Orioles 15, Twins 2: A Twins Loss that Sums Up the First Half

This just sums up the whole twins season in one game. Also shows that our pitchers are human and not gods. I almost wished we got no hit just to let the game sink into the hitters minds. Make them think, “man… maybe we need to change our approach.” But also, I would like to point out how dead the dugout looks throughout the game. Even when the game was close nobody seemed to be cheering or rooting their teammates on. There are no leaders, no sparks, no friends in that dugout right now. Such a boring and disappointing team to watch. That somehow day in and out have me questioning, “god, when will this game end?” Seems the nightmare that is the 2023 Minnesota Twins is finally turning into sleep paralysis. For all of us.

Will the FO demonstrate the courage and common sense to sell at the deadline??

If we played in a legitimate division…any division accept this one, there would be no question. Instead, no doubt, we’ll be asked to continue to pretend we’re “competing”…and embrace mediocrity in perpetuity.

Travel  day back from Chicago after and 11-day/ 8 game baseball experience courtesy of Jay Buckley Tours (based out of LaCrosse, WI).   Considering the last 2 days, I had zero interest in checking a Twins score, but was hopeful (stupid me) Ryan would have a solid start & bats would wake up.  Wrong on both accounts.

Glad to miss Rocco's postgame presser.  Can't believe he found ANYTHING positive after ANOTHER lackluster day at the plate in addition to Twins pitchers doing their best impersonation of some of the horrendous games by Twins pitchers in the 90s.

Not much to add to another depressing day, but a a few numbers that (warning alert) that don't inspire confidence heading into the 2nd half:

1.  When you score 2 runs or less nearly 40% of the the time (39.5 %)----36 of 91 games-----you aren't going to win anything, let alone a playoff game.

2.  When you have a winning % of .431 since May 1st---(28-34)----you're not heading in the right direction.

3.   Even if the schedule makers helped out the Twins by giving them 6 more against KC (9-1 on year) that wont help.   Twins are a dismal 36-45 against everyone except the Royals.

Stupid me--part 2-------I AM hopeful that our #5 pick will become an impact player for years to come.  

I settled down for an uninterrupted afternoon of baseball - someone needs to question my decision-making.    Our pitch recognition ability has to be near the bottom of the league - I saw a lot of flailing swings.  Don't know if that is lack of talent or lack of study/work.   I can't see running the same lineup out there in the 2nd half and expecting much better or different - lineup needs a spark and/or need a new batting coach philosophy.  Not sure what Moran and Sands were throwing out there either but it got embarrassing real fast.    A lot of listless baseball which I don't really want to continue to watch.    

At what point will the FO do something?  Seriously what has to happen for them to say this isn’t working and we are wasting the best starting rotation in decades?  Apparently they will still stick with their projections which at this point are laughable. 

24 minutes ago, darwin22 said:

2.  When you have a winning % of .431 since May 1st---(28-34)----you're not heading in the right direction.

3.   Even if the schedule makers helped out the Twins by giving them 6 more against KC (9-1 on year) that wont help.   Twins are a dismal 36-45 against everyone except the Royals.

Hey…but a dominant series against Oakland out of the brake can turn things around!!

(apologies for not knowing how to do the sarcasm font)

"We definitely grinded through the first half in a lot of ways. ... Nothing easy or smooth about it, but that's part of our game."

So, part of your game plan is NOT playing easy or smooth baseball?!?! Does he even listen to himself? 

Indifference is setting in for me.... The Pohlads better hope that I'm an outlier... because community indifference is far worse than community frustration, anger, or disappointment (especially for their precious bottom line)

Until the Twins put Buxton back in center field and open up the DH position the Twins are toast.  If he can bat, run, and steal bases he should be capable of playing defence.  If his condition is so bad that he can't play in the field he is of little day to day value.  The team doesn't need two Joey Gallos. 

People have to start getting fired.  The ineptitude is just raging out of control at this point.  There is no turning this ship around with the same personnel.

Must have been a heck of a closed door players meeting that led to getting crushed by a score of about 57-4 in a 3 gamer.  Such fortitude and courage.

25 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

 

"We definitely grinded through the first half in a lot of ways. ... Nothing easy or smooth about it, but that's part of our game."

So, part of your game plan is NOT playing easy or smooth baseball?!?! Does he even listen to himself? 

Indifference is setting in for me.... The Pohlads better hope that I'm an outlier... because community indifference is far worse than community frustration, anger, or disappointment (especially for their precious bottom line)

I have been fairly indifferent since the beginning of the season. I knew, and posted, exactly what is happening with this offense. A few guys agreed with me, but more did not. Now that it is obvious the front office doesn't care, I don't care either. I still hope they win, but won't spend any time on them.  Let's GO VIKINGS!

25 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

And while I have a good rant on...WHY WERE THE ORIOLES OUT THERE TAKING INFIELD PRIOR TO TODAY'S GAME, BUT IT'S APPARENTLY TOO MUCH BOTHER FOR ROCCO'S TWINS???

 

Disgusting. Is this rec league or major league baseball?

Rocco likes to say the players know what it takes to prepare themselves for the game.  When you are winning 100 games you can maybe get away with that.  But for the last three years we have been a sub .500 team and our fielding has not looked good at all on a regular basis.  It is time to give the players a time to be on the field before the game for fielding practice.  And also it would be really helpful if we could have our best outfielder play in CF.

Glad Vikings camp is coming up. Hopefully they will show something because the Twins are showing us zero. Pretty bad when a player that will be back in St. Paul in 10-14 days did his part. When a business is failing changes need and always are made. This FO is becoming a laughing stock. Where the you know what are Polhad's.

3 hours ago, D.C Twins said:

 

"We definitely grinded through the first half in a lot of ways. ... Nothing easy or smooth about it, but that's part of our game."

So, part of your game plan is NOT playing easy or smooth baseball?!?! Does he even listen to himself? 

Indifference is setting in for me.... The Pohlads better hope that I'm an outlier... because community indifference is far worse than community frustration, anger, or disappointment (especially for their precious bottom line)

Yes, that quote also stuck in my craw...I must admit.

Looks like Joe Ryan's mid-season swoon might be becoming an annual thing. Hope not. 

5 hours ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

I’d be curious to know who was listening to Levine talk about Buxton this morning, and who was listening to Provus and Gladden during that 6-run sixth inning today. (The second big inning after the game was already out of reach.)

What was said?

Ugh! A thoroughly depressing game in every aspect for the Twins. We all hope the break for the All-Star Game will help to right this leaky ship, but I don't think a few days rest is the answer. 

So tell me, faithful reader of Twins game recaps, no matter the result, what is your honest assessment of the club at the break?

They stink.

Can it get any worse?

Yep. We are seeing signs of the ''great starting pitching" coming apart.

Can it get any better?

Not with the current Manager and Coaches in charge.

Or is it where things are just about right and not ripe for change any time soon?

That's up to ownership and the fans. Yeah, quit going to games and hit the Pohlads where it counts. It's the only way they'll notice.