Twins 5, Royals 0: López Looks Phenomenal, Twins Complete the Sweep

[UK Twin]

31 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Lopez did what he should do against a horrible team. My God, Kansas City looks worse than Oakland. That doesn't take away from the fact that Lopez was outstanding, but if we played Kansas City all year, we'd be 150 and 12. So let's take our victories and being over 500 and change the way we approach the better teams that are coming up. 

I will also say that Jeffers has taken over as number one catcher. Both defense and offense make him the choice for the majority of games as I see it.

And Julien is really settling in and looks like a tremendous asset. With Lewis down it is nice to have this young player join Kiriloff.  

Now if only Miranda can discover his bat so we can have three productive young players in the lineup. 

Our record against teams over .500 is 22-27. 6 of those losses came against a red hot Braves team and the Rays. The two best teams in baseball and both series on the road. So that's 22-21 against the Yankees, Astros, Orioles, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Angels. Marlins, Dodgers, Giants and Brewers. Plus we won the home series against the Padres. I don't think we've done badly against the better teams. The simple fact is these teams will punish you if you don't score runs. But we don't need to change our whole approach to playing these sides. 

[TwinsDr2021]

42 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

Lopez was brilliant. Really fun to watch, he was pitching so well. With a nice lead and no more starts before the all-star break it made total sense to let him go for the shutout, especially after a pretty quick 8th. Didn't expect him to get through the 9th that quickly,

And that is why it is OK, to let a good starter go out another inning when they are pitching great. He took 6 pitches to get though the 9th.

[umterp23]

Lopez/Jeffers were in sync resulting in CG.  The shutout was icing on the cake with some nice plays in the field.  Jeffers sure has held his own from the catching side of things, calling really good games and bringing some offense to the table.  

Keep hearing Buxton isn't healthy to play CF, but looks like fine scoring/run from 1st on bloop double dine the line to RF.  Sure wish FO and Rocco can explain why he isn't healthy to play some defense.  Let's hope coming out of the break we see a full Buxton vs 25% version we get at DH

[chinmusic]

55 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Lopez did what he should do against a horrible team.

That's it?  It was an unparalleled pitching masterpiece. He was brilliant!!

[Peter]

Even though it’s royals this is huge!!! 2 game lead in division/complete game shutout!!! I think Atlanta series/players only meeting and Rocco going off of twins is season changing turning point!!! Let’s win series against Baltimore/go into break on winning note!!

[stringer bell]

López was outstanding. I would rate his performance a tick behind Joe Ryan's shutout last month, just because he beat a last place team and he really didn't need to save the bullpen, as Ryan did. 

Having three really good starters in their late 20s (López, Ryan, Ober) bodes well for the future of Twins Baseball.

[Squirrel]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

López was outstanding. I would rate his performance a tick behind Joe Ryan's shutout last month, just because he beat a last place team and he really didn't need to save the bullpen, as Ryan did. 

Having three really good starters in their late 20s (López, Ryan, Ober) bodes well for the future of Twins Baseball.

I have hopes for Paddack next season so that’s four 

[Whitey333]

Thank you Royals.  You were just what the Twins needed.  After the all star break we will get Oakland. Great chance to take 2 of 3 from Baltimore this weekend d then build on the win ING ways right after the all star game break.  It's so hard to measure a team like the Twins when you sweep the Royals.  On one hand you did what you should do against poor teams like KC that are just mailing it in day to day.  Building up stats against poor teams can mask deficien its.  But Twins did great.  Keep this in mind.  Twins are 9-1 against the Royals and 35-42 against all opponents not named the Royals.  It's time to keep this streak going and put some distance between us and the rest of the division.  Go Twins.

[OvertheHill]

27 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

 Keep hearing Buxton isn't healthy to play CF, but looks like fine scoring/run from 1st on bloop double dine the line to RF.  Sure wish FO and Rocco can explain why he isn't healthy to play some defense.  Let's hope coming out of the break we see a full Buxton vs 25% version we get at DH

I've drawn the ire of some posters here by asking essentially the same question: if Buck can go all-out at the plate and on the bases, why is it not even a possibility of him getting in CF a game or two a week?

[VivaBomboRivera!]

19 minutes ago, OvertheHill said:

if Buck can go all-out at the plate and on the bases, why is it not even a possibility of him getting in CF a game or two a week?

Because outfielders sprint on nearly every batted ball.  Can we stop now?
The club says he is not in shape to play outfield. Why should that statement be suspect?

[Woof Bronzer]

1 hour ago, UK Twin said:

Our record against teams over .500 is 22-27. 6 of those losses came against a red hot Braves team and the Rays. The two best teams in baseball and both series on the road. So that's 22-21 against the Yankees, Astros, Orioles, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Angels. Marlins, Dodgers, Giants and Brewers. Plus we won the home series against the Padres. I don't think we've done badly against the better teams. The simple fact is these teams will punish you if you don't score runs. But we don't need to change our whole approach to playing these sides. 

The Twins are 36-42 against all non-Royals teams.  

[DJL44]

47 minutes ago, OvertheHill said:

I've drawn the ire of some posters here by asking essentially the same question

We're all tired of hearing people ask the same question over and over and not listening to the answer.

[umterp23]

5 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

We're all tired of hearing people ask the same question over and over and not listening to the answer.

Problem is the same answer is super vague.  Until he is fully healthy is not an answer. It is like the NFL/NHL player reports because they have to say something, lower body injury.

Sprinting on every single ball in play isn't really true for CF. 1st reaction to batted ball, I get.  I played CF and corner OF all through college and yes there is reaction time to batted ball but no one is sprinting on everytime, just doesn't happen.  

Buxton by not playing defense has a trickle down effect on the lineup.  Full buxton helps other parts of lineup and role players can be role players.  

[AlwaysinModeration]

6 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

ERA down from 4.41 to 3.89

Pablo and Arraez both trending under 4 now.

[DJL44]

8 minutes ago, umterp23 said:

Sprinting on every single ball in play isn't really true for CF. 1st reaction to batted ball, I get.  I played CF and corner OF all through college and yes there is reaction time to batted ball but no one is sprinting on everytime, just doesn't happen.  

How much time did you spend practicing defense every day? By not playing CF they are having Buxton avoid that time he spent practicing defense every day. He might be healthy enough to play CF for the length of a game but they would want him to practice defense every day in preparation for that. He's not healthy enough to spend the time every day practicing defense in CF.

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, SwainZag said:

Pablo was brilliant.   He pounded the zone all night long.  There was only a small handful of ABs that he didn't throw a first pitch strike, so refreshing to see.

I saw in the re-cap that he had 74 of 100 pitches for strikes, which is your point, but 25 …….1 of every 4 were called strikes. Gotta be moving the ball around & fooling guys with stuff around the black all night. Very impressive regardless of the competition!!

[LA Vikes Fan]

14 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

How much time did you spend practicing defense every day? By not playing CF they are having Buxton avoid that time he spent practicing defense every day. He might be healthy enough to play CF for the length of a game but they would want him to practice defense every day in preparation for that. He's not healthy enough to spend the time every day practicing defense in CF.

Agreed. I wonder if moving Buxton to LF would help? He can probably play LF without a lot of practice time. I'm not sure how much that helps the lineup since CF would still need to be a mix of MAT and Castro. Would open up the DH spot to rotate guys through, but still doesn't stop the real roster issue - we shouldn't have both Kepler and Gallo. One (this week my vote is Gallo) should go.  

[Mike Sixel]

2 hours ago, umterp23 said:

Lopez/Jeffers were in sync resulting in CG.  The shutout was icing on the cake with some nice plays in the field.  Jeffers sure has held his own from the catching side of things, calling really good games and bringing some offense to the table.  

Keep hearing Buxton isn't healthy to play CF, but looks like fine scoring/run from 1st on bloop double dine the line to RF.  Sure wish FO and Rocco can explain why he isn't healthy to play some defense.  Let's hope coming out of the break we see a full Buxton vs 25% version we get at DH

They have repeatedly said he's not healthy enough, what would change if they said it again? Do you think they don't want him out there? 

[Mike Sixel]

51 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

We're all tired of hearing people ask the same question over and over and not listening to the answer.

Right. Does anyone think they don't want him out there? 

[Squirrel]

Before this goes further, there are many threads and articles on TD to discuss Buxton. Please don’t turn this game recap into another Buxton discussion which comes up daily and always includes the same arguments. Whether we are suspicious or think he’s injured or is just not physically capable … disagreement is not drawing ire, but there is plenty of that on BOTH sides of this  … but this is all for discussion in another thread. Thank you.

[OvertheHill]

40 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Before this goes further, there are many threads and articles on TD to discuss Buxton. Please don’t turn this game recap into another Buxton discussion which comes up daily and always includes the same arguments. Whether we are suspicious or think he’s injured or is just not physically capable … disagreement is not drawing ire, but there is plenty of that on BOTH sides of this  … but this is all for discussion in another thread. Thank you.

Apologies for inadvertently fanning the flames. The game thread from yesterday's game should be a love fest. Plenty of season left to discuss/debate other topics.

[stringer bell]

29 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Luis who?  All kidding aside, nice CG shutout by Pablo.  Let's put into perspective though.  This was the Royals.

Also of note is that the Guardians play the next four against the Royals so lets see the Twins keep the pedal to the metal here.

They (the Royals) saved Jordan Lyles for the Guards (1-11 6.68 ERA). I guess they didn't want to be accused of helping the Twins.

[KirbyDome89]

30 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

They (the Royals) saved Jordan Lyles for the Guards (1-11 6.68 ERA). I guess they didn't want to be accused of helping the Twins.

Don't sell Greinke, Marsh, and Cox too short! 1-9 vs MN is about the max amount of help possible so far. 

[mikelink45]

5 hours ago, UK Twin said:

Our record against teams over .500 is 22-27. 6 of those losses came against a red hot Braves team and the Rays. The two best teams in baseball and both series on the road. So that's 22-21 against the Yankees, Astros, Orioles, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Angels. Marlins, Dodgers, Giants and Brewers. Plus we won the home series against the Padres. I don't think we've done badly against the better teams. The simple fact is these teams will punish you if you don't score runs. But we don't need to change our whole approach to playing these sides. 

I have to disagree. If we are a first place team and a playoff contender that is not a good enough record

[Blyleven2011]

A gem of a pitching performance  , truly dominated a poor royals team ...

Starting pitching is definitely our strengths this year unbelievablewe have seen 2 shutouts pitched in the same season ...

Hitting still has a ways to go , we'll see how it plays out against Baltimore   , we need to at least win the series at home  against a better team like Baltimore  ...

[RpR]

In reality a win, is a win, but the Twins are doing better, with hitting, than beating KC 2-0 as we did in the first two games this year.

[Major League Ready]

6 hours ago, Squirrel said:

I have hopes for Paddack next season so that’s four 

Glad you mentioned this because it's easy to forget about him.  He has a pretty high ceiling so it would be a nice boost if we got a couple years of him pitching to his capability.   Can we dare to dream he can help in September / October?

[chinmusic]

5 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

11 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

 

Pablo and Arraez both trending under 4 now.

Good one!😀 Wish I'd thought of it....

[tarheeltwinsfan]

7 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Lopez did what he should do against a horrible team. My God, Kansas City looks worse than Oakland. That doesn't take away from the fact that Lopez was outstanding, but if we played Kansas City all year, we'd be 150 and 12. So let's take our victories and being over 500 and change the way we approach the better teams that are coming up. 

I will also say that Jeffers has taken over as number one catcher. Both defense and offense make him the choice for the majority of games as I see it.

And Julien is really settling in and looks like a tremendous asset. With Lewis down it is nice to have this young player join Kiriloff.  

Now if only Miranda can discover his bat so we can have three productive young players in the lineup. 

Jeffers is a ball player. He can bunt.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I have to disagree. If we are a first place team and a playoff contender that is not a good enough record

If the Twins get in the playoffs, then this team is built to win due to superb starting pitching. Ryan, Gray and Ober/Lopez/Maeda would be a great starting 3 for a 7 game series. Because the Twins can use the remaining 2 in relief, plus Duran, Jax and Thielbar. If Stewart can come back and keep pitching like he has done so far for the Twins, the relief pitching will be good. But I keep feeling that just one more reliable relief pitcher, who always throws strikes,  is necessary. .