Make it Official! Twins 5, Rangers 3: We Have Lift Off from Kirilloff, Again

I wasn't aware of Paddack's fatigue or the reason for it. Sometimes Rocco knows what's going on. I wonder if some skipped starts are in his future, as he recovers from surgery. We could stretch the schedule around off days or get Varland (or even maybe Dobnak or Sands) to start a game.

A very satisfying dub.

How do you explain this level of streakiness? It’s not like many of the games during the 7 game losing streak were hard fought, competitive losses. They looked bad bad. Now all of a sudden they’re finding ways to win games again. And apparently in bunches. Absolutely bizarre to see 12 wins, then 7 losses and now 4 wins. In the first two months!

27 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

How do you explain this level of streakiness? It’s not like many of the games during the 7 game losing streak were hard fought, competitive losses. They looked bad bad. Now all of a sudden they’re finding ways to win games again. And apparently in bunches. Absolutely bizarre to see 12 wins, then 7 losses and now 4 wins. In the first two months!

Royce got a single in his first at bat. Brooks Lee got three hits today. Help is coming..

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

… and stole a base in the first inning.

Jenkins had another great day too. I hope they promote Jenkins and Lee together until Brooks gets the call to the bigs.

Good win. Can they make it a sweep? If Lopez can bring his A game, e en his B+ game we can. So far, he's replicating his 2023 season, good start, looks very human at times but still solid, and we can only hope he continues his last year pattern and cranks it up another notch going forward again.

Paddack gutted out 5 solid innings. I do suspect he will get a skip or two at some point this season, All Star break will help with that, but he's been mostly impressive this season. Nice to see Sands rebound. 

I'm also a big fan/believer in AK, as long as he's finally healthy. Weak contact and ground balls are his MO when hurt. But he and the Twins say he's fine, just struggling. After his hit start, he's been pretty bad for about 3 weeks. Don't look now but his past 7bdays, 16 AB, he's been on FIRE to the tune of .313/.389/.875 with power flashing again. Hard work and the law of averages might be starting to pay off here.

On the other hand, while Larnach has better seasonal numbers than AK, he's really been fighting it as of late. But if you've been able to watchnor listen to the games, he's been mostly squaring up on the ball for a bunch of hard hit outs. Will the worm turn for him soon? I sure hope so. 

Despite seemingly being around forever, both Kirilloff and Larnach have yet to eclipse 800 ML AB. They've both had their careers interrupted by injuries. Both are sitting around 26-27yo and while I won't say make or break, this seems to be the year where they need to stay healthy and push their success forward.

I haven't given up hope on Wallner at all. He might be better than both, despite having massive struggles this season. If 2 of these 3 get their game together, it's a huge win! Add in Emma being reasonably close, the future looks bright.

SUPER EXCITED to have Lewis, and Lee, and Jenkins back playing ball again! Royce back in about 10 days? Lee at St Paul sometime this next week? 

Fingers are crossed!

9 minutes ago, BH67 said:

Speaking of the law of averages, regression to the mean should occur with the Guardians and Royals soon. And hopefully the T-Wolves on Sunday.

I don't believe in the Royals, not yet. 

The Guardians...man, I still have a hard time calling them that...are solid as they generally are. I have tremendous respect for them, and I picked them 2nd for the ALC in 2024. Unfortunately, head to head, we've had problems facing them head to head. But I still think as a TEAM, the Twins are the more complete "unit" and should come out on top. 

My opinion coming in to the season, and I'm holding on to that opinion despite some injuries and maddening streakiness.

2 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

Got to admit I (and many others) have been spoiled by the performance of Duran over the last year+, but is sure was nice to see Duran dominate in the 9th to secure the victory. This was his 1st clean outing since May 12th vs. Toronto.

Moreover, Duran did so on 8 pitches. Although a tad winded after getting consecutive 3-1 putouts to start the inning, it was IMPRESSIVE to see Duran reach back with pure GAS---100-100-101 to set Heim down to end the game.  I know Duran has very good offspeed pitches, but then you can locate 100 heat----just bring the GAS young man. 

I don't know...nor does anyone else I'd wager...where the drop in velocity has come from. I mean, we're still talking a guy throwing consistently 99-101! That's still HUGE. I believe strike 3 today was 102!

It just might be impossible for a human being to throw 103 and touch 104 on occasion past a certain point. MAYBE his while build up being interrupted is the issue? MAYBE 99-101 is his new norm? AGAIN, that's HUGE velocity. 

IMO, we might still see a couple RPM come back once he settles in and gets in a routine. And he's hung a bad pitch or two here and there. It happens! But MAYBE, what he needs is to drop the curve and splinker a MPH or two just to change the batters eye?

Just spitballing.

1 hour ago, Mark G said:

It might be as simple as the competition:  White Sox and angels were 10 of the 12, then we ran into the Yankees and Guardians, then got Washington and Texas.  Beat the also rans, and get beat by the front runners.  I am waiting to see how we do against the Yankees again in a few days; that will be another good test.  

We have a rather important series coming up before the Yankees. 2024 Guaranteed Wins in the AL Central only come at a  Guaranteed Rate