Twins 5, Guardians 4: Wait, the Twins Are Allowed to Win Series in Cleveland?

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Zebby threw 95 pitches Friday night, so he likely won't throw anywhere before at least Thursday. 

With Klein and Funderburk having been sent down this week, I'm not sure there is anyone left on the 40-man that they can bring up unless it involves an IL move. 

EDIT: They could bring up Raya, who threw 21 pitches on Saturday. He's given up a run on three hits and a walk, with five strikeouts in his last three outings, each of which went 2.0 innings. A cup of coffee wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. 

Zebby could throw Friday and have all the other guys back up a day - Ryan Saturday, etc. Seems like a better path than another bullpen game.

Let Rojas stay up and throw after Prielipp (6th - 8th) or the next night.

Prielipp would go Thursday with 5 days rest.

[JD-TWINS]

34 minutes ago, karcherd said:

He's had one good game in the last month and that was today.   His OPS is actually less than it was in April.  He needs to be playing a couple days a week.  This continued playing him every day makes the poor roster construction even worse.

He had 2 doubles in a game a day or two ago ……. his average is up 12-15 points over last handful of games. He’s hitting better than Caratini v. RH pitching! Bell doesn’t seem to be trusted to play defense more than a game/week. The only reason he didn’t have more AB’s earlier is because Caratini started hot and they faced a bunch of lefty starters. Caratini currently resides behind Lewis & Wallner as the least effective hitter on the roster.

Somebody’s gotta play - the roster is what it is. There’s no roster reconstruction at this point.

I didn’t/don’t really think Clemens should be kept on the Team but he’s the lesser of all the other evils on May 10th.

[Linus]

I would like to point out that errors are not even a statistic with any meaning. That Rojas didn’t get an error on the swinging bunt play is embarrassing to the game. 

[thelanges5]

Per Dan Hayes;

#MNTwins have a TBA listed for Thursday's series finale against Miami. Had he stayed on course, that would be Connor Prielipp's spot. But, with the Twins trying to help Prielipp manage an increased workload, sounds as if they'll give him an extra day or two.

[mark allen]

4 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

3 appearances in a week all 1 inning. Is his role changing?

I think he will start pitching 1 inning at a time and eventually take closer on

[stringer bell]

5 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Zebby threw 95 pitches Friday night, so he likely won't throw anywhere before at least Thursday. 

With Klein and Funderburk having been sent down this week, I'm not sure there is anyone left on the 40-man that they can bring up unless it involves an IL move. 

EDIT: They could bring up Raya, who threw 21 pitches on Saturday. He's given up a run on three hits and a walk, with five strikeouts in his last three outings, each of which went 2.0 innings. A cup of coffee wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. 

The way I have it figured, Ober on Tuesday, SWR on Wednesday and Zebby on Thursday. They could throw in a bullpen game on Thursday and delay or even skip Prielipp's turn. It sounds like the club wants to protect Prielipp and given his injury history, that makes sense.

Even with the heavy work load on Friday, Matthews should be good to go by Thursday (five days rest) and as I mentioned upthread, he has pitched considerably better his last few times out, with a return of good velocity..

[jkcarew]

5 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

40 games into the season, the entire AL has 4 teams above .500 

Actually, only 3. You’re giving Cleveland just a bit too much credit.

[stringer bell]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

He had 2 doubles in a game a day or two ago ……. his average is up 12-15 points over last handful of games. He’s hitting better than Caratini v. RH pitching! Bell doesn’t seem to be trusted to play defense more than a game/week. The only reason he didn’t have more AB’s earlier is because Caratini started hot and they faced a bunch of lefty starters. Caratini currently resides behind Lewis & Wallner as the least effective hitter on the roster.

Somebody’s gotta play - the roster is what it is. There’s no roster reconstruction at this point.

I didn’t/don’t really think Clemens should be kept on the Team but he’s the lesser of all the other evils on May 10th.

Caratini hasn't started a game at first base with a right hander starting for the opposition IIRC. Victor is in a bad slump right now and Bell has been fighting it as well. Right now, Clemens is a better bet than either of those two (and Wallner) against right handed pitching. I doubt that will continue, but that is where we are right now.

What I know for sure is that there will be more ups and downs for almost all of the players. The best hitter on the team is a great example of that. Buxton has gone through stretches where he looks close to helpless at the plate, but right now he's mashing a lot of pitches.

[jkcarew]

2 hours ago, Linus said:

I would like to point out that errors are not even a statistic with any meaning. That Rojas didn’t get an error on the swinging bunt play is embarrassing to the game. 

Still meaningful stat…you just have to multiply the number of errors a player has been given by some factor (much) greater than 1 to arrive at the ‘actual’ impact. 😉

But, you’re right. It’s a joke. If that play happens in Minnesota the Twins official scorer awards the error…not because it’s the right call…but because it protects the home-town pitcher’s ERA. On the road, it’s a hit to support the home-town batter. Over and over and over.

All the money in the sport and they refuse to employ non-partisan, league-assigned official scorers that rotate/travel as do the umpires.

[knothole61]

7 hours ago, Nshore said:

All of the Central teams are already seemingly running on fumes - and it's not even 2 months into the season.

If by some miracle the Twins end up on top in this division, which is honestly (very) remotely possible, they should honor Shelton with the State Fair Seed Art Blue Ribbon or Nobel Peace Prize or something. 

Keep your eye on that waiver wire Jerry!

Seed art! He'll deserve a full butter sculpture-yes? 

4 hours ago, The Great Hambino said:

Going to Cleveland and winning:

- A one-run game (two of them, in fact)

- An extra-inning game

- A bullpen game

- A series

All while panhandling for relief pitching is a welcome unexpected surprise

 

- A game where they had 2 hits in 11 innings.

[shimrod]

6 hours ago, jkcarew said:

All the money in the sport and they refuse to employ non-partisan, league-assigned official scorers that rotate/travel as do the umpires.

All the money in the sport and the owners (and players) begrudge every dime they don't get. 

It would be interesting if one of the stats tracking sites began making their own judgements and publishing an unofficial score card. Similar to PFF in football. Maybe they could embarrass the league into cleaning it up a bit.  

[gil4]

15 hours ago, Peter said:

3-3 road trip and huge series win against Cleveland!!! Brooke Lee was fantastic with season saving plays last night buxton also!!! Clemens has picked it up as well Royce!!! We have 2 closers with Garcia and Gomez!! Rojas is future starter!!! Great series win!!! 2 back in division 1 back of wild card!!! 

You're a glass half full person in a glass half empty world here. A little change of pace is good for us 

[Jeff K]

This made me laugh!  "Unfortunately, the Twins now employ Cold Josh Bell™ (not to be confused with the legendary Cool Papa Bell), who struck out in his sixth straight plate appearance to derail that potential rally."

Thanks for the entertaining writing!

[LA Vikes Fan]

13 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Zebby could throw Friday and have all the other guys back up a day - Ryan Saturday, etc. Seems like a better path than another bullpen game.

Let Rojas stay up and throw after Prielipp (6th - 8th) or the next night.

Prielipp would go Thursday with 5 days rest.

I think this has to be the plan. Prielipp Thursday for 5, followed by Rojas for 3. The Bradley spot either skipped or given to Matthews Friday or Saturday depending on what works best for Ryan.