Bailey Ober Has Gone From Exceptional to Very Exceptional

[Mike Sixel]

11 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Ober has pitched 4 of his 20 starts against Detroit, a minor league rag tag of misfits if there ever was one. There are other low-caliber opponents in his game log too. He does have great command. I would guess his third time through numbers a good, too. If he finishes the season strong, we can maybe say that he is very, very, very, very, very exceptional.

I would be comfortable preparing Ober to pitch in a playoff game with a good game plan, against whoever.

Detroit is 4 runs from being league median in runs scored this year.

[SkyBlueWaters]

9 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Obers been great, real fun to watch. I'd still like to see him pitch like he did against Detroit while facing some of the better teams in the league before I'm completely sold. I really think Rocco needs to do something to keep Lopez, Ryan and Ober fresh for the postseason. If we make it there of course. I like the idea of trying out Varland, Dobnak and Paddack if we get him back as long relief guys. We have to find a way to keep our starters fresh and healthy without blowing out our bullpen.

This is spot on. I'm so tired of the "making the playoffs is our success" attitude. The FO should have added a legitimate arm at the deadline. The real contenders are positioning themselves for October. If our pitching staff can't excel and be fresh for October then it's just a matter of when Minnesotans once again rationalize whiffing on the post-season. 

[SkyBlueWaters]

52 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Detroit is 4 runs from being league median in runs scored this year.

But isn't that the point? If you're satisfied with just making the playoffs, fine. But teams like LAD, Philly, NYY, Balt are preparing for October. The test isn't how well our pitchers do against mediocrity. The cities that have championship parades have teams built for post-season success. 

Writers herein have posited that "you've got to get there first." Well, duh. How many teams built for post-season success *can't* win in the regular season? 

[Mike Sixel]

33 minutes ago, SkyBlueWaters said:

But isn't that the point? If you're satisfied with just making the playoffs, fine. But teams like LAD, Philly, NYY, Balt are preparing for October. The test isn't how well our pitchers do against mediocrity. The cities that have championship parades have teams built for post-season success. 

Writers herein have posited that "you've got to get there first." Well, duh. How many teams built for post-season success *can't* win in the regular season? 

? What does any of that have to do with Ober?

[Doctor Wu]

19 hours ago, jimbo92107 said:

Best of all, he shows calm confidence on the mound. He completely trusts his stuff, and it's working.

Yes to that! The sort of confidence will be huge for him in the coming months.

[SkyBlueWaters]

17 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

? What does any of that have to do with Ober?

I'd rather not toss Ober into the post-season as a frontline starter, but it's too late now. Had they acquired someone, Ober could have been either a fourth starter or long-relief. Gray would have been perfect. 

[USAFChief]

As of right now, if I'm running the Twins, we make the playoffs and I have the chance to set my rotation, Ober starts game 1.