Twins 2, Orioles 7: Stick a Fork in Them

[Aggies7]

Most unenjoyable twins team of my lifetime and there isn’t a close second.

[Riverbrian]

10 hours ago, ashbury said:

Rocco's use of Funderburk was in direct contradiction of what he said in yesterday's post game about not giving up until elimination was mathematically official.

The Orioles started their primary lineup. The primary lineup includes 4 left handers and two switches. The two switch hitters: Santander was decently balanced this year but is stronger by a bit against right handers. Rutschman is career balanced but overwhelmingly stronger against left handers this year. 

When Thielbar entered the game in the sixth... the bases were loaded with the lefty Henderson at the plate. Rocco left Thielbar in the 7th to face Right, Santander, Left. It was the lefty Cowser who tattooed him. That part of the lineup made sense for a lefty.   

When Funderburk entered the game in the 8th. I honestly have no idea why? It wasn't a good split matchup. Lefty O'Hearn, Followed by Right left Right. O'Hearn is a DH and has been platooned all year. He was going to be pinch hit for. You could have bet your children on it.

Which means Funderburk faces Right, Right, Left, Right. After giving up 4 straight singles. Here come those left handers at the top of the order so... I guess he stays in. 

Varland would have made more sense in the 8th unless Rocco was just plain scared of Ryan O' Hearn remaining in the game. 

Anyway... Just my post game autopsy on the bullpen which was pretty beat up going into the game. If we need left handed pitching to face left handed pitching. We sure could have used an upgrade at the deadline and I'll just leave it at that.

Bullpen aside. The real story... As I watched the game... I kept saying to myself. Povich is shutting us completely down. Povich shouldn't be shutting anyone down but... with our hitters he hung zeros as he lowered his ERA from 5.59 to 5.20.

Our offense was not helpful in the 9th month of 2024.  

Uff Da 

[Blyleven2011]

Dreams die hard  , this one hurt and disappointed  , time to start a new one !!! ....

[Original_JB]

14 minutes ago, NYCTK said:

Based on recent attendance, you can probably get a couple! 

They're those "M" hats as well; maybe they'll give you a voucher for a beer or hotdog to take one,

[LewFordLives]

56 minutes ago, h2oface said:

And that is BS. It may have been his 2nd officially scored error by the charity workers that are called official scorers, but that is only because they hardly ever score blunders errors anymore. I saw plenty more than 2, that's for sure.

He botched a grounder early in the game that was generously ruled a hit.

[LewFordLives]

12 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Most unenjoyable twins team of my lifetime and there isn’t a close second.

There's definitely a lack of players that capture the imagination. Correa or Buxton could be that guy, but they spend so much time on the IR that you can't even tell they're still on the team. Lewis could be that guy, but he'll have to bounce back from a truly brutal second half of the season. Other than that, there's some guys who can occasionally mash the ball when they're not swinging at pitches a foot out of the zone 

[chinmusic]

Well written article, Matt. Well articulated. Thank you. As Audra said in her post, this really is hard to wrap your head around.  This collapse seemed excruciatingly slow and lightning quick simultaneously; to me, anyway. Gonna take time.

[Aggies7]

Just now, LewFordLives said:

There's definitely a lack of players that capture the imagination. Correa or Buxton could be that guy, but they spend so much time on the IR that you can't even tell they're still on the team. Lewis could be that guy, but he'll have to bounce back from a truly brutal second half of the season. Other than that, there's some guys who can occasionally mash the ball when they're not swinging at pitches a foot out of the zone 

I watched many of the games but I never felt like I had to clear my schedule and tune in. Inconsistent lineups, scheduled off days, injuries. And the fact that they couldn’t beat a really good team to save their lives. Never bought in.

[AceWrigley]

This team ran out of gas a month ago. We all knew it, and save some miracle, this is the way we expected it to end. We hoped they would find a way to get into the post season, but they didn't. Like a car battery placed on concrete, the life slowly drains away until there's nothing left. Thats what this feels like to me.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

T.S. Eliot's epic poem, "The Hollow Men", has an apropos ending that applies to the Twins 2024 season: "This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper". 

[USAFChief]

7 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I won't feel bad about spending another 10 days in Italy. Looks like there's no reason to hurry back for the baseball season.  Showed you to post a picture

Try the local food.

I know it sounds crazy, but trust me on this. 

[Maybe Next Year]

Funny- Cleveland's payroll is $30 million less than the Twins, Detroit's was $22 million less and KC's was $10 million less.  Gee, how did they all make the playoffs with such a low payroll?  This is proof it isn't just a spending issue- it's a front office and manager issue. The manager is horrible and the front office isn't much better. Time to clean house!

[Aggies7]

9 minutes ago, Maybe Next Year said:

Funny- Cleveland's payroll is $30 million less than the Twins, Detroit's was $22 million less and KC's was $10 million less.  Gee, how did they all make the playoffs with such a low payroll?  This is proof it isn't just a spending issue- it's a front office and manager issue. The manager is horrible and the front office isn't much better. Time to clean house!

The entire organization needs to get back to teaching fundamentals. It was glaringly obvious that guys coming up from the minors were terrible at basic baseball skills, like baserunning and holding baserunners. Situational hitting. How could a guy like austin martin not be able to get a bunt down? I guess when you’re so obsessed with numbers you have less time for the basic stuff that’s won baseball games for 150 years. 

[saviking]

Thank God the Vikings are playing well. Until next season .. SKOL VIKINGS EVERYONE!!!

[AceWrigley]

Curtesy of Dean Patino of Baseball Classics.

[karcherd]

11 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

The entire organization needs to get back to teaching fundamentals. It was glaringly obvious that guys coming up from the minors were terrible at basic baseball skills, like baserunning and holding baserunners. Situational hitting. How could a guy like austin martin not be able to get a bunt down? I guess when you’re so obsessed with numbers you have less time for the basic stuff that’s won baseball games for 150 years. 

None of this will occur if Falvey stays.  He has put in place an analytics driven model that says stolen bases have no impact on the game, so don't hold runners on or try to steal.  The analytics say HR's are your best chance to win, so teach all your hitters launch angle so they try to pull the ball and hit one out.  Ask Martin and Lee as two examples, they both went back to their style of hitting in the minors after not having success with the Twins way.  Bunting is also frowned upon because you don't want to give up an out.  And where has this model gotten us, we are 6 games under .500 since 2020 with one playoff series win.  If ownership doesn't take a serious review of this organization and make changes, that will be a real slap in the face of the fans.

[harmlessharmon]

"Rocco's use of Funderburk was in direct contradiction of what he said in yesterday's post game about not giving up until elimination was mathematically official."

Rocco's numbers told him there was a .513 chance that Funderburk, on that day, at that time, with that crowd size, could possibly get the next batter out.  Who cares that he has to face 3.

[mnfireman]

2 hours ago, Jimcotta said:

You forgot my favorite, Santana. My gosh how many guys did he leave on base over the last 3 weeks. It got to be comical. Seemed like every game he was in the middle of a potential rally and did nothing. 

 

He's been doing a pretty good (bad?) job of making sure he isn't left on base recently.... It's been so bad it is kind of comical, and he's still killing potential rallies...

[AKTwinsFan]

I believe the team just lost all hope after the all-star break, and the non-buying at the trade deadline. Yes the players pay attention to the news, and we were the ONLY real non buyers at the deadline. Especially within the contending teams. If the owners don't want to spend then they need to sell or find a part owner who is willing to take the team to the next level. Then the seats will fill up again, if you spend it they will come!

[D.C Twins]

11 hours ago, ashbury said:

Rocco's use of Funderburk was in direct contradiction of what he said in yesterday's post game about not giving up until elimination was mathematically official.

You've been..... FUNDER-STRUCK!

[chinmusic]

6 minutes ago, AKTwinsFan said:

Then the seats will fill up again, if you spend it they will come!

Right! and it will no longer be a field of despair...

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Try the local food.

I know it sounds crazy, but trust me on this. 

Look for Italian Restaurants specifically. 

They must have an Olive Garden somewhere.  

[Maybe Next Year]

1 hour ago, Aggies7 said:

The entire organization needs to get back to teaching fundamentals. It was glaringly obvious that guys coming up from the minors were terrible at basic baseball skills, like baserunning and holding baserunners. Situational hitting. How could a guy like austin martin not be able to get a bunt down? I guess when you’re so obsessed with numbers you have less time for the basic stuff that’s won baseball games for 150 years. 

I agree 100%!  

[Danchat]

I find it mind-blowing that this team at no point had an average to above average left-handed pitcher. Thielbar continuing to stink and Funderstunk returning reminded me of this. This front office has to reevaluate how they acquire relievers outside of the farm season. They had better not run into 2025 with just Funderburk, Headrick, and some DFA pickups and cross their fingers. 

[mikelink45]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Try the local food.

I know it sounds crazy, but trust me on this. 

Right now we are staying with a family that's about as local as you can get. But don't worry, we have been eating all over Europe this trip and others before. But thanks for caring.   

[GNess]

1 hour ago, Maybe Next Year said:

Funny- Cleveland's payroll is $30 million less than the Twins, Detroit's was $22 million less and KC's was $10 million less.  Gee, how did they all make the playoffs with such a low payroll?  This is proof it isn't just a spending issue- it's a front office and manager issue. The manager is horrible and the front office isn't much better. Time to clean house!

I agree with your basic premise. Cleveland especially has mastered this feat of winning beyond their payroll. However, are any of the three central playoff entrants likely to advance to the World Series? Teams that spend are typically those in serious contention most consistently. (Note: Astros, Dodgers, Phillies as examples)

[ashbury]

54 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

You've been..... FUNDER-STRUCK!

Now do one for Bailey Over, I mean Ober.

[S Bart]

2 hours ago, h2oface said:

We sure could use a lot better and consistent performance for a year. Maybe next year, when he starts getting paid the 22 million. He was a classy just over 4 ERA pitcher, right there with his career average. Nice guy? Sure. Articulate? Yup. We sure could use a $22 million year in 2025 on the field.

 

AL LEAGUE AS OF TODAY Starters

6th in strikeouts

8th in innings pitched

5th in wins

He had a couple of bad loses that boosted his ERA.  It does not help when there is no hitting to help him out. You are right, hopefully his ERA will match the 22 million. Regardless, there are several on the list below that are not pitching at all and some who are making a sum, e.g. Verlander has a 5.55, Scherzer a 3.95 with a 2-4 W/L record.. Corbin a 5.62, DeGroom has pitched 10 innings this year, So, hopefully can surpass those individuals.

MLB's highest-paid starting pitchers in 2024 AS OF MARCH, 2024:

• 1. Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani: $70 million

• 2. Texas Rangers RHP Max Scherzer: $43.3 million

• 2. Houston Astros RHP Justin Verlander: $43.3 million

• 4. Texas Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom: $40 million

• 5. New York Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole: $36 million

• 6. Washington Nationals LHP Patrick Corbin: $35.4 million

• 7. Washington Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg: $35 million

• 8. New York Yankees LHP Carlos Rodon: $27.8 million

• 9. Philadelphia Phillies RHP Aaron Nola: $24.5 million

• 10. Seattle Mariners RHP Luis Castillo: $24.2 million

 

[Mark G]

You know what gives me hope?  We are almost on page 4 of this article, solely because there are enough of us that care about this team to even bother to keep saying so.  Personally, I am crushed right now, and will lobby to change the leadership of this team from now until March, but come March I will peek back in and see if any of the lobbying did any good and hope the team is better.  I am guessing I am not alone.  It is going to be a long and sad winter; baseball is my sport, and I can't wait for March.  Hey, Joe, get it right this year!!!  We deserve better!!!  

Take care, everyone.  😌

[sweetmusicviola16]

Twins went 27-5 against the worst teams in baseball. 55-73 against the rest. They're a legitimate 4th place team.