Twins 4, Mets 3: Aggression at Bat and on the Bases Give Twins Their First Walk-Off Win

[Doctor Gast]

Great pitching except the Jax hiccup, Sands won a well-deserved elusive extra-inning win.

Although his production didn't show it, IMO, Wallner's hustle has sparked a winning streak & a series win over the rising NYM. Twins have come alive with hustle.

[stringer bell]

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

Gosh - I hope you are correct! Festa to the rotation to replace Paddack is a definite upgrade……….Paddack’s innings capabilities fit the PEN with 1-2 innings per outing and max effort! Could upgrade both parts of Staff.

Duran - 1.08 ERA …. Coulombe - 0.00 ERA ….. Varland - 3.00 ERA ……. Sands - 2.50 ERA ….. Topa - 1.45 ERA ……..pretty solid group!

Jax - 7.04 ERA ……… Alcala - 13.50 …….couple pretty reliable guys struggling or we have best PEN in baseball.

Add Paddack & it could be really good going forward!

Alcalá has had two absolute meltdowns totaling seven runs and no outs (IIRC) and Jax has been touched for three runs in one outing and Jax had three outings where he was scored on (earned runs) six runs in 2.2 innings. It will take months to overcome what happened to Alcalá and weeks to overcome what Jax has allowed. Such is the life of a relief pitcher. I think Jax' stuff and previous performance over the two and a half years says he'll still be pretty good. I wouldn't say the same for Alcalá.

[Sjoski]

2 hours ago, NYCTK said:

Why whine after a win on a correct call? 

Don't forget the Twins were also gifted a run on a clearly wrong call too. 

If expecting replay to require actual evidence makes me a whiner, then I guess we’ve redefined the word. I always thought it meant asking for something unreasonable—like overturning a call based on a dust cloud.

So...now we factor in "make up calls" in the video review process. 

 

[FlyingFinn]

40 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

He was going to be DFAed by MIA. Do we need another reject?

It only cost some cash so why not have an emergency backup with Correa, Castro, and Miranda all hurt. When people are healthy, I suspect the Twins will DFA him as well.

[stringer bell]

22 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

It only cost some cash so why not have an emergency backup with Correa, Castro, and Miranda all hurt. When people are healthy, I suspect the Twins will DFA him as well.

He reminds me of Kyle Farmer, but without the platoon splits.

[Vanimal46]

This is a fun version of Byron Buxton that we’ve all missed. Pure speed on the base paths that creates chaos for any defense. All I want to see is this version of Buxton over 130+ games. Please let 2025 be that year! 

[jmlease1]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

It only cost some cash so why not have an emergency backup with Correa, Castro, and Miranda all hurt. When people are healthy, I suspect the Twins will DFA him as well.

seems right. they clearly weren't comfortable going to their 4th or 5th option at 3B and digging further down into the minors. might as well have a guy that's a bit more acceptable on the left side than asking someone like Gasper or Julien to fill in (or seeing if France could survive back there for a game or 3)

[stringer bell]

In typical AL Central tradition, the Twins gained a game on every other team in the division today. 

[knothole61]

Great win--I'm proud of the boys, as beaten up as they are, for winning the series against the $323,099,999 Mets! And now the next 9 games (I think) are with teams averaging a .350 winning percentage. The Twins can, if they put the pedal down, creep close to .500 soon...fingers crossed. 

On the negative side: I do not trust Jax. Moreau (bless his heart) called him absolutely one of the best relievers in the game. Well I think it's fair to say that Jax is an unreliable reliever who is prone to meltdowns but who, when he's at his best, is what Moreau said. I know it's early, but he's cruising along now with a 7.04 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. At this point he's no longer my set-up guy; I'd rather see Sands or Varland in the 8th. Also, Larnach's funk is troubling. It's not the low average so much as the sloppy, non-competitive at bats he's been taking. He's looking like a deer in the headlights. By the way, if he'd been out in left on Wednesday instead of Bader, the Twins would have lost.

Finally: Gasper, why?  

 

 

 

[h2oface]

"The Twins' defense has been sharp this season, reining in a lot of the baserunning opportunities from the opposition and helping out the pitching staff. "

They have made some really good plays, and a bunch of horrible defense. Like the cut off to the middle of the back of the Met yesterday, Castro has 3 errors and several that weren't scored an error, like in the Jax meltdown, and the pitchers have been literally losing games with horrible throws. That's team defense. It has hardly been "sharp". I would even call it pretty poor.

How about that great double play by Julien? Even with chasing Lindor way out of the baseline.

Jax is a mess. And he wanted to start.s

I still can't believe Gasper is on the team. 

[umterp23]

I like Vader and he gives you speed, hustle, solid defense and some grit at the plate. Dust, foot on base and a video review you make the call. When you watch it real time he is almost a full body length past the bag. One thing if you are sliding head first is touch and holding the bag with a hand. Take off the oven mitt these guys wear and he holds the bag vs flying over the bag. For a split second there wasn’t a single body part touching the bag per video review. 

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, 1985Fan said:

For once II’m ok with Rocco making the pitching change when he did. Just ok, don’t agree with it. Tomorrow is an off day, so the BP can recover and reload for Atlanta. At some point, Rocco is going to have to understand it’s a long season and every out from the starters makes the BP better. 
Great pitching, some clutch hits, and decent defense for a series win. I am pleasantly surprised. 

 

FESTA was toast. He had thrown about 30 plus pitches over the previous 3 outs. He was at 51 pitches with 2 outs in the 3rd and finished at 74……..Bases loaded. Gotta go to veteran that’s ready - fresh - used to pressure jams. Also, day off Thursday as you point out. Don’t exactly have a run scoring machine of Festa gives up a base hit or walks a guy……I guess I’m more than OK with the move.

How about the PEN making the Team better by bailing the starter out of a jam?

[JD-TWINS]

12 hours ago, Sjoski said:

If expecting replay to require actual evidence makes me a whiner, then I guess we’ve redefined the word. I always thought it meant asking for something unreasonable—like overturning a call based on a dust cloud.

So...now we factor in "make up calls" in the video review process. 

 

?? not sure the angle here? Bader was out….. they don’t overturn umpires w/o a real clear view…….our guy at 1B was out and called safe.

Not sure why there is any complaining from our side in a win? Maybe I don’t get the conversation ?

[Doctor Wu]

13 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

I have nothing whatsoever against the good people of New York ... but I love beating a New York team. Love it. The Twins may be an also-ran this year, but please, please, beat those elite payroll teams.

I love New York City ... but I despise their baseball teams!

[Doctor Wu]

11 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

This is a fun version of Byron Buxton that we’ve all missed. Pure speed on the base paths that creates chaos for any defense. All I want to see is this version of Buxton over 130+ games. Please let 2025 be that year! 

Yes indeed, plus Buxton seems more energized and playing with passion. Fun to watch. Just please please please keep him off the IL this season. 

[Doctor Wu]

Another fun player to watch this season, especially on the field, is Harrison Bader. He may end up being the best pickup from the off-season, although France is holding his own so far too. 

[LambchoP]

Now that's how we need to play, with aggressive base running and real passion. Starting pitching has been great, just need to start going a little deeper eventually. The pen has been off and on, getting Stewart back should help. The injuries are concerning. Hopefully Wallner isn't out for too long and Correa and Castro can avoid the IL. If we have to rely on Gasper and the DFA guy from Miami we might be in trouble. Martin was absolutely raking in AAA. Hopefully he's healthy soon. Mccusker is hitting great too, 4 home runs. I know he's not on the 40 man but maybe give him a cup of coffee. Larnach sure looks like he could use a AAA reset. Rodriguez and Keaschal aren't quite ready yet.

[David Maro]

Team is finally playing baseball. When you get the ball in play you have a chance to make things happen.

Buxton getting on base puts pressure on the other team's defense. With him on 2nd in the 10th and France at the plate who hits the ball the other way game over.

Jax is leaving too many pitches in the middle of the zone and needs to clean that up.

Bader would of been safe if he didn't over slide the base. The oven mitt gives them a extra couple inches but can't hold the bag.

 

 

[Blyleven2011]

13 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Great pitching except the Jax hiccup, Sands won a well-deserved elusive extra-inning win.

Although his production didn't show it, IMO, Wallner's hustle has sparked a winning streak & a series win over the rising NYM. Twins have come alive with hustle.

They also have been getting a leadoff batter on base more often during the past few games ...

[woolywoolhouse]

After ESPN ranked the Twins as one of the least-watchable teams, I'm loving the hustle-doubles, scoring from second on an infield grounder, Julien with the 4-4-4 double-play... yesterday's win may have been the most-fun game to watch on Twins.TV all season.

[Jeff K]

14 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Gosh - I hope you are correct! Festa to the rotation to replace Paddack is a definite upgrade……….Paddack’s innings capabilities fit the PEN with 1-2 innings per outing and max effort! Could upgrade both parts of Staff.

Duran - 1.08 ERA …. Coulombe - 0.00 ERA ….. Varland - 3.00 ERA ……. Sands - 2.50 ERA ….. Topa - 1.45 ERA ……..pretty solid group!

Jax - 7.04 ERA ……… Alcala - 13.50 …….couple pretty reliable guys struggling or we have best PEN in baseball.

Add Paddack & it could be really good going forward!

And Alcala gone...please!

[JD-TWINS]

16 hours ago, 1985Fan said:

For once II’m ok with Rocco making the pitching change when he did. Just ok, don’t agree with it. Tomorrow is an off day, so the BP can recover and reload for Atlanta. At some point, Rocco is going to have to understand it’s a long season and every out from the starters makes the BP better. 
Great pitching, some clutch hits, and decent defense for a series win. I am pleasantly surprised. 

 

To date, Varland has thrown the most innings from the PEN - his workload to date projects to 77 innings for the year……Coulombe projects to 53 innings ……..Topa projects to 53 innings ……..Duran projects to 69 innings ……. Sands & Jax project to 62 innings.

IMO, the Starters will continue to get longer looks as they stretch out through April.

[bean5302]

3 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

...IMO, the Starters will continue to get longer looks as they stretch out through April.

While the bullpen gets burned out just like we've seen in years past. Recovering from burned out status takes a lot of time. 

[TwinsDr2021]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

?? not sure the angle here? Bader was out….. they don’t overturn umpires w/o a real clear view…….our guy at 1B was out and called safe.

Not sure why there is any complaining from our side in a win? Maybe I don’t get the conversation ?

It isn't any different when people complain about calls (strikes/balls) against the Twins but ignore when the Twins pitchers or hitters get the benefit. I watched the game and it seemed pretty obvious at one point he wasn't touching the base.

[stringer bell]

I have a hard time believing the bullpen has been overworked up until now and with eight-man bullpens it’s hard to see that becoming a huge issue in the future. That said, innings will have to go to less desirable options at times and that will probably hurt. 
 

Griffin Jax has put together a good run of multiple years in the bullpen, being more effective in three straight years.  The stuff still looks outstanding, but the results haven’t been there so far. Maybe it’s regression to the mean, maybe something else. I certainly think the Twins should stick with him quite a while longer. 

[Mike Sixel]

Have.

[jmlease1]

5 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Griffin Jax has put together a good run of multiple years in the bullpen, being more effective in three straight years.  The stuff still looks outstanding, but the results haven’t been there so far. Maybe it’s regression to the mean, maybe something else. I certainly think the Twins should stick with him quite a while longer. 

Yeah, I'm not advocating pulling or demoting Jax at this point, just wondering if anyone is seeing anything mechanical that might be screwing him up or if it's just a matter of a guy not hitting his spots. Hope he finds his form soon: we are much more capable of holding leads and finishing off games when he's at his best.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Rocco pushed all the right buttons yesterday!! 🙂

Jax is a nice reliever, who had a whale of a season last year. He is not one of the best relievers in baseball, nor does he need to be. Twins Media World sets up unrealistic expectations for some of these guys that they cannot meet.

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

It isn't any different when people complain about calls (strikes/balls) against the Twins but ignore when the Twins pitchers or hitters get the benefit. I watched the game and it seemed pretty obvious at one point he wasn't touching the base.

This is what I saw. He looks out to me. Clear? I wouldn't say that. If my windows or glasses were that clear ..... 

Also, I hope nobody was hurt by a few comments on this play. I didn't see the harm.

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

To date, Varland has thrown the most innings from the PEN - his workload to date projects to 77 innings for the year……Coulombe projects to 53 innings ……..Topa projects to 53 innings ……..Duran projects to 69 innings ……. Sands & Jax project to 62 innings.

IMO, the Starters will continue to get longer looks as they stretch out through April.

Thanks for the update.

Varland at 77 innings would ranked 7th last year. Duran at 69 would have ranked 33rd. There were several relievers without double digit saves and more than 69 innings including Clase, Hader, Scott and Iglesias.

it seems like a pretty reasonable workload so far.