Seattle 12, Twins 3: Santiago Still Struggling, Dozier Still Slugging

Santiago has really struggled since comming out of the pen and getting the loss a few weeks ago

There's no way Rosario doesn't get sent back down after that performance, right?

Or does he hold down a spot for low leverage situations until Hughes or Haley (gaah!) comes back?

Fans have ripped on the bullpen but to me the last 5 games have been a microcosm of the season.   We have been out scored 28-23 which means we are guaranteed losing one game and conceivably losing all 5.   Instead we have two blow out losses, one blow out win and two close wins.    3-2 record because we won all the games we had a realistic job of winning and lost two blow outs.   Bullpen did a great job in the close games and got destroyed in the losses.   Of course I would rather have tons of depth and quality in the bullpen and have them give us a chance to come back when the starters dig a big hole.   We are 29-25 when we should be 24-30 based on run differential.    ERA is high and depth isn't there but aside from the two games in a row last week the bullpen has been quite solid when it matters.  When it doesn't matter the runs have piled up.    I am fine if that trend continues.   

Pretty remarkable that a team can be in first place 1/3rd of the way into a season while having one of the worst run differentials in the AL and posting 4 pitching appearances from a position player. How long can this really be sustainable?

I'd take Turley over Santiago without hesitation.

Pretty remarkable that a team can be in first place 1/3rd of the way into a season while having one of the worst run differentials in the AL and posting 4 pitching appearances from a position player. How long can this really be sustainable?

Indefinitely.    If the run differential is created by the lopsided losses then the only performances that count are the starting pitching and and the relievers who come in when the game is close.   Right now we have three starters that have ERA's under 4 which has only happened once in the last 7 years.    Not coincidentally that year was 2015 when we had the winning record.     If the quality starts are spaced out in such a way that does not tax our depth then the only ERA's by relievers that matter are Kintzler, Duffey, Rogers, Boshers and Breslow.    Who cares if Rosario has a 30 ERA if it is created by giving up 5 runs when we are already down 6?     Of course, nothing is spaced out perfectly so it would be really nice to get another 2 relievers on whom we can rely but so far the quality starts have been matched up with the quality relief pretty well.     Dare we give Molitor some credit for that?    

I thought the same thing. The pen already has 4 lefties, and I'd like to see Busenitz, Hildenberger, or Curtiss get a shot.

I am against judging young guys by two appearances but it looks like a couple of guys are as deserving or more deserving of being given the chance anyway.   I wonder why Rosario leapfrogged the three you mentioned and maybe a couple others as well.

If this is going to be a thing now - sign me up. This is awesome.

Love the format and the insights.

If you keep writing game recaps, I'll keep reading!

For those of us that constantly wonder why the Twins don't bring more "prospects" up to the bullpen, and instead opt for middle-of-the road veterans: now we know.

"The Twins are now 4-4 when Dozier homers (he had a two-homer game), but oddly enough they're 12-2 when Miguel Sano goes deep."

I'm sure some of this is noise, but some of it could also be line-up construction. Dozier's home runs have been worth on average 1.1 runs--all but one have been solo shots. (They're not all lead-off home runs, but when you follow the bottom of the order, you're less likely to have base runners aboard.) In contrast, Sano's home runs have been worth on average 1.7 runs.

Thrylos commented earlier showing Dozier's numbers are worse with men on than with the bases empty. If you think that's noise, you should move Dozier to a spot in the line-up where he'll get more opportunities to hit with men aboard. If you think he's just a worse hitter with men on, then I suppose you're best off leaving him in the lead-off spot.

For those of us that constantly wonder why the Twins don't bring more "prospects" up to the bullpen, and instead opt for middle-of-the road veterans: now we know.

The Twins have some prospects in AAA too. They may not have the pure stuff or even the ultimate ceiling of Rosario, but they are more polished and more likely to be able to help today.

I'd take Turley over Santiago without hesitation.

That's based purely on the fact that Turley is an unknown. It's very likely he'd be far worse than Santiago.