Twins 2, Yankees 5: You Already Know

[Saxophone Joe]

Seems the broadcast crew might’ve finally tired of hyping up Royce’s aura with the bases loaded. I wasn’t following the Twins back when he built up those numbers a few years back. I can’t remember in 2+ years of watching the Twins closely again the last time he had a big hit with the BL. 

[BSLinPA]

No mention of Brent Headrick, waivered by Twins 15 months ago?  Think we could use some of what he has been doing since??  He has been oustanding in pinstripes:  Brent Headrick Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com

[Blyleven2011]

8 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Good thing they haven't put Buxton on the IL yet! Every year they do this to themselves. 

Seems like they are trying to keep him healthy so he can start in the allstar game which means crap to our team , every year he's banged up around the allstar game  , he played a few years ago in allstar game  when he shouldn't and immediately put on the IL list  , think it was his knee that was the injury  ...

As far as the game  , the twins never had a chance and the Yankees needed to pounce on the twins to end their 7 game losing streak  ..,

[stringer bell]

I don’t think Gray is the choice over Kreidler at short. Kreidler did start a couple games (with Gray sitting) against right handers before Buxton went to the bench and I am confident Shelton would start Kreidler st short again if there was a different option in center. This is all complicated by the Buxton injury and the lack of confidence Shelton has in either Repko or Martin to fill in as the center fielder.

The Twins chose Gray over Kreidler in the spring because he was a lefty alternative to back up two RH hitters and a switch hitter and Kreidler’s hitting profile was among the worst in MLB. Kreidler has shown enough with the bat and glove to play before Gray at least 75% of the time, but he’s “neded” in center field. Until Buxton or an outfielder currently in St. Paul is ready to play for the Twins. My guess is Roden for Repko and when Jeffers is activated he takes Gray’s spot, although they might try to DFA Jackson. 

[Western SD Fan]

9 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Seems like they are trying to keep him healthy so he can start in the allstar game which means crap to our team , every year he's banged up around the allstar game  , he played a few years ago in allstar game  when he shouldn't and immediately put on the IL list  , think it was his knee that was the injury  ...

As far as the game  , the twins never had a chance and the Yankees needed to pounce on the twins to end their 7 game losing streak  ..,

That was the conspiracy theory I floated in the in-game thread last night on why Buxton was not on the IL.  I thought of this theory after listening to the Skor North Twins Show pregame podcast.  When Shelton was asked about Buxton's availability, his response was that he has no updates at this time.  The starting lineups for the ASG are expected to be announced tonight before the FOX Saturday game and Buxton is expected to be on the list.  He last played on Sunday.  It's possible that they could announce an IL stint for this Monday (they're not flying someone to NY for one game), retroactive to June 29th, and he could still come off the IL by Friday in time for the ASG.

Another mention on that podcast was that Fedko is essentially a Billy Hamilton type of player on the roster.  Only coming in for pinch-running and defensive purposes.  Our roster currently cannot afford any spot to be reduced to that type of role, even the 13th man on the bench.  We end up having strange lineups or players like Gray still on the roster.  

[stringer bell]

What I don’t like is that I suspect an IL decision for Buxton is influenced by him playing in the All-Star game. Buck has been to two and started once (due to a starter’s injury), but he will likely be voted in this time and get a starting spot. He hasn’t been there often enough to blow if off. There really isn’t a qualified All-Star other than Buxton. Worse pitchers than Bradley or Ryan have been All-Stars, but their numbers aren’t as good as a host of other pitchers. 

[David Maro]

They go to Yankee stadium and put their choke collars on. The only player who showed up was Clemens the rest were lost. There was one miracle in the game Funderburk pitched 2 innings without walking anyone. As soon as Orze came in I knew the game was over,up to that point there was a chance. Watching Gray's one at bat where he struck out on 3 pitches how is it he is still on this roster. If they want a chance at WC spot changes have to be made sooner not later and he is one of them.

[Saxophone Joe]

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

What I don’t like is that I suspect an IL decision for Buxton is influenced by him playing in the All-Star game.

And I’m guessing he also earns a bonus for making the ASG? 

[HarmonK03]

26 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I don’t think Gray is the choice over Kreidler at short. Kreidler did start a couple games (with Gray sitting) against right handers before Buxton went to the bench and I am confident Shelton would start Kreidler st short again if there was a different option in center. This is all complicated by the Buxton injury and the lack of confidence Shelton has in either Repko or Martin to fill in as the center fielder.

The Twins chose Gray over Kreidler in the spring because he was a lefty alternative to back up two RH hitters and a switch hitter and Kreidler’s hitting profile was among the worst in MLB. Kreidler has shown enough with the bat and glove to play before Gray at least 75% of the time, but he’s “neded” in center field. Until Buxton or an outfielder currently in St. Paul is ready to play for the Twins. My guess is Roden for Repko and when Jeffers is activated he takes Gray’s spot, although they might try to DFA Jackson. 

I don't think we will know who the preferred shortstop is until Buxton comes back.  Kreidler started a string of games and then sat for two.  This is an organizational decision to say he is needed in CF, there are other options within the organization.  If they don't trust Fedko he shouldn't be on the roster.  Why not swap him with Roden.  Supposedly when they traded for him, one reason was he could cover CF at least as a fill in if needed.  So to say Kreidler is needed in CF is letting this organization off the hook.  And it has made the defense weaker overall especially up the middle.  Kriedler is average defensively in CF, numerous shallow fly balls have been misplayed and he is the quarterback out there who should be cleaning that up.  His routes are becoming an adventure and that is going to cost him at some point especially in the spacious outfield of Yankee stadium.

[chinmusic]

Rehashing the Twins ineptitude vs the Yanks is getting old. (admittedly it's epic)

Zebby Matthews has been pitching really well of late, AND he goes deep into games. Very significant, for reasons that need not be stated. My $$$'s on the Twinkies this aft.

As a Canadian , I think it's more likely than Canada beating Morocco on the pitch.

 

[Western SD Fan]

I dug into the excuse on Kreidler at CF and reviewed his baseball reference page for various splits.  When you account for Kreidler's splits, granted in SSS, keeping Gray on the roster makes even less sense, especially as a LHB excuse.

In 2026, Kreidler is currently better against RHP vs LHP.  I did look at his career platoon splits to make sure this isn't an error.  Even his career platoon splits support this argument, although not to the extreme as in 2026 (101 vs RHP, 97 vs LHP).

When you analyze Kreidler by position, it makes even less sense why he is in CF.  Again, this is very SSS, but his career OPS splits also flesh out these trends (OPS of 134 at SS vs OPS of 56 at CF).

Just to be clear, this is nothing against Kreidler.  He has earned his current playing time and should be on the roster starting at SS until Culpepper is called up at the minimum.  There is no reason, even by metrics, for Gray to be on the roster as he should be replaced by Roden if they really want a LHB on the roster who can also cover CF.  This would also leave Clemens at second, which I believe (although I haven't looked it up) is his best defensive position as well.

 

[D.C Twins]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Eventually Culpepper will turn 30…

Winning post!

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

What I don’t like is that I suspect an IL decision for Buxton is influenced by him playing in the All-Star game. Buck has been to two and started once (due to a starter’s injury), but he will likely be voted in this time and get a starting spot. He hasn’t been there often enough to blow if off. There really isn’t a qualified All-Star other than Buxton. Worse pitchers than Bradley or Ryan have been All-Stars, but their numbers aren’t as good as a host of other pitchers. 

Peak TC.  Manage their best player's playing time/injury to make sure he is available for the meaningless ASG. 

Does it help TC win games that count?  No.  Does it make it harder to win games that count.  Yes.  Will Pohlad continue to make mouth noises about TC trying to win?  Yes.

[stringer bell]

48 minutes ago, Western SD Fan said:

I dug into the excuse on Kreidler at CF and reviewed his baseball reference page for various splits.  When you account for Kreidler's splits, granted in SSS, keeping Gray on the roster makes even less sense, especially as a LHB excuse.

In 2026, Kreidler is currently better against RHP vs LHP.  I did look at his career platoon splits to make sure this isn't an error.  Even his career platoon splits support this argument, although not to the extreme as in 2026 (101 vs RHP, 97 vs LHP).

When you analyze Kreidler by position, it makes even less sense why he is in CF.  Again, this is very SSS, but his career OPS splits also flesh out these trends (OPS of 134 at SS vs OPS of 56 at CF).

Just to be clear, this is nothing against Kreidler.  He has earned his current playing time and should be on the roster starting at SS until Culpepper is called up at the minimum.  There is no reason, even by metrics, for Gray to be on the roster as he should be replaced by Roden if they really want a LHB on the roster who can also cover CF.  This would also leave Clemens at second, which I believe (although I haven't looked it up) is his best defensive position as well.

 

Today's lineup is a data point in support of Kreidler over Gray at shortstop no matter the handedness of the opposing pitcher. Tristan Gray needs to hit to maintain his job as a three-position utility infielder and he hasn't done that. He shouldn't be used as shortstop as much as third and second base and his role is now considerably narrower because the now preferred regulars at second a third don't give Gray a platoon advantage. I don't see Gray staying on the Twins' active roster much longer.

Clemens best defensive position is first base, both this year and in his career. There have been a couple of hiccups, but Lewis has looked very good at first, so leaving Clemens at second makes sense.