MIN 6, DET 0: Odorizzi Deals (Again), Twins Win Fourth in a Row

Nice win.  Just watched the highlights.   Can we please put lots of the thick soft padding out on the walls.   Seems like Buxton crashes into the fence once a game.

Congrats to Perez on his new addition to the family, he's doing the right thing taking some time away. Maybe a little rest will do him good.

Team's on fire right now. Those bad games in NYY seem like a long time ago. Getting used to winning every night is fun.

Rosario trying to hit HRs every time up or what? Someone should tell him that he doesn't need to do that...plenty of HRs to go around. Kepler with 8 now? Wow.

Um....Wow.....just WOW!

The biggest problem for the Twins you ask?!

At this rate, Wes Johnson is going to get hired away as an MLB manager elsewhere after only a year just to steal his pitching instruction.

And I'm more serious than kidding. Good Lord.

Learn fast boys....(oh, and what a wonderful 'problem' to have)

....and Buck becoming a real MLB hitter this is actually (probably) the most important development of the year (luckily we have many more years of 'control' for him than Wes Johnson

Rosario trying to hit HRs every time up or what? Someone should tell him that he doesn't need to do that...plenty of HRs to go around. Kepler with 8 now? Wow.

Rosario did look broke tonight...and has for many games over the last couple of weeks. The good news...last year that would have almost automatically meant games lost.

Rosario has the 3rd lowest line drive rate in the Majors this year at around 10%. He won't hit for much of an average if he keeps that up.

This team is awesome. 

I haven't felt this excited about a team in years. I think its for real, I am all in (don't break my heart again MN sports lol).

Modern approach, league leading players, talented depth.

Spend what it takes and get a big RH bullpen arm to pair with Rodgers!

Glad Perez has a way important family activity.  However, wish it was not Stewart who was coming up, but I get there are more things than just who's pitching well, as options and where each guy is at come into play.

Just want to keep our foot on the necks of our opponents.

Thanks, Matt Chapman. Walks Oakland off and hands the Twins a 4.5 game division lead!

The absolute lack of effort that appeared to go into Garver's swing on that HR... and yet it went 2nd deck. Oofta

No mention/update on Goodrum delivering a UFC-style knockout knee to the head of Marwin Gonzalez in the 6th? It was a fine attempt on Niko's part to try and reel in a terrible throw by pitcher Ross, but it was a scary moment. Hearing Morneau in the booth have flashbacks to Toronto 2010 was spooky.

Not that it really matters, but after this 6-0 game they actually have a +50 run differential (not +44).  And after the full night's action that is actually 3rd in the AL, and tied for 3rd across MLB (Cubs and Dodgers both also have +50).  

12 above .500 and +50 RD (for comparison's sake, 2017 twins ended with just a +27 RD).  Heckuva season!

Like others on this comment section I wonder why the love affair for Stewart.  Is he the best in the minors right now?  I know it is a push but I would rather see Graterol begin to experience the bigs - his stuff should play well anywhere. 

 

Reading the minor league report on TD I know that Addison Reed is not ready to come up and perform, and DeJong is earning his DFA status.  Littell has a better ERA than Stewart, have we given up on him?  And Poppen is better than both.  

 

Just curious.

Pretty good point, but I have a feeling though that it lines up more with where they (Stewart and Little) are in the rotation and their rest cycle than anything else.

Congratulations to Perez and his family by the way.   If it's a boy, hopefully they name him Harmon or Joe

Is Mitch Garver gonna make the all star game?that would've been a hot take coming into the year. He and polanco have been incredible but to me polanco is far less surprising. When la Tortuga comes back on days garver isnt catching her needs to be at first. His bat needs to be in the lineup every night

It's been a long time since the Twins have been able to use their bench as a strength. Garver, Tortuga, Marwin,etc... The Yanks and Sox have been able to go to their bench and not lose a step. A lot of those players would have started for the Twins. The fact that the aforementioned players are available on the bench after the 7th innings make me a believer in this squad.

Does Astudillo come off the IL and play 3rd today in Marwin's absense? Or are the Twins going to play Adrianza in both games? You'd think this would be an ideal time to activate La Tortuga. From all reports he's ready....or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

Hope Gonzalez is OK and not affected in any way long-term. We've seen those blows to the head derail careers.

Does Astudillo come off the IL and play 3rd today in Marwin's absense? Or are the Twins going to play Adrianza in both games? You'd think this would be an ideal time to activate La Tortuga. From all reports he's ready....or maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.

 

Hope Gonzalez is OK and not affected in any way long-term. We've seen those blows to the head derail careers.

Umm, Sano?

I asked in the game thread, but it was end of night. Has Romero been used in back-to back games in the minors yet?

Great win. I'm excited.

To nitpick, I'm a little surprised at the choice of Magill + Romero before the DH, just because those are the two candidate to give you 2+ innings if needed today.

Who a I kidding? Nothing can go wrong right now.

Like others on this comment section I wonder why the love affair for Stewart.  Is he the best in the minors right now?  I know it is a push but I would rather see Graterol begin to experience the bigs - his stuff should play well anywhere. 

 

Reading the minor league report on TD I know that Addison Reed is not ready to come up and perform, and DeJong is earning his DFA status.  Littell has a better ERA than Stewart, have we given up on him?  And Poppen is better than both.  

 

Just curious.

I'm sorry, but it's a ridiculous idea to bring up Graterol at this point. He's only 7 starts in at AA and you want to toss him in the fire (and burn an option year) to pitch in the doubleheader? He's not even on the 40-man yet. Be patient on Graterol, he's the best option we have to develop an ace out of the minors right now, that's far more important than grabbing him for a doubleheader against the Tigers in May.

Stewart is the right choice, not just because of where he falls in Rochester's rotation but because he's also pitched in MLB and had a couple of successful outings. He's also going to understand that he's on the Rochester shuttle until he proves it.

Thorpe is a guy you want to bring up when he's going to have a chance to stick for more than a spot start, and hes shown he still has things to do in AAA. He only made 4 starts there last season.

Littell is certainly an option, and will probably get the next shot if Stewart tanks it, but he got rocked pretty hard when he was up last year.

Poppen isn't on the 40-man either, and has made exactly 1 start above AA, and frankly I'm not prepared to say hes better than Stewart at all. He's a year older than Stewart and while he deserved the promotion out of AA, the shiny ERA is a bit deceptive. He's walking way too many batters to have any confidence that he's ready to face MLB pitching.

Stewart is the right call for now.