Twins 3, Royals 1: France Continues to Guillotine Nobility

[Aerodeliria]

We could say that despite an early offensive,  France 🇫🇷 defeated India 🇮🇳....

[Peter]

Nerve wracking but twins dug deep and found way to get win!!!

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

Royce’s running right now is not good. I wonder how healthy he is. 

He didn't have to run when he batted like that 😂

[Brandon]

1 hour ago, Bodie said:

You have just summed up "analytics" vs. "scouting".

He wasn't "good" (on the Pablo scale), but "good enough".  Everyone wants to be good, but the winners are always good enough. 

Pablo was helped by a terrible offense.  They only have 2 hitters worth anything.  

[Brandon]

It’s good to get value from your education, especially when you can recognize the pinnacle moment when all of those years of school come together to give you the perfect Article title.  😎🤣

I don’t expect the Royals to be competitive by the end of the year without more offense.  

[jmlease1]

well, I just questioned whether Ty France would be able to find enough power production to deserve being a starter, so of course he hit a dinger. Hopefully he keeps it's up: I'm happy to proven wrong. A little long ball does help you get the victory.

Might as well send McCusker back down now: if Rocco won't play him against a LH starter there's really very little point to having him on the team. Seems like he's not going to actually get a chance, just here to pinch hit and ride the bench. I get that he's not a "prospect", but this seems wasteful and a bit baffling, especially since Rocco was very willing to give Mickey Gasper a real chance.

But a good win against a good team. Still need to find some more offense, but Cameron has been very good since coming up so nice to battle through there. Getting wins against KC is important.

[stringer bell]

KC is the only team in the AL that has allowed less runs per game than the Twins. They don't have great offensive talent outside of Witt Jr., but they make contact, run the bases well and play good defense. That formula usually makes a team competitive and I think that is what the Royals are. 

There won't be many easy wins against that club. They'll be in almost every game. However, they just don't have enough firepower right now to take the next step. 

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

You don't think a roof would improve the aesthetics? Joking.

It's a good role for him right now. The team needs that.

He is batting third today. :(

[Patzky]

44 minutes ago, Brandon said:

Pablo was helped by a terrible offense.  They only have 2 hitters worth anything.  

I thought you were being sarcastic about our offense :)

[Richie the Rally Goat]

12 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

France comes through with walk off ...

Nice win but it took nine innings for the fireworks  , but it was worth it  ...

Pablo alittle off his game but managed to keep us in the game ...

Pablo’s whole outing was just nerve wracking. Super fun to watch him get in and out of jams. It’s a heck of a pitcher who looked more than a little off (to me) for 5 and 2/3, and only give up one run.

Also, Sands has been fantastic, and still holds primary leverage situations even though Jax has been great too.

what a fun game to take my son to

 

[karcherd]

On the usage of Stewart, I know his history but if you are not going to send him out another inning then that is a failure on the front office to not have a better option.  This is the kind of move that worked in the moment and it may work in the future.  But there will be times during the season that using that extra reliever will cost you in the next couple of games because someone won't be available when needed.  This is where average innings isn't the factor to look at, it's the impact on the current game and series.  This happened last year and I will guess moves like this will cost at least 2 to 5 games this year.  I thought every game counted.

My question is Lewis not running because he is hurt or is the team telling him not to open it up.  Remember last year when he went on a rehab, he stole second in his first game and Rocco almost had a stroke when he found out.  The Twins are very conservative with injuries which they can be, but it makes hard to know when a player is injured or being managed to avoid future injury.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Lee may have the softest swing I’ve ever seen……he looks like he’s 35 and out of shape, soft (he’s 25). He said himself a week or so ago that if he were to play SS everyday he’d need to be about 6lbs lighter. He needs to get his upper body more fit/stronger.

Lewis may not be producing at the level we would like to expect - he’s battling ailments to get right (definitely getting old) but Lee looks TO ME like a guy that might be a back-up to CC & Luke Keaschall before the end of this season. Also, I don’t see Lee being some big threat as a PH either. He needs to get better!

while Lee is below average in hard hit rate and average exit velo, you’ve seen worse. Such as Carlos Correa

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

well, I just questioned whether Ty France would be able to find enough power production to deserve being a starter, so of course he hit a dinger. Hopefully he keeps it's up: I'm happy to proven wrong. A little long ball does help you get the victory.

Might as well send McCusker back down now: if Rocco won't play him against a LH starter there's really very little point to having him on the team. Seems like he's not going to actually get a chance, just here to pinch hit and ride the bench. I get that he's not a "prospect", but this seems wasteful and a bit baffling, especially since Rocco was very willing to give Mickey Gasper a real chance.

But a good win against a good team. Still need to find some more offense, but Cameron has been very good since coming up so nice to battle through there. Getting wins against KC is important.

Gasper was rostered and then used out of absolute necessity……..McCusker is one of 13 guys out of absolute necessity. He wasn’t brought up to have a bunch or any regular playing time. He’s up in case they need someone due to other unforeseen circumstances. He will be back down any day as Wallner & Buxton may return as soon as tomorrow……almost certainly for the road trip. He got a quick taste and if he continues to produce in St. Paul he’s got a shot via injuries or in September.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

8 minutes ago, karcherd said:

On the usage of Stewart, I know his history but if you are not going to send him out another inning then that is a failure on the front office to not have a better option.  This is the kind of move that worked in the moment and it may work in the future.  But there will be times during the season that using that extra reliever will cost you in the next couple of games because someone won't be available when needed.  This is where average innings isn't the factor to look at, it's the impact on the current game and series.  This happened last year and I will guess moves like this will cost at least 2 to 5 games this year.  I thought every game counted.

My question is Lewis not running because he is hurt or is the team telling him not to open it up.  Remember last year when he went on a rehab, he stole second in his first game and Rocco almost had a stroke when he found out.  The Twins are very conservative with injuries which they can be, but it makes hard to know when a player is injured or being managed to avoid future injury.

There’s 8 relievers on the staff. The way this team hits, it’s better to have a fireman who can warm up quick and wriggle a starter out of a jam and avoid giving up runs, than to worry about running out of relievers in an 8 man bullpen

[JD-TWINS]

Pablo was gritty last night - thank goodness his Change-Up was working well. I’m usually the first one to say how sports, baseball aren’t perfect but I couldn’t help but be pissed off at Lopez for giving up doubles ahead 1-2 in the count and then 0-2. Middle-middle fastballs!! He just didn’t have good command of the fastball…….until maybe the 5th. Nice win!

BTW, Team is 15-2 over last 17 and they’ve climbed to first Wildcard Playoff level in the standings………..nobody says anything positive about Baldelli……..75% of the losses were due to him being clueless but the wins are all players stepping up……..not very logical.

They started 3 RH hitting OF last night (WON), all ahead of McCusker in pecking order, but Rocco should have given McCusker, the 28 year old with 6 MLB at bats, “a chance”.????

[Richie the Rally Goat]

11 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Pablo was gritty last night - thank goodness his Change-Up was working well. I’m usually the first one to say how sports, baseball aren’t perfect but I couldn’t help but be pissed off at Lopez for giving up doubles ahead 1-2 in the count and then 0-2. Middle-middle fastballs!! He just didn’t have good command of the fastball…….until maybe the 5th. Nice win!

BTW, Team is 15-2 over last 17 and they’ve climbed to first Wildcard Playoff level in the standings………..nobody says anything positive about Baldelli……..75% of the losses were due to him being clueless but the wins are all players stepping up……..not very logical.

They started 3 RH hitting OF last night (WON), all ahead of McCusker in pecking order, but Rocco should have given McCusker, the 28 year old with 6 MLB at bats, “a chance”.????

16-2 over the last 18

[RpR]

41 minutes ago, karcherd said:

My question is Lewis not running because he is hurt or is the team telling him not to open it up.  Remember last year when he went on a rehab, he stole second in his first game and Rocco almost had a stroke when he found out.  The Twins are very conservative with injuries which they can be, but it makes hard to know when a player is injured or being managed to avoid future injury.

If he cannot run and cannot hit, why is he on the team and not in St.Paul?

[Linus]

3 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Lee may have the softest swing I’ve ever seen……he looks like he’s 35 and out of shape, soft (he’s 25). He said himself a week or so ago that if he were to play SS everyday he’d need to be about 6lbs lighter. He needs to get his upper body more fit/stronger.

Lewis may not be producing at the level we would like to expect - he’s battling ailments to get right (definitely getting old) but Lee looks TO ME like a guy that might be a back-up to CC & Luke Keaschall before the end of this season. Also, I don’t see Lee being some big threat as a PH either. He needs to get better!

I saw that comment as well. I don’t get it - you are a pro athlete and are 10 lbs over weight?

[LambchoP]

Nice to get a win, but man our lineup did not look good. Swinging and chasing out of the zone, watching strikes go by. Lewis and Lee are really starting to worry me. It's obvious Lewis is still hurt, the guy can barely jog to first, so he'll be ok if he gets healthy. Lee on the other hand, looks like a backup utility IF at best. Keaschal coming back should really help this infield. I'm also pretty bummed about their use of Mccusker. Royals start a lefty and he's not in the lineup? Now today it looks like they're starting Keirsey over Mccusker? Keirsey is nothing more than a pinch runner or defensive sub, he's a black hole at the plate. Why call up Mccusker if he's not going to get a chance?

[PDX Twin]

On Star Wars Night, I expected more from Darth Bader.

[Mrs. Baseball]

I see Correa. I see France. Erceg just filled his underpants. (2nd grade playground education, with a Masters in SA (smart ass).

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Great article, Matt. The title was hilarious. I'm glad that Ty France could break the tie and win the game. 

[Brandon]

3 hours ago, Patzky said:

I thought you were being sarcastic about our offense :)

Our offense is good when everyone is healthy.  Missing Buxton, Wallner, and Keaschal and we just got Correa and Lewis back.  That’s most of our offensive talent.  

[Bodie]

7 hours ago, David Maro said:

Sorry but Lee is hard to watch at the plate right now. It doesn't matter if it's from the left or right side. He may need to be sent to St Paul to get right. Can't keep hoping he will get better when they are already hoping with Lewis. The pitching staff is doing their job,but for how long. Not going to win with only one or two guys hitting.

Or maybe just  a walk off...

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Lee has had a couple weeks where he’s hit well, but overall numbers are subpar. Right now, I’m envisioning him as a three position backup infielder who could step into regular play with any injury to the guys he backs up—sort of a Willi Castro without outfield play. He just hasn’t been good enough to become a full time regular at any one position IMHO. 

3-5 on Saturday with the walk-off single…..didn’t tear the cover off but that’s fine…….go Brooks!!!

[DJL44]

6 hours ago, Linus said:

I saw that comment as well. I don’t get it - you are a pro athlete and are 10 lbs over weight?

He's probably carrying more muscle than he would if he played SS. Less time in the weight room and more time doing flexibility and speed training.