Phillies 7, Twins 1: Fielding Nightmares Doom Twins

[DJL44]

9 minutes ago, Bangkok Twins Fan said:

The only enjoyable aspect of that game was the pre-game cornfield rollout of all the Hall of Fame players. Fun stuff. 

Not a fan of watching Schwarber hit bombs?

I thought it was interesting seeing the Twins advertising the opportunity to buy a ticket this weekend to watch Schwarber. The marketing message isn’t “Buxton’s back” but instead “Watch Schwarber take our lousy pitchers deep”.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

3 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Not a fan of watching Schwarber hit bombs?

Not against the Twins, no.

[HarmonK03]

I really hope that Tom P. is building his criteria for the next head of Baseball Operations or even gathering names to interview.  Then when the Twins are eliminated or the day after their last game he tells Zoll he is bringing in someone new and who he keeps on is his call.

Zoll is not up to leading this team and it is more of Falvey 2.0, which is not leading to winning teams.  But two of his latest moves are just complete head scratchers.  When he brought Gray back for Buxton, Gray had already shown he does not belong on a major league roster.  Now he carries a third catcher for a week and a half past the trade deadline, why.  I get doing this before the deadline but not moving one at the deadline, who knows what the discussions were.  I know Tom P. probably influenced the Jeffers decision which I don't agree with.  But the next day, Jackson needed to DFA'd. 

This concept of just conceding the 13th spot on the roster to non use is completely mind boggling.  This started under Falvey and is continuing under Zoll.  I get they aren't going to get 450 AB's but their has to be some use other than once every 7 to 10 days.  I mean call up Ross for pinch running and true defensive versatility, there are multiple scenarios, you  could use.  TK could find playing time and roles for 14 players typically, it can be done.

The next move needs to bringing up Jenkins, there are enough AB's for him.  Bell doesn't need to play every day.  He is a league average at best DH, his numbers are similar to Lee's and many don't think Lee's production is good enough but yet Bell's is.  He has 10 more RBI's in the same number of AB's as Lee hitting in the middle of the order.  While Lee hits anywhere from first to eighth depending on what the dartboard says.  Bell losing a day or two week can be done and then you have a potential pinch hitter off the bench.

[chinmusic]

Corn...shmorn. Needed a W. in a bad way.

[Bodie]

6 hours ago, knothole61 said:

He did a good job tracking the ball along the fence line and getting himself in position to make an important catch. He did not do a good job with the catch, however...it looks like he closed the glove a little early and the ball bounced off the back side of the last finger. It's always best to see or feel the ball hit the glove before closing it.

By scoring one run we'd have lost anyway, but that was an awful moment in such an idyllic setting. Luke is a valuable and exciting young player who needs to find a home in the field somewhere--and the sooner the better! 

I said before, he is way too athletic to be such a bad defensive "finisher".

Looks great getting into the general area to make plays.  He then instantly looks like he just woke up for the 1st time ever on a baseball diamond!!!  BOOM, everything goes completely to ...pot. (needed a non-obscenity, none came to mind)

 

He is way too good of an athlete to be so regularly bad in the field. 

[Jack Pine]

9 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

What was that? Taj finally couldn’t overcome the first inning problems. I think he tossed three against the backstop. Phillies weee scuffling hard too and that was easy for them. The game is a lot easier when you stop falling behind 2-0 seemingly every game 

It's almost like the starters aren't ready to start.

[MinnInPa]

throwing Swarber meatballs was the problem.. i was cringing watching Jeffers set up on the inside .. why why why.. i wouldnt let that guy beat me .. low and outside fastballs and breaking ball just touching the outside corner..never ever on the inside part of the plate

[mikelink45]

I can't keep reading.  Keaschall has been learning the OF quickly and I hate to tell the rest of the readers that missing catching the HR ball was not the difference in the game.  Taj Bradley did not look good, Lewis looked pathetic on the strike out.  

If the ball goes over the fence is the blame with the OF or with the pitcher?  

There was a lot to be disappointed in (not the opening however) and the headline for this article really misses the essential fact that the Phillies just look a lot better as a team than the Twins do.  Don't confuse the near 500 records. 

[thelanges5]

4 minutes ago, Jack Pine said:

It's almost like the starters aren't ready to start.

Bobby N:

The Twins have allowed their opponent to score during the first inning in 10 of their last 13 games. 

[TL]

44 minutes ago, HarmonK03 said:

The next move needs to bringing up Jenkins, there are enough AB's for him.  Bell doesn't need to play every day.  He is a league average at best DH, his numbers are similar to Lee's and many don't think Lee's production is good enough but yet Bell's is.  He has 10 more RBI's in the same number of AB's as Lee hitting in the middle of the order.  While Lee hits anywhere from first to eighth depending on what the dartboard says.  Bell losing a day or two week can be done and then you have a potential pinch hitter off the bench

Totally agree. It’s after August 14 so he’ll still be a rookie next year. It’s past time to put your best team on the field.  

[David Maro]

Lewis was on MLB before the game and told Harold Reynolds he was going to go deep to LF. That's hard to do when you SO numerous times.

Watching Taj start the game he doesn't have the mental makeup to pitch in a game like this. He needs more experience before having him in a game like this. You saw how Nola handled it versus Taj and its more between the ears than ability. 

The whole lineup looked like deer in the headlights swinging off balance and striking out again and again. They all seemed to be trying to hit one into the corn.

 

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

100% correct - we should’ve traded Jeffers (at his peak value, nonetheless) when we had the chance.

False.

Jeffers Is not a useless 3rd catcher.

 

[Peter]

1 hour ago, Patzky said:

Pete buddy you should be a Wind Surge fan.

Actually my brothers friend said I should quit cheering for the twins and be a saints fan instead-I told him whatever as I’m to emotionally and financially invested in twins with merchandise and can’t ever stop supporting the twins 

[Patzky]

44 minutes ago, MinnInPa said:

throwing Swarber meatballs was the problem.. i was cringing watching Jeffers set up on the inside .. why why why.. i wouldnt let that guy beat me .. low and outside fastballs and breaking ball just touching the outside corner..never ever on the inside part of the plate

Did they not scout on the bus ride  🌽

[bean5302]

As I've pointed out multiple times, balls literally, and frequently, bounce right off Keaschalls glove in the outfield. Stuff most baseball players are better at in high school. I've never seen anything like it. Not knowing when to open and close a glove.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

57 minutes ago, Bodie said:

He is way too good of an athlete to be so regularly bad in the field. 

I agree. He's still young and seems to have the physical tools to play on the field, but where does he end up playing? Granted, it's still very early days to judge him as an outfielder, but then again I thought he would stick at second base. 

[Parfigliano]

9 hours ago, Heistyman said:

Big Stage Tonight and we lay an egg.  Disappointment

AKA......Vike playoff game.

[Patzky]

1 hour ago, HarmonK03 said:

I really hope that Tom P. is building his criteria for the next head of Baseball Operations or even gathering names to interview.  Then when the Twins are eliminated or the day after their last game he tells Zoll he is bringing in someone new and who he keeps on is his call.

Zoll is not up to leading this team and it is more of Falvey 2.0, which is not leading to winning teams.  But two of his latest moves are just complete head scratchers.  When he brought Gray back for Buxton, Gray had already shown he does not belong on a major league roster.  Now he carries a third catcher for a week and a half past the trade deadline, why.  I get doing this before the deadline but not moving one at the deadline, who knows what the discussions were.  I know Tom P. probably influenced the Jeffers decision which I don't agree with.  But the next day, Jackson needed to DFA'd. 

This concept of just conceding the 13th spot on the roster to non use is completely mind boggling.  This started under Falvey and is continuing under Zoll.  I get they aren't going to get 450 AB's but their has to be some use other than once every 7 to 10 days.  I mean call up Ross for pinch running and true defensive versatility, there are multiple scenarios, you  could use.  TK could find playing time and roles for 14 players typically, it can be done.

The next move needs to bringing up Jenkins, there are enough AB's for him.  Bell doesn't need to play every day.  He is a league average at best DH, his numbers are similar to Lee's and many don't think Lee's production is good enough but yet Bell's is.  He has 10 more RBI's in the same number of AB's as Lee hitting in the middle of the order.  While Lee hits anywhere from first to eighth depending on what the dartboard says.  Bell losing a day or two week can be done and then you have a potential pinch hitter off the bench.

We'll have to sever the tether of attachment to guys who likely aren't going to be here next year. Contend as long as we are able, nobody denies that. Jackson, Rogers (please tell me that was his last hurrah) Wish they could not get hung up on sunk value and realize that we can promote, contend, and build fan excitement at the same time. At least til we're mathematically eliminated.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Nola has made a career out of making good hitters look bad. Possibly a 

Nola will not make the HoF.

[The Great Hambino]

2 hours ago, Patzky said:

Pete buddy you should be a Wind Surge fan.

Wichita?  That booming metropolis?  Way too big of a city.  Maybe they can resurrect their team in Visalia - that might be more his speed

As for the game, I actually thought Neftlix did a pretty decent job with their presentation.  Based on the way they handled their opening day game, I thought they'd be shoehorning Shane Gillis skits into the pregame to promote the new season of Tires.  Instead, they leaned heavily into baseball nostalgia, which is sort of the whole point of a Field of Dreams game.  And the Hall of Famers bit was really cool.  I don't know if anyone else noticed, but having the HOF closers come out last was a nice subtle touch

[Patzky]

5 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Nola will not make the HoF.

Phil Fans are boldly proclaiming He's Back, saying his curve hasn't looked this good all year. Consider the opposition maybe but this was a huge performance by Nola. 

Bet Painter pulls a Miz on us.

[Patzky]

1 minute ago, The Great Hambino said:

Wichita?  That booming metropolis?  Way too big of a city.  Maybe they can resurrect their team in Visalia - that might be more his speed

As for the game, I actually thought Neftlix did a pretty decent job with their presentation.  Based on the way they handled their opening day game, I thought they'd be shoehorning Shane Gillis skits into the pregame to promote the new season of Tires.  Instead, they leaned heavily into baseball nostalgia, which is sort of the whole point of a Field of Dreams game.  And the Hall of Famers bit was really cool.  I don't know if anyone else noticed, but having the HOF closers come out last was a nice subtle touch

Don't want to get too invested in the Wind Surge, they're rebranding next season anyway. 🌬️ 

[Nashvilletwin]

44 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

False.

Jeffers Is not a useless 3rd catcher.

 

So, we keep Jeffers for a month of utility, likely to be futility.  The opportunity cost was probably Eyanson (RHP consensus top 50 prospect, now the Orioles #2 prospect, scheduled for ‘27 debut and possibly a mainstay as a solid #2-3 starter in the rotation for 5-6 years) and possibly Jackson if he gets claimed.

Not entirely useless now, but certainly headed in that direction and costly.

[CRF]

That was a big fat disappointment. 

[USAFChief]

3 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

So, we keep Jeffers for a month of utility, likely to be futility.  The opportunity cost was probably Eyanson (RHP consensus top 50 prospect, now the Orioles #2 prospect, scheduled for ‘27 debut and possibly a mainstay as a solid #2-3 starter in the rotation for 5-6 years) and possibly Jackson if he gets claimed.

Not entirely useless now, but certainly headed in that direction and costly.

Blah blah blah. Who cares?

Playing for prospects is for losers.

[Nashvilletwin]

6 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Blah blah blah. Who cares?

Playing for prospects is for losers.

Wow, wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, Chief?

[Vanimal46]

3 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Someone that athletic should not be as bad as he is on defense. His career is trending towards full time DH.

Most fly balls are an adventure for Keaschall. He makes routine fly outs look difficult. 

The ship has sailed putting him back at 2B this season… But they may have to put him back there in 2027. I can’t see him as an everyday OF on a team that’s serious about winning. 

[Jeff K]

That game was not enjoyable to watch.  Taj was terrible.  I get that Keaschall's play in the outfield did not make the difference, but so what.  It was an embarrassment.  As others have noted, how can an excellent athlete be so bad in the field?  I've been a fan of his, but good grief, he truly is starting to look like Julien.

[MMMordabito]

I see Detroit now has position on the last wild card spot with a losing record. Losers should not be in the playoffs. They should just give the other team a bye instead.

[DJL44]

10 minutes ago, Jeff K said:

That game was not enjoyable to watch.  Taj was terrible.  I get that Keaschall's play in the outfield did not make the difference, but so what.  It was an embarrassment.  As others have noted, how can an excellent athlete be so bad in the field?  I've been a fan of his, but good grief, he truly is starting to look like Julien.

It is feeling like another infamous move of an infielder to the outfield: Miguel Sano