Twins 8, Orioles 6: Kody Clemens Plays Hero, Twins Win 10th in a Row!

[arby58]

 

Early on, it seemed anything that could go wrong did go wrong at the worst possible moment. Now, the reverse seems to be happening. Regression to the mean?

I would think all the guys who threw more than 20 pitches would not be available tomorrow. That would leave Topa, Coulombe, Sands and Dúran to pitch tomorrow. I imagine Paddack will go pretty deep unless he gets shelled. 
 

If Bader is going to be out more than a day, maybe someone very tall gets a major league chance. They will need a starter on Sunday. It is possible SWR gets optioned and a bullpen guy is added for four days before Festa/Matthews comes up Sunday. 

The tall guy isn't on the 40 man roster, so I doubt that is in the cards short-term.

[stringer bell]

 

Would they send down SWR for a pen arm at this point? Adams up for a couple of games and then Festa or Matthews up for Sunday? The rainout does mess with Ober's spot in the rotation for sure. I don't think they WANT to send SWR just yet, but maybe they need to to keep the rotation on schedule? Or could someone...again MAYBE Adams, maybe not...for the start on Sunday and do a bullpen game?

A lot to consider here.

The pen was taxed a bit today, but everyone also got 2 days rest before today as well. But they also don't have an off day until next Thursday. 

Yeah, I posted just above you and suggested Adams. I think major league front offices place a lot of value in options and 40-man roster spots. They aren't going to give up an option and make a 40-man move very often just to get over a doubleheader in May. However, with the doubleheader they need a starter or a bullpen game on Sunday and frankly Woods Richardson probably isn't as good right now as either Matthews or Festa. Using Adams to eat innings tomorrow through Saturday would work, although I'm not sure they'd consider him with only three days rest.

[stringer bell]

 

The tall guy isn't on the 40 man roster, so I doubt that is in the cards short-term.

They have one or two guys to go on the 60-day so I don't think that is as big an issue. He will be 27 in eight days so starting a service time clock etc. isn't much of an issue either. 

[Mike Sixel]

Wow 

SWR has to go to AAA or the bullpen, which is my preference. Festa should be up. 

[bean5302]

 

Raya is schedule to pitch tomorrow in Iowa.  I think we can leave him there for now.

Matthews is scheduled for Friday.  Festa for Saturday.  Maybe possible to push Lopez back a day (Saturday to Sunday) since they have no starter currently listed for Sunday and bring up Festa for Saturday.  I believe you are still stuck with SWR and his next scheduled start next Monday against Cleveland.

A couple other things to consider.  Any pitchers sent down must stay in AAA for 15 days unless brought back up because of injury.  Also, I am unfamiliar with what options many of these relievers have left and most of them are too good to just DFA and pray no one else picks them up.  

I guess I'd just rather have Raya out of the bullpen. He sure doesn't look like a starter at this point. Several of our pitchers have options.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Honest question. What crazy luck have they gotten? And who are the horses that are missing?  Wallner and Keaschall are the only ones I can think of. And Lewis and Correa haven't really hit yet. That's why I said they can still get better. Enjoying the ride in the meantime. 

I mean....they won today off clutch homers from Vazquez and Clemens.  They are putting up runs with two main stars playing putrid and two young studs out.

[JD-TWINS]

 

Ober would be on regular rest to pitch on Monday. If either Festa or Matthews is recalled I would presume they take SWR's spot in the rotation for at least two starts and it would appear that one of them will be starting against the Brewers, so why not keep them around for a while? 

If the Twins want to recall a bullpen arm while they are short (tomorrow especially) Travis Adams would probably be the guy. He's on the 40-man roster, he has pitched effectively and he's worked multiple innings. Adams started a game on the 11th and worked four innings. I don't know if that would preclude him from being recalled and available tomorrow. 

How do you get space on Roster for Adams?

[Blyleven2011]

 

Today the SPs have let us down. Again, I had to break away from the game & they were losing 6-4 when I returned. Again I felt we'd come back to win it & we did. It's not luck, as some say. it's chemistry, the force to be able to do that.

Our starters maybe didn't quite have there best stuff , bullpen arms did a great job , even Alcala  went 2 innings ...

10 game winning streaks are tough to do , and very stressful for the fans because we want the streak to continue ...

These two games today were stressful but it was worth it,  we did have 4 errors in first game and we still won , don't know if you saw Clemens at first base in first game , but he blew 2 scoops that cost an error on correa's throw , either Clemens is rusty playing first or he just isn't a first basemen  

Enjoyed the day watching the doubleheader  , glad I got my outdoor chores done before game time ...

I have a feeling as Baltimore continues to struggle to win games that a change will be coming maybe as soon as the twins win tomorrow  , Hyde is on the hot seat , their lineup is awesome but their starting pitching isn't,  plus their 2 best are on IL list  ...

[stringer bell]

What happened to Baldelli? i hope it is nothing serious.

Some player and roster comments--Keirsey has looked pretty bad as a hitter, but now he's the backup CF if Bader isn't available (Groin tightness sounds like a disabling injury for sure). If Bader hits the IL, I believe it will be McCusker's chance although I really doubt he'll continue his prodigious hitting in the majors. Either or both  Tonkin and Keaschall could go on the 60-day IL to make a spot for McCusker or a relief pitcher if needed. While Jonah Bride looks like a good defender at either first or third base, I don't think he's long for his spot with the Twins. Since Clemens hits lefty and has provided some big hits, I expect he'll be around for a while. 

Unrelated to the above--RIP Rich Rollins, a Twin from 1961 to 1968. All-Star in 1962.

[stringer bell]

 

How do you get space on Roster for Adams?

Option SWR. Adams is on the 40-man.

[JD-TWINS]

 

Option SWR. Adams is on the 40-man.

Then SWR is down for a minimum of 15 days.

[stringer bell]

 

Then SWR is down for a minimum of 15 days.

Of course, barring injury. I don't think it is much of a stretch to have Festa or Matthews take two turns instead of SWR. Festa already filled in for 15 days when Pablo was on the IL.

[USAFChief]

 

Last three game-winning hits…

2-out walk-off base hit: DeShawn Keirsey Jr.

2-out 3-run home run: Christian Vasquez

Late inning 3-run home run down by one: Kody Clemens

 

As expected. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

A month ago I said something to the effect of “this needs to rattle off 10 wins in a row to make them relevant again, and I don’t think they have it in them”

never so thrilled to be wrong

[Doc Lenz]

Easy call on opening a spot on the 40 man roster. Gasper

[DJL44]

 

Tonkin is back rehabbing, but he won't be ready.

I think he actually went back on the IL.

[DJL44]

 

Easy call on opening a spot on the 40 man roster. Gasper

Matt Wallner or Luke Keaschall to the 60 day IL is easier.

[GNess]

 

Today the SPs have let us down. Again, I had to break away from the game & they were losing 6-4 when I returned. Again I felt we'd come back to win it & we did. It's not luck, as some say. it's chemistry, the force to be able to do that.

Yes as good as the SP has been there are some legit concerns especially about SWR right now. There may be some good internal options like Festa and Matthews and even Morris..

[Aerodeliria]

They didn't play good infield defense in the one game (actually quite poor) but were saved by the outfield defense. Bader is very good in the outfield, and we know what Buxton can do with his wheels.

I am glad the O's are still struggling, but I imagine them snapping out of it at any moment, so if the Twins can finish them off tomorrow that would be a big win-win.

[S Bart]

The Orioles pitcher on Thursday, Sugano, has a 4-2 record and a 2.72 ERA. He has not faced the Twins this year. The Twins will be facing a more challenging pitcher than the last two games. It will be interesting to see if Paddack can replicate his last performance (questionable in my view). The Orioles are favored per the betting odds which is understandable.  Rain is forecast for the morning, but the afternoon looks okay.

[Mike Sixel]

 

The Orioles pitcher on Thursday, Sugano, has a 4-2 record and a 2.72 ERA. He has not faced the Twins this year. The Twins will be facing a more challenging pitcher than the last two games. It will be interesting to see if Paddack can replicate his last performance (questionable in my view). The Orioles are favored per the betting odds which is understandable.  Rain is forecast for the morning, but the afternoon looks okay.

He's given up an average of less than two runs in his last six starts.... What do people want from him before they think he's been good?

[knothole61]

 

What happened to Baldelli? i hope it is nothing serious.

Some player and roster comments--Keirsey has looked pretty bad as a hitter, but now he's the backup CF if Bader isn't available (Groin tightness sounds like a disabling injury for sure). If Bader hits the IL, I believe it will be McCusker's chance although I really doubt he'll continue his prodigious hitting in the majors. Either or both  Tonkin and Keaschall could go on the 60-day IL to make a spot for McCusker or a relief pitcher if needed. While Jonah Bride looks like a good defender at either first or third base, I don't think he's long for his spot with the Twins. Since Clemens hits lefty and has provided some big hits, I expect he'll be around for a while. 

Unrelated to the above--RIP Rich Rollins, a Twin from 1961 to 1968. All-Star in 1962.

Sad...I had a Spalding, Rich Rollins glove as a kid.  

[knothole61]

 

A month ago I said something to the effect of “this needs to rattle off 10 wins in a row to make them relevant again, and I don’t think they have it in them”

never so thrilled to be wrong

Say it again!!!

[UK Twin]

Wahoo Twins are now officially the hottest team in baseball (thanks Phillies!). 10 wins in a row is some achivement for any MLB team, let alone one that really struggled in the first month of the season. Sweeping a DH takes a big team effort so good for everyone!

Big part of the winning streak is the bullpen. It's been incredible throughout May. A couple of bumpy innings along the way but generally it's been lights out. 

I do think Festa should get a chance now in place of SWR. SWR could probably do with working on a few things (mainly cutting down the amount of HR's given up) at AAA. 

That catch by Castro in the 8th was so good and so important. I reckon that was a triple if it got past him so the tying run would have been on 3rd with one out. 

[Doctor Wu]

 

Funny seeing the Twins put it on Cano twice in a week.

Revenge of the Lopez!

[Doctor Wu]

Worth watching is whether Harrison Bader, Ty France, or Baldelli compete in the contest. 

Huh? I know that Baldelli was sick for that game, but what's up with Bader and France?

[Peter]

stressful nerve wracking double header sweep!!! Game 2 was😬😬😬 but twins found way to get it done!!! Let’s get sweep today and make it 11 in a row!!!

[JD-TWINS]

 

Wow 

SWR has to go to AAA or the bullpen, which is my preference. Festa should be up. 

SWR had a 4.06 ERA entering today………he got rocked in one of his 4 innings. Not sure if moving him down makes sense - he’s had a bunch of competitive starts over last 12 months. ……….Paddack is just a bad outing from everyone calling for him to be shifted out of the rotation………with no upcoming off days, moving off SWR screws things up relative to “rest” for starters. I don’t see it happening.

Somebody has to come up for Sunday - assuming that’s Festa. Alcala may get optioned for 15 days?

………………

SURPRISING NEWS - Twins are last Team IN playoffs in 3rd AL Wildcard spot as of today.

[stringer bell]

 

SWR had a 4.06 ERA entering today………he got rocked in one of his 4 innings. Not sure if moving him down makes sense - he’s had a bunch of competitive starts over last 12 months. ……….Paddack is just a bad outing from everyone calling for him to be shifted out of the rotation………with no upcoming off days, moving off SWR screws things up relative to “rest” for starters. I don’t see it happening.

Somebody has to come up for Sunday - assuming that’s Festa. Alcala may get optioned for 15 days?

………………

SURPRISING NEWS - Twins are last Team IN playoffs in 3rd AL Wildcard spot as of today.

Alcalá can't be optioned without his consent. I believe the only reliever with options is Topa (there may be others like Durán and Jax who certainly won't be optioned). That is why I think an option of SWR is quite possible given that Festa or Matthews will be recalled within days anyway.

[mark allen]

 

Honest question. What crazy luck have they gotten? And who are the horses that are missing?  Wallner and Keaschall are the only ones I can think of. And Lewis and Correa haven't really hit yet. That's why I said they can still get better. Enjoying the ride in the meantime. 

the horse is Mathews