Celestino - why is Castro in the OF?  If we have the tools, use them.

I don't think you want Celestino in the outfield right now.....he would probably even have a harder time hitting.   SMH

[jmlease1]

40 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

We have Wallner and Celestino - why is Castro in the OF?  If we have the tools, use them.

Because Castro is only on the MLB roster because two guys (Kirilloff and Polanco) are out with injuries. (and now Kepler has a ding) they're seeing if Castro can be an effective/useful player in the OF for them during this time and trying to develop Wallner in the minors with consistent playing time. Celestino injured himself in spring training after only 2 games and needs to a) get healthy, and b) spend some time in AAA finding his swing. I might have had Solano play 1B and sent Gallo out of LF and asked Castro to DH, but I see no problem in slotting in the switch-hitting Willi Castro into the lineup.

[cheeseheadgophfan]

 

 

[MMMordabito]

57 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

We have Wallner and Celestino - why is Castro in the OF?  If we have the tools, use them.

 

[MMMordabito]

at least Cleveland lost.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

We have Wallner and Celestino - why is Castro in the OF?  If we have the tools, use them.

I don't think Wallner or Celestino would have caught that HR either. It was gone pretty far.

[Woof Bronzer]

11 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Notice that when they are behind it's Pagan and Moran. When they are ahead, it's Lopez, Thielbar and Jax. 

Is this a good thing?  Pitching worse guys when you are losing seems like giving up to me.  

[Woof Bronzer]

46 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Was Buck "resting" yesterday? If so, why? 

I have the same question...when I saw he was sitting I thought maybe it was a belated April Fools joke.  4 games in 5 days and he needs a break?  

[Seth Stohs]

Are people really questioning why Buxton would get a day off last night? He is still returning from a knee injury. He is still "just" DHing, so it's not like he's fully back. To have him play against the lefty on Wednesday, they chose to give him Tuesday off. 

[Squirrel]

4 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Are people really questioning why Buxton would get a day off last night? He is still returning from a knee injury. He is still "just" DHing, so it's not like he's fully back. To have him play against the lefty on Wednesday, they chose to give him Tuesday off. 

In the game thread yesterday there were a few comments about this. Some are convinced that he’s not healthy and the the FO is keeping something from us, that this is more than managing his recovery from off-season knee surgery. We weren’t told that he is having any lingering issues here, so when he has a day off after 4 games, it makes some wonder. I think if he plays in every 4 of 5 games this season, that’s more than anyone expects, so I’m okay with the day off even if he’s only DHing at this point. However, it is frustrating to see him NOT play in CF and that the timeline is sometime in the future they will reevaluate. At this point it’s difficult to say he’s the starting CFer because he’s really not. I get managing him, but at some point when will it be acknowledged that he is the primary DH and not the starting CFer, because that really feels like that’s what’s happening.

[saviking]

I can't help but wonder how the game would have come out if Buxton had been the DH. I can understand them not wanting him to play centerfield the first month but I can't see how he's not able to DH every day. Especially when we know we need all hands on deck to beat this pitcher

[DJL44]

21 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

At this point it’s difficult to say he’s the starting CFer because he’s really not. I get managing him, but at some point when will it be acknowledged that he is the primary DH and not the starting CFer, because that really feels like that’s what’s happening.

It is sad to see one of the best defenders in baseball only able to contribute as a DH.

[Dave Borton]

13 hours ago, h2oface said:

 I love seeing a pitcher throw a complete game. That was awesome. 100 pitches and his arm didn't fall off. I love it.

Game time: 1:57

[Battle ur tail off]

54 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

In the game thread yesterday there were a few comments about this. Some are convinced that he’s not healthy and the the FO is keeping something from us, that this is more than managing his recovery from off-season knee surgery. We weren’t told that he is having any lingering issues here, so when he has a day off after 4 games, it makes some wonder. I think if he plays in every 4 of 5 games this season, that’s more than anyone expects, so I’m okay with the day off even if he’s only DHing at this point. However, it is frustrating to see him NOT play in CF and that the timeline is sometime in the future they will reevaluate. At this point it’s difficult to say he’s the starting CFer because he’s really not. I get managing him, but at some point when will it be acknowledged that he is the primary DH and not the starting CFer, because that really feels like that’s what’s happening.

I was fine with him having the day off. But in a one run game, to not give him an at bat in the last couple innings was mind boggling IMO.

[Woof Bronzer]

57 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Are people really questioning why Buxton would get a day off last night? He is still returning from a knee injury. He is still "just" DHing, so it's not like he's fully back. To have him play against the lefty on Wednesday, they chose to give him Tuesday off. 

They had Friday off, and they have tomorrow off.  Are people really suggesting that he needs 3 off days for every 5 he DHs?  This is a very legitimate question in my opinion.  

[KirbyDome89]

56 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

In the game thread yesterday there were a few comments about this. Some are convinced that he’s not healthy and the the FO is keeping something from us, that this is more than managing his recovery from off-season knee surgery. We weren’t told that he is having any lingering issues here, so when he has a day off after 4 games, it makes some wonder. I think if he plays in every 4 of 5 games this season, that’s more than anyone expects, so I’m okay with the day off even if he’s only DHing at this point. However, it is frustrating to see him NOT play in CF and that the timeline is sometime in the future they will reevaluate. At this point it’s difficult to say he’s the starting CFer because he’s really not. I get managing him, but at some point when will it be acknowledged that he is the primary DH and not the starting CFer, because that really feels like that’s what’s happening.

Getting a day off isn't surprising, right or wrong he was handled the same way last year. Not playing a single inning in CF while in Miami kinda puts to rest the notion that weather was behind him starting the year at DH. 

[Squirrel]

6 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Getting a day off isn't surprising, right or wrong he was handled the same way last year. Not playing a single inning in CF while in Miami kinda puts to rest the notion that weather was behind him starting the year at DH. 

As I said, I was okay with the day off, but, the questions do linger and are fair about when or if he will play CF. I mean, if he plays 4 and is off one, and does that for the season, he will be playing more than any of us ever suspected. However, I’d like to see most of that in CF and that’s where my wondering begins. Others in the game thread weren’t understanding of the day off.

[DJL44]

39 minutes ago, davidborton said:

Game time: 1:57

The catchers have to love the pitch clock. That's a lot less wear and tear.

[KirbyDome89]

5 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

As I said, I was okay with the day off, but, the questions do linger and are fair about when or if he will play CF. I mean, if he plays 4 and is off one, and does that for the season, he will be playing more than any of us ever suspected. However, I’d like to see most of that in CF and that’s where my wondering begins. Others in the game thread weren’t understanding of the day off.

Yeah, maybe staying at DH means he'll get to 130ish games. I'd still bet the under, but you never know. He's either not 100% (which I kinda doubt) or we're not going to see him in CF often, which sucks for this offense. 

[ashbury]

baseball-reference.com provides a daily summary to subscribers, and today's shows both Alcantara and Maeda among the top 4 pitching performances of the day. Miami's guy was #1 of course.

[Battle ur tail off]

21 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

As I said, I was okay with the day off, but, the questions do linger and are fair about when or if he will play CF. I mean, if he plays 4 and is off one, and does that for the season, he will be playing more than any of us ever suspected. However, I’d like to see most of that in CF and that’s where my wondering begins. Others in the game thread weren’t understanding of the day off.

I don't think we see him in CF at minimum until the weather turns nice. After that, I would say they play him there a time a week or so. Down the stretch if it is a close race maybe they put him out there more. But I would not be one bit surprised to find him be the DH ALL YEAR LONG either. 

Guessing the front office thinks if they can get 135-140 games of Buxton as the DH with close to his defensive production out of Taylor, then it is probably better than getting 90 games out of him or not having him for a hopeful playoff series.