Twins 7, Tigers 3: Keaschall’s First Homer Sparks Twins to Much-Needed Win

[Scott51104]

Good catch by the fan in the leftfield bleachers.

[jmlease1]

45 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

They must really be afraid of Martin or Roden having to cover CF for even a short spell

Would a plausible workaround to that be Roden/Kriedler up, Outman/Clemens down?  Roden/Martin platoon in LF, Bell at 1B most days, Larnach at DH most days, Caratini a true backup at C/1B while moonlighting as DH (he'd still play a decent amount), Kriedler primary utility IF while providing cover in CF.  I don't think the D we've seen at 1B from Clemens is appreciably any better than Bell, so he becomes unnecessary pretty quickly.  Kriedler can't hit but neither can Outman, and at least he provides some positive versatility.   I don't see anyone picking up Outman after the start he's had.  Clemens might, but that's fine.  He isn't doing anything well enough to justify a spot anymore.

I don't think they're that afraid of Martin/Roden covering CF; they had Martin do it once this season already. I think this is the old "don't let an asset get away for nothing" fear (they're missing that he's just not an asset), coupled with the sunk cost fallacy on Outman. It's a failure of process to be sure (and we're hardly unique on it in MLB) but I was hoping this might be one of the things that could change under Zoll. So far? Not so much.

How much more rope does Outman get? Considering how we've already seen this guy be garbage last season, it doesn't feel like a hasty decision to boot him from the roster. Roden doesn't fix the issue of too many LH bats on the roster, but at least he might be able to add something.

[jorgenswest]

It was tough to throw strikes last night particularly for the relievers late in the game. The teams combined for 14 walks. Hunter and Funderburk came in a had more balls than strikes. Relievers overall had thrown 104 pitches with only 50 strikes until Cody came in the game.

It shouldn’t go unnoticed that Laweryson came in at the end of the game and stopped the parade of walks. He pitched 1.2 innings using 14 pitches with 12 in the strike zone. Well done Cody!

[AceWrigley]

21 minutes ago, Scott51104 said:

Good catch by the fan in the leftfield bleachers.

Kind of like he had recently attended the Delmon Young Fielding Clinic.

[saviking]

We need tonstsrt a pool on how long it takes management to cut Outman. I say longer than they should. 

[Linus]

The weird roster construction has been discussed a lot. One specific aspect that drives me nuts is the Kody Clemens usage. The guy is a fringe player at best and yet the Twins seem to view him as some staple in their lineup plan. The Twins have golden opportunities to revamp the lineup at first base, DH and left field and have done nothing. I really wish I knew how much influence Zoll had in this past offseason. If he was on board with this then I want him gone as much as Falvey 

[rdehring]

Isn't it great seeing Keaschall begin hitting like everyone expected.  Love this kid.  When Buxton motioned to the bench and walked off the field, I feared the worst.  So happy he missed only one game. 

What has been most surprising is the bullpen that is getting decent results.  Total surprise after all our super relievers left the organization last July.  How long will it continue?  Add me to the list of those who want to see Roden up and Outman out, asap. 

[Patzky]

46 minutes ago, Nshore said:

When Funderburk has to come out for a second inning in any situation it seems like his control issues usually ramp up.  It might be better to use him at the start of an inning only.  

Topa also. 

[karcherd]

10 minutes ago, Linus said:

The weird roster construction has been discussed a lot. One specific aspect that drives me nuts is the Kody Clemens usage. The guy is a fringe player at best and yet the Twins seem to view him as some staple in their lineup plan. The Twins have golden opportunities to revamp the lineup at first base, DH and left field and have done nothing. I really wish I knew how much influence Zoll had in this past offseason. If he was on board with this then I want him gone as much as Falvey 

I seem to recall Falvey saying that Bell was signed to be the primary first baseman.  If that is correct then I am not sure Zoll was on board with the signing of if he was, for the same reasons.  That said I think Zoll is a placeholder in the GM role and is not much different than Falvey.

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, arby58 said:

Agree on Culpepper. The problem with Roden is where does he play? He's not a CF, and spelling Buxton is Outman's primary role. Larnach is 5 for 15 with 2 doubles, 5 walks and only 1 K, so hard to move him off the platoon with Martin. For all Wallner's warts, he is still an impactful offensive player and leads the Twins in HRs with 3.

So, I get Matt has collected a single AND a double in last couple games along with his Team leading 3rd HR…. that’s great!

Hoping he continues to make real strides forward in the coming weeks!!

His 47.7% strikeout rate is intolerable though. His 21K’s in 44 PA’s are MOST in MLB.

Roden can pinch hit, start in LF as an option v. RH pitching with Larnach at DH & Bell or Clemens at 1B. Late game defense. Wallner is going to need a day off occasionally. I saw a few weeks ago Roden had played just a bit of 1B………… seems he would be a direct replacement for Clemens once another OF is ready ……….. Rodriguez or Gonzalez?

Outman - Lee - Clemens ALL have to be on very short time.

Martin would have to assume the role of back-up CF until another guy from AAA is touched (i.e. Rodriguez).

[JD-TWINS]

19 minutes ago, Linus said:

The weird roster construction has been discussed a lot. One specific aspect that drives me nuts is the Kody Clemens usage. The guy is a fringe player at best and yet the Twins seem to view him as some staple in their lineup plan. The Twins have golden opportunities to revamp the lineup at first base, DH and left field and have done nothing. I really wish I knew how much influence Zoll had in this past offseason. If he was on board with this then I want him gone as much as Falvey 

They signed a Catcher & a 1B/DH. The TEAM is spending $105M in ‘26. …….. $10M to Houston for Correa ………$22M or so for Lopez. That leaves $73M spent on guys in the field for this season……… ZOLL did not create this plan!

Not sure what GM wins with those $$ circumstances?

[David Maro]

Good win for a team that could only muster 6 hits over the weekend. And the 1200 fans that attended the game,not 12,000 that someone said was nice for them. Looking and seeing all those empty seats behind home plate is a big problem. Maybe an idea to let a parent with a child to take a couple of those empty seats. You need fans to call out to the opposition from behind home plate.

[jorgenswest]

The Twins beat a good team that started a 2025 all star pitcher. They scored 7 runs. Laweryson shut the door. It may be a rarity but why not notice the contributions to the victory rather than use every thread to relitigate the same gripes? 

[1985Fan]

Lee needs to go to AAA to rebuild his confidence at the plate and in the field. He looks completely lost at the plate and it’s affecting his play in the field.

Too early for Culpepper, he needs more AAA AB’s under his belt before he is rushed to MLB. Lee had <200 AAA AB’s before being promoted. I think he was promoted too quickly and that is a problem of the current player development system. Don’t repeat the mistake with Culpepper!

Arcia was signed for this and bats RH. Between him and Gray they can handle SS and other infield spot starts. Would need to move someone off the 40 man roster. Hey, you’re out man. 

[jmlease1]

49 minutes ago, David Maro said:

Good win for a team that could only muster 6 hits over the weekend. And the 1200 fans that attended the game,not 12,000 that someone said was nice for them. Looking and seeing all those empty seats behind home plate is a big problem. Maybe an idea to let a parent with a child to take a couple of those empty seats. You need fans to call out to the opposition from behind home plate.

Nothing new: people buying those expensive tickets aren't bothering to show up for a frozen game with a team that doesn't look very good. But Twins aren't unique on this problem.

How many parents do you think were at this game with kids out of the tiny amount that showed up? I'm guessing they didn't want to freeze their butts off either and if they did show a bunch left at the first complaint from the kids about being cold and/or bored...

[LambchoP]

Grey should be getting more reps at SS if Lee can't get it together. Culpeper will take over sometime this summer after they secure another year of service time. It is beyond obvious that Outman needs to go and give his spot to Roden. As someone said he can platoon with Martin in LF, pinch hit, pinch run, late game defensive sub. There are opportunities for him.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, saviking said:

We need tonstsrt a pool on how long it takes management to cut Outman. I say longer than they should. 

We are already past that point.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

They signed a Catcher & a 1B/DH. The TEAM is spending $105M in ‘26. …….. $10M to Houston for Correa ………$22M or so for Lopez. That leaves $73M spent on guys in the field for this season……… ZOLL did not create this plan!

Not sure what GM wins with those $$ circumstances?

They could have had several 1B for $2M or less.

[JD-TWINS]

33 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

They could have had several 1B for $2M or less.

WHO? ……… Trevor Larnach makes $4.5M ……. what viable 1B makes less than $2M? SEVERAL?

[arby58]

It's always interesting to read the (lack of) positive comments after a 7-3 Twins victory.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

4 hours ago, AceWrigley said:

Actually Outman's batting average is a robust .000. And he hasn't even looked that good.

Oh my goodness. Ace, you are correct. Outman has failed to get a hit yet in 10 at bats. .077 is Outman's OPS. He has struck out 7 times in 10 at bats. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

WHO? ……… Trevor Larnach makes $4.5M ……. what viable 1B makes less than $2M? SEVERAL?

Miguel Andujar $1.5M

Rhys Hoskins $1.5M

Nathaniel Lowe $1.75M

They each look better than Kody Clemens

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

 

[JD-TWINS]

DJL44 - reply here. I couldn’t get your post to come up for some reason??

Lowe would have been my preferred signing - I live in Cincinnati & had no idea the discount was SO low for him! ……. ($1.75M - wow!) point made there!

Andujar wasn’t good enough to play defense at all for the Reds after his deadline acquisition last year and they didn’t pursue him after he hit .380 here (nearly all of AB’s v. Lefties)………..his contract is $4M with $2M in incentives with an option for 2nd year in San Diego…….. not sure where the $1.5M comes from?

Rhys Hoskins was of interest but his health has really sucked for a big chunk of last 3 years……. he or anyone is worth a shot at $1.5M!

In a hindsight world, Lowe & Hoskins for a combined $3.25M would have been a coup, instead of signing Bell! Not sure the 2nd guy would sign after the first guy signed on - maybe? Certainly could have gotten them both for Bell’s $7M! Those two instead of Clemens & Bell would have been much better defense and a high floor offensively.

Looks like there were a couple options under $2M.

 

[jkcarew]

Nice Game pretty much all around.

Bullpen is 4th in AL bWAR. I 1000% expect this to hold.

[Nshore]

The way to go after Skubal tonight is with small ball IMO.  Bunt, steal and make him field his position.  Detroit hasn't been all that great in the field this season either.  Get them throwing the ball around the field, steal a couple runs, and hope Bradley is lights out.

[ashbury]

9 hours ago, arby58 said:

They are 0-3 in 1 or 2 run games

You're right that luck plays a big role.  If the ball had bounced a little differently or if a gust of wind had happened at a certain moment, those three close losses could have become blowouts.

😁

[GopherMike]

10 hours ago, arby58 said:

They are 0-3 in 1 or 2 run games - it's not like their 4 wins have been nail biters.

I said what I said

[arby58]

3 hours ago, GopherMike said:

I said what I said

They just beat one of the two best starting pitchers in baseball - I said what I said.