Twins 4, Diamondbacks 2: Offense Wakes Up Just in Time, Bullpen Locks It Down, Twins Take Series

[Bracky]

5 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I'm not ready to give up on Keaschall as a defensive second baseman. His offense has been so-s0, but better than his defense, but he's got enough speed to have decent range and while he doesn't have a strong arm, if his release is quick enough and he's accurate, arm strength isn't going to matter much.

Agree on Keaschall. He has the athleticism. He still isn't that far removed from his injuries/surgery in the grand scheme of things. 

I still think he is a contributing component of our line up for the future and should be kept up to keep working. With how much we want the guys from AAA to come up to the big leagues I think we need to be willing to be patient with them. Same when hopefully Cullpepper comes up.

[JADBP]

5 hours ago, karcherd said:

What recommendations are Zoll making to him.  I don't want Tom P. anywhere near judging what players can help this team. So is Zoll going to hold Tommy accountable for his words.

I agree…but are you going to leave all of these player decisions to Zoll?  I just can’t trust him (and recent polls and his actions seem to agree).

After all, it has been Zoll who has been dumpster diving  for all these washed up losers he keeps foisting on Shelton. Can’t we hold Zoll accountable?  Who does if it isn’t Tom?  

[knothole61]

6 hours ago, JADBP said:

Ok. Here’s an on-site report from the desert:

1) the food at the Twins field is far superior to Chase Field.  You are lucky, Twins fans!

2) Other than food, they seem to do a better job of taking care of fans here.  They have free handouts almost every weekend and often more than one.  Yay. Their  “Advantage Fan” system is great—I don’t know of anything comparable in Twins country. And they have a swimming pool in the stadium!  Pricey but interesting. 

3). Jumbotron is not viewable from large parts of the stadium!  Sucks! And they don’t add n some localized flat screens to make up for it. 
 

4) The players are not better, they are just playing much better.  Last year the players played like they just don’t care.  This is a far more aggressive team!  I never saw a Rocco team play this hard.   The coaching is great.  
 

5) the only coaching bumps that I saw in 2 games was leaving in (or letting in) Lawrence.  Sure we were up 16-0 but after 4 walks in a row to start an inning he should have DFA’ed him right then and there from the dugout.  I’m hoping he went straight to Zoll and said “I’ll never call his name again, never ever, so you might as well DFA him because he’s a wasted butt warming a bench from here on forever!”  Who knows?  On the other hand I was worried about Parades today but the coaches stick with him. Overall, I am far more impressed with the coaching now than over the last 10 years.  Not quite piranhas but getting there!!

6). I thought Buxton had his best year last year but this could be even better!  And Clemons looks like the real deal 

 

great Games!!

Clemens is a gamer and a valuable, versatile player who flashed some serious leather in center at a crucial point in Sunday's game. Keep him around.

[knothole61]

2 hours ago, Bracky said:

Definitely think Buck has been a leader this year. I also do think Shelton is doing a better job with the players than Rocco. 

Take it for what you will but I have read that Bell has contributed leadership this season as well. Works well with Buck I believe. We do have a couple guys I think that are helping lead the team this year.

Yeah, you can see Bell's positive interactions in the dugout, etc. He really seems to be a veteran leader, and man is he big: 6' 3" and close to 270, I think!

[stringer bell]

5 hours ago, knothole61 said:

Yeah, you can see Bell's positive interactions in the dugout, etc. He really seems to be a veteran leader, and man is he big: 6' 3" and close to 270, I think!

Bell has bottom quartile sprint speed, but in the last two days he aggressively took the extra base, scoring on a ground ball single on Saturday and making third and advancing on the overthrow on Sunday. I was surprised he tried both advances and both worked out.

Bell has to hit to help the team, but both his defense and base running have been better than I expected. Also, he's hit well with runners in scoring position. He's nearly on a 100 RBI pace. and the club hasn't had a 100 RBI guy since the Bamba Squad.

[Saxophone Joe]

Did Buck get his first hit this season with a RISP with two outs on that infield single (that didn't score a run)? 🤣

The broadcasters didn't mention that Brooks broke his consecutive at-bats without a strikeout streak..And struck out again the next time. Funny game. 

[karcherd]

7 hours ago, JADBP said:

I agree…but are you going to leave all of these player decisions to Zoll?  I just can’t trust him (and recent polls and his actions seem to agree).

After all, it has been Zoll who has been dumpster diving  for all these washed up losers he keeps foisting on Shelton. Can’t we hold Zoll accountable?  Who does if it isn’t Tom?  

Who else is there to leave the player decisions to right now.  Zoll is the top guy, this is where I blame the Pohlads, they have left the baseball side rudderless right when they need leadership at a crucial time.  I don't want Tom P. saying I want prospect x instead of prospect y in a trade, what expertise does he have for that.  

How do we hold Zoll accountable any more than we could hold Falvey accountable.  I have been saying for a couple of weeks that I want them to bring in a senior advisor to guide Zoll thru this process and help the organization but I don't think it's going to happen.  I don't trust Zoll to change the toilet paper much less make any trades that are going to impact this organization short or long term.