Twins 8, Guardians 3: Vazquez and Twins Deliver Early and Late to Defeat Guardians

[IaBeanCounter]

3 hours ago, UK Twin said:

True, but we need to make up 5.5 games on them. We'd probably need to go 17-6 to give ourselves a chance. Not out of the question but too much of an ask IMO.

For a fan, it's never too much to ask.  Will it happen, probably not.  That is what makes baseball so interesting.  On August 31, the Twins were 8 games behind in the loss column, 5 games later they are 5 back.  Today and the next homestand will decide whether or not it is possible to be the 2 seed.

[chinmusic]

Twins now 8-4 in this much anticipated 13 game stretch vs Texas and Cleveland !

How awesome is that?

[Peter]

Key moment was 6th inning when gray got out of jam with runners on first and third. Huge strike out and fly out! With runners in scoring position looked liked it was going to bite twins but 5 run 8th inning was huge!!! Big series win-now let’s get sweep and finish off Cleveland/division! 

[stringer bell]

I think it's worth mentioning that BBRef now gives the Twins a 99.2% of making the post-season. ESPN say 98.9%. 

[wabene]

35 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

The Twins will have to do it without their best guys in the end. Correa and anyone kind of injured will get plenty of rest. We will see a lot of Keuchel and the back end of the Twins bullpen once we have clinched, probably even rotating guys to and from St. Paul to eat up innings.

I hope you are right. This is why today's game is so important.

I know this is ridiculous if you really want to win it all, but I don't want the second seed. I want 3 games at home against the worst wildcard. This gives us the best chance of breaking the streak. Of course winning it all is the ultimate, but that steak has to go or it will be doomsville, lol. 

[Karbo]

11 hours ago, CoastiePilot08 said:

Smells like a division title is imminent 

Magic number 17. A win Wed. would drop it to 14 due to tie breaker.

[insagt1]

Was getting concerned that all those runners at 3rd with one out weren't being brought it because of the Twins propensity to k a whole bunch.

But its not how you start, its how you finish and they found a way as they kept making opportunities. Think of the gravity of this series. A potential 6 game swing...where we could leave with an 8 game lead or a 2 game lead. That's pretty major. As it now stands, the worst would be a 6 game lead, and you have to think it would be pretty tough to blow that big of a lead this late....not unprecedented but highly unlikely.

I'm much happier watching Correa line RBI singles than hitting into DP's!

When AK returns, yeah, they need to remove Gallo. Found it pretty hilarious that he finally hits a HR...off a catcher throwing meatballs! But facing major league pitching, he's lost at sea with no one to rescue. I think his career is over....like Sano, who wants a guy who basically can't make contact anymore,,,and it has gone on for several seasons.

[Old Twins Cap]

Everyone on Twins Daily wants Gallo to be gone, but I don't think it will happen.

Gallo is a veteran and a hell of a good teammate.    He's been there all season, working hard, struggling for sure -- but he's been there, in the clubhouse, on the bus, on the plane, saying all the right things, apparently never getting down, not on himself, not on his teammates, not on enjoying the moment.

You don't cut someone like that loose right at the end;  it's bad karma.  Twins lose a game, lose a series, lose in the playoffs, they will do it with Joey.  For better or worse.

 

[saviking]

11 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

I'm not a member of the Rocco fan club, but I thought his decision to let Gray work out of that jam in the 6th was the turning point. Gray showed a real fighters mentality and that the Twins were gonna battle to the end no matter what. 

I'm also pleased he seems to finally have somewhat close to batting slots in the lineup for players instead of his usual helter shelter approach. Just the fact he has a set leadoff man when Julien starts is a big improvement..

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

If your calling Francona a quitter, I strongly disagree.

No. I'm saying trying to win is a lot more fun than selling at the deadline.

[madtowntwin]

Playing Devil's Advocate here...There has been all this angst about Sonny Gray being gone after this season. Much of the speculation has resulted from perceived or projected friction between he and his manager.  After watching the respectful meeting on the mound last night between two competitors, I saw a manager and pitcher focused on winning. Obviously one individual has the reigns 162 games a year and has had ups and downs within that role. As has the one behind the wheel every 5 days. Both are league savvy and have an understanding based on experience and performance of what winning looks like. It was just a snapshot moment captured in midst of a long season, but I sensed no discord. Baldelli made that trip to the mound himself. What if Sonny's early season retirement comments were centered on the here & now. What if he truly has enjoyed his "Twin's Experience" and caught in a reflective moment - Expressed his satisfaction. Contentment in the present and reluctance to move himself and family around after another off season. I'm not naive...Obviously his performance has earned him a nice potential payday.  But what if he was saying - "Make me an offer, This Twins Uniform feels nice - Even if I'm ritualistically adjusting it all the time." Hmmmmm.....

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Karbo said:

Magic number 17. A win Wed. would drop it to 14 due to tie breaker.

A win today means they would be expected to clinch in Chicago instead of Cincinnati.

[Beast]

Nothing is more satisfying as a fan than to see the guys Cleveland claimed, likely just to block them from the Twins, contribute to both of their losses.

That’s what’s it’s come to for Cleveland as an organization.  They absolutely stink, so all they can do is try to play spoiler for others.

[jorgenswest]

Sometime Sonny gets caught in the emotion of the moment. I think he can look back on this season where he…

• stayed healthy all year
• threw more innings than he has since 2015
• made his third all star game and first since 2019
• led or among league leader in ERA

… and appreciate how the Twins and their use of him put him in a position to get a big contract in free agency at age 34.

[David Maro]

Don't forget Willi!! He is the straw that stirs the drink. His double down the 3rd baseline made the 5 run possible. Also made the big catch in left. I know it looked like he misread the ball,but he still made the catch. As for Straw,he give a gift by not pulling up on Solano's hit. 

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, Old Twins Cap said:

Everyone on Twins Daily wants Gallo to be gone, but I don't think it will happen.

Gallo is a veteran and a hell of a good teammate.    He's been there all season, working hard, struggling for sure -- but he's been there, in the clubhouse, on the bus, on the plane, saying all the right things, apparently never getting down, not on himself, not on his teammates, not on enjoying the moment.

You don't cut someone like that loose right at the end;  it's bad karma.  Twins lose a game, lose a series, lose in the playoffs, they will do it with Joey.  For better or worse.

 

Needed his flexibility & still do until Kirilloff comes back. Room now for him with expanded roster. I agree on the Clubhouse Karma slant - exactly right. I honestly think we’ll carry 11 pitchers and 15 position players in October. Still don’t see Joey being rostered. He may be dressed & around the dugout but I don’t see him being rostered!!

[insagt1]

its always tough to see a 'decent guy' perform so badly. The poster's comments about him are probably pretty accurate. But if Twins get thru the next 22 games unscathed, I doubt they put him on post season roster...assuming AK is back and Taylor can also play.