Nationals 7, Twins 5: Mental Mistakes, Missed Chances Cost Twins in Series Finale

[h2oface]

5 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

They are spending (OWNERSHIP) $106M of which $32M are being paid to Correa & Lopez. That leaves $74M for the players actually on the field. To me, the GM is least to blame. 

If we take out Buxton’s $15 million, we are down to $59 million for the rest of the team. 

[JD-TWINS]

1 hour ago, Mahoning said:

It sure isn't pretty. You have Keaschall, Larnach, Jeffers, and Lee giving their all; even Gray and Clemens chip in; Bradley and Ryan (?) and Prelipp pitching well; Buxton still with ONE hit with runners in scoring position, Bell and Caritini doing OK, and then a bunch of guys no other team wants. The good players are going to get worn down.

Bell & Caratini WERE doing OK. The Bell double today helped his recent view from fans point of view. Caratini looks good challenging pitches behind the plate. HOWEVER,

Bell ….. -.500 WAR  .211/.292/.320  71 OPS+

Caratini ….. -.100 WAR .209/.308/.256 59 OPS+

[Vanimal46]

Caratini is not an every day player. Never has been in his MLB career. Signing Josh Bell never made any sense for our roster. A clear play of hoping he's okay enough in July to trade him away. 

[Danchat]

Seems to me like Klein going down is more about getting somebody fresh in the bullpen for tomorrow's game, not an indictment of him. He was the only guy who pitched today that has options, he'll be back. But it's hard to say anything positive about the unit... I like Morris' potential. Any updates on Laweryson or Acton?

[JD-TWINS]

Today’s game: in the same inning Team had 2 different pitchers issue a walk and then hit the next batter - damn near impossible!

After Banda loaded the bases they still should have not given up any more runs. There was a sky high pop-up hit behind 2B, in shallow right field. Keaschall, with his hyper aggressive approach is screaming for the ball which was obviously the OF ball. It dropped between them - completely inexcusable for BOTH players. Wallner needs to take charge and catch the ball & Keaschall needs to get himself under control. A play like that breaks the Team’s back from a morale standpoint!! It was a brutal play.

Why, after getting through the 6th, did Klein come out in the 7th? Rogers is down there - the 7 - 8 - 9 - 1 batters were all left handed. Mgr. let Klein start the inning & face the first two guys - one homers & next guy gets on & then Rogers enters down a run & in a jam. Didn’t like the thinking/strategy from Shelton. Don’t understand it - 4 lefties in a row, Roger’s wheelhouse, on paper.

[karcherd]

2 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Seems to me like Klein going down is more about getting somebody fresh in the bullpen for tomorrow's game, not an indictment of him. He was the only guy who pitched today that has options, he'll be back. But it's hard to say anything positive about the unit... I like Morris' potential. Any updates on Laweryson or Acton?

This was the plan before today, they only pitched him because they knew he was going down.  They had plenty of other options to DFA someone to make room on the roster like Garcia but instead chose Roa to DFA.  Klein was then the only option to go down.  Garcia still might find the fountain of youth before September so we can't cut him loose.

[JD-TWINS]

7 minutes ago, Danchat said:

Seems to me like Klein going down is more about getting somebody fresh in the bullpen for tomorrow's game, not an indictment of him. He was the only guy who pitched today that has options, he'll be back. But it's hard to say anything positive about the unit... I like Morris' potential. Any updates on Laweryson or Acton?

They said on air today that Acton had a set-back and won’t start throwing at all for another 2 weeks. Abel, set-back as well - some soreness after last throwing session.

Agree - they needed somebody fresh for the PEN and needed to make room for new guy off waivers/trade?

[Vanimal46]

Just make the trade for Andrew Chafin and admit it was dumb to let him walk out of here in spring training. 

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Wallner - Lewis - Caratini - Bell - Outman are not performing …….. that’s not Coaching nor Ownership nor the FO. 

 Caratini, Bell and Outman aren't on the front office??

Who put them on the roster? Traded for or spent limited resources to put them there?

 

Edited Friday at 02:47 AM by USAFChief

[h2oface]

6 hours ago, Patzky said:

We cured the Mets if only temporarily. If I'm the Nats I'm grateful. We should change our city connect to the Docs. We will cure what ails ya.

The team would look great all dressed like Doc JC. 

[knothole61]

6 hours ago, h2oface said:

Last place in division, 1 game out of American League cellar, 1 1/2 out of MLB cellar. 11-7/5-15. Shelton likes the ‘tone’ of this team, though. 
 

Will Buxton ever be the guy that actually steps up in the big spots? Just what your “best player” would be expected/hoped to do, at least sometimes? Another strikeout with 2 outs and the bases loaded. Who would have thunk it? A simple single in his next no pressure bases empty at bat in the 8th - no problem. 

I hear you about Buxton. He's a Twins' hall of fame no doubt and has been an exciting player--one of my favorites...but this year in particular I rather dread it when he comes up with RISP! And now more than ever he seems to be victimized by anything low and away with two strikes on him--he can't help waving at that junk, or so it seems.  

[knothole61]

5 hours ago, karcherd said:

Lewis had an OPS of .822 before he went on the IL and he did show improvement the last half of 25.  He has only back for 10 games, I think it is too early to give up on him.  

Look, I like Lewis and am always pulling for him o pull out of his frequent and extensive funks, but to me right now he's a player with a "check engine" light on. I've always suspected that his problems are mostly psychological, but whatever the case I think he could use sometime in St. Paul to help him refocus. 

[Whitey333]

Sending down Klein to keep Garcia shows how ineptitude this organization is.

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Bell & Caratini WERE doing OK. The Bell double today helped his recent view from fans point of view. Caratini looks good challenging pitches behind the plate. HOWEVER,

Bell ….. -.500 WAR  .211/.292/.320  71 OPS+

Caratini ….. -.100 WAR .209/.308/.256 59 OPS+

Am hopeful that Caratini comes around …….. last 3 years of slash line averaged:

.264/.330/.400 104 OPS+ WAR of 1.0

Bell too should improve, per recent 3 yr history averaged:

.245/.322./.411 106 OPS+ WAR of -.100 (due to DH role & mediocre at 1B) …..need the bat!

These two were signed to add consistency at the plate - expected no flash in the box but no huge valleys either.

Lewis & Wallner??? ….not so hopeful 

[JD-TWINS]

7 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Look, I like Lewis and am always pulling for him o pull out of his frequent and extensive funks, but to me right now he's a player with a "check engine" light on. I've always suspected that his problems are mostly psychological, but whatever the case I think he could use sometime in St. Paul to help him refocus. 

I looked at his Options 10 days ago and got back he was past 3 yr vet window with No Options left, but now see he has 2 options left…….. seems like a no brainer after next home stand if there’s no spark over next 10 days.

22 months ago Miranda was hitting .325 with a 12 game hit streak ……… injuries and mental fatigue ……. lack of direction/confidence can eat guys up! Royce is Waaay more talented than Miranda…….. gotta hope he finds something positive soon.

No idea how the organization thinks about timing for Culpepper? Moving him to SS for a few weeks with Lee at 3B seems to be worth a shot in the fairly near future.

[JD-TWINS]

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

I looked at his Options 10 days ago and got back he was past 3 yr vet window with No Options left, but now see he has 2 options left…….. seems like a no brainer after next home stand if there’s no spark over next 10 days.

22 months ago Miranda was hitting .325 with a 12 game hit streak ……… injuries and mental fatigue ……. lack of direction/confidence can eat guys up! Royce is Waaay more talented than Miranda…….. gotta hope he finds something positive soon.

No idea how the organization thinks about timing for Culpepper? Moving him to SS for a few weeks with Lee at 3B seems to be worth a shot in the fairly near future.

Even Kriedler & Gray rotating in a platoon at 3B seems to be a positive move while Lewis gets sorted out in AAA over 4-8 weeks…..whatever it takes.

[laloesch]

16 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

SWR cant escape the 5th inning is a sad very familiar story.

Yes.  That's why he needs to go to the bullpen.  

[laloesch]

14 hours ago, h2oface said:

Last place in division, 1 game out of American League cellar, 1 1/2 out of MLB cellar. 11-7/5-15. Shelton likes the ‘tone’ of this team, though. 
 

Will Buxton ever be the guy that actually steps up in the big spots? Just what your “best player” would be expected/hoped to do, at least sometimes? Another strikeout with 2 outs and the bases loaded. Who would have thunk it? A simple single in his next no pressure bases empty at bat in the 8th - no problem. 

No he won't.  He's a good player but is he a star / super star.  No.

[tony&rodney]

I was disappointed by the mental mistakes in the game. 

[laloesch]

14 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

After a terrible start to the season, many were moving on from Brooks Lee. He has been very good since then. To me, the future at 3B is a competition between him and Lewis and Lee is winning. SS is a competition between Culpepper and Houston as either will provide an upgrade on defense.

Lewis is not winning anything.  He can't hit the broad side of a barn with a 10' pole, that's how bad his hitting has been going on 2 years now.

[laloesch]

12 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

They are spending (OWNERSHIP) $106M of which $32M are being paid to Correa & Lopez. That leaves $74M for the players actually on the field. To me, the GM is least to blame.

Wallner - Lewis - Caratini - Bell - Outman are not performing …….. that’s not Coaching nor Ownership nor the FO. The players are not getting it done - they ALL have in the past for portions of seasons, worst case. I’m much more confident in the probability of Caratini & Bell getting back to respectability than the other home grown guys. Outman is just a Roster mistake & he’s not breaking out of it, maybe ever.

The GM needs a vision developed WITH Ownership (year over year) and some resources ($$$). The Tean is spending $50M less than they did in 2023. Pretty sure the Team would be in a much better place if they just spent what they did in 2021 ($122M)……..it’s hard to imagine that the TWINS are spending their LOWEST TOTAL in 12 years outside the Covid year………… That is pathetic!!

You are assuming they COULD spend that money effectively and wisely.  It's not just the amount of money.  

[laloesch]

8 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Look, I like Lewis and am always pulling for him o pull out of his frequent and extensive funks, but to me right now he's a player with a "check engine" light on. I've always suspected that his problems are mostly psychological, but whatever the case I think he could use sometime in St. Paul to help him refocus. 

At what point do they call it?  I mean it's been 2+ season of no hitting from him.  He just passed 1000 AB's and his last two seasons he's at 0.7 WAR and this year he's even worse at -0.2 WAR.  Ever since 2023 and those 58 games when he was really good he's completely tanked.  To me that says the league has figured him out and he can't adapt.  I mean honestly just throw him off-speed stuff that drops out of the strike zone and he'll swing at it regardless.  I really think part of his problem is he doesn't have much of an eye at the plate (some guys don't, Sano was another example of this).  His stance is bad too, but I'm also beginning to wonder if he's just lazy and doesn't watch film and prepare for games.  In June 2024 he said, "I don't do slumps."  Uh yeah ya do Royce.  In September 2024, in response to his teammate Carlos Correa suggesting young players weren't stepping up, Lewis responded saying the blame shouldn't fall only on the "cheap guys."  THIS May, during this latest slump he told reporters after a game, "I'm tired of being the one who's being bullied and picked on by this game." What does that even mean? Then he told reporters a few weeks later, "the hope is gone." Royce has got much bigger issues going on right now. He needs to be sent down to AAA to straighten them out.

[Patzky]

13 minutes ago, laloesch said:

Yes.  That's why he needs to go to the bullpen.  

I smell a four man rotation.

[Patzky]

12 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Caratini is not an every day player. Never has been in his MLB career. Signing Josh Bell never made any sense for our roster. A clear play of hoping he's okay enough in July to trade him away. 

Woulda preferred Ty France honestly if that's the path we were committing to.

[David Maro]

Time for SWR to drop the splitter and try something else. He can't throw it as a competitive pitch and ends up with too many 3-2 counts. Watching yesterday he also got upset with some of the calls by the umpire and Jeffers for no challenge on pitches. He allows things to get under his skin and costs him in the end. Might be a good idea to move to the BP and work on things with Hawkins.

[Jacksson]

Predictable, yet unforgivable loss.

Inning #2 = 2 runs in, 1 out, Runners at the corners from: Walk, single, HBP, single.  Gray hits a short fly to CF and Clemens is thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play resulting in an inning ending double play and leaving  a runner on 1st.

Inning #3 = 2 out, runner on 1st.  Jeffershits a double to RF and Martin is out after rounding 3B too far after getting a STOP SIGN and the cut-off man throwing behind him. 3 Outs and a man left stranded at 2B.

Inning #5 = 1 run in (go ahead run, score now 3 - 2), 1 out, runners at the corners, Martin ends it on pitch #3 after having taken 2 sinkers down and away for strikes by swinging at the third down and away sinker and hitting a ground ball 6-4-3 double play.  2 runners are left stranded.

Bottom of Inning #5 = Now with a 1 run lead, SWR walks the lead off batter, HBP to batter #2 and then a double is hit by batter #3 on a full count ( batter started out 3 - 0) splitter down and away.  Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to batter.  The runner on 2B is sacrifice bunted to 3B with now 1 out and SWR exits.  Banda enters the game.  He promptly walks the first batter he faces and gifts a HBP to the 2nd, to load the bases.  After Wallner fails to take charge on a short fly to RF by calling off Keaschall, Wallner gets a forceout on  the  runner from 1B moving to 2B, AFTER allowing the runner from 3B to score.  After contributing to a SB, to put both runners in scoring position with now 2 outs.  Banda then throws 7 pitches  to the batter, all out of the strike zone, yet the free-swing batter has a count of 3-2 for pitch #8.  The low and away strike of a fastball, ends the inning with a short fly out to SS.  Twins down 5 - 3.  It took Banda 20 pitches to face 4 batters and get the 2 outs needed to end the inning.

Inning #6 = Twins come out smokin'.  Jeffers homers.  Twins then trot out their offensive weapons: HBP, Walk, Sac Bunt, Walk to load the bases with only 1 out.  Down a run, both Gray and Buxton strikeout swinging.  For LHB Gray, he saw 3 pitches from the LHP, only the 1st was a real strike.  He struck out badly on a sweeper down and away.  Buxton, worked his count to 3 - 2 but missed a slider down to end his at bat.

Inning #7 = Tying run in, 2 outs, runners on 1st & 2nd.  After taking 2 down in the zone pitches for strikes, Caratini Strikes Out Swinging on a 2 - 2 count on a fastball down and away and out of the strike zone.

Bottom of Inning #7 = After having worked a scoreless 6th, Klein comes back out and gives up a leadoff HR on a 3 - 2 count on a fastball down the gut, and the only actual strike the batter saw.  After a ground rule double to left, Rogers come in to bail out Klein, with 1 out.  Rogers starts off by giving up singles to the first 2 batters he faces which provides an insurance run to the Nationals, now up 7 - 5, before getting the final 3 outs of the inning.

Inning #9 = Fittingly, Outman strikes out swinging on a 1 - 2 fastball right down the middle.  The 3 pitches thrown that were strikes were right down the middle. 

Choke Artists for the day, though the state don't show it: SWR, Banda, Rogers, Wallner, Buxton, the 3rd Base Coach, the Bullpen Coach, the Pitching Coach, the Manager.

[JD-TWINS]

18 hours ago, USAFChief said:

 Caratini, Bell and Outman aren't on the front office??

Who put them on the roster? Traded for or spent limited resources to put them there?

 

They both have .400 Slug% over the last 3 seasons ……… they both had OPS+ at 105 or better the last 3 years on average. Caratini has hit .264 over the past 3 seasons and is under .210 this year. Bell a .245 hitter that’s also approaching .210.

THEY aren’t performing……. guys get signed & there are always risks - just like keeping Lewis & Wallner with the expectation they would perform.

Players play.

Can’t have 26-35 guys play every year at MLB level and Cherry Pick who ever doesn’t live up to expectations and blame it on the FO. What about the guys that are performing at or above expectations?