MIN 15, DET 6: Cruz Leads Trouncing of Tigers

Pretty much an old around demolishing today. Good to see things clicking on all facets. Bottom half of the order could have been more productive though.

Caught a little of the game in the background at work today, (had to keep changing the game back because the boss kept golf on, lol), and during my lunch. Really liked what I saw, of course.

A couple comments:

1] Cruz, what a bum. Instead of taking a ball and waiting for a better pitch to try for a HR TRIO, he instead inside-outs a rocket double down the left field line. (Hehe) The guy is just amazing and early indicators are he is ready to defy age for another good/great season.

2] I never panicked about Kepler having a bad ST. He's done it before. He even spoke recently that be was "trying different stuff" in many of his AB. I really like him sliding down in the lineup and I think when all is said and done he's going to look like his 2019 self.

3] First start of the year and a big lead, I was happy Rocco let Shoemaker pitch the 6th and stretch himself out. It's one thing to protect your starters and believe in your pen, but it's also valuable to let your SP a full 6 when you can and save the bullpen as well.

4] I really would have liked Thielbar to get an IP today instead of giving Dobnak 3. Felt unnecessary to me and I don't believe Thielbar has pitched yet. As far as Dobnak goes, I wasn't able to watch the last 3 innings. But looks like he pitched 2 clean ones. Not the first guy to finish a HUGE BLOWOUT while allowing a few runs. Even for a professional, a competitor, sometimes the juice just isn't there with a 14 run lead and you're just getting your work in and mopping up. Sure I'm disappointed he didn't just put away everyone in the 9th, but I've seen this before over the years and not going to freak out.

5] Really glad Buxton and Arraez aren't hurt, simply ill. Personally, no disrespect to the Tigers at all, but I'd probably sit both tomorrow and have them in reserve roles. We have enough depth and a talented enough roster I'd rather see both Buxton and Arraez just have another day off to recover and get their strength back.

6] I missed Rooker's great catch. Wish there was a replay. Not trying to be dismissive of Garlik's effort to make the team or his ability, but as long as Rooker is here I want to see him play and not sit.

7] Send down Cave after FOUR GAMES? Not going to happen. He's earned more than a little leeway at this point. Now, if he's still struggling in a week, some re-set time could be in order.

8] Come on, you KNEW there was going to be as Astudillo comment, right? History has shown he can hit a little, and he's developed more pop/power since joining the Twins organization. While nothing more than average defensively...i actually think 3B might be his best spot...very few teams can toss the last man on the bench in to a game and he can still produce at least a little bit. Blankenhorn and perhaps Miranda may replace him in the next year or two, but I just don't know how anyone can't appreciate him as a last spot on the bench player.

I'm really excited, with the "lights turned on now", to see what Happ can bring tomorrow. I'm really hopeful for 5 solid IP.

Doc, I hope you weren't watching the game while operating on a patient.

I'm a very smart amateur psycholist and sociologist only but damned if you didn't make me LMAO with this post!

Thank you!

Great offense. Cruz is ageless. Where are all those that didn't want to sign Cruz again, now? 

Really happy for Shoemaker to get a fine first outing.

Dobnak? I have been saying he was fools gold before he started to fail last year, so it doesn't surprise me at all that he can't match his ST when the games actually count. Good luck to him and us. I hope he doesn't cost us too many games this year. Same with Colome.

Gaaaaa, Baddoo is monster zero for Detroit! Gaaaa! 

 

Dobbs had a hiccup. Chill, peebles!

But really, how impressive is it?.... I mean.... Dobnak was pitching.... 

5 players the Twins gave up on in this Detroit lineup! (Not saying that they should have kept them, except for Ramos at the time). And they got 6 of the 8 Detroit hits today. 4 of them feasting on Dobnak in the 9th for 4 runs. With 2 outs! That is pretty weird.