Royals 3, Twins 2: Twins Waste Opportunities, Royals Don't, and It's Another Series Loss

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

All histrionics and hyperbole aside, this is just a very poor hitting team.

While it will likely be marginally better over time... there is no reason to believe that the hitting will be good enough to compete for a playoff spot. 

This. The only changes on the horizon are the return of Lewis (could help), and the return of Lee (unlikely to help much based on track record, but a guy can dream). One would hope Correa and Buxton start to hit better and it's possible that Julien, Miranda  and/or Larnach could step up at least some. Add all that tougher and what do you get ? Marginal improvement at best.

So why not give Keaschall, Martin and/or  Keirsey a real chance. May be they aren't any better.  But maybe they add some life to this team. Let's find out in the next month and not wait until July.  

[Whitey333]

The boring, uninspiring, Twins brand goes on and on and on.

[nicksaviking]

They've scored three runs or fewer eight of their 13 games. And they didn't even attempt to improve the offense this offseason. I just do not understand why they think they can be cute and try to improve the defense or pitching and think it will matter. It will NEVER matter meaningfully if you don't score more runs. 

It's like the league deadened the ball after 2019 and the Twins said, 'Oh we'll show them, we'll find a way to win some other way!' Meanwhile, MLB history continues to have never had a game where a team won while scoring zero runs......

[Blyleven2011]

2 hours ago, darwin22 said:

Living in the KC area this abysmal performance the last 4 days (minus last night) makes for some rough upcoming days being surrounded by a plethora of bandwagon Royal fans.

As mentioned in the game summary--the Twins CONTINUED FAILURE to produce with RISP far beyond "worrisome."  It is absolutely PATHETIC!

For anyone interested this collection of misfit hitters.... minus the 3 games in Chicago (9-20) are hitting just over the Mendoza line for the season against STL, HST and KC.  Now 19-84 (..226 average) on the season.  Making matters even worse in their now 9 losses (with many more to come) this group of POOR hitters are hitting .181 (13-72).

As we all know you have to score RUNS to win!  Twins have scored 3 runs or less (all losses) in 8 games already.  They've scored 2 runs or less in 7 of 13 games.

Beyond the lack of clutch hitting---KC was only 5-25 in this series---is the continued poor defense and inconsistent to BAD pitching, especially with our supposed strong bullpen.

This is a LOST season already.  For those naysayers out there, please point out ANY REASON to believe this team will rebound and even sniff contending for a playoff spot.  

The inevitable injury to Buxton (who's not producing) is inevitable.  Lewis is no reason for hope.  Castro hasn't done anything.  Lopez going on DL for likely at least a 2-3 week stretch.  

Since their absolute tank last season losing 27 of their last 39 games this team is now 16-36, 16 wins and 36 losses for a winning percentage of .307.  This team is cooked and any long time/open minded  fan (I've been a Twins fan since the early 1970s) knows it.

Nothing will EVER change with this franchise until NEW OWNERSHIP comes in and makes a concerted effort (like the Wolfs/Vikings) to put a winning product on the field.  

I really hate being so negative so early this season, but I cannot and will not invest my time and support to an organization that has zero accountability and leadership.

It's very difficult to watch this team , but watching I still do  ...

It's my team , currently and the past memories ...

Now this present team or should I say management doesn't seem to grasp the reality of baseball and how it's should be played ...

Today's people look at getting on base with a high slugging percentage  ...

IVE HEARD RBI'S DON'T MATTER , runs don't matter , they weren't concerned with the strikeouts in 2023 , it's OPS they are concerned with ...

Walks seem more important for getting on  base than surprising the opponent with a bunt hit , ( just like royals did in today's game ) , the twins aren't getting consistent hitting and Rocco doesn't change any approach to small ball to score runs , sit back and wait for the homerun ( mostly solo homers ) ...

WE ARE NOT A HOMERUN HITTING TEAM , SOMEONE TELL OUR FO AND ROCCO THIS ...

 these hitters need to hit better , hit and run , hit behind the runner , hit to opposite field ,  steal and run the bases better , they need to play smarter baseball and it won't change unless the team's philosophy changes ...

It's a brutal plan and if Joe P likes baseball more than his uncle Jim P , he should let the fans know and quote jim P from a few years ago that this is a TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE  ...

 

[tony&rodney]

Was there any official word about why Ober was lifted so early in the game when he was rolling along so easily?

[silverslugger]

2 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

I feel bad for the TD writing staff and site.... the apathy that is likely to evolve over this season could be pretty rough...

... perhaps a rebrand to 'Saints Daily' for the foreseeable future?🤔

I just plain feel bad...

[silverslugger]

20 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

It's very difficult to watch this team , but watching I still do  ...

It's my team , currently and the past memories ...

Now this present team or should I say management doesn't seem to grasp the reality of baseball and how it's should be played ...

Today's people look at getting on base with a high slugging percentage  ...

IVE HEARD RBI'S DON'T MATTER , runs don't matter , they weren't concerned with the strikeouts in 2023 , it's OPS they are concerned with ...

Walks seem more important for getting on  base than surprising the opponent with a bunt hit , ( just like royals did in today's game ) , the twins aren't getting consistent hitting and Rocco doesn't change any approach to small ball to score runs , sit back and wait for the homerun ( mostly solo homers ) ...

WE ARE NOT A HOMERUN HITTING TEAM , SOMEONE TELL OUR FO AND ROCCO THIS ...

 these hitters need to hit better , hit and run , hit behind the runner , hit to opposite field ,  steal and run the bases better , they need to play smarter baseball and it won't change unless the team's philosophy changes ...

It's a brutal plan and if Joe P likes baseball more than his uncle Jim P , he should let the fans know and quote jim P from a few years ago that this is a TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE  ...

 

Rocco's just not that into situational baseball, or defense, for that matter.

[Old Crow]

3 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

All histrionics and hyperbole aside, this is just a very poor hitting team.

While it will likely be marginally better over time... there is no reason to believe that the hitting will be good enough to compete for a playoff spot. 

Or pitching and fielding either for that matter.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, darwin22 said:

Living in the KC area this abysmal performance the last 4 days (minus last night) makes for some rough upcoming days being surrounded by a plethora of bandwagon Royal fans.

As mentioned in the game summary--the Twins CONTINUED FAILURE to produce with RISP far beyond "worrisome."  It is absolutely PATHETIC!

For anyone interested this collection of misfit hitters.... minus the 3 games in Chicago (9-20) are hitting just over the Mendoza line for the season against STL, HST and KC.  Now 19-84 (..226 average) on the season.  Making matters even worse in their now 9 losses (with many more to come) this group of POOR hitters are hitting .181 (13-72).

As we all know you have to score RUNS to win!  Twins have scored 3 runs or less (all losses) in 8 games already.  They've scored 2 runs or less in 7 of 13 games.

Beyond the lack of clutch hitting---KC was only 5-25 in this series---is the continued poor defense and inconsistent to BAD pitching, especially with our supposed strong bullpen.

This is a LOST season already.  For those naysayers out there, please point out ANY REASON to believe this team will rebound and even sniff contending for a playoff spot.  

The inevitable injury to Buxton (who's not producing) is inevitable.  Lewis is no reason for hope.  Castro hasn't done anything.  Lopez going on DL for likely at least a 2-3 week stretch.  

Since their absolute tank last season losing 27 of their last 39 games this team is now 16-36, 16 wins and 36 losses for a winning percentage of .307.  This team is cooked and any long time/open minded  fan (I've been a Twins fan since the early 1970s) knows it.

Nothing will EVER change with this franchise until NEW OWNERSHIP comes in and makes a concerted effort (like the Wolfs/Vikings) to put a winning product on the field.  

I really hate being so negative so early this season, but I cannot and will not invest my time and support to an organization that has zero accountability and leadership.

Lopez - with a healed leg is solid …… Ryan & Ober will give Team a chance to win 75-85% of the time. SWR competes and keeps team in games …… between Festa/Matthews, they’ll establish our 5th rotation spot.

Team played 23 games over .500 last year over 4 months……..started 7-13. So, not the proper bar to set, but if they go 3-4 over next 7 games they’ll match last year’s start. There’s still plenty of reason for hope.

Correa’s done nothing - Buxton has done very little - Lewis hasn’t played ………there’s still hope.

Should have won the game up 7-1! Could have won yesterday OR today - right? 2 more wins & they’re a 6-7 club. They aren’t waaay off but scoring 2 or less runs in 7 of 13 games is a BIG problem!

France seems to be OK last 2-3 games. Hoping Keaschall comes across town next week unless Gasper gets a couple hits in next game or two played. Still hope!

Varland - Topa - Coulombe - Alcala - Stewart/Blewett - Jax - Sands - Paddack - Duran …….. I truly think that’s as good as it gets.

[Hubie29]

45 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They've scored three runs or fewer eight of their 13 games. And they didn't even attempt to improve the offense this offseason. I just do not understand why they think they can be cute and try to improve the defense or pitching and think it will matter. It will NEVER matter meaningfully if you don't score more runs. 

It's like the league deadened the ball after 2019 and the Twins said, 'Oh we'll show them, we'll find a way to win some other way!' Meanwhile, MLB history continues to have never had a game where a team won scoring while scoring zero runs......

But our rotation is strong 1 through 5.  Who wouldn't want Paddack as a number 4 starter.  SWR is just gravy on top of that. Put that together with the best bullpen in the majors, you don't need much offense. 

[FlyingFinn]

Can we at least try to run our fastest to first base in case someone bobbles the ball??

[stringer bell]

15 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They've scored three runs or fewer eight of their 13 games. And they didn't even attempt to improve the offense this offseason. I just do not understand why they think they can be cute and try to improve the defense or pitching and think it will matter. It will NEVER matter meaningfully if you don't score more runs. 

It's like the league deadened the ball after 2019 and the Twins said, 'Oh we'll show them, we'll find a way to win some other way!' Meanwhile, MLB history continues to have never had a game where a team won scoring while scoring zero runs......

Yeah, it looks really bad and it might be bad all season. While I am not sure I buy the salary limits, if we accept they couldn't spend much more than the salaries in front of them this season, counting on improvement and better health to improve their hitting. They have many guys--Miranda, Lee, Julien, Larnach, Wallner and Jeffers to name a few--that could excel and thrive or burn out. I think it is time to find out about these guys. So far, no one has thrived and a few have stumbled, but the real culprits have been the most established players--Correa and Buxton--have been the biggest problems in the offense. 

I think this is the last chance for this manager and many of the players and if they fail major changes are in the offing probably with a mostly new front office. Rocco Baldelli has followed the blueprint of the front office and after initial success, there has been more disappointment than progress. They haven't been able to put together a sustained offense and they've acquired players with injury histories who surprise! have continued to have disabling injuries. 

So, circling back to the comment by @nicksaviking, I think the minimal change was a gamble worth taking (if the "salary cap" model is to be believed). It's early and there has been close to zero reason to be optimistic and the front office reliance on guys who aren't athletic and have little speed has shown up in below average defense and base running. The hitting will almost surely improve, but it might be too late.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, jkcarew said:

So far this season, the Twins have fielded the OLDEST lineup (batters) in the division…4th oldest in the AL.

Honestly, I think that among all the feeble statistics that can be pointed to, THIS is the most damning in terms of representing where this organization is.

Mature/developed and mediocre (let alone just plain bad) is a horrible place to be.
 

 

Lee - Lewis - Keaschall are all hurt or slowly mending. They certainly displace Gasper at 29 …….. Vazquez, unless he resigns for $4.5M is in his last year at around 33………France will be gone unless he has a career year……. Emma will be playing next year and Kiersey, at 29, won’t be around.

Age isn’t the issue - lack of playing to capabilities/expectations are the problem.

[Hubie29]

2 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Lee - Lewis - Keaschall are all hurt or slowly mending. They certainly displace Gasper at 29 …….. Vazquez, unless he resigns for $4.5M is in his last year at around 33………France will be gone unless he has a career year……. Emma will be playing next year and Kiersey, at 29, won’t be around.

Age isn’t the issue - lack of playing to capabilities/expectations are the problem.

France is their best hitter.

[purplesoldier4u]

Baldelli's seat must be getting warm. Yes, the offense is underperforming, as expected, but the team is sloppy, and appears neither motivated nor prepared. Pulling Ober today was another baffling move in a Baldelli career of baffling moves. 

[shimrod]

47 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

hit and run , hit behind the runner , hit to opposite field , 

All these require contact. Twins continue to look at strikes, swing at balls, and fail to make contact on balls over the plate. Everyone seems to be overthinking at the plate.

France and Bader are not bad but then they've had less time in the Twins system. A few more months working with Twins coaching and they'll be around the Mendoza line as well. 

 

 

[Matthew Taylor]

4 hours ago, h2oface said:

Looks like Varland didn’t pitch…

Thanks for catching that. Fixed!

[DJL44]

5 hours ago, Galen said:

Maybe next time they'll build up Ober's stamina with  74 or 75 pitches.

He's only 29. Gotta save his arm for his mid-30s.

2 hours ago, mark sills said:

I guess stats don't matter to us. Zebby should of defiantly been next one up and I think Andrew before Fiesta

I believe they wanted to give Paddack and Woods-Richardson an extra day of rest. After all, they've pitched ....(looks up baseball reference)... two games each. Paddack has thrown over 7 innings, he's got to be gassed.

2 hours ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

So why not give Keaschall, Martin and/or  Keirsey a real chance.

They'll be getting plenty of reps after they gut this team at the trade deadline.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Hubie29 said:

France is their best hitter.

Are you closing your eyes when Wallner is at bat?

[knothole61]

2 hours ago, gregens said:

Of the players you've listed, I give Wallner the highest chance of having an above average MLB career.

I have to agree. Wallner is a big, strong kid--and a lefty, a plus defender with a rifle arm, and he's actually pretty fast for a giant. He's a cut above the occasionally hot but often not triumvirate of Miranda, Julien, and yes, even Larnach. He has a high K rate but still, to my eye, he takes more professional at bats than the others I've mentioned.      

[wavedog]

You know when teams are going good and its a different player each game that comes through for the team to help them win.  This team is the exact opposite -  they each are taking turns finding new ways to blow the game form poor situational hitting, poor baserunning, poor fielding, pitching imploding and poor managing.   

[David HK]

5 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

White Sox still haven’t won since beating the twins on March 31

They must be lickin' their chops for another chance at our Twinkies. 

It's like back in HS, when you always scheduled your Homecoming game against the crappiest opposition possible...  Wonder how many other teams are circling the Twins on their calendar for a possible sweep? 🤔

[David HK]

5 hours ago, Road trip said:

Looks to me like a team with B- talent playing down to D+ baseball.  You can blame a variety of individual players (and I do), but it wasn't hard to project that this team was going to struggle to score runs even if all starters were available and playing.

Changes are needed if ownership is interested in salvaging the season.  Soon.  And they can't fire 25 players.  

The truth is right there in your last line.

[David HK]

4 hours ago, shimrod said:

Bader is praised almost daily for his enthusiasm and visible love of the game. Twins used to field entire teams with that attitude. Even when those teams didn't win they were fun to watch. 

Then there's this bunch...

 

I miss the piranhas.  Now we're stuck with blowfish.

[knothole61]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Can we at least try to run our fastest to first base in case someone bobbles the ball??

Finn, that's not much to ask really--is it? Run as hard (not as fast of course!) as Bobby Witt and you might win more games, but you will surely be doing your job--a job you are paid highly, in wages and public adulation, to do. I can hear some (likely Rocco) say: "Do you want your stars running hard on plays that are routine outs and risk injury?" I would answer..."Yes, damn right I do!" If you can't run 90 feet a couple of times a game at a reasonable pace, it might be time to seek other employment. And it just looks bad to trot toward first as if you are too precious to make a real effort--how inspirational for the fans and your teammates to see. It's kind of a question of pride and of a workman being worthy of his hire, in my humble opinion.

When the Twins begin to retool this organization, as surely they must at this point, in addition to focusing on WAR, OBP, SLG, and the like when putting a roster together, I'd like them to consider a new metric that I'd place near the top of the list, namely the PDH factor: Pride, Determination, and Hustle. That's impossible to quantify you say? Hmmm, actually I think identifying baseball PDH is akin to Justice Potter Stewart's response when asked how he would define pornography: "I know it when I see it."     

 

 

[Vanimal46]

2 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Was there any official word about why Ober was lifted so early in the game when he was rolling along so easily?

My question as well after reading the recap… Didn’t he throw more pitches in the start when he was ill? Pre-game I was hoping for 6 strong innings from Ober. But it seems like there’s more gas left in the tank looking at pitch count. 

[Vanimal46]

49 minutes ago, David HK said:

I miss the piranhas.  Now we're stuck with blowfish.

Did you say blowfish?

 

[Parfigliano]

5 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Eh, I dunno. I get the impression a good portion of the writing staff here doesn't particularly care for baseball and sure as hell rarely watches it 

Kinda harsh.

[Parfigliano]

4 hours ago, saviking said:

Poor Pohlads. First you can't attract a buyer for the team and now you can't attract buyers for tickets. This is when Ibusuallybstart harping about putting 26 million into one player but the rest of the hitters aren't performing either. 

Starting pitchers has had a few bad games but over they have pitched well enough to be tied for first place. Unless the Twins can pick it up by the end of May they need to bring in a new manager and use him like a defibrillator. 

Should have been done last year so they can't wait until May to can Rocco.  A competent organization after seeing the last 50+ games and the downturn in every aspect of the game would cut bait.

[Parfigliano]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Lee - Lewis - Keaschall are all hurt or slowly mending. They certainly displace Gasper at 29 …….. Vazquez, unless he resigns for $4.5M is in his last year at around 33………France will be gone unless he has a career year……. Emma will be playing next year and Kiersey, at 29, won’t be around.

Age isn’t the issue - lack of playing to capabilities/expectations are the problem.

France is gone for sure if he has a career year.