Twins 3, Tigers 1: Mick Abel Shoves, Brooks Lee Delivers Late to Seal Sweep

[LastOnePicked]

Probably too early to say this, but I do like Shelton as manager a lot better than Rocco. A lot. A lot.

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, BrokenCompass said:

Take a picture: 

• Over .500
• 4 game win streak
• 2nd place

We may not see any of those marks again this season, folks. Soak it up and enjoy.

So you are saying 13 games in is seasons peak.

Sounds right.

[mnfireman]

Corbin's line tomorrow - Valdez on Wednesday or Abel on Thursday? Twins have a habit of making bad pitchers look good...

[AlwaysinModeration]

39 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Yes, you are the grand prize winner. You have won a free night in a hotel in Cleveland. The second place winner  has won 2 nights in a hotel in Cleveland.

I always thought this line was in reference to Philly.

[stringer bell]

4 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Totally agree. Shelton has shown faith in the starters and it has worked. I'm not going to ask for 120+ pitches from starters but depending on a guy is pitching on any given day, there really isn't any reason to see a starter going to 110+ pitches if the command and stuff play. When Shelton came to the mound in the 6th today it seemed like he wanted to hear from Caratini and Abel what he was watching, which is that he should trust Mick to get through the inning.

On another unrelated note, I don't see the Twins calling up any position players, except as necessary due to injury, until at least mid May to early June. The guys they have need time to show what they can offer and the players in AAA can all benefit from learning the game.

Despite their "success" to this point, it is tough to believe too much in the bullpen. Because of that, it is easier for Shelton to go longer with his starters. I do think Shelton has done a very good job mixing and matching to get his relief pitchers through innings. 

Twins prospects haven't hit much and the Saints haven't won much since their Opening Weekend sweep. Here are some numbers: Jenkins .154, Gonzalez .171, Roden .243, Kreidler .214, Wagaman .121. Arcia, Culpepper and Rodriguez are doing better, but no one is knocking the door down for promotion.

[stringer bell]

48 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

A fun game. I agree that winning is so much more fun than losing. I would like to see Martin playing LF every day. 

I would like to see that as well. He offers speed and on-base skills that are lacking in most of the rest of the roster.

[arby58]

9 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I would like to see that as well. He offers speed and on-base skills that are lacking in most of the rest of the roster.

Sometimes platoons are the right way to go. Martin/Larnach is one of those.

[Rhyno006]

Glad to see Brooks break through today after a horrid throwing error yesterday and tough start to the season at the plate. And didn't he have another questionable play too? Regardless, it seemed like there was some mounting pressure that was released with that game winning hit today. Good for him. 

[Senior Softball Guy]

Yesterday I called for sending Brooks down and DFAing Outman. I may have to drag out my crow cook book again. Taste like chicken!

[stringer bell]

12 minutes ago, arby58 said:

Sometimes platoons are the right way to go. Martin/Larnach is one of those.

I'd agree if the team keeps seeing 50% LH starters, but the reality is that a right handed platoon guy only ends up playing about 25-35% of the time. I think Martin's skill set would wear pretty well whether there is a lefty or righty on the mound. If Larnach is on the roster, I'd rather see him DH. 

[stringer bell]

Just now, Senior Softball Guy said:

Yesterday I called for sending Brooks down and DFAing Outman. I may have to drag out my crow cook book again. Taste like chicken!

Outman made a really nice catch down the line today. I don't think Larnach makes that catch and maybe not Martin either. Outman hasn't hit since 2023 so I guess it will really surprise me if he ever hits acceptably. I didn't like the Twins carrying Keirsey Jr. last year for most of the season and I don't like seeing another left handed non-hitter on the roster. 

[Blyleven2011]

4 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Over .500 after 13 games.  Didn't see that happening.

Never in my wildest dreams did i see this coming ...

I thought we'd be 0 and 13 , 1 game over 500 is just unbelievable ...

Nice sweep I have to admit , Detroit will be pissed and want revenge the next time they meet ...

[jkcarew]

I told you all Josh Bell was a monster FA signing!!! Now maybe you’re starting to believe me!

 

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I, in fact, did not tell you, or anyone else, that.

[DarrenPS]

Banda's bullpen usage isn't right

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Despite their "success" to this point, it is tough to believe too much in the bullpen. Because of that, it is easier for Shelton to go longer with his starters. I do think Shelton has done a very good job mixing and matching to get his relief pitchers through innings. 

Twins prospects haven't hit much and the Saints haven't won much since their Opening Weekend sweep. Here are some numbers: Jenkins .154, Gonzalez .171, Roden .243, Kreidler .214, Wagaman .121. Arcia, Culpepper and Rodriguez are doing better, but no one is knocking the door down for promotion.

I'm taking whatever works. One thing that seemed much improved in the Tigers series was a big reduction in mental errors. Seems like the team is working hard. We have to be fair and honest - the Twins don't line up as the most talented team on most occasions. The starting pitching has led the way forward and I'm not going to complain about this bullpen. Who are the studs that every team knows can bail the team out?

Have watched most of the Saints games. Agree with Ryan Jeffers that the weather has been pretty tough and he won't judge anyone on any team: offense, defense, running, and pitching. He was referring to MLB but the minor leagues do not have the stadiums protecting the players from wind, heated fields, or warm dugouts. March and April have been rough for everyone. To be sure it is a level playing field and some have managed but I'm holding off on wondering too much on anyone (position players) until June. I have not thought the Twins likely to change any position players out except for injury. So people will have to wait. My only comments on our top prospects are that Jenkins looks really cold and miserable, while Culpepper has hit quite a few balls hard right at fielders. Culpepper has looked really good at shortstop but less comfortable at third base. We shall see how things play out soon enough.

[ziggy]

I think we're contenders

 

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Senior Softball Guy said:

Yesterday I called for sending Brooks down and DFAing Outman. I may have to drag out my crow cook book again. Taste like chicken!

DFAing Outman is always the correct move.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

I always thought this line was in reference to Philly.

I changed the name to protect the innocent.

[IndianaTwin]

3 hours ago, BrokenCompass said:

Take a picture: 

• Over .500
• 4 game win streak
• 2nd place

We may not see any of those marks again this season, folks. Soak it up and enjoy.

First place, in the Wild Card Race, baby. Magic number is 148 to clinch at least a tie. 

[Markdumont25]

Despite the winning streak, I'm not seeing much to convince me this is going to be a good team over the course of the whole season. To me, it's all about seeing how the trade assets we got last year and our youngest players develop this year. So far, Bradley and (maybe??) Abel are giving some optimism for the next few years. Unfortunately I think it'll be really hard to retain Joe Ryan after his contract ends but theoretically we could have a really, really nice rotation developing. 

Now if Royce reverts to his form from a couple years ago and some of the inevitable young call-ups show promise I think there could be a lot to be excited about for 2027 and beyond. 

[knothole61]

An amazing series! 

Let's see: I mocked Gray and he hits a grand slam; I called for Lee to be sent back to St. Paul and he wins a game; I told Peter that the Twins would be lucky to win one from Detroit and we swept them! If I keep this up we might win a pennant...or rather, I suppose I should I say that we have no chance of that-yes? 

[UK Twin]

First of all, hope Meadows is ok. That was a nasty collision with Greene. All the best to him.

Bell is off to a great start as a Twin! Some of his hits haven't exactly been sharply hit but good things can happen when the ball is put in play. 

Good to see Abel pitch 6 scoreless innings. He gave up some well hit balls but he still put up zero's on the scoreboard. 

Happy for Lee to deliver the game winning hit. Did well to work the count full and then found a hole for his base hit. 

All in all, fantastic sweep. Shelton has clearly installed a tougher mentality in the players than Baldelli did. 

[JDubs]

9 hours ago, karcherd said:

It was great to see them sweep the Tigers.  There appears to be an organizational shift, whether it is from Zoll or Shelton, I am glad that this twice thru the order and removed is no longer in play for the pitchers.  There is no way last year Abel would have been out there in the fifth inning much less the sixth.  The pitchers need to learn to work their way thru the lineup and to get out of trouble.  This bullpen is not going to hold up without reinforcements and it is good to get innings from the starters.

Shelton is not leaving the starters in longer for some weird ideological notion they need to learn to get through things or whatever, it's because the bullpen is absolute dogshit. The reason Rocco pulled starters earlier is because he could turn to Stewart/Varland/Jax/Duran to slam the door shut. When your options are waiver wire guys either long past their prime or who will never have a prime, you don't really have much choice but to hope the starter eats a lot of innings.

[Peter]

Although it’s only 13 games into season this was huge win and sweep!!! Especially against division favorite!!! It was intense and nerve wracking!!! You have to give credit where credit is due! Maybe the twins aren’t as bad as everyone thinks? Outman saved game with huge catch!!! Able 6 shutout innings And acton with only 6 innings pitched in big league career comes up with first ever win!!!! Great to see Lee come through with game winning hit as he was down 0-2 then full count with bases loaded 2 outs!!! Is it too early to say this could be season turning point? Let’s keep winning going against blue jays and see if we can win series against them!!! As always let’s go Twins!!

[Bodie]

7 hours ago, DarrenPS said:

Banda's bullpen usage isn't right

Banda isn't right...

[Twinsrtheworst]

9 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Twinsrtheworst...did you really see this coming?

I truly did, I seen this season going along the lines of . 500 ball then deadline moves decide the second half.. Been saying all offseason to anyone predicting last place, or under 70 wins. I would take all the bets on over. Surprisingly, no takers??…

[HarmonK03]

9 hours ago, arby58 said:

Sometimes platoons are the right way to go. Martin/Larnach is one of those.

Martin is not platooning with Larnach though, it is actually Clemens that has been keeping on the bench.  Because of their insistence on playing Clemens every day against RH pitching, that is what is keeping Martin on the bench.  They should DH Larnach, play Martin in LF and Bell at 1B.  There is no need for a platoon.

[JD-TWINS]

14 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Totally agree. Shelton has shown faith in the starters and it has worked. I'm not going to ask for 120+ pitches from starters but depending on a guy is pitching on any given day, there really isn't any reason to see a starter going to 110+ pitches if the command and stuff play. When Shelton came to the mound in the 6th today it seemed like he wanted to hear from Caratini and Abel what he was watching, which is that he should trust Mick to get through the inning.

On another unrelated note, I don't see the Twins calling up any position players, except as necessary due to injury, until at least mid May to early June. The guys they have need time to show what they can offer and the players in AAA can all benefit from learning the game.

There’s gotta be somebody ready by the end of next week to replace Outman - if he doesn’t show any signs of contributing on offense, any sign. He’s failed on two bunt attempts and hasn’t come close to squaring a ball up. It’s the return of DeShawn Kiersey.

IF Team continues to win at a .500 pace they may not want to ruffle the 13 man group until someone in AAA really pushes their way up? MAY seems like an eternity for Outman. Clemens can’t be too far behind. Lee, bought another 10 days at a minimum yesterday….. they have guys available to replace him positively on defense and can’t be worse on offense……..Let him find himself in St. Paul

[jmlease1]

14 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Totally agree. Shelton has shown faith in the starters and it has worked. I'm not going to ask for 120+ pitches from starters but depending on a guy is pitching on any given day, there really isn't any reason to see a starter going to 110+ pitches if the command and stuff play. When Shelton came to the mound in the 6th today it seemed like he wanted to hear from Caratini and Abel what he was watching, which is that he should trust Mick to get through the inning.

It's funny that you think there's been this big organizational shift in the use of starters when the pitching coach didn't change.

[JD-TWINS]

13 hours ago, Jacksson said:

Hawkins needs to reemphasize to his relievers that when they enter a game, they SHOULD NOT HIT OR WALK BATTERS.  If the guy in the bullpen can't seem to throw strikes or close to strikes, don't let him get into the game and get somebody else warming up.

Another LUCKY win.  Those catch up to a team in a hurry and soon go the other way.

If they had an infinite number of relievers, I would agree. LaTroy isn’t throwing the ball & doubtful anyone needs to be told to throw strikes. …………. LUCKY win was a game the Tigers couldn’t figure out how to win……. always better than a an UNLUCKY loss.