Game Thread: Twins (Maeda) v Guardians (Curry), 8/28/23 @ 6:40 CT

[Sutter50]

6 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

Mind blowing that this wasnt done right away when he was hurt. Could have had Funderburk up here a week ago.

But whatever, glad to have him now.

 

2 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

It doesn't matter if it's 105 mph. All that means is he's out by 20 feet instead of 10

Not mind blowing  , Balazovic was called up when Ortega was placed on the 15 day

[Mike Sixel]

At least they're experimenting with RPs..... So that's good. 

[GusGus11]

Also, really good chance see Funderburk right away tonight.

Guardians have a lot of lefties/switch at the top and Thielbar may be fully unavailable with his usage lately

[SD happy]

I bet that was a tough conversation. I know Ober was upset when he was sent down before the start of season. Good to get another lefty up. Cleveland has been very vulnerable to lefty’s this year.

[Sutter50]

Just now, GusGus11 said:

Correct. Balazvovic the guy who stinks and was just sent down 3 days prior. Could have just 60 day'd Ortega then and brought up a good reliever we actually intend to use.

Balazvoic was a warm body until Ryan got the recall. Mind blowing decision.

Is there some sort of guarantee that Funderburk won't stink? Balazovic is a rookie getting his feet wet, he has had his ups and downs. I expect Funderburk will has his ups and downs as well.

[IndianaTwin]

2 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

Correct. Balazvovic the guy who stinks and was just sent down 3 days prior. Could have just 60 day'd Ortega then and brought up a good reliever we actually intend to use.

Balazvoic was a warm body until Ryan got the recall. Mind blowing decision.

I’m guessing Funderburk getting called up had more to do with Ober struggling recently (including yesterday) and the bullpen getting depleted yesterday than it did with whether Ortega was going on the 15 or 60 day IL. 

[SwainZag]

5 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

I do believe the Twins record is nearly identical to where it was last year at this time. If Rocco can't steer this bus across the finish line in 1st place then he might be treading water

The roster is in 100% better shape than it was this time last season..... thankfully.

Late August last season Jake Cave, Gilberto Celestino and  Sandy Leon were getting regular ABs.

Caleb and Billy Hamilton were on the roster and Aaron Sanchez, Chris Archer and Dylan Bundy were all in the rotation. 

If they finish anything near like they did last year, something seriously probably has to go wrong. 

 

 

[CRF]

No doubt Ober's been struggling, but it's still kind of surprising.

[GusGus11]

1 minute ago, Sutter50 said:

Is there some sort of guarantee that Funderburk won't stink? Balazovic is a rookie getting his feet wet, he has had his ups and downs. I expect Funderburk will has his ups and downs as well.

What are you even talking about? You arguing for the sake of aruging?

Uhh no there no guarantee that FUnderburk wont stink. That isnt the point, there is no guarantee that Mike Trout wont stink as well. Sound logic.

The point is currently Balazovic has stunk. Up here in MLB and in AAA. Hes been bad at both levels. He was so bad up here that we had just sent him down 2 games prior to his recall. So yeah, it was puzzling we didnt go to Funderburk last week when Oretga got hurt and delayed his 60 day IL when it was a move that always could have been made

You saying Funderburk could stink is shockingly irrelevant to the point.

[Sutter50]

Just now, CRF said:

No doubt Ober's been struggling, but it's still kind of surprising.

It's a good way to get him some rest without the injured list

[wabene]

I'm really glad to see Funderburk getting a chance. There have been many relievers performing well in the high minors for the Twins during this regime that never got the chance. And yes they were then lost, only to go on and get chances elsewhere. This will be fun to watch! 

[Jocko87]

16 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

It doesn't matter if it's 105 mph. All that means is he's out by 20 feet instead of 10

It does matter, if it was 105 it would be a magic trick.  As it is, it’s a bit unlucky. 

[Sutter50]

2 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

What are you even talking about? You arguing for the sake of aruging?

Uhh no there no guarantee that FUnderburk wont stink. That isnt the point, there is no guarantee that Mike Trout wont stink as well. Sound logic.

The point is currently Balazovic has stunk. Up here in MLB and in AAA. Hes been bad at both levels. He was so bad up here that we had just sent him down 2 games prior to his recall. So yeah, it was puzzling we didnt go to Funderburk last week when Oretga got hurt and delayed his 60 day IL when it was a move that always could have been made

You saying Funderburk could stink is shockingly irrelevant to the point.

Just temper your expectations, you act like he will be the bullpen savior. He may well be or not. A lot of people had high hopes for Balazovic and now he "stinks"

[stringer bell]

14 minutes ago, SD happy said:

I bet that was a tough conversation. I know Ober was upset when he was sent down before the start of season. Good to get another lefty up. Cleveland has been very vulnerable to lefty’s this year.

Yes, it isn't fair to Ober, but the team will get a chance to save innings from him. If he pitches at all for the Saints, I would guess it would be 3-4 innings in each game. If someone gets hurt they can recall him and he could be added back to the roster any time in mid-September.

The Ortega move isn't a screw-up, it is just that the bullpen is short due to having one less member and they've been used a lot due to short starts and extra inning games. This is probably the end of the line for Ortega as a Twin. I doubt they will keep him on the 40-man this winter. The fact is that his chances of pitching after a 15 day stint on the IL were pretty small with all the other pitchers ready to return from injuries. 

As mentioned, Cleveland is vulnerable to lefties and has been for years. I would not be surprised to see him pitch tonight. If I'm going to be critical, the usage of Winder and Sands is puzzling really puts more pressure on everyone else in the bullpen.

Edit to add:  They can't add Balazovic back right now unless there was someone placed on the IL. Before Ober struggled again and Keuchel put up two straight good (to great) outings, they could have gone other ways. 

[Nine of twelve]

1 hour ago, MABB1959 said:

The upcoming games against Cleveland should be Rocco’s make or break it games. If he can sweep both series it will be huge.  If they tie or lose he should be shown the door 

If we split the 6 games we’ll be in a much better position than we are in now. 

[mrtwinsfan]

Roy Smalley,    its like Punishment  after Perkins , time to switch over,,   Go Twins

[GusGus11]

Just now, Sutter50 said:

Just temper your expectations, you act like he will be the bullpen savior. He may well be or not. A lot of people had high hopes for Balazovic and now he "stinks"

Correct, but Fundburk unlike Balazvoic has great AAA numbers as well worthy of a recall. Bala didnt.

Also hes a lefty which we badly need rather than trying Moran and Headrick for the 5th time each.

He absolutely might not do well or take some time to develop. Im just glad to give a chance to a guy who has deserved it for a month in a spot where we really need him(mid relief and lefty)

[Jocko87]

4 minutes ago, Sutter50 said:

It's a good way to get him some rest without the injured list

But he’s probably not injured so this the move, esp since he’s been optioned already this year.  Like Stringer says, my first thought was that he doesn’t pitch for 10 days.  

[SwainZag]

9 pitch inning, gotta love that.

[GusGus11]

Great inning for Maeda

Lets get early runs

[Schmoeman5]

Just now, Jocko87 said:

It does matter, if it was 105 it would be a magic trick.  As it is, it’s a bit unlucky. 

So how unlucky? 5 times.  Still means he's grounded into 21 instead of 26. When Correa is going good he hits to all fields. When he's on dead pull those outside pitches turn into ground ball outs.

[Parfigliano]

42 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Average exit velo on the double plays for Correa is 95.0 mph. The mean is calling.

That would be sweet.  Correa turns into the $33 million man starting today to and through playoffs

[rwilfong86]

I would love to see the Twins sweep and bury the Guardians but a series win is also good

[Sutter50]

3 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

Correct, but Fundburk unlike Balazvoic has great AAA numbers as well worthy of a recall. Bala didnt.

Also hes a lefty which we badly need rather than trying Moran and Headrick for the 5th time each.

He absolutely might not do well or take some time to develop. Im just glad to give a chance to a guy who has deserved it for a month in a spot where we really need him(mid relief and lefty)

I agree, I have nothing against Funderburk I hope he does well. 

[Nine of twelve]

16 minutes ago, SD happy said:

I bet that was a tough conversation. I know Ober was upset when he was sent down before the start of season. Good to get another lefty up. Cleveland has been very vulnerable to lefty’s this year.

Actually probably an easy conversation. I think he’ll only be away for one skipped start. He’ll be back in the rotation in 10 days or so. 

[CRF]

5 minutes ago, mrtwinsfan said:

Roy Smalley,    its like Punishment  after Perkins , time to switch over,,   Go Twins

Yep, Smalley needs to be sent down too. 

[Squirrel]

14 minutes ago, GusGus11 said:

What are you even talking about? You arguing for the sake of aruging?

Uhh no there no guarantee that FUnderburk wont stink. That isnt the point, there is no guarantee that Mike Trout wont stink as well. Sound logic.

The point is currently Balazovic has stunk. Up here in MLB and in AAA. Hes been bad at both levels. He was so bad up here that we had just sent him down 2 games prior to his recall. So yeah, it was puzzling we didnt go to Funderburk last week when Oretga got hurt and delayed his 60 day IL when it was a move that always could have been made

You saying Funderburk could stink is shockingly irrelevant to the point.

Stop it. If you can’t rebut posts respectfully, don’t post.

[Parfigliano]

17 minutes ago, SwainZag said:

The roster is in 100% better shape than it was this time last season..... thankfully.

Late August last season Jake Cave, Gilberto Celestino and  Sandy Leon were getting regular ABs.

Caleb and Billy Hamilton were on the roster and Aaron Sanchez, Chris Archer and Dylan Bundy were all in the rotation. 

If they finish anything near like they did last year, something seriously probably has to go wrong. 

 

 

Just had to remind me of Sandy Leon

[mrtwinsfan]

Carlos Kepler !!

[Schmoeman5]

3 minutes ago, CRF said:

Yep, Smalley needs to be sent down too. 

Didn't he just get recalled? He's been off for a while