Twins 2, Blue Jays 0: Pablo López Dominates in Postseason Rematch

[stringer bell]

Just now, JD-TWINS said:

Kepler played defense in 9th so he must be able to run - I guess they used Wallner in Right to get Miranda & Larnach both in the line-up. All worked out but Max v. RH pitching seems like it should be status quo after a day off - right?

I don't think Kepler is 100% and he seems to be a guy who can't perform when he isn't 100% or close. He also might be in Rocco's doghouse, which really isn't a very big space. Guys are banged up all over the major leagues, so I don't think putting together a lineup is only a Rocco problem. 

[JD-TWINS]

28 minutes ago, chinmusic said:

Nope. Not unless they're fighting for a playoff spot in the final game of the season. He was great last night. I was unable to watch live, as mlbTV  blacks out all  Jays games for me, so I was listening to radio broadcasts, I had to laugh when Duran came in for the 9th, and  Atteberry said " he'll be facing the heart of the lineup". I'm thinking, what heart?... we're talking Guerrero , period. 

Despite the Jays lineup, it was a dominant outing for Lopez.

Jays got 6 hits off Lopez over 7 2/3 and literally, 5 of them were SOFT contact. 2 tappers to third that were a lot like swinging bunts - a flare off the hands into right field 25 feet behind dirt - a grounder by a LH batter 30 feet left of 2B……. he was dominant. His fastball velocity at 96mph most of the time and his command of fastball were impressive.

Griffin Jax for 3 pitches was equally impressive - with his wiffleball stuff/pitch mix, he looks completely unhittable some nights. His HOLD seems to be getting overlooked here, IMO.

[DJL44]

15 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Most likely Lee for the position player. Technically, he is on a rehab assignment, so he's not a minor leaguer. As far as the pitcher--Winder and Varland would be the obvious candidates to add, perhaps both with either Tonkin or Henriquez being sent down or DFA'd.

Winder just gave up two runs on 4 hits in one inning against Omaha. He has a 6.45 ERA in the minors. He doesn't help. I would rather add Boushley or someone off the waiver wire.

Varland might be better than Tonkin but that isn't a high bar to get over. I don't understand why anyone wants to get rid of Henriquez, he has done okay this season.

Brooks Lee has hit .231/.259/.462 in his rehab stint. He's not ready yet.

Keirsey Jr. has been one of the best players in the International League in August. Even if they decide to let him leave after this season they can probably get some value from him right now so they can avoid starting Margot or Martin vs RHP.

[jimbo92107]

Wow, Wallner's throw from the right field fence to 2nd base was a strike at about 95 mph. That's exactly the throw I was talking about in a comment a couple days ago. Wallner belongs in right field, where a ball bouncing off the wall will give him a full shoulder turn into the throw. His arm isn't quite the cannon of Michael Cuddyer, but it'll catch most of the guys trying to stretch a single. Also, the 2nd baseman should have let the ball travel a little farther; then the play wouldn't have been so close.

If and when Kepler finally goes, Wallner in RF will offer 85 percent of Kep's range, but with a much stronger arm, and a more dangerous bat.

[stringer bell]

46 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Winder just gave up two runs on 4 hits in one inning against Omaha. He has a 6.45 ERA in the minors. He doesn't help. I would rather add Boushley or someone off the waiver wire.

Varland might be better than Tonkin but that isn't a high bar to get over. I don't understand why anyone wants to get rid of Henriquez, he has done okay this season.

Brooks Lee has hit .231/.259/.462 in his rehab stint. He's not ready yet.

Keirsey Jr. has been one of the best players in the International League in August. Even if they decide to let him leave after this season they can probably get some value from him right now so they can avoid starting Margot or Martin vs RHP.

Winder has had a good month of August despite the bad showing against Omaha. Divided between St. Paul and the Twins--15 innings, 12 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks 18 Ks. 

Lee is a capable defender at third, short and second. If healthy, I expect he can equal the production of Julien, and the recent versions of Miranda, Castro and Lewis. He would also free Castro from shortstop. 

[stringer bell]

Just now, jimbo92107 said:

Wow, Wallner's throw from the right field fence to 2nd base was a strike at about 95 mph. That's exactly the throw I was talking about in a comment a couple days ago. Wallner belongs in right field, where a ball bouncing off the wall will give him a full shoulder turn into the throw. His arm isn't quite the cannon of Michael Cuddyer, but it'll catch most of the guys trying to stretch a single. Also, the 2nd baseman should have let the ball travel a little farther; then the play wouldn't have been so close.

If and when Kepler finally goes, Wallner in RF will offer 85 percent of Kep's range, but with a much stronger arm, and a more dangerous bat.

Agree. Right field will be Wallner's to lose in 2025.

[JD-TWINS]

6 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

SNL introduced Debbie in a sketch in 2004 according to Buzzfeed.  

I have a hard time being down when the number one guy pitches a great game and gets into the 8th - why pull him then?  This give the BP almost a night off.  Why use two RP?  

Nice to see Miranda with a key hit.  

Should Lewis have gotten a rehab?

Will Lee make a difference?

Can Zebby be what we hoped Berrios would become (for us)?

You use 2 relievers so you have your most effective guy, Jax, available again tonight.

2 run lead for Duran is a 90-95% certainty…..that’s as good as it gets in pro sports.

[DJL44]

20 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Lee is a capable defender at third, short and second. If healthy, I expect he can equal the production of Julien, and the recent versions of Miranda, Castro and Lewis. He would also free Castro from shortstop. 

If they bring up Lee I think they will mostly use him as a defender - playing SS or replacing Julien at 2B (why is Farmer on this team BTW). My point is they could use Keirsey in mostly the same way - as a defensive replacement in the OF - but Keirsey has been hitting the ball well and Lee hasn't. I guess it boils down to who you would rather replace - Margot/Martin or Julien. I'd rather replace the former.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

If they bring up Lee I think they will mostly use him as a defender - playing SS or replacing Julien at 2B (why is Farmer on this team BTW). My point is they could use Keirsey in mostly the same way - as a defensive replacement in the OF - but Keirsey has been hitting the ball well and Lee hasn't. I guess it boils down to who you would rather replace - Margot/Martin or Julien. I'd rather replace the former.

Lee at SS, Castro to CF .... Better defense than now, about the same hitting.

[mikelink45]

4 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Why does every prospect have to become an All-Star to be successful? I would be satisifed if Zebby could be an average innings eater.

I do not understand that response to my question.