Make It Official! Twins 13, Diamondbacks 6: Festa Earned First MLB Win with a Lot of Help from his Friends

[bowserthedog]

11 hours ago, bighat said:

Kyle Farmer trying to hide in the 9th hole goes 0-for-5. Brooks Lee, now. Put the kid in the OF if needed, just get him up and Farmer out. 

Festa with the "W". Nice. 

Buxton en fuego. He runs hot and cold and when he's hot you gotta just sit back and enjoy it. Good for him. 

Let's take 2 of 3 in Seattle boys. 

Im not sure i see it that. Buxton consistently struggled for 2 years with his knee injury. And now that he's healthy he's slowly got more and more comfortable at the plate.  We might have something cooking with this lineup if he is back for good. Imagine Buxton back to his full form, Lee at 2nd, Correa hitting like this, and Royce!

[jimbo92107]

Festa looked good until Arizona realized that his heater doesn't bend a bit. When they started sitting on the heater, Festa suffered. He absolutely MUST figure out how to get his fastball to bend. Learn a cutter. Don't throw the four seamer. I'm sure it works perfectly as a shortstop throw, but 96 mph with no movement will get pounded by major league hitters. 

The only alternative is to learn to spot the heater in the four corners, like Joe Nathan. That is very difficult. 

[stringer bell]

I think Buxton always has and always will be streaky. Adding a couple knocks because of his speed helps smooth things out and (I think) less than 1% of big leaguers can convert a grounder to shortstop into a hit as he did yesterday. 

Buxton and the Twins will face much better pitching in Seattle. I wonder how many runs they will put up in the three game series. One win against the Mariners would give the Twins their third (fourth if March is counted) straight winning month--I guess that means there is consistency in their inconsistency. 

[jmlease1]

I thought Festa did ok for a first start. There's real talent there and he's got the stuff and the tools and the makeup to do just fine while Paddack is on the IL. He might go back down at that point to to finish the season in AAA/wait for his next chance based on injury but he should be able to compete for a rotation spot in 2025. AZ knows how to score runs, so this was a good test.

BTW, the idea that Jack Morris "pitched to the score" has always been part of the Jack Morris Fantasy; there's little evidence that he actually did it outside of blowouts (like every other starter) but Jack's never been shy about promoting his own mythology, even if it's 100% Bee Ess.

Great night for the offense and good to see contributions from all over the lineup. Sure, AZ's defense was poor, but 13 hits is 13 hits. Hopefully Correa is ok; he's been awesome. If Buxton is rolling along with him it's a great sign for the Twins. Miranda is looking great, and I love it.

Sucks to see Farmer struggling so much. He's been better after a horrific start, but there's no pop in his bat, he's not hitting the ball hard and if Castro wasn't playing so well it'd be a huge hole. You have to think they'd be better off with Lee at 2B and Castro as the regular LF; while Margot is hitting LHP like he was expected to, he's still awful against RHP. It's always a little complicated with veterans like this especially onces who are great clubhouse guys, can play multiple positions, etc. Patience paid off with Santana (lot of people around here wanted him cut back in April), Margot has grown into the role he was primarily acquired for as well...how much time should Farmer get?

[JD-TWINS]

6 hours ago, UK Twin said:

Twins have handled Buck much better this year. Obviously the surgery he had in the off season was successful in getting him back in CF. But importantly they put him on the IL earlier in the year when he tweaked his knee and let him rest it properly. He may need another stint at some point but he needs to be in CF, not DHing. Even when he's not getting hits, he's in a much better place than last year. 

It wasn’t a team choice last year …..he was in IL half the season and unable to play CF the balance of time. The buzz in Spring Training was that it was inevitable for him to get to CF & then he never got well. Crossing fingers for health - he’s fun to watch!!

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, bowserthedog said:

Im not sure i see it that. Buxton consistently struggled for 2 years with his knee injury. And now that he's healthy he's slowly got more and more comfortable at the plate.  We might have something cooking with this lineup if he is back for good. Imagine Buxton back to his full form, Lee at 2nd, Correa hitting like this, and Royce!

All the above……………With Santana & Castro & Miranda - Margot carrying the offense!!

Jeffers & Kepler & Larnach on the periphery……LONG line-up! Hoping 3-4 guys at a time can stay hot……that’s realistic with this many guys that can hit.

[LambchoP]

Glad to see Festa get a W and get that first start out of the way. Correa avoiding serious injury is probably the best news today. Farmer needs to go. He was the ONL twin that didn't reach base. They've given him half a season to work it out, what are they waiting for? Especially with Lee raking in St Paul the time is now. Dump Farmer and give Lee second base. Will help our lineup incredibly. After Farmer, Theilbar is next. If they would have done that in the off-season they could have saved 10-11 million and used it somewhere else. Too late for that though, fix the mistake now though and don't continue running guys out there that will cost us games.

[LambchoP]

Glad to see Festa get a W and get that first start out of the way. Correa avoiding serious injury is probably the best news today. Farmer needs to go. He was the ONL twin that didn't reach base. They've given him half a season to work it out, what are they waiting for? Especially with Lee raking in St Paul the time is now. Dump Farmer and give Lee second base. Will help our lineup incredibly. After Farmer, Theilbar is next. If they would have done that in the off-season they could have saved 10-11 million and used it somewhere else. Too late for that though, fix the mistake now though and don't continue running guys out there that will cost us games.

[JD-TWINS]

57 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I thought Festa did ok for a first start. There's real talent there and he's got the stuff and the tools and the makeup to do just fine while Paddack is on the IL. He might go back down at that point to to finish the season in AAA/wait for his next chance based on injury but he should be able to compete for a rotation spot in 2025. AZ knows how to score runs, so this was a good test.

BTW, the idea that Jack Morris "pitched to the score" has always been part of the Jack Morris Fantasy; there's little evidence that he actually did it outside of blowouts (like every other starter) but Jack's never been shy about promoting his own mythology, even if it's 100% Bee Ess.

Great night for the offense and good to see contributions from all over the lineup. Sure, AZ's defense was poor, but 13 hits is 13 hits. Hopefully Correa is ok; he's been awesome. If Buxton is rolling along with him it's a great sign for the Twins. Miranda is looking great, and I love it.

Sucks to see Farmer struggling so much. He's been better after a horrific start, but there's no pop in his bat, he's not hitting the ball hard and if Castro wasn't playing so well it'd be a huge hole. You have to think they'd be better off with Lee at 2B and Castro as the regular LF; while Margot is hitting LHP like he was expected to, he's still awful against RHP. It's always a little complicated with veterans like this especially onces who are great clubhouse guys, can play multiple positions, etc. Patience paid off with Santana (lot of people around here wanted him cut back in April), Margot has grown into the role he was primarily acquired for as well...how much time should Farmer get?

Seems they won’t DFA him until around the deadline, unless he takes a dive with the bat. I think he & Thielbar are hanging as Veteran Presence …….being good guys and obviously, depth.

Even with CC not going on IL, I’d like to see Lee up for at least a handful of games ……Martin optioned in short-term.

I live in Cincinnati and think a lot of Farmer - knew he would improve but his level isn’t where the rest of the Team is at……,I agree, there’s a lack of pop in the bat. Saw 3-4 really well hit balls get caught on track or in gap late May/early June, and was encouraged - haven’t seen for 2-3 weeks.

I saw his first AB Thursday v. Montgomery, a 3 pitch K. Looked weak on first swing - took a good pitch - flailed at strike 3 change-up ……frankly, anybody with a pulse knew Montgomery would throw a change-up low, out of the zone…….pitch landed in front of the plate. Not looking like a MLB hitter.

[Whitey333]

Nice win.  Twins continue to beat up on sub .500 teams.  Hope we can beat seattle at least 2 of 3 this weekend.  We are only 12-21 against teams with winning records.  Buxton is hot.  Let's enjoy it.  His long part time career with the Twins indicate he's about to go into a 2 for 25 slump.  Go Twins!!

E

 

 

[stringer bell]

Farmer did hit a ball to the track in center field, which Provus said would have been a homer in 13 parks. Since the ball doesn't seem to carry in AZ, I think the quality of contact was pretty good. That said, it's the last week of June and a guy who hit double-digit homers last year in limited play doesn't have any.

It may be time to DFA Farmer, but he's a utility guy and calling up Lee to fill his roster spot isn't a fit.

[Linus]

Regarding Festa there is a lot to like but also some red flags. He has three good pitches when they are located properly. He seems comfortable throwing any of the three at anytime which makes it tough on hitters. The red flags are that his command really went away as the game moved on and we saw what mlb hitters will do with pitches not located. He has good velo on the fastball but it is straight as a string meaning it has to be well located or it’s gonna get pounded in the bigs. I know he has improved his command significantly in the last year but I’m not sure he is there yet. Maybe it was first start jitters so we will see. 

[DJL44]

16 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Martin optioned in short-term.

He's hitting .400 in June. That's rough to come up and dominate and get optioned.

[MMMordabito]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

You will all be happy to know that I'm stealing the broadcast of Twins games now. Should be able to watch the games going forward. 

I've always been law abiding... I pay my taxes... I clear the table after supper. I'm sure my mother would be proud of the criminal I have become. 

The Twins have turned me into a Pirate. 

WELCOME ABOARD!!

[bean5302]

13 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Maybe 5.11 would be more accurate

411 would be more accurate. "Why is this happening? Can you tell me how to fix it?"

[bean5302]

14 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

Well done on the HBP to make a statement. Sooner if possible next time. Everyone survived and the message was sent. Have to stand up for yourself sometimes.

I didn't see a statement. I saw Funderburk being wild.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

Nice win.  Twins continue to beat up on sub .500 teams.  Hope we can beat seattle at least 2 of 3 this weekend.  We are only 12-21 against teams with winning records.  Buxton is hot.  Let's enjoy it.  His long part time career with the Twins indicate he's about to go into a 2 for 25 slump.  Go Twins!!

E

 

 

The Twins winning 2 of 3 is the reason the Diamondbacks are a sub .500 team. Diamondback's sweep, they're 41-40. We've won or tied 5 series' against teams over .500 this year.

We've beaten both of the AL Championship teams, we've beaten both the defending World Series teams...

[Riverbrian]

54 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

WELCOME ABOARD!!

[Jeff K]

16 hours ago, MMMordabito said:

You could just go with Festa Day.

Festa actually means what many on here are trying to make it mean with the word play.

I was thinking Fastavus for the rest of us!

 

[JD-TWINS]

TWINS OPS+ v. RH pitching:

C - 126  ……Jeffers

1B - 121

2B - 133

3B - 206

SS - 148

LF - 108  …..Larnach

CF - 115

RF - 101

DH - 136. …….Miranda

The line-up length is really impressive coming into July!!!

[USAFChief]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

You will all be happy to know that I'm stealing the broadcast of Twins games now. Should be able to watch the games going forward. 

I've always been law abiding... I pay my taxes... I clear the table after supper. I'm sure my mother would be proud of the criminal I have become. 

The Twins have turned me into a Pirate. 

I don't look at you as a pirate. More like Robin Hood.

Stealing from the rich, for the, uh....well, you know. 

[Riverbrian]

25 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I don't look at you as a pirate. More like Robin Hood.

Stealing from the rich, for the, uh....well, you know. 

I come by it honestly, I grew up on Little John Court just off of Robin Hood Drive.

Yes... that was the actually Court Name that I grew up on. 

[Linus]

5 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

You will all be happy to know that I'm stealing the broadcast of Twins games now. Should be able to watch the games going forward. 

I've always been law abiding... I pay my taxes... I clear the table after supper. I'm sure my mother would be proud of the criminal I have become. 

The Twins have turned me into a Pirate. 

My cartoon bubble show RB with shades pulled, doors locked, not answering the door and peaking out the window between innings looking for the van with the weird antenna on the top. 

[Riverbrian]

6 minutes ago, Linus said:

My cartoon bubble show RB with shades pulled, doors locked, not answering the door and peaking out the window between innings looking for the van with the weird antenna on the top. 

It was easy enough to do. Here's a photo of my new living room set up. 

My wife wants to change the cord colors to match the carpet and drapes.  

[Shaitan]

3 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Farmer did hit a ball to the track in center field, which Provus said would have been a homer in 13 parks. Since the ball doesn't seem to carry in AZ, I think the quality of contact was pretty good. That said, it's the last week of June and a guy who hit double-digit homers last year in limited play doesn't have any.

It may be time to DFA Farmer, but he's a utility guy and calling up Lee to fill his roster spot isn't a fit.

I think people envision Lee (or perhaps Julien) taking 2B and running with it. Then they have Castro+Martin for utility.

I've of the opinion that it will work itself out and the FO has a timeline in mind for everything instead of just running with the hot hand like us internet folk.

[cmoss84]

40 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

It was easy enough to do. Here's a photo of my new living room set up. 

My wife wants to change the cord colors to match the carpet and drapes.  

Super. Box. $300. 

[David Maro]

Hopefully Margot apologized to Festa about his lazy play in right.Yes the score was lopsided at the the time,but that was a can of corn.It cost Festa ERA and pitches.As a team mate you have to help a young pitcher when you can.

[mikelink45]

9 hours ago, bean5302 said:

411 would be more accurate. "Why is this happening? Can you tell me how to fix it?"

Check baseball reference - 5.11 0.0 WAR