MIN 16, SDP 0: Twins Hit 7 HRs, Set New Record

Hey!  We are on the plus side of run differential!  +6!  I don't remember being on the plus side this year.

I was re-surprised to notice the Twins have only been shut out 2 times so far this year by my count (June 22, White Sox and August 1, San Diego). Last year they were shut out 8 times. On the other side, they have scored 10+ runs 14 times so far (one was in a loss to Detroit), with totals in those games of - 11, 14, 11, 20, 10, 11, 11, 10, 12, 10, 11, 17, 10, and 16.

 

We made a trade??  Who'd we get???

maybe verlander's eight goose-egg innings against the angels was part of the twins well-crafted master plan. chess versus checkers. 

 

You might see Kyle Gibson toss six innings of shutout ball with six K's.

 

Yeah, this is the one that has me thrown. has Kyle Gibson figured it out or is this another mirage from the pitcher I like to call "The Tease"? He's been a completely different pitcher in the second half of the season, but the track record is so spotty it's hard to feel confident that we've finally got the Kyle Gibson we've been hoping for. Still gives up plenty of hits, but when he keeps the ball in the park, gets just a few extra Ks and a few less walks...he's an asset. but we've seen this before...is it sustainable?!?

 

 

 

 

Vargas won't be back, and I'd be very surprised if they keep Garver over Gimenez. I don't believe they trust Garver defensively, and Gimenez is a proven winner. If it's not broken, don't fix it.

I am sorry to say Gimenez is not a proven winner by any means. Gimenez cannot hit and play below average defense. (3PB in one game).Vargas is not making much and is a good power threat and I think he is coming back.

 

will the real Kyle Gibson please stand up?

 

Fangraphs (Rotographs) had an article on this and concluded his recent results are pretty much a reflection of the teams he's faced. Not everyone agrees but I think the evidence generally supports the idea that he hasn't really changed.

 

Gibson's overall 2017 line is now a near carbon copy of his 2016. That's who he is . . . a borderline 5th starter at best.

Two big moves make the Twins a legit contender next year.

 

1--sign Moustakas or Hosmer (especially if there is no qualifying offer attached)

2--trade Gordon, two out of Gonsalves/Romero/Thorpe, and a bullpen prospect TB likes for Archer.

 

Your rotation is Archer, Santana, Berrios, Mejia, Gibson

 

Your lineup is Dozier, Mauer, Hosmer/Moustakas, Sano, Rosario, Kepler, Buxton, Polanco, Castro/Garver

 

Your bullpen is still an issue, but the easiest one to fix, and as long as it's not a dumpster fire, 95 wins is a real possibility.

Given the choice, I'd prefer Moustakas over Hosmer. Clearly, the Twins need a plan B at third. Miguel Sano has not started even 80 games there this year. Escobar has filled in admirably, but I really have a hard time beliving he is a .766 OPS, almost 20 HR guy - if he finishes that high, it would be a career best.

 

He's certainly not the 1.100 OPS guy that we've seen in September.

 

Fangraphs (Rotographs) had an article on this and concluded his recent results are pretty much a reflection of the teams he's faced. Not everyone agrees but I think the evidence generally supports the idea that he hasn't really changed.

 

Gibson's overall 2017 line is now a near carbon copy of his 2016. That's who he is . . . a borderline 5th starter at best.

 

This is what I am afraid of. people are going to get overly excited about The Tease, only to have him fail us once again. It's super hard to trust that Kyle Gibson can be a reliable starter over a full season.