Make it Official! Twins 5, Rangers 3: We Have Lift Off from Kirilloff, Again

[JD-TWINS]

“Streakiness” seems to be a major concern. Gotta admit, losing 7 straight wasn’t great!

However, if they sprinkle in a couple losses in the 12 game winning streak, would that be better? Without that streak - probably not a topic at all - right?

The “level of competition” generating, or being responsible for the % of wins & losses, is another major concern. At beginning of season the HOPE was for a 90 win season - a win % of .555. As of this morning the Team is at .549%.

They lost to everyone early and started 7-13. At that point if anyone was asked “would it be cool to be at 28-23 by May 25th” (going 21-10) ………is there a pause and a response of…. “it depends who they beat, or it’s not valid”? Seriously doubt that.

They have 69% of their season left to ultimately prove if they are a top flight, competitive Team…….”winners” vs. many very good foes. In the meantime, seems odd to continually only look for flaws.

[TopGunn#22]

I've got to bring this up.  We've discussed this at times over the last couple of years.  But what is Watkins thinking sending Vasquez and then Santana on consecutive games and getting them thrown out at the plate by 20+ feet for out #3???

Kirilloff's blasts cover over the inexcusable decisions Watkins is making.  I can see sending Buxton, but Vasquez??  Zeke Duran has an absolute CANNON and his throw to the plate from LF gave Santana no chance whatsoever to score from 2B on a single to LF.  "MAYBE" you send Santana if Jankowski is playing LF for the Rangers.  I just can't forgive Watkins for thinking Santana had ANY chance of beating a throw from Duran.  

Both of these boneheaded decisions from Watkins came in close games and were crushingly BAD outcomes.  Kirilloff comes to the rescue in both games, but this is something Watkins is guilty of fairly consistently.  

[USAFChief]

6 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I've got to bring this up.  We've discussed this at times over the last couple of years.  But what is Watkins thinking sending Vasquez and then Santana on consecutive games and getting them thrown out at the plate by 20+ feet for out #3???

Kirilloff's blasts cover over the inexcusable decisions Watkins is making.  I can see sending Buxton, but Vasquez??  Zeke Duran has an absolute CANNON and his throw to the plate from LF gave Santana no chance whatsoever to score from 2B on a single to LF.  "MAYBE" you send Santana if Jankowski is playing LF for the Rangers.  I just can't forgive Watkins for thinking Santana had ANY chance of beating a throw from Duran.  

Both of these boneheaded decisions from Watkins came in close games and were crushingly BAD outcomes.  Kirilloff comes to the rescue in both games, but this is something Watkins is guilty of fairly consistently.  

I'm not a fan of Watkins, but...

Sending Vazquez Friday night was terrible. Not even close. But that's a rare case with 2 out.

Sending Santana yesterday was absolutely the proper decision. Every coach in baseball sends him.

There were 2 outs (almost always send the runner on a hit to the OF), it took a perfect throw, and the play was extremely close. 

 

[DJL44]

38 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I'd hate to see Miranda get sent down, though at this point that seems the most likely move with this mgmt. team. Miranda so far has been one of the best and most steady hitters in the lineup.

Miranda has the 4th highest OPS on the team. It would be rather dumb to send him to AAA. Adding Lewis means Miranda will play more at 1B and DH. If Miranda is the DH against lefties then Vazquez sits more often. I think everyone would be happy if Vazquez was sitting more often.

I think this is going to be decided by where they want to play Willi Castro. They could put Castro in LF, move Kirilloff to 1B/DH and option Larnach or move Castro to 2B and option Julien. They could also make Castro the 4th outfielder and cut Margot since Castro has been beating up on LHP.

[David Maro]

Great win today,but need to be concerned about Julien.If the umpire is calling strikes a couple inches off the plate in your first at bat why stand there on strike three in 2nd or 3rd at bats.Maybe time to send him to St Paul for a lesson on his spot isn't a guarantee.

[stringer bell]

24 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I've got to bring this up.  We've discussed this at times over the last couple of years.  But what is Watkins thinking sending Vasquez and then Santana on consecutive games and getting them thrown out at the plate by 20+ feet for out #3???

Kirilloff's blasts cover over the inexcusable decisions Watkins is making.  I can see sending Buxton, but Vasquez??  Zeke Duran has an absolute CANNON and his throw to the plate from LF gave Santana no chance whatsoever to score from 2B on a single to LF.  "MAYBE" you send Santana if Jankowski is playing LF for the Rangers.  I just can't forgive Watkins for thinking Santana had ANY chance of beating a throw from Duran.  

Both of these boneheaded decisions from Watkins came in close games and were crushingly BAD outcomes.  Kirilloff comes to the rescue in both games, but this is something Watkins is guilty of fairly consistently.  

Didn’t Watkins put up the stop sign (late) and Vázquez ran through it?

[chinmusic]

20 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

what is Watkins thinking sending Vasquez

Just isolating this particular play. I might be wrong, but I don't think Watkins sent him.  If there was any communication , it was verbal. There was no windmilling. I think Vasquez went on his own. I couldn't believe it! The outcome was a foregone conclusion.

 

[LambchoP]

Julien definitely needs a reset at AAA. We could cover 2nd in the short term with Farmer and Castro. Might even be a way to get Miranda more consistent at bats if he can still play second. Long term, Lee should be back up in AAA soon. Will be interesting to see how he handles AAA pitching this year. He's looked great in a tiny sample since coming off the IL.

[USAFChief]

47 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Didn’t Watkins put up the stop sign (late) and Vázquez ran through it?

Watching live I didn't see a stop sign Friday night.

[USAFChief]

46 minutes ago, chinmusic said:

Just isolating this particular play. I might be wrong, but I don't think Watkins sent him.  If there was any communication , it was verbal. There was no windmilling. I think Vasquez went on his own. I couldn't believe it! The outcome was a foregone conclusion.

 

Absolutely he was windmilling Vazquez.