MIN 5, TOR 0: All-Star, Indeed

Crazy GIF!  This team is fun when they don't suck.  I guess that's what is so frustrating...

There is a great article on The Athletic about the Pitching Ninja, Rob Friedman. He’s just a random guy who started cataloging all of these nasty pitches and doing these overlays. Now a bunch of major leaguers follow him and send him suggestions. Also tracks pitching grips.

Cool to see Berrios featured on that. He was in total control tonight.

This team is so vexing and Cleveland doesn't help. Cleveland always seems to play just barely bad enough to allow the faithful to have a glimmer of hope. *SIGH*

Is it just me, or does Berrios look like he has a little bit of a cross-fire?

Something else I noticed is that Berrios worked quickly. He never seemed like he labored and just went about his business as if he knew exactly what he was doing. I hope that kid continues progress. He was pretty fithly last night and it would be wonderful for him to take yet another step forward by season's end! He and Gibson make a really good 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation next year.

Berrios

Gibson

Pineda

Romero

Gonsalves

Mejia

Littell

Thorpe

Slegers

Graterol

Stewart

Ober

May need to add another solid FA SP to that group for next year in order to contend though. Anyone know who might be available?

This afternoon is possibly the biggest start of any of those starting pitchers for the 2018 campaign. If Santana can equal his early 2017 form, the Twins do have a chance to at least hang around and keep things interesting.

Lets see, we lost our #1 starter, shortstop, catcher, centerfielder and thirdbaseman, and yet were still knocking on the door of playing .500 ball. I think that's pretty amazing. It's been a real challenge to our depth, and unfortunately guys like Vargas and Granite haven't been able to help. I don't know what the trade deadline fallout will look like, but the last months of the season should be fun to watch. To Byron Buxton, please please please get your hit groove on, we need ya.

I will not miss Motter.

I will not miss Motter.

Those of us who blinked probably DID miss him during his very brief tenure with the team.

I will not miss Motter.

Opposing pitching staffs will.

Lets see, we lost our #1 starter, shortstop, catcher, centerfielder and thirdbaseman, and yet were still knocking on the door of playing .500 ball. I think that's pretty amazing. It's been a real challenge to our depth, and unfortunately guys like Vargas and Granite haven't been able to help. I don't know what the trade deadline fallout will look like, but the last months of the season should be fun to watch. To Byron Buxton, please please please get your hit groove on, we need ya.

After Granite's alright debut last year, and coming on the heels of being regularly listed as one of Fangraph's "Fringe Five" prospects, he stands out as a big disappointment.  He wasn't just handcuffed to Buxton for fantasy purposes, apparently.  In my expectation of the season, he played a significant role backing up Buxton, pinch-running, and subbing in on defense.  I am a wannabe GM fail--I wouldn't have "blocked" him with a higher profile free agent 4th outfielder either.  Kudos to those who anticipated this coming.

Vargas.  All I can say is...Vargas!

I'd like to see a gif of one of Hildy's strikeouts last night. Got a guy to swing at change up while also trying to move his feet so he didn't get hit by the pitch. I literally laughed out loud at that swing. Anyone else catch that?

The thing about Berrios is ... he still hasn't peaked. This year is probably his floor for the next 4-5 years.

Crazy GIF!  This team is fun when they don't suck.  I guess that's what is so frustrating...

If he can keep that curveball going, and continue setting it up properly, the pitch will be very good to him.

https://twitter.com/ParkerHageman/status/1021943107879936002

The link. So beautiful.