Did a new season really start?

[RickOShea]

On 7/5/2023 at 7:35 AM, Richie the Rally Goat said:

So it’s Rocco’s fault when they’re bad, but it’s they players when they are good?

It's rocco's responsibility to give players the chance to excel.  His line up selection, bullpen management, in game strategy are at his control. But he can only put forth opportunity.  Only players can pull the trigger, so to speak.  If Rocco can't strategize, he should go.  If the player can't perform, they should go or at least sit.  Very hard to do one without the other.

[RickOShea]

3 minutes ago, RickOShea said:

It's rocco's responsibility to give players the chance to excel.  His line up selection, bullpen management, in game strategy are at his control. But he can only put forth opportunity.  Only players can pull the trigger, so to speak.  If Rocco can't strategize, he should go.  If the player can't perform, they should go or at least sit.  Very hard to do one without the other.

Think of it as playing musical chairs. Falvey chooses the participants, rocco plays the music, and the players find or battle their way to a chair.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Didn't want to post during a losing streak, but the Royals were not in the vein today.  After 24 games it is fair to conclude that offensive production is decidedly up since the player meeting on 29 June.

• Runs per game - Up from just under 4.2 to just under 5.3 🙂 🙂 🙂
• Batting average - Impressive 30 basis point gain  🙂 🙂 🙂
• OBP - Somewhat less-impressive, but notable gain  🙂 🙂
• Even the increase in sacrifice flies is something to smile about  🙂

Strikeout rate is an area of disappointment.  At times, it has seemed as if the lineup cured themselves of some bad habits, but then the counts would spike again, and as of today they're right back to a noxious league leading 27% of plate appearances.  Suppose it's always good to have room for improvement.  ☹️☹️

It's fair to say that over the past four games it's the pitching that has been the biggest letdown, as runs allowed are much greater than where they've been for most of the season, and there's only an 8-run gap between R and ER.
With 56 games to go and a pretty rosy schedule, it's reasonable to bet on a Central Division championship (however tarnished). Bound to be a few thorns along the way, though.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

On 7/29/2023 at 11:04 PM, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Didn't want to post during a losing streak, but the Royals were not in the vein today.  After 24 games it is fair to conclude that offensive production is decidedly up since the player meeting on 29 June.

• Runs per game - Up from just under 4.2 to just under 5.3 🙂 🙂 🙂
• Batting average - Impressive 30 basis point gain  🙂 🙂 🙂
• OBP - Somewhat less-impressive, but notable gain  🙂 🙂
• Even the increase in sacrifice flies is something to smile about  🙂

Strikeout rate is an area of disappointment.  At times, it has seemed as if the lineup cured themselves of some bad habits, but then the counts would spike again, and as of today they're right back to a noxious league leading 27% of plate appearances.  Suppose it's always good to have room for improvement.  ☹️☹️

It's fair to say that over the past four games it's the pitching that has been the biggest letdown, as runs allowed are much greater than where they've been for most of the season, and there's only an 8-run gap between R and ER.
With 56 games to go and a pretty rosy schedule, it's reasonable to bet on a Central Division championship (however tarnished). Bound to be a few thorns along the way, though.

This is great - except they just got swept by one of the worst teams in all of baseball. Like, ever.

A new season did not begin.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

3 minutes ago, SpicyGarvSauce said:

except they just got swept by one of the worst teams in all of baseball

True, But every club gets swept a few times a season, and sometimes very unexpectedly.  We cannot judge a _whole_ season by three games, nor even by 25 games. Offensively, however, something is clearly different.  There is much more fun to be had in the 55 remaining games before we know if we're playoff bound or a bust.  Enjoy the ride.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

17 minutes ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

True, But every club gets swept a few times a season, and sometimes very unexpectedly.  We cannot judge a _whole_ season by three games, nor even by 25 games. Offensively, however, something is clearly different.  There is much more fun to be had in the 55 remaining games before we know if we're playoff bound or a bust.  Enjoy the ride.

I am judging this team by the 100+ games they've already played.

They're not good.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

2 minutes ago, SpicyGarvSauce said:

They're not good.

Good enough to likely win the Division.  Stick around, see how they take it from here.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Twenty eight days and 25 games later, the numbers haven't changed all that much.

• Runs per game just over 5
• Team batting average and on-base improvements at the same level as a month ago
• No improvement in strikeout rate

In short, there has been a significant incremental improvement in offensive output, with some latent weaknesses still unaddressed. Objectively, there has been a positive change that is reflected in the win-loss record, but it would be a stretch to say we've been in a new season since 30 June.

What we can say is that the Twins are holding their own, giving somewhat better than they get, and the possibility of at least two post-season home games is increasing by the day.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

The bats although statistically not showing it do seem to be better.  The last 5-6 games show even more improvement.  The question is it due to poor relief pitching by Texas.  The ball also seemed to be flying out.  I do think a couple of the young players specifically Lewis and Wallner are seeming to be a bit more clutch than our vets have been during the season other than Jeffers.  I hope the offense continues to improve.  

[Muppet]

To my eyes, this team looks significantly different than it did back before they had that team meeting. Just a note on the average 5 runs per game, it is the standard deviation that has changed. It has gotten smaller. It is much more likely now that they score between 4-6 runs per game than before when they'd score 10 one game, then 1 or 2 for the next two. Nearly the same avg runs per game, but much higher likelihood for more wins. 

But on the field, Kepler is killing it; Jeffers is doing great; Buxton's dead weight has been on the IL; Miranda and Larnach's bats have been replaced with Julien and Lewis. Gallo is sitting on the bench more; MAT has become  a power supply with an OPS of .889 in August. 

The starting pitching is still showing signs of brilliance. Joe Ryan had his time off to recover from the 8-9 blown games where he stunk do to injury, Kuechel is pairing well with Ober (if only Ober can keep the runs down), Few complaints with Madea, Grey, Lopez. 

The bullpen still stinks, but now we actually get to blame the losses on them. Before, it didn't matter how bad they stunk because there was no way the team could win with 1-2 runs per game. But I'm actually feeling better about the bullpen. I'm hoping a little more rest for Duran can fix him a bit. I'm thinking Jax is hopefully able to get some better luck back. Thielbar seems to have good numbers, even though whenever I tune in he's giving up runs. Winder has the ability to come out of nowhere and throw 4 scoreless innings. BUT soon we'll be able to have Ober and/or Madea or Ryan in the bullpen. And we might be getting back Brock Stewart. If we are able to bring back an injured bullpen piece and move a starter or two to the back end when it matters (i,e, the playoffs) then the front office essentially achieved what everyone hoped they'd do (add 2 mediocre+ bullpen pieces) without giving up a single prospect. Also a good thing Kepler and Pagan didn't get dumped. 

All of this is happening against some of the better (not best) teams in the league. They're beating teams like Seattle, Texas, Arizona, Philadelphia and having competitive losses against other good teams rather than always getting blown away. 

Call me crazy, but I'm thinking this team not only looks better than the first half team, but they have the depth and consistency that could (gulp) win a game or more in the post season. This team is.... good!

[Craig Arko]

The new season starts on Sept. 23rd.

[Muppet]

On 8/1/2023 at 10:10 AM, SpicyGarvSauce said:

I am judging this team by the 100+ games they've already played.

They're not good.

Then you’ve missed the point. They are a different team in the past 50 games than the first 50. (Roughly speaking ) 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

10 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

The bats although statistically not showing it do seem to be better.

Statistically, the Twins are hitting and getting on base at a much more frequent clip than before.  With today's win against the Guardians in the books, BA (.257) over last 50 games is 26 bps higher than it was after 82 games on 29 June.  Likewise, OBP (.321) is up 14 bps.

[GusGus11]

Ive said it on other threads once Kirilloff and even Buxton(assuming hes not just clogging DH to not hit) get back we will have one of the deeper lineups in the playoffs, at least on the AL side.

With Pablo and Sonny plus our lineup that will give us a good chance. Have to duck and pray a bit with the bullpen and any starter after those two though.

[MABB1959]

It is fun to see the new guys coming up and being successful!  Many of us have been clamoring for it all year.  A week ago we had like 2 players with a BA above .250 so looking good there.  Lewis may be the new leader of the team, Kepler has improved.  Cleveland's line up looks similar.   

Battle of the Managers now?  Francona v Baldelli?  

 

 

 

[SoDakTwinsFan]

Hopefully the manager is taking notes so when everyone comes back to full strength he doesn't trot out the same lineup in July as he is doing now.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Results after Game 142. Numbers are now speaking for themselves.

 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Here's what the numbers say on the day the Twins clinch the American League Central Division championship at game 174.  They are eleven games over .500 since the 2 - 6 Game 81 loss at Atlanta, when their record was 40 - 41.  Probably not the greatest second half improvement in the majors (someone else can look that up), but a vast improvement from where they started.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

6 hours ago, VivaBomboRivera! said:

Here's what the numbers say on the day the Twins clinch the American League Central Division championship at game 174.  They are eleven games over .500 since the 2 - 6 Game 81 loss at Atlanta, when their record was 40 - 41.  Probably not the greatest second half improvement in the majors (someone else can look that up), but a vast improvement from where they started.

Most definitely a huge improvement.  It took a not quite .500 team and let them play at a 94.5 win pace in the second half.  So glad they figured it out!   Now to keep it going for the playoffs!