Twins 6, Yankees 1: Gray Freezes Yankees Lineup

[jimbo92107]

What's cool about Gray's slider to K Judge was, you could see that Judge was guessing and reading Gray's pitch correctly. He moved and reached for the outside pitch. But Gray's slider started at the outside corner, then bent a foot farther glove-side, out of reach even for Judge's long arms and bat. I wonder if the previous pitch was a slider slightly closer to the zone. Did Gray make Judge climb the ladder sideways?

[tony&rodney]

23 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

I would like to see him back at AAA working out his inconsistencies. We just don't have the bullpen depth at the MLB level as long as we insist on keeping Pagan. 

Moran may benefit from AAA innings but you hit on the real issue .... Pagan is all over the place and he gets hit hard .... often. Maybe Moran would be served to fit as the #7/8 reliever if he is kept on the roster and Pagan can go fishing or golfing. The starters going 6 and 7 innings is a real plus for the bullpen.

[laloesch]

I like Gray's approach at the plate.  I get it he's 34, but i'd like to see them extend him a couple more seasons if the keeps this up.

[Melissa]

3 hours ago, Nivaboy said:

I was also at the Heights last night! Awesome to be able to see that movie with the full theater experience

I’ll be back in a couple of weeks for Godfather II. I’m one of those who admire the sequel even more than the original.

[Melissa]

1 hour ago, jimbo92107 said:

Did Gray make Judge climb the ladder sideways?

Definitely cool to think about! Sonny seemed in complete control of that pitch, despite the cold. He’s not even grumpy these days in postgame interviews!! 🤣

[lake_guy]

Yes they won but anybody else yelling at the TV for Taylor to steal second after they threw over their twice? Smalley basically said something like you almost have to go.  I don't get what Rocco is doing, it was early enough in the game you go for it.  ugh,

[Whitey333]

If the Twins are trying to contend for a championship they shouldn't be using players like Moran to learn on the job at the big league level.  He looks lost.  If he can't pitch in even low level pressure situations he isn't needed here.  Where is Carlos Correa?  33 million doesn't buy much anymore does it?  Anyway Twins let's sweep the Yankees.  They deserve it and we need it.

[Nine of twelve]

5 hours ago, MABB1959 said:

The Yankees are a bad team this year!

After last night's game the Twins and the Yankees are both 13-10. This extrapolates to 92 wins. That's not bad.

[Doctor Gast]

Gray pitched with a vengeance. Great to see we needed that. It's tough to get things going, it takes clutch hitting. Polanco has that clutch mentality to start the ball rolling. I'm sure Gallo felt great to tack on a HR to anger the NYY fanbase, hope he does more damage to the Yanks especially when it counts.

They need to keep Moran in lower leverage until has more experience under his belt.

[Doctor Gast]

3 hours ago, Mortimerkenny21 said:

It does feel good to say and think, but I don't think they are bad. And it is very early in the season. They'll be like a snake in grass, get hot the second half of the season. And Moran, Idk I'm on the fence. Seeing the 9th inning I'm thinking get rid of this guy!! He's gotta knock off all the walks! But maybe he should get a few more low leverage spots to prove himself. I mean not every single RP can be high leverage. Tighten up Moran, show us you belong in the bigs!

NYY isn't a bad team but I'm glad to facing them now rather than later.

[Doctor Gast]

4 hours ago, Battle ur tail off said:

His best position was always going to be 1st or DH. He isn't a butcher in the field, but I would feel much better watching Royce Lewis over there. 

His bat so far has been his problem more than his fielding IMO. He hasn't hit for much power, and to me it seems like he is chasing a bit much and ends up getting himself into unfavorable counts leading to the lack of power. 

Many times when you're not comfortable at position you're playing, it'll effect your hitting. IMO

[JD-TWINS]

17 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Always felt the Twins would try hard to extend one of their FA SP after this season. Thought they might approach Lopez at some point, but would think about someone else to keep since Lopez had another year of control 

Pretty hyped about the Lopez signing.

I just had a gut feeling that Mahle was going to be the guy who would step forward and be the one they really wanted to keep, beyond Lopez. But Gray is looking like the smart move at this point. I know it's a long season and who knows what will happen over 162 games. But even with a bit of an injury history, Gray, last year and this year so far, he sure looks like a 3yr and $18-20M extension candidate if he'd go for it.

Great win! Bats come alive! We play better ball against better teams? Need to find better consistency if that's the case. 

Health is a risk with both Mahle & Gray (probably anyone) & Mahle’s age makes him seem like the way to go. Don’t think he’s as hungry to win nor is he as smart, relative to pitching, as Gray.

I’d offer Gray two options (maybe not at same time) of more $/yr & shorter duration & then a more standard offer.

2 years at $21M per year………back-up offer, 3 years at $17.5M. First one is a decent value for club & more risk averse. 

[DocBauer]

9 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Pitching like this he's likely 4 year $100M+ in the offseason. Enjoy this year, give him the QO and get the draft pick.

He's been fantastic so far, a clear All-Star candidate.

Agree on the QO. Might give one to Mahle and Gallo as well. 

I like Gray a lot. And I love his role as a leader for the staff. And rumor has it he wants to be a FA for the first time in his career, and who can blame him? And considering some of the crazy numbers we saw this last offseason, your idea of 4 and $100M isn't exactly crazy. But he's had various injuries throughout his career and will be 34 next season. Despite some naysayers, I think he likes it here. So I think 3yrs and $60-65M still might get it done. I don't have the numbers in front of me, and am frankly too lazy at the moment to look them up, lol, but I'm not so sure a $60-65M number wouldn't equal or even exceed his career earnings. 

But we also have a long season still ahead of us. And I still think the hope was for the younger Mahle to start taking a step forward and be the "other" extension they really wanted to go along with Lopez.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

10 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Maybe in softball, but when you see a guy like Kent Hrbek pick every bad throw, come off the base when needed, field his position, run down balls in foul territory, take cutoffs properly, and generally leave the infielders unworried about their throws ..... it makes a bigger difference than imagined. A first baseman is involved in more plays. Gallo is ok and actually makes the 3 - 6 - 3 play smoothly. We have seen him struggle with throws in the dirt though and off the bag. Solano is weak there and Miranda had a whole bunch of glitches at first base. Joey Gallo should play until AK is fully ready. Alex Kirilloff is very smooth with the glove and if he can wave his magic wand starting in May the team will reap the benefits of a strong glove at first. 

Ya left "wrasslin' skillz with runners on base" off yer list.

[David HK]

17 hours ago, William K Johnson said:

Miranda's defense at third base in almost comical.

I haven't caught too many games yet, but yep, he makes me long for Sano.

[MABB1959]

17 hours ago, Nine of twelve said:

After last night's game the Twins and the Yankees are both 13-10. This extrapolates to 92 wins. That's not bad.

Just looking at batting averages. 4 guys last night under.200

[tarheeltwinsfan]

23 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Maybe in softball, but when you see a guy like Kent Hrbek pick every bad throw, come off the base when needed, field his position, run down balls in foul territory, take cutoffs properly, and generally leave the infielders unworried about their throws ..... it makes a bigger difference than imagined. A first baseman is involved in more plays. Gallo is ok and actually makes the 3 - 6 - 3 play smoothly. We have seen him struggle with throws in the dirt though and off the bag. Solano is weak there and Miranda had a whole bunch of glitches at first base. Joey Gallo should play until AK is fully ready. Alex Kirilloff is very smooth with the glove and if he can wave his magic wand starting in May the team will reap the benefits of a strong glove at first. 

I have been favorably impressed with Gallo's play at 1B. Last night he had two great picks and you have to admit, his stretch at 1B  is impressive due to his size and flexibility. The man is big and athletic.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

20 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

NYY isn't a bad team but I'm glad to facing them now rather than later.

I hope we do face them later...because that will mean we'll be in the playoffs. 

[Doctor Gast]

3 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I hope we do face them later...because that will mean we'll be in the playoffs. 

I hope NYY don't even make it to the playoff, not that I'm afraid of them.

[tony&rodney]

51 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I have been favorably impressed with Gallo's play at 1B. Last night he had two great picks and you have to admit, his stretch at 1B  is impressive due to his size and flexibility. The man is big and athletic.  

Yes, I agree that Gallo has done a good job at first base. Kirilloff is better all around though at the position, likely because he has more repetitions. Gallo is a good athlete. He played a little third base as well as being an outfielder. 

I also agree with anyone who has suggested that AK has yet to deserve a position on the team based on his past mlb time, but believe that Alex is a superior bat who will hit his way into the top of the lineup. This pushes Gallo to either DH or the outfield and improves the team in several ways. Time will tell.