Guardians 5, Twins 3: Guardians Devil Magic Upends Twins Shot at Series Win

[cmoss84]

Farmer, Margot, and Thielbar.

You maximize your roster to maximize wins. Simple as that.

Love these guys as much as you want, we could do better. If you don't think so, instead of putting thumbs down, explain why. 

This is FO BS.

[Karbo]

Clutch hitting is what doomed the Twins the last couple of days.

[Whitey333]

It was a frustrating end to the start of a good series with the doubleheader sweep on Friday.  Twins whine about injuries.  Cleveland has had a ton mainly to their pitching but they have beaten the Twins 7 of 9 showing they are better than the Twins.  Roccos screwy lineups don't help either.  Sitting any of your star hitters for such an important series is poor.  Lewis not playing Saturday was poor.  Since Buxton hit two home runs Sunday I wouldn't be surprised if Rocco gives him the day off.

[thelanges5]

We all know about the Twins woes against the Yankees. They aren’t much better against the Guardos - since 2018 they are 50-58. 

[tony&rodney]

10 hours ago, RpR said:

LOL

If Correa comes back in a week and can play every day then Castro can slide over to second base. However, the current arrangement at 2B isn't working on either side of the ball. Sadly, Farmer is toast. The legs are weary and his bat is real slow. Barring a physical miracle that brings back a couple of steps and unbinds his hands at the plate, his career at the MLB level is over. Will the Twins use Martin until Correa returns? 

Julien has had some chances and did not meet the MLB standard (except in April) this year. Is he done? If he is, it was a major evaluation error to not include him in a trade last offseason. If there is a chance Julien can contribute at the MLB level, it is time to bring him up to see if the low bar at second base can be elevated. Continuing on with the current setup is a very poor option.

Lastly, RpR, I'm sorry that Julien somehow insulted you or your family but while I agree with anyone that Julien is not a star at 2B, he remains an option. Because of the current situation it is time to go once more to the well (Julien). The results cannot be any worse and there is a chance of a gain. If Julien does not produce, then the Twins have to turn to Martin. Until Correa returns, this is the only course of action that makes sense. 

[tony&rodney]

8 hours ago, cmoss84 said:

Farmer, Margot, and Thielbar.

You maximize your roster to maximize wins. Simple as that.

Love these guys as much as you want, we could do better. If you don't think so, instead of putting thumbs down, explain why. 

This is FO BS.

I think i have used a thumbs down once or not at all - agree with that.

Margot and Thielbar likely stay because it isn't real clear who can fill their spots. Margot has done a decent job versus LH pitchers. I don't know why his outfield play has deteriorated. Kiersey Jr. is the only option for an outfielder. i don't think that happens. Tough spot.

Thielbar can no longer pitch effectively without a couple of days off. He is fine when he is rested. Of course, relievers need to pitch every other day or in back to back games once in a while. Thielbar puts the Twins in a bind with his needs. I think we can acknowledge that he is good when rested. This is an area where the failure to trade hurt the Twins. I don't know what options the Twins have right now.

Farmer is causing anxiety in the front office. This seems similar to Gallo last season. Many of us liked Farmer as a utility infielder but it is clear right now that the legs have stiffened up. He is missing ground balls and pop ups that he made plays on last year and that were routine for him a couple of years ago. Age is undefeated. Change is a certainty; it is time.

[Vanimal46]

15 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I can't blame Thielbar.  He does the best he can, but Rocco - have you looked at the stat sheet?  You pull Festa when he was a victim of a bad call and then go to Thielbar as your second option.   Come on - I have not made a bad Rocco post so far this year, but I cannot hold back today.  That was stupid! This is not Thielbar of the past, it is the current RP and he is not the person we want when the game is so important.  Nor is it right to pull a young pitcher who suffers from a bad call.  Come on - you are no longer a rookie manager. 

Festa was off the mark all game and Rocco took him out before the score got out of hand. I don’t know how that was a bad decision by Rocco? 

[Jeff K]

13 hours ago, karcherd said:

Farmer needs to be DFA'd, he should not play another inning for the Twins.  He has not earned his playing time this year.  And they won't even play him at SS which is he was originally brought in to play. 

Farmer should be gone.  RPR, what is your thing for Farmer?  You thumbs down anytime someone says something against Farmer.  Farmer is one of the worst players statistically in the major leagues.  I sure hope the Twins dump him when Brooks Lee is back OR call up Julien who is seemingly finding himself.

[David Maro]

What happened to Lewis and Miranda,they disappeared with the bat.They were swinging at pitchers pitches and letting in the zone go.

What are people watching Martin made play after play at 2nd all weekend.Who else would you want running the bases?Both Martin and Castro are on this roster because of their bat to ball and base running skills.

The real problem is they are back to the same old Twins swinging for the fences.Fans doing backflips jumping up and down because Buxton hit 2 homeruns.Problem is they still lost the game.You win playing baseball,not homerun.

[RpR]

4 hours ago, yeahyabetcha said:

Beggars can’t be choosy.  I believe Julien is a better start at 2b tomorrow than either Martin or Farmer.

Never was, never will be.

[mikelink45]

2 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Festa was off the mark all game and Rocco took him out before the score got out of hand. I don’t know how that was a bad decision by Rocco? 

sometimes you let a SP figure things out.  Look at the RP we got instead for that game.  Yes it was a bad decision and I am okay with a thumbs down.

 

[h2oface]

"Tanner Bibee was nails,"

It is all too easy to say the pitcher was so great, when this offense (and that is considering how good it can look in blowouts) just doesn't get the job done. I have seen, and so have we all, this offense make a pitcher with a 6+ ERA or more look like a Cy Young candidate. Bibee wasn't that good, he just faced an offense (except for Buxton) being inept for this game.

[h2oface]

2 hours ago, RpR said:

Never was, never will be.

That is just not true. Julian won't always be the best choice, but he certainly has had times he definitely was, and I will bet some team, if not the Twins, will see it again.

Never is just a silly word to use (and I could even say stupid, but I won't), and it is hardly ever true.

[h2oface]

22 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

I thought about going completely off book and thinking it may be a good play for Castro to bunt………with all his skills, he is typically a terrible bunter! The last time he tried his finger got pinched between the bat & the pitched ball - that’s bunting faux pax 101! With his speed one would think he’d spend a little time in bunting to become at least average - he’s poor at this point.

I do think if Castro gives himself up by bunting, Larnach has to be swinging away with guys at 2nd & 3rd. BIG risk even if Castro can bunt with a force at home - execution would have to be spot on with the bunt.

Thielbar looked as good as ever Friday - didn’t see him this afternoon but I got the review, not good! Sands got paper cut to death (broken bat single - seeing eye grounder single) …….but Thielbar with a HR and then back to back walks, that’s not acceptable!!!

It is inexcusable that every MLB batter can't bunt great. They have months off each year to do it. Access a batting cage, set the pitches slow, speed them up, AND LEARN HOW TO BUNT GREAT! I can't remember what stud it was on the other team that bunted against us in a situation like this (Yelich, I think) and won the game for them. No excuse whatsoever. Especially a guy like Castro who has speed. But even a plodder like Larnach can lay a well placed bunt and drive in a run while he gets thrown out. 

[RpR]

Just now, h2oface said:

That is just not true. Julian won't always be the best choice, but he certainly has had times he definitely was, and I will bet some team, if not the Twins, will see it again.

Never is just a silly word to use (and I could even say stupid, but I won't), and it is hardly ever true.

Never fits a lot of ball players and Juline is one of them; ignoring the truth is silly.

[Fat Calvin]

On 8/12/2024 at 11:56 AM, RpR said:

LOL

Enlighten me.  I don't get the joke.