MIN 10, CHW 3: Twins Hit 5 Homers, Kepler Reaches New Career High

When you get a chance, watch the replay of Cruz's second home run and then look at the expression on Buxton's face.

And for the second day in a row, Cleveland loses to Baltimore 13-0.

Ouch.

Today would have been a perfect day to let Thorpe make his MLB debut in the 9th inning.

Also it's good that Kepler set his career high in HRs before the All Star break. You don't want to have that last one hanging over your head as something you didn't get done before a mini vacation.

Pineda is alright. He got out of that 1st and that was big.

Per Phil Miller of the Strib Kepler's 333-foot dinger is the Twins' shortest since MLB began tracking that in 2008.

Kinda needed to win that one because tomorrow's game might get a little dicey. 

Still no 3-game losing streak for this squad. That's pretty amazing.

The power depth of the lineup is what's really remarkable.There's just no one out there that a pitcher can groove a fastball to and feel any confidence they won't hammer it. Cron, Kepler, Rosario, Sano, Cruz, Polanco, Buxton...all slugging over .500. That's absolutely ridiculous to have 7 guys doing that (and Garver's there too; swap Castro out of the starting lineup and we could have 8 guys over that). Even the Yankees can't do pull that off. (even healthy, they top out at 5 or 6 right now)

Love seeing this out of Kepler too. He'd been scuffling a bit recently, so it's good to see him come back from the elbow ding with a couple of HRs.

quick side note. I was at game today but running late and as I walked up to the park I heard loud applause and thought crap its already the bottom of the first ( White sox Batting) got in to stadium and it was Twins 2-0 There were that many Twins fans applauding Cruz' HR. Very cool. Sat next to a woman wearing a Bomba Squad Tshirt. On the flip side, there were some obnoxious Twins fans out after the game. I guess my point is I love the fandom at Comiskey ( or whatever it's called now) where there used to be few twins fans at games to a healthy portion on a Saturday but let's be cool and applaud ourselves for supporting the team

Glad to see the team get back to its homer bashing ways. Sano finally is finding the top of the ball instead of swinging under it. Next, let's see Buxton hit some line drives. 

Yes, the Twins need some help in the bullpen.  But Duffey seems to be developing into the answer for one of those late inning spots.  Looking at his face and body language he doesn't look all that confident, but his results are.

When the TV crew had Harold Baines in the booth yesterday, he and Bert were talking about the Hall.  Kept thinking who on the Twins could someday achieve that feat.  Depending on who you talk to, Mauer has a good chance or is likely, but he is retired.  Maybe Cruz, but how about anyone from this young core?

To get into the Hall you have to be very good, consistently good for a long time.  I have continued to support Kepler since his early years in the organization.  When some were talking of trading him or his being a fourth outfielder who played some first base, I didn't get it.  I saw him as a great athlete who was going to be a future star.  Coming from his background, it was just going to take a little longer.

Lets assume he has another dozen productive years.  No one knows what the future holds, but it is not unrealistic that he can have a career average around .280 and hit 35-40 home runs most years with around 100 runs and RBI's.  Take those numbers times 12 plus what he will have at the end of this year and you would have career stats of .280 lifetime average, 525-550 home runs, and 1,500 runs and RBI's.  Add good speed along with being a premier defensive right fielder who does a very solid job in center. 

He's not going to accomplish that every year, but should he average the above by the time he is 38, does that make the Hall?  I don't know, but if he would pick up a MVP or two he would certainly have serious consideration.  Does he continue to improve, remain healthy and play into his mid to late 30's, only time will tell.  

I imagine one can make the same set of projections for Polanco.  Kind of reminds me of when I was a younger man living in Wisconsin and the Brewers had Yount and Molitor.  The Twins look awfully smart having gotten Kepler and Polanco signed for the next 5-6-7 years.  Hopefully, they can do one step better than the Brew Crew and keep both for their entire careers.  If they do, us Twins fans should be in for one hell of a ride this next decade.  Unfortunately, its a long shot that old guys like me and others here will still be around 17 years from now to know whether or not Kep gets that call. 

Just looked at Nelson Cruz hitting two homers yesterday. You know whose swing looks kinda like that? Mitch Garver's. I know people are always comparing Cruz to Sano, but Sano's swing is a lot bigger and more swoopy. Cruz is more short to the ball, which is Garv Sauce's whole emphasis. Wouldn't surprise me a bit to see Garver add more power as he watches Cruz do his stuff in batting practice. 

In fact, it looks kinda like the whole batting order is getting tips from Cruz. It would explain a lot. 

Yes, the Twins need some help in the bullpen. But Duffey seems to be developing into the answer for one of those late inning spots. Looking at his face and body language he doesn't look all that confident, but his results are.

 

When the TV crew had Harold Baines in the booth yesterday, he and Bert were talking about the Hall. Kept thinking who on the Twins could someday achieve that feat. Depending on who you talk to, Mauer has a good chance or is likely, but he is retired. Maybe Cruz, but how about anyone from this young core?

 

To get into the Hall you have to be very good, consistently good for a long time. I have continued to support Kepler since his early years in the organization. When some were talking of trading him or his being a fourth outfielder who played some first base, I didn't get it. I saw him as a great athlete who was going to be a future star. Coming from his background, it was just going to take a little longer.

 

Lets assume he has another dozen productive years. No one knows what the future holds, but it is not unrealistic that he can have a career average around .280 and hit 35-40 home runs most years with around 100 runs and RBI's. Take those numbers times 12 plus what he will have at the end of this year and you would have career stats of .280 lifetime average, 525-550 home runs, and 1,500 runs and RBI's. Add good speed along with being a premier defensive right fielder who does a very solid job in center.

 

He's not going to accomplish that every year, but should he average the above by the time he is 38, does that make the Hall? I don't know, but if he would pick up a MVP or two he would certainly have serious consideration. Does he continue to improve, remain healthy and play into his mid to late 30's, only time will tell.

 

I imagine one can make the same set of projections for Polanco. Kind of reminds me of when I was a younger man living in Wisconsin and the Brewers had Yount and Molitor. The Twins look awfully smart having gotten Kepler and Polanco signed for the next 5-6-7 years. Hopefully, they can do one step better than the Brew Crew and keep both for their entire careers. If they do, us Twins fans should be in for one hell of a ride this next decade. Unfortunately, its a long shot that old guys like me and others here will still be around 17 years from now to know whether or not Kep gets that call.

This comment didn’t age well.

This comment didn’t age well.

Why? Because he had one bad outing? What about the 9 scoreless appearances (and 12 of 13) before that?

Why? Because he had one bad outing? What about the 9 scoreless appearances (and 12 of 13) before that?

Because exactly this has been his pattern for the past three years. He will tantalize with a good couple weeks and then revert to his same failings.

Because exactly this has been his pattern for the past three years. He will tantalize with a good couple weeks and then revert to his same failings.

One bad outing isn't enough to be considered "reverting back to his same failings" though. Everyone, no matter how good, has a bad outing here or there.