DET 9, MIN 6: Twins Drop to Third in Division, 2.5 Games Back

Somebody failed (either manager or FO) if Jason Castro is ever pinch hitting with the bases loaded in a close game.

Listening, I was thinking to myself that this might be it for Breslow. Demoralizing loss, for sure. Still, this team is so much better than last years. They've gotten up off the mat over and over; let's see if they have another in them.

WOW - this game brought out the worst of the Twins and the worst of us commentators.  Sano striking out four times really stinks.  Sorry Miguel but not touching the ball is horrible, much worse than grounding out, even much worse than a DP - did you see Kinsler butcher a DP and allow us a run - that is what happens when balls are in play.  A K does nothing, allows for nothing positive - it just stinks.

 

The BP did a masterful job and this is not a winning team, not a team in contention.  It is the kind of team we are supposed to beat.  Who gets the Twins player of the day - I guess it must be Kepler for a wonderful bunt, but how sad that that is our highlight.  Now in third place.  Come on Twins - get some inspiration from the 87 Team.  They were not good either, they just refused to lose

The front office has to get some help. Like it or not the AL is mediocre beyond Houston. The players have the want to and battle they are just a couple people away from being more competitive. I would try and trade for Cozart or Andrus at SS. See if we can move Polanco. Maybe the Phillies would take a picher, outfielder and Polanco for Neshek. Need a bullpen piece, Neshek fits that bill.

Polanco and Tonkin for Neshek would be a good deal. Polanco is young and has upside.

Polanco and Tonkin for Neshek would be a good deal. Polanco is young and has upside.

Polanco alone for Neshek would be a massive overpay and worthy of the crucifixion we'd give the deal on this site.

Polanco alone for Neshek would be a massive overpay and worthy of the crucifixion we'd give the deal on this site.

Veteran team vs. young, developing team.  What were the odds.......

The reports I've read re: Phillies trading Neshek, is that Neshek could be had for a minor leaguer.  Now, there are more teams involved.  If the Twins really wanted him, it's probably too late.

re:  Eduardo Escobar:  I wouldn't trade him.  He really has value for the Twins right now.

Polanco really is the issue here.  He may not make the team next year unless you unload Dozier somewhere, so using him as a piece in a trade to me is a very good use of assets.  

This can be decided over the next week as the Twins could fall out of it and choose to sell. 

WOW - this game brought out the worst of the Twins and the worst of us commentators. Sano striking out four times really stinks. Sorry Miguel but not touching the ball is horrible, much worse than grounding out, even much worse than a DP - did you see Kinsler butcher a DP and allow us a run - that is what happens when balls are in play. A K does nothing, allows for nothing positive - it just stinks.

 

The BP did a masterful job and this is not a winning team, not a team in contention. It is the kind of team we are supposed to beat. Who gets the Twins player of the day - I guess it must be Kepler for a wonderful bunt, but how sad that that is our highlight. Now in third place. Come on Twins - get some inspiration from the 87 Team. They were not good either, they just refused to lose

Your strikeout is worse than a double play take is awful. Let's say 75% of the time a dp ball actually becomes a dp, 20% of the time, only one out is recorded, and 5% of the time, no outs are recorded. The expected outs for a ball hit at a middle infielder in a dp situation is therefore 1.7--which is obviously far worse than the worst case scenario of one out from the strikeout.

Your strikeout is worse than a double play take is awful. Let's say 75% of the time a dp ball actually becomes a dp, 20% of the time, only one out is recorded, and 5% of the time, no outs are recorded. The expected outs for a ball hit at a middle infielder in a dp situation is therefore 1.7--which is obviously far worse than the worst case scenario of one out from the strikeout.

I agree with your take, but it seems with the base loaded and no outs, at least a double play scores a run, and with how horrible the twins have been with the bases loaded (might not actually be true but does seem true of late) they could use a run.  

They had the bases loaded with no outs, K, botched double play, K, K. 1 run!

That is the kind of thing that happens when you get little to no offensive from you Catcher, SS and centerfielder.

I agree with your take, but it seems with the base loaded and no outs, at least a double play scores a run, and with how horrible the twins have been with the bases loaded (might not actually be true but does seem true of late) they could use a run.  

They had the bases loaded with no outs, K, botched double play, K, K. 1 run!

That is the kind of thing that happens when you get little to no offensive from you Catcher, SS and centerfielder.

You forgot Sano in your "little to no" comment.  Though, Cabrera's 0'fer balanced the scale, it's still another blank mixed in the line-up.

That circus play (Kepler to Dozier to EMPTY SPACE to Mejia to EMPTY SPACE) was just awful.

Escobar's homer was crushed.  His defensive range isn't that great but his bat is necessary and he should be batting 2nd every day. He's played his way into the every day roster...doesn't he do that every year?

Sano needs to stop trying to hit HRs and go back to hitting singles the other way.  When he's in a strikeout funk it's really bad.

Polanco has absolutely gone down in flames over the past 2 months. At this point he's looking at Adrianza and Escobar ahead of him on the depth chart.

Good riddance, Breslow.

Remember when the Twins were absolutely unbeatable on the road? They need to fall back on that trend, pronto. I'll be watching the games against LAD for sure. This series could be the make-or-break series for the season.

Polanco could hit under .200 for the year and would still easily make the team next year. He's always shown he can hit prior to this year, and the defense has taken a step forward. He's too talented to give up on at his lowest value right now.

You forgot Sano in your "little to no" comment.  Though, Cabrera's 0'fer balanced the scale, it's still another blank mixed in the line-up.

Agreed I meant for the year not this game.

I just don't see how you can have Polanco in the lineup when Granite is playing. IMO