Cubs (Stroman) vs Twins (Varland): 5/14/23, 1:10pm

[tony&rodney]

What a nice outing by Louie Varland. He has looked really good at the back of the rotation.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, Craig Arko said:

Do we think any Twins starter will have a CG this season? Not sure, but I’d wager it would be Gray.

Gray or Joe Ryan. 

[rwilfong86]

Can we please see the good version of Pagan today not the bad version

[rwilfong86]

I feel like with this bullpen a 6 run lead isn't enough

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

These guys all of a sudden cannot swing and miss

[Jocko87]

22 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Gordon doesn't have options so he would have to pass through waivers and go unclaimed for a minor league assignment. 

Yup, decision coming.

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

6 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Gray or Joe Ryan. 

Ryan throws too many pitches. I think it would be Gray or Pablo 

[rwilfong86]

The Cubs are one swing away from this being a save situation. 

[CRF]

5 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Can we please see the good version of Pagan today not the bad version

I don't know if there's a good version...only a less bad version. 

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

1 minute ago, Jocko87 said:

Yup, decision coming.

I think it's a good point that Buxton might not really be able to play CF any longer or they may not want him to. There really isn't another CF player on the roster or at AAA. I doubt they want Lewis to play there. Gallo could play there but that's not ideal either. Taylor is a role player. 

I don't think you can carry Taylor as your only CF. I think Gordon by that reason alone has a spot on the roster forsure all season this season. They likely could target another player who can play CF in the offseason. 

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

Too bad for Varland on that last inning. He was clearly losing it, even in the inning before. Still, I like going to him to start the 7th.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, CRF said:

I don't know if there's a good version...only a less bad version. 

[CoastiePilot08]

This bullpen is not good 

[Brock Beauchamp]

59 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Went to series at the ravine last year.  They got annihilated.  Looking for some payback.

Ugh, last year against the Dodgers was brutal. 

[rwilfong86]

Pagan out of the jam. Woohoooooooooo

[AceWrigley]

What . . . does Pagan get paid by the pitch? Sheez.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, CoastiePilot08 said:

This bullpen is not good 

They turn a blow out into a high leverage situation

[tony&rodney]

Too bad Varland had that third run go against his bubble gum card, but no problem. The guys will close down the last two innings.

[rwilfong86]

Buxton with a 2 hit day to end the streak

[AceWrigley]

Keep the hits coming.

[rwilfong86]

2 minutes ago, AceWrigley said:

Keep the hits coming.

Walks are acceptable also

[rwilfong86]

Yessss, more runs

[IndianaTwin]

Who is warming up in the pen? I have a feeling we could soon know which reliever won't be traveling to L.A.

[rwilfong86]

Just now, IndianaTwin said:

Who is warming up in the pen? I have a feeling we could soon know which reliever won't be traveling to L.A.

It was Jorge Lopez, but Pagan might stay in

[rwilfong86]

3 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

Who is warming up in the pen? I have a feeling we could soon know which reliever won't be traveling to L.A.

Looks like Jorge Lopez afterall

[CRF]

Time to break the curse! 

[IndianaTwin]

1 minute ago, rwilfong86 said:

It was Jorge Lopez, but Pagan might stay in

Pagan threw 23 pitches. I don't think he'll be back out.

Lopez was warming up in case they got another hit or two and it got close. Now that they are up six, and given that Moran and Sands threw yesterday, I'm guessing it's Alcala.

Hopefully Alcala gets both innings, but I could also see a Jax confidence inning. 

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, CRF said:

Time to break the curse! 

They've got the right man at the plate

[Jocko87]

20 minutes ago, OptimisticTwinsFan said:

I think it's a good point that Buxton might not really be able to play CF any longer or they may not want him to. There really isn't another CF player on the roster or at AAA. I doubt they want Lewis to play there. Gallo could play there but that's not ideal either. Taylor is a role player. 

I don't think you can carry Taylor as your only CF. I think Gordon by that reason alone has a spot on the roster forsure all season this season. They likely could target another player who can play CF in the offseason. 

It'll be Helman or someone that can play center and infield. I don't see how he makes past the trade deadline. If he could play in the infield and hit he would have a better chance but he can't do either.

Ideally Buxton takes one a week in center but that's looking less likely all the time. I'm OK with Taylor mostly full time. Helman and Castro are a nice pair of rotating utility players with options. They need the flexibility.

[rwilfong86]

Looks like Gallo might have tweaked the hammy.😭