Twins 10, White Sox 2: Royce Lewis Hits a Grand Slam, Water Remains Wet

[AceWrigley]

11 hours ago, darwin22 said:

Only 2 games with 2 important games to follow.

Saying that, it sure would've been interesting to hear ol Hawk Harrelson's in game comments over the last 2 nights.  

Nothing I can think of that would've had the old Hawkero blaming the umpiring crew for the lethargic play of the Sox.  

You can put it on the board.

[joefish]

Please, no Buxton recall. Let him rest until he is 100%

[Jeff K]

12 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

Hopefully Lewis, Kirilloff, Jeffers, and Lee will be the Puckett, Gaetti, Hrbek, and Brunansky core for years of success to come. 

If all goes well, Correa and Buck will be welcomed icing, but not the cake going forward..... 

I think you nailed it.  The 4 guys you mentioned plus several on the farm are what this team should continue to build around.  The Twins are no longer dependent upon Correa and Buxton performing as all-stars...although wouldn't that be a tasty icing on the cake that you mentioned.

[Dantes929]

13 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Lewis has more career grand slams than Derek Jeter and Al Kaline. 

Combined. 

Jeter only had one but no need to be embarrassed.   Nick Punto only had one also.

[stringer bell]

Don't know where to put this, but I'll put it in last night's game recap--LaTroy Hawkins was all over Alan Porter's strike zone last night, but it came in as solidly above average by Umpire Scorecard. I think this is a good example of the "TV Box" not being the most accurate guide to what is or is not a strike.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

To anyone who wants to refer to Lewis' accomplishments this season as a Small Sample Size, consider this:  That's the whole point!  In exactly 1/3 of a season, he has 4 grand slams, 14 home runs, 50 runs batted in, and 6 stolen bases.  And he's a rookie.  Whether or not you think 54 games is a SSS, those are still damn impressive numbers.

The bullpen (despite the complaints of many) appears to be a strength heading into the playoffs.  With Gray, Lopez, and Ryan as three sure starters, that leaves Duran, Jax, Thielbar, Pagan, Varland, Ober, and Maeda (and maybe Paddock and Stewart) available for bullpen duties.  If an occasional fourth starter is needed, the Twins have Ober, Varland, Maeda, and possibly Keuchel to choose from.  That might be a better selection of arms than any trade deadline acquisitions might have created - and without any reduction of minor league assets.

After Cleveland sold at the deadline it made perfect sense for the FO to just stay put with players - let guys heal - win the Division with whatever record compiled. No reason to make trades for relief help to try & win Division by 5 more games.

Cleveland had dumped Civale - Josh Bell & McKenzie/Bieber were already out until late September on IL. They were toast!

Stewart was/is a bonus “maybe” in October ……the 4 core guys would/should be available……1 starter for sure will be in Pen……..Varland in Pen…….. Funderburk in Pen……….may only go with 7 relievers & 4 starters to get a 15th bat.

Wouldnt be surprised if Ober isn’t rostered in first series.

Kuechel is an option as well from Pen in a longer series. Doubt he’ll be rostered in the 3 game series with Wildcard.

[JD-TWINS]

55 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Don't know where to put this, but I'll put it in last night's game recap--LaTroy Hawkins was all over Alan Porter's strike zone last night, but it came in as solidly above average by Umpire Scorecard. I think this is a good example of the "TV Box" not being the most accurate guide to what is or is not a strike.

I watch 90% of the games on MLB and I didn’t think the zone was a problem at all last night. Always a couple low pitches are called as they are moving downward - usually some outside corner pitches, that are wide, will get called as the ump is set-up on other side of catcher/plate. Nothing glaring or repetitively bad last night.

[NotAboutWinning]

3 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Pretty soon teams will just give Royce a bases-loaded intentional walk.

Ok stats gurus... how many IBB have ever been given with bases loaded?

[chinmusic]

28 minutes ago, NotAboutWinning said:

Ok stats gurus... how many IBB have ever been given with bases loaded?

I don't know. But I'd look to Barry Bonds at his peak. To me, even more remarkable, is an intentional walk with no one on base! Again, Bonds.

Royce Lewis. Wow. Major role in making Twins baseball so much fun now, and for the next 2 weeks and beyond. Keep doing what you do, and please stay healthy.

Pardon my digression here, but I only realized yesterday, I think, that the Mariners and Rangers have 7 games left against each other, including the final 4 of the season.  How cool is that. Couldn't have scripted it better for the Twins (and the Blue Jays)

[USAFChief]

25 minutes ago, NotAboutWinning said:

Ok stats gurus... how many IBB have ever been given with bases loaded?

According to this article, 8.

https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/heres-how-rare-angels-bases-loaded-intentional-walk-of-corey-seager-was/323129/

[Schmoeman5]

17 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Lewis with five grand slams in his first 16 homers. 

Hank Aaron hit his fifth grand slam on his 266th homer. 

 

17 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

17 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Lewis has more career grand slams than Derek Jeter and Al Kaline. 

Combined. 

 

That's some pretty lofty company you're putting Lewis in. Kaline won a batting title at 20. Jeter was 22 when he helped the Yankees to a WS championship.  Hank Aaron was Hank Aaron. Lewis is probably way ahead of Babe Ruth too. Since Ruth mostly pitched his first 5 years.  It's nice to see Lewis and what he's been doing. But easy on the comparisons. Hell TD knocked him down to the #2 prospect to start the year

[Hashim]

On 9/15/2023 at 11:11 PM, waltomeal said:

Pretenders.

A hallfamer (Al Kaline) and the most overrated player in sports history. Nice. 

[USAFChief]

33 minutes ago, Hashim said:

A hallfamer (Al Kaline) and the most overrated player in sports history. Nice. 

LOL.

That's...not very insightful.

20 years, over 3400 hits, lifetime .310/.377/.440. Top10 in MVP voting 8 times. Still playing a solid shortstop through his last day.

Jeter is, if anything, UNDERrated.