MIN 4, CLE 3: Astudillo Gets First Homer, Mauer Scores 1,000th Run

Still haven't gotten even 5 out of Kohl or Stephen ... There will be lots of opportunities for innings on the back end, if a six man rotation is used.

Magic Number Update:

Division: 44

Wild Card: 47

Cleveland stuck 18

I don’t like how Molitor pulled Stewart with two outs. This is a lost season and Stewart was pitching better than he had in any other start. Let him try and get out of the inning.

I don't know whether or not to get excited about the May-Rogers-Hildenberger Lockdown tonight.  On the one hand, I'd be excited if these guys grew into the role and gave us half a bullpen to look forward to next year.  On the other hand, its only half a bullpen, which in pitching depth terms is really only a quarter of a bullpen.

Anyway, I'm thrilled with the win.  I guess absence makes the heart grow fond.

Yeah.........I don't think Stewart is going to make it as a mlb pitcher. Doesn't hurt to give him his shot this year though.

Agreed. That first inning was brutal, but all too familiar. Not one of his outings have been remotely good. You can tell by the stats we're trying to stretch, aka: "Stewart is the only rookie pitcher in MLB with blood type AB Negative to have thrown 6 off-speed pitches for strikes, and he leads the league in foul balls hit to section 314".

I'll gladly eat crow if I'm wrong.

I think it's a tad bit too soon to give up on Stewart. He's had what, 3 starts? He was largely considered a bust up until this year where he suddenly found some ability to get Ks again. I think some patience would be wise. Besides, lots of people are still high Mejia who had a very similar start to his career. Give him time. You all may be right that he's destined for the pen, but if we did that every time a rookie struggled when he started... well, we'd have no starters. 

yeah, but overall it's not like he dominated the minors this year either. Not sure why he got promoted to AAA this season, honestly. I mean yeah, he Kd more and BBd less this year in AA than last year, but his WHIP was worse this year as was his ERA (don't see his FIP). One could argue that, overall, he did worse in AA this year than last year, but regardless. Not sure he earned a promotion to AAA much less the majors.

Edit:  His FIP in AA was pretty darn good this year, but over 4 in AAA.

Per Mauer's 1,000th run. That's $200K+ per run. What a deal. That is double 6 figures for simply crossing the plate playing a game. If this was Jeopardy, the question would be, What is wrong with pro sports today? Continuing to hype Mauer's career stats in light of what he has been paid is hilarious. Any product on the market with his price/performance ratio would have been discontinued due to lack of sales years ago.

I don’t like how Molitor pulled Stewart with two outs. This is a lost season and Stewart was pitching better than he had in any other start. Let him try and get out of the inning.

It's a fine line. The last run he gave up was not due to bad pitching but if he stays in the game and gives up 3-4 more hits it would be counterproductive to his confidence.

Yeah.........I don't think Stewart is going to make it as a mlb pitcher. Doesn't hurt to give him his shot this year though.

Dude is only 23 years old. Waaaay too early to be writing him off.

On that challenge play at first base where the umpire called the runner safe because he bobbled the ball. What's the correct ruling? The first baseman didn't have full control before the runner touched the base, but the throw beat the runner (barely). Does the fielder have to control the ball in his glove before the runner gets to the base or just keep it in his glove?

The fielder has to control the ball, but it's the umpire's discretion whether the ball is controlled.

It's a fine line. The last run he gave up was not due to bad pitching but if he stays in the game and gives up 3-4 more hits it would be counterproductive to his confidence.

There was only one person on base and two outs. I could totally understand taking him out if Molitor was going to bring in a left to get the final out but he didn't. He brought in May who gave up a pretty hard hit out to center field. Zero reason to take Stewart out in that situation if you're going to bring in another righty. 

Frankly I've seen enough of Sano for the year as well.  After a little positive blip on his return, he has posted the following over the past week (or should I say weak).

STATS                
Last seven days

AB - 17

R - 1 

H - 2   

2B - 0   

3B - 0   

HR - 1     

RBI - 2     

BB - 3   

SO - 10 

Ave - .118

Still major questions as to if he can be relied on going forward.  

The bullpen needs work, no doubt about it. Seems crazy to me to say this, considering our bullpen history vs rotation, but I'm more worried about the pen than the rotation for 2019. I am, however, encouraged and excited for May, Rogers and Hildenberger. I'm even more encouraged if Reed bounces back. He's a given to be back, of course. And we all know the relative volatility of the life of a reliever. A lot of innings the last couple of years, possible/probable over use from Molitor the first half this season, maybe it was just his season to be down. Let's hope so. But healthy and ready to go in 2019, we'd have a nice 4 to start with. So very disappointed that Mejia is out for the rest of this year, he was looking good. He still deserves a shot at starting next season. But he's not going anywhere in 2019 but the pen, if not the rotation. Can Moya continue to improve? What about Busentiz, Curtiss and Reed getting a real shot? If just ONE of them can do what Hildenberger has done...that is, take his opportunity and run with it...i start to feel that much better. But make no mistake, through FA and/or trade, we need to add TWO quality arms to join May, Rogers and Hildenberger. You give me that 5, hopefully a rebounded veteran Reed, I think we can find the other 2 missing pieces.

Don't forget that Belisle will be available next year....looking for sarcasm font....

My limited observation of Stewart is that he needs to be more efficient. He's been better his last two outings, in spurts, but he's still hitting 100 pitches before he can get through 5. Whether he's gassed at that point or not, a pitcher needs to be ahead of that.

I can't say that I've seen Moya throw, so take this with a grain of salt. With a fastball topping out at about 87 mph, I can't really see how Moya can be counted on in late inning, high leverage situations, where oft times a strikeout is critical. If a pitcher can bring it at 98 mph, even if the batter guesses right, he might only foul it off or even swing through it. If Moya throws that 78 mph change up over the plate and the hitter guesses right, the bases are cleared.

Maybe Moya's delivery is so deceptive that hitters are always mistiming their swings? Or his pitches have such movement that hitters are baffled. Can Moya last long in the bigs with this kind of velocity? (I assume here he does not possess Greg Maddux-like control.)