Twins 5, Royals 3: Move Over Royce, the Twins Have a New Savior

[Wedman13]

The negative spin from the writers on the site lately is surprising.  Yes, Keaschall is killing it.  So that means Lewis sucks?  Why does every post need a 'yeah, but'?  Just enjoy the run, if ur a fan.

ps... Lewis didn't even play today

[USAFChief]

38 minutes ago, Wedman13 said:

 

ps... Lewis didn't even play today

False.

[David HK]

catching up with the replay a bit.  Wow, Pierson did a good job, surprisingly.  And Gulfa Tonkin battled his way through 2 big innings, well done!

But Omg- why oh why are we "seeing what we have" in Mickey?  Geez louise, if you suck at the plate, and you know it, you damn well better be able to get a bunt down- or at least recognize and don't try to bunt  that waaaaay inside pitch that would have been ball 4.  The old addage applies- the ball will find you.  Or in his case, how many times does his spot come up in a key situation?  Uffda.

[knothole61]

20 minutes ago, David HK said:

catching up with the replay a bit.  Wow, Pierson did a good job, surprisingly.  And Gulfa Tonkin battled his way through 2 big innings, well done!

But Omg- why oh why are we "seeing what we have" in Mickey?  Geez louise, if you suck at the plate, and you know it, you damn well better be able to get a bunt down- or at least recognize and don't try to bunt  that waaaaay inside pitch that would have been ball 4.  The old addage applies- the ball will find you.  Or in his case, how many times does his spot come up in a key situation?  Uffda.

David, I’m bailing out my house here in suburban Milwaukee after our version of a monsoon, but am buoyed by a thrilling Twins’ victory and the heroics of the spunky Luke K. I have to agree completely about Mickey G.: his bunting fail should be the absolute last straw despite his “value” as a 3rd string catcher! Nothing against him personally but that sac attempt really was comical…and he gets paid to do this.

[h2oface]

6 hours ago, Wedman13 said:

The negative spin from the writers on the site lately is surprising.  Yes, Keaschall is killing it.  So that means Lewis sucks?  Why does every post need a 'yeah, but'?  Just enjoy the run, if ur a fan.

ps... Lewis didn't even play today

Yes he did. Ran for Lee in bottom of the 10th and played third in the top of the 11th. Lewis will be fine. He doesn't do slumps. Plus, he hasn't been a savior to replace for over a year now.

Sad to see Sands' digression. Martin needs to stop trying to be a hero all the time. He sure makes bad choices.

 

[Doctor Wu]

10 hours ago, twinssporto said:

The chemistry with this new/revised squad looks good. Team chemistry can be seen outside the locker room. Sounds crazy but things just look different, "in a good way!"

It's only a few games, and I'm not watching the whole game, but I get the sense of good chemistry too. Whatever is happening, it's working well lately. 

[Doctor Wu]

3 hours ago, knothole61 said:

I have to agree completely about Mickey G.: his bunting fail should be the absolute last straw despite his “value” as a 3rd string catcher! Nothing against him personally but that sac attempt really was comical…and he gets paid to do this.

Another bunting debacle for the Twins. Absolutely brutal. Yeah, Gaspar would seem to be on his last legs, but as you noted, having a third-string catcher has some value at this juncture. 

[Doctor Wu]

4 hours ago, David HK said:

And Gulfa Tonkin battled his way through 2 big innings, well done!

Great new nickname!

[shimrod]

4 hours ago, David HK said:

Wow, Pierson did a good job, surprisingly.

Ohl has been good every outing for a couple of innings. As his pitch count rises he's been less effective; to my eye a combination of less command and worse action on his changeup. If Rocco can resist the temptation to get a third or fourth inning out of him Ohl should be fine.

 

[Fatbat]

7 hours ago, USAFChief said:

False.

He played with no stat line. Both playing and not playing can be true at the same time.,.

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

It's only a few games, and I'm not watching the whole game, but I get the sense of good chemistry too. Whatever is happening, it's working well lately. 

This vibe started in April when LK was called up. The win streak followed immediately. Then injuries hit hard with several guys. If LK and others would have been playing regularly, its not hard to imagine this team somewhere 10-16 games over .500 right now. We will never know but baseball is a mind game. The bomba squad had “It”. The ‘87 and ‘91 teams, Royce brought “it” in ‘23.  We got more of these guys in the minor leagues. ‘26/27 with new ownership…. Whew…. We will be rolling sooner than the debbie downers think. 

[Doctor Wu]

2 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Whew…. We will be rolling sooner than the debbie downers think. 

I agree with that optimism. Even after this flurry of trades, the Twins CAN still contend next season. We aren't as far away as some seem to think. But the bullpen DOES need a makeover sooner than later. 

[GCTF]

50 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

He played with no stat line. Both playing and not playing can be true at the same time.,.

Schrodinger's baseball player?

[cjm0926]

10 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

This is the sort of thing people "find" when they've already decided they don't want a player on the team. Suddenly the body language is bad, they don't hustle, blah blah blah. Never heard anything bad about Julien as a teammate.

And of course everything looks great on Keaschall's intangibles: he can't miss at the plate. When was the last time you saw bad body language on a player hitting .400?

 

Yea thats my bad, shortly after posting the comment I kind of realized that and edited the comment, but it must not have updated quick enough. Thats on me.

[The Great Hambino]

The odds of a Star Wars-themed Luke Keaschall bobblehead giveaway at Target Field occurring at some point during the 2026 season have been taken off the board

[JD-TWINS]

15 hours ago, LastOnePicked said:

Oof. The blown-up Twins are a lot more fun that the pre-deadline Twins. A lot.

I think, winning as much as you lose, with nearly Zero expectations, is the only fun part. Add Keaschall to the line-up back to May and the Twins would be in the mix for playoffs with the “pre-deadline” Twins.

Lopez every 5th day & Keaschall for another 65-70 games & the Team would have been solid, IMO. Probably buy something in trade at the deadline-line instead of the exodus. Too bad key guys got injured - I do like the fresh look, with some financial flexibility heading into ‘26!

[Old Twins Hat]

13 hours ago, Linus said:

Keaschall is something. The Twins really stole one today. Austin Martins speed might be the most wasted asset on the club. He can’t run the bases or efficiently track a fly ball. He does look better at the plate. 

Austin is playing like a rookie, all starts and stops and mistakes.

What happens if he gets some seasoning and trusts his instincts?

[laloesch]

Luke Keaschall looks awesome.  The more i see of this kid the more impressed I am.  leave him at second base the rest of the season, he's earned it.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, GCTF said:

Schrodinger's baseball player?

Another country heard from.

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, The Great Hambino said:

The odds of a Star Wars-themed Luke Keaschall bobblehead giveaway at Target Field occurring at some point during the 2026 season have been taken off the board

I got $100 on 5/4/26 at two to one just in the nick of time. 

 

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Austin is playing like a rookie, all starts and stops and mistakes.

What happens if he gets some seasoning and trusts his instincts?

I think HE trusts his instincts, not sure anyone else will for some time into the future. He looks more dynamic on the field now. He’s pressing to make an impact - understandable, but not great if it turns out to be negative impact.

[Mike Sixel]

11 hours ago, Wedman13 said:

I like your takes so I no offense but they got shot out last light.

It's not going to work every day. 

[David HK]

11 hours ago, Fatbat said:

He played with no stat line. Both playing and not playing can be true at the same time.,.

As has been the case with Royce on far too many occasions. 😅