TOR 10, MIN 9: Sloppy 8th Inning Costs Twins in Comeback Effort

So, looking at the bullpen chart, I see 3 guys available tomorrow, maybe 4.  Belisle, Rogers and Busenitz should be good to go.  Duffey threw 19 today (ineffectively), but hadn't pitched since the Monday doubleheader before today.  He's the guy on the fence.  I suspect he'd be called upon if the game turns south to go an inning or two.

Hildenberger has worked 4 of the last 5 days (granted just 1 pitch yesterday).  He's out IMO. Pressly threw 25 today.  Out.  Perkins pitched today.  I highly doubt he ever pitches back to back again as a Twin. Out.  Curtiss has thrown almost 30 pitches in the last two days.  Out.

Good thing Monday is an off day.   It's amazing.  Actually, it's sickening.  8 fricking relievers and it still isn't enough.   

13 pitchers.  6 or 7 that I have confidence in right now.  Not exactly a good ratio.  

This loss was on Molitor for not using Hildenberger/Belisle after we got back within 1. 

This loss was on Molitor for not using Hildenberger/Belisle after we got back within 1.

I'll agree on Hildenberger. But "The Book" says you don't use your closer on the road when you are trailing. If you use him to keep the game close, who do you use if you get the lead?

I'll agree on Hildenberger. But "The Book" says you don't use your closer on the road when you are trailing. If you use him to keep the game close, who do you use if you get the lead?

I wish Hildenberger were the closer. But either of them or Businitz would have been been a better option than putting Curtiss in that spot.

So, looking at the bullpen chart, I see 3 guys available tomorrow, maybe 4. Belisle, Rogers and Busenitz should be good to go. Duffey threw 19 today (ineffectively), but hadn't pitched since the Monday doubleheader before today. He's the guy on the fence. I suspect he'd be called upon if the game turns south to go an inning or two.

 

Hildenberger has worked 4 of the last 5 days (granted just 1 pitch yesterday). He's out IMO. Pressly threw 25 today. Out. Perkins pitched today. I highly doubt he ever pitches back to back again as a Twin. Out. Curtiss has thrown almost 30 pitches in the last two days. Out.

 

 

Good thing Monday is an off day. It's amazing. Actually, it's sickening. 8 fricking relievers and it still isn't enough.

 

13 pitchers. 6 or 7 that I have confidence in right now. Not exactly a good ratio.

What are the odds Gibson gives us two good starts in a row? May as well call Slegers up to take Gee's spot in the rotation and send Curtiss back. Presumably Slegers could give you some innings tomorrow if necessary

What are the odds Gibson gives us two good starts in a row? May as well call Slegers up to take Gee's spot in the rotation and send Curtiss back. Presumably Slegers could give you some innings tomorrow if necessary

Personally, I'd say very low. He was fortunate to only allow one run to a punchless Chicago lineup with all the traffic he allowed. Gee allowed two hits to the Sox and he got pummeled today. Playing on turf is never going to help a sinker ball pitcher like Gibson. Side note: what Scott Erickson did on the 1991 "superfast rug" is truly amazing. The Jays lineup also has multiple hitters that punish mistakes. Gibson makes his share.

I know it would only be a week, but does Duffey have options?

I know it would only be a week, but does Duffey have options?

He's not listed as a player who is out of options, so I would assume he does. But who comes up? Slegers maybe if they think an arm for tomorrow is needed to back up Gibson (a very real concern IMO). Boshers would be eligible Tuesday, but he's a loogy, period. Using him against RHB hasn't ended well.

I wish Hildenberger were the closer. But either of them or Businitz would have been been a better option than putting Curtiss in that spot.

Would you have said that if Curtiss had put them down?   He had a good performance the day before and has had a good minor league season.   All they got was a bloop double off him.    Any one else think Kepler could have and should have gone hard after that blooper.   If Mauer is in there maybe he just plays backup but it is so much easier for an outfielder to come in and make a play than an infielder going back.    Really looked like he was coasting when he should have been aggressive.   Announcers made a good point that if Garver hadn't made that throwing error then that bloop gets caught pretty easily by Dozier because the infield wouldn't have been playing in.   That's baseball but boy, a comeback win would have been awesome.

When you're mounting a huge comeback on the road in the thick of the playoff race late in the season, and John Curtiss is your best option in the 'pen...well, that's not good.

WHEN will Molitor and Guardado learn that you DO NOT bring Pressley with runners on base; he will cough up runs almost every time. He should ONLY be used to start an inning with the bases empty. I don't know his exact stats in this area or if they are even accumulated for the season, but his Inherited Runners Scored has got to be UGLY

He's not listed as a player who is out of options, so I would assume he does. But who comes up? Slegers maybe if they think an arm for tomorrow is needed to back up Gibson (a very real concern IMO). Boshers would be eligible Tuesday, but he's a loogy, period. Using him against RHB hasn't ended well.

No idea, but he clearly has issues to work out and Perkins and Rogers already has mop-up mode claimed.

Let's hope for a win heading in to the off day and a good homestead. The last two weeks have been rough in terms of games played, if not in strength of schedule. We've been lucky enough that everyone in our weight class seems to lose on the same days we do.

The Twins have played 12 games in 10 days, and after today will have played 13 games in 11 days. They've gone 7-5 in those games. Get a win today and they are 8-5 and have the wild card lead heading into an off day and a home stand. Come on Kyle!

Yet another time Duffey's failure gets put on a different pitcher for the loss.

I couldn't put my hands on Inherited Runners with a quick search. 

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/minnesota-twins-team-stats?season=2017&category=PITCHING+RELIEF&group=1&sort=17&time=0&pos=0&qual=0&splitType=128

Duffey has allowed 40.7% of his inherited runners to score. Don't know if that has been updated to reflect yesterday or not.