Twins 13, Red Sox 6: This Team is Hot

[tarheeltwinsfan]

3 minutes ago, arby58 said:

4/15, 5-0 lead, Ober pulled after 77 pitches.
6/3, 5-2 lead, Lopez pulled after 72 pitches.
6/19, 9-4 lead after 4 innings, Paddock pulled after 82 pitches.
6/26, 10-0 lead after 6, SWR pulled after 82 pitches.
8/1, 8-1 lead after 3, Hatch pulled after 81 pitches.
8/8, 7-1 lead after 4, Ryan pulled after 87 pitches.

My guess is with those leads, Shelton sends them back out for another inning. Keep in mind the Twins weren't a great offensive team so didn't have all that many big leads last year. Next I'll look at close games and see what that looks like.

Great information. I imagine Shelton's allowing the starters to go deeper in the game, is a good confidence booster to the starters and also to the rest of the team too. The better you produce, the more you will play. Results driven rewards breed success. Noted psychologist, B.F. Skinner, would have agreed. Positive rewards, lead to positive achievements. Rewards can be money, compliments, or even more playing time.

[Wedman13]

3 hours ago, Coach Wheels said:

The longest streak of healthy games for Lewis in his career is 35; according to Google. I'm not sure how he continues to be someone we count on.

This 💯.  What is the 'tool' we keep  being patient for?  Byron... many.  Royce?  Unfortunately none.  I'm not sure his contract but let it ride or trade him.  (and I like the kid - it just didn't work out)

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Spent a bunch of time in Brazil & married a Brazilian & lived there for over 30 years. I've tried to follow the Twins the best I can,

This is interesting to me. I know we are not a political discussion platform, but I am curious to know what most Brazilians feel about the turmoil here in the "City on a Hill" as Ronald Reagan called the USA, and which originated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I feel so disappointed in my country's leaders and those who voted for them. Maybe you could send me a private message, if you want to or reply to my email: cdbenbow4@gmail.com.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

3 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Welcome back from Brazil Doc. Were you able to escape, or did your sentence just time out?

Doc, I did not intend for my post to read as if I were saying Brazil was a prison or not a wonderful place to be. I was just trying to be funny by implying that you had been locked up in jail for a crime. I have read my post again and I realized it really wasn't funny and may have insulted Brazil. I assure you that was not my intention. I  apologize for my  indiscretion. . 

[Western SD Fan]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Seriously? If ANYONE on the staff is in the 5th - 6th - 7th innings without surrendering a run (in any season) nor having any dips in velocity, they aren’t getting pulled. This is the 2026 Taj Bradley profile.

Bradley & Ryan’s actual RESULTS are what’s driving innings - Abel’s scoreless 6 last week - Ober’s last two outings with a bit of success - same with SWR when sharp.

Not sure what you don’t get about having a MUCH, Much stronger PEN in ‘25, at least through July. If one has a strong PEN (strength of the Club) one uses it………regardless of the Manager’s name.

After July deadline they had Bradley (mediocre) Festa - Matthews (both hurt off & on) - Abel a couple starts - ………….guys that are tender or not getting hitters out are going to get pulled, again, regardless of Team nor Manager’s name.

You gotta substantiate the, “even with big leads Rocco had a quick hook” …….just saying things doesn’t make them true.

When a manager has little choice with a fairly putrid PEN, he’s going to lean on starters for innings.

SWR has entered the chat.  Here is an extreme example that Rocco likely pulled his starters too early.  Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros Box Score: June 15, 2025 | Baseball-Reference.com

SWR on the mound goes 5 innings, 58 pitches, 38 strikes, only faces 17 batters.  Not even twice through the order!  SWR has only given up 1 walk, 1 hit, and 4 K's and still gets pulled after 5 innings.  Most conventions would suggest, even in a 1-0 Twins lead at the time, that he gets to keep pitching until the Astros show some signs of life.  Twins went to the bullpen, and even with their studs in the bullpen coming in (Stewart, Varland, and Duran), still cough up the lead and eventually lose.  I would suggest that Rocco's lack of trust in his starters led to the overuse of the bullpen.  When you overuse anything in life, they are prone to being broken down eventually.  Shelton has worse starters, by comparison, and his trust in his starters have kept the bullpen as fresh as they can be considering they are nearing the end of a streak of 15 days without a day off.

I use the late 2010's Cleveland teams as my example.  They had a great starting staff of Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, and Tomlin.  They also had great relievers like Shaw, Allan, Miller, and McAllister.  The hype at the time was that all they had to do was get through the 6th inning with the lead and the game was essentially over.  A great starting staff that could go at least 6 innings in a game helped shorten the game for them and make the bullpen more efficient and effective. 

[1985Fan]

The AB’s look more competitive overall. Not too many times do you see Twins hitters getting themselves out. It looks like they’re taking more pitches outside the zone, being patient, and making more contact during this winning streak. They look more confident at the plate instead of over their heads. I think that confidence comes from the success they’ve had. We’ll see if they can maintain the confidence when they go through a slump. 
Love the aggressive baserunning. I’ve seen attempts at bunting and hit-run! I think Shelton keeps them focused on advancing runners and keeping the line moving. Fun to watch! 

If they can keep winning despite the BP and poor defense remains to be seen….

[Linus]

12 minutes ago, Western SD Fan said:

SWR has entered the chat.  Here is an extreme example that Rocco likely pulled his starters too early.  Minnesota Twins vs Houston Astros Box Score: June 15, 2025 | Baseball-Reference.com

SWR on the mound goes 5 innings, 58 pitches, 38 strikes, only faces 17 batters.  Not even twice through the order!  SWR has only given up 1 walk, 1 hit, and 4 K's and still gets pulled after 5 innings.  Most conventions would suggest, even in a 1-0 Twins lead at the time, that he gets to keep pitching until the Astros show some signs of life.  Twins went to the bullpen, and even with their studs in the bullpen coming in (Stewart, Varland, and Duran), still cough up the lead and eventually lose.  I would suggest that Rocco's lack of trust in his starters led to the overuse of the bullpen.  When you overuse anything in life, they are prone to being broken down eventually.  Shelton has worse starters, by comparison, and his trust in his starters have kept the bullpen as fresh as they can be considering they are nearing the end of a streak of 15 days without a day off.

I use the late 2010's Cleveland teams as my example.  They had a great starting staff of Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, and Tomlin.  They also had great relievers like Shaw, Allan, Miller, and McAllister.  The hype at the time was that all they had to do was get through the 6th inning with the lead and the game was essentially over.  A great starting staff that could go at least 6 innings in a game helped shorten the game for them and make the bullpen more efficient and effective. 

Again, spot on. Plus there is the common sense notion that if your starter is dealing to bring in a reliever brings in the possibility that he just doesn’t have that day and coughs up a lead. They are human they aren’t always going to be good so ride the guy that’s having a good day (within reason). 

[Doctor Gast]

49 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

This is interesting to me. I know we are not a political discussion platform, but I am curious to know what most Brazilians feel about the turmoil here in the "City on a Hill" as Ronald Reagan called the USA, and which originated in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I feel so disappointed in my country's leaders and those who voted for them. Maybe you could send me a private message, if you want to or reply to my email: cdbenbow4@gmail.com.

We could also message on our TD account. I do that off & on with other members

[Doctor Gast]

53 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Doc, I did not intend for my post to read as if I were saying Brazil was a prison or not a wonderful place to be. I was just trying to be funny by implying that you had been locked up in jail for a crime. I have read my post again and I realized it really wasn't funny and may have insulted Brazil. I assure you that was not my intention. I  apologize for my  indiscretion. . 

I know you, Tarheel. I thought it was funny & wasn't offended. 

[RpR]

The Twins seem to have over come the tendency two to three years ago where they would get a large lead early against the best teams and then fall apart.

May the power be with them.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I know you, Tarheel. I thought it was funny & wasn't offended. 

Thank you.

[laloesch]

15 hours ago, Wedman13 said:

Haha

typical MN response (from me) "I know it's really early in the year" but is it possible Rocco was simply an awful manager?  I think most liked him, me included, but somewhere along the way it feels like he lost concept.  We can debate MW all day but if in the lineup, should Rocco had him as lead off hitter? Probably not fair to Matt.   The lineups changed every single day.  A starter couldn't go more than 4-5 innings.

no idea where this ends, but as and old timer it's fun to watch baseball played again the way I was raised with.

It's also possible there were some club house cancers traded away last deadline and the youngsters are happy to be playing for a different manager. Ducks.

[laloesch]

10 hours ago, mickster said:

Make the big move and extend Jeffers now...........his price tag just keeps going up and his value to this team is huge.   

I agree.  Sign Jeffers and Ryan now.  If not they have to trade them.

[RpR]

27 minutes ago, laloesch said:

I agree.  Sign Jeffers and Ryan now.  If not they have to trade them.

A catcher whose caught stealing average is almost 50 percent  below league average, does not get extended.

He would be signed for a not extreme amount when the time comes.

[mikelink45]

Only one analysist - this is fun.

[Blyleven2011]

10 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Hard to believe Buck makes 'only' $15M.

He has incentives and he might of hit on some last year for games played and at bats , he just missed out on a MVP incentive by finishing 11th  , had they voted him 10th he would of made 1 million , if he was to finish first in mvp it is much more significant like 5 million plus ...

[arby58]

8 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Great information. I imagine Shelton's allowing the starters to go deeper in the game, is a good confidence booster to the starters and also to the rest of the team too. The better you produce, the more you will play. Results driven rewards breed success. Noted psychologist, B.F. Skinner, would have agreed. Positive rewards, lead to positive achievements. Rewards can be money, compliments, or even more playing time.

Tonight is another example. Abel had a 6-0 lead after 81 pitches through 6 innings. I am 95% certain Rocco would have called it a night for him. Instead, Shelton sent him back out and he had a 9 pitch 7th inning. 

Keep in mind that Abel has been their 'weakest link' so far - why wouldn't you just call it a great night after 6 innings? I'm pretty sure that is what Rocco would have done. Instead, he gets the 7th and finishes it off in style with 10 Ks. It's great for his confidence.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

9 hours ago, arby58 said:

Tonight is another example. Abel had a 6-0 lead after 81 pitches through 6 innings. I am 95% certain Rocco would have called it a night for him. Instead, Shelton sent him back out and he had a 9 pitch 7th inning. 

Keep in mind that Abel has been their 'weakest link' so far - why wouldn't you just call it a great night after 6 innings? I'm pretty sure that is what Rocco would have done. Instead, he gets the 7th and finishes it off in style with 10 Ks. It's great for his confidence.

I agree 100%.

[Coach Wheels]

On 4/14/2026 at 9:51 AM, karcherd said:

You might want to fact check Google, last year he was healthy from July 1st to the end of September.  I believe that would be more than 35 games.

He did play in a career high 106 games last year so Google could be wrong.