Mariners 7, Twins 6: Sonny Gray Boils Down

[Dave Borton]

6 hours ago, John Belinski said:

It just does not make any sense to bat Buxton in 3 spot! ...

Don't worry, you won't have to bear it tonite. He has been replaced by Wallner at DH: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/twins-vs-mariners/2023/07/18/717350/preview

[JYTwinsFan]

Because the Twins had a bad first half compared to their potential and the weak division, they've essentially used up all of their wiggle room. So no one at this stage deserves the benefit of the doubt to "work things out" on the field of play. This is essentially what they are rolling out every day:

• A fourth outfielder defensive replacement/specialist in right (Kepler)
• A 2 true outcomes lower third of the order hitter in left (should be right, but because of Kepler) (Gallo)
• A DH who can't hit...I mean can't make contact...batting 2-4 in the lineup every night (Buxton)
• A 4th outfielder defensive specialist starting in centerfield every night (Taylor)

4/9 of the day to day lineup consistently batting near .200 BA / .300 or below OBP / .700 or below OPS. And when one of them needs a break...Willi Castro plays in the OF who is same or worse.

You accept that a lineup will have one or maybe two of these kinds of guys somewhat regularly in a lineup in today's game (e.g. Vasquez at catcher), but when your entire outfield + DH...all positions where you should be getting the opposite of this output...

My argument on the margins can be debated...but generally, this is nuts to be rolling this out every day in the way that it is.

 

[JYTwinsFan]

8 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

I don't necessarily think Buxton's hurt. I think he's so far inside his head right now and he can't figure it out. If he's looking for Popkins for help, that's not going to do a whole lot.

I agree. If he's hurt, then this is really bad managing because his output doesn't justify him being out there hurt. Secondly, he just looks absolutely lost. It's nearing a repeat of Sano-level lost. Chases everything. Can't hit fastballs down the middle. Constantly pitch guessing (incorrectly) on third strikes instead of reacting. He has some of the fastest hands in baseball. He should be able to react at an above average rate.

I feel for him. I love him as a player and a human. I want him to figure it out for his benefit and ours. I won't stop rooting for him. But batting him 2-4 consistently and occupying the DH spot is inane at this stage in the season and given what is at stake.

On the flip side I do NOT think he should play center (unless that does magically unlock his hitting ability). Save him for the playoff run, then stick him in center for Oct. But make adjustments to the lineup now to get to the playoff run...obviously :)

[wabene]

2 hours ago, davidborton said:

Don't worry, you won't have to bear it tonite. He has been replaced by Wallner at DH: https://www.mlb.com/gameday/twins-vs-mariners/2023/07/18/717350/preview

And I doubted them, lol

[jkcarew]

12 hours ago, Einheri said:

Byron, Byron, Bux, please, go on the IL and get yourself healthy.  Twins will need you hitting and not fighting a lingering injury if they reach the post season.

He’s not hurt (beyond the knee maintenance thing)…confirmed today by Falvey in an interview with Chad Hartman on WCCO radio.

[JD-TWINS]

5 hours ago, David Maro said:

The question to ask is if Ober or Varland started throwing pitches feet out of the strike zone would Rocco go get them. Jeffers looked more like a hockey goalie than a catcher. At this time Gray looks OK for 50-60 pitches. If the SP keep looking this bad the team is lost. Hopefully Ober does his thing tonight and they win.

Last outing it was the 2nd inning & then he was fine through the 6th. Just gets waaay too fine and his waste pitches are worthless…….starts the ball 14” off the ground and it travels 56 feet and hits at front of batter’s box. I’d say 1/3 of his pitches were sliders outside & half of those were bounced……over a dozen balls bounced. Can’t routinely get ahead and then throw 2 of next 3 pitches wide in the dirt……there’s no way a hitter is going to offer at a pitch that never sniffs the zone out of his hand!!!

Then you hang a couple curveballs in the zone and you’re down 2 runs in 10 minutes.

Last game he walked guys and gave up 5 singles……4 were soft grounders or flares….all in one inning. I think 6 runs in the 2nd - right? At any rate it was as ugly as last night.

4.35 ERA since May 1. His stuff is too good for that to be the case. Needs to change his approach when ahead with hitters….,can’t just waste 2 pitches in nearly every AB!