Twins 10, Athletics 3: Led By Willi Castro, Twins Take Advantage of A's Bullpen Again

A nice win against a bad team. But it's a bummer that Pablo might miss some time. Just hoping beyond hope that it's minor and the time he misses is measured in weeks not months. The depth will be tested here, but the good thing is Festa has looked ready, and SWR has looked like he's been making adjustments in AAA if they need to call on him again.

No complaints about getting double digit runs in back to back games! Even Alcala looked good last night.

Let's keep it up. win the series today, aim for the sweep.

I wonder if the shoulder has been kind of bothering Pablo for a while. He certainly hasn't been at his best this season. Hopefully, some rest and rehab will quiet it down and get him back soon. We need him. 

Dang! Get to test the wins rotation depth now if Lopez goes down for any length of time. Festa looks rady. But the Twins could also use a good long arm out-of-the-pen (flip someone for Adams) unless you still trust Alcala or hope the Twins have more mop-up games like tonight was.

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Festa or SWR? ……..from the little I’ve seen from St. Paul (here in Cincinnati)  they both seem to be doing well enough to consider. Am assuming SWR is pretty hungry to get back in his role in the rotation - to me, he’s the logical choice………..still need to remember Paddack is a potential injury waiting to happen so Festa can still be utilized in 2nd half - almost certainly, for some unknown reason…….really wishing all the best for Pablo, both for him and the Club.

Festa...gotta be!

Sucks about Pablo. But if he's going to have a lat injury, better now than in later in the season like Ryan had in 2024. Ideally, he's back at some point in August and he's refreshed and ready to go. I do think the rotation is good enough to weather this storm but obviously, they can't afford another injury.

Bats are awake ....

.... and we can end all discussion about trading pitchers until the offseason returns.

4 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Bats are awake ....

.... and we can end all discussion about trading pitchers until the offseason returns.

Maybe we targe another SP?   Keep the depth at St. Paul.    Not sure who we can offer though as Miranda, Julien and Martin would be throw ins.

Another double digit game , A's Lopez was effectively throwing and twins finally started building the come from behind win ...

Nice Lewis finally gets a hit to break his slump ....

Pablo Lopez injured  , who will take his spot , Festa and SWR are first in line ...

Let's keep it going tonight , hopefully zebulon Matthew's has a strong showing  ,pitching has been the savior so far in the season  ...

Even a blind squirrel  ( acala ) can find an acorn once in awhile , he did pitch 2 solid innings ...

Great game but this is why they can't afford to trade a starter. It's time for SWR or Festa to grab the bull by the horns.

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

You know we are spoiled when Pablo 'hasn't been at his best this season' when he's sporting a sub 3.00 ERA.

Yeah, it's kind of a first world problem. 

1 hour ago, JD-TWINS said:

Festa or SWR? ……..from the little I’ve seen from St. Paul (here in Cincinnati)  they both seem to be doing well enough to consider. Am assuming SWR is pretty hungry to get back in his role in the rotation - to me, he’s the logical choice………..still need to remember Paddack is a potential injury waiting to happen so Festa can still be utilized in 2nd half - almost certainly, for some unknown reason…….really wishing all the best for Pablo, both for him and the Club.

I'd scratch Festa's start in St Paul tonight and insert him into the rotation (between Ober and Paddack) for the first game against Toronto.

The hope is that Festa and Zebby will be mid rotation guys for several years to come, so I don't see any reason not to have them getting MLB experience in situations like this.

I appreciate what SWR has done, but he's still realistically a back-end arm.

Festa and Zebby can compete for the last rotation spot when Pablo gets healthy, and SWR is still there if there is another injury or one of them falters badly.

Actually,  the Pablo thing sounds more preventive than anything.  He was pitching but felt discomfort.  I will say this staff does seem willing to take the long approach.   We have the pitching depth.  Rest him for 2-4 starts and get him healthy and rested.  

Bats are willing to punish weak bullpens.  I am still concerned about the bats against better pitching.  

Alcala had a very good game. If you want consistency from Alcala, you need to pitch him consistency 1 inning every other day. Not on consecutive days, not a long wait between outings & not multiple innings, he's not a long RP anymore than Steward is. When they don't, quit expecting consistency from him.

4 hours ago, arby58 said:

You know we are spoiled when Pablo 'hasn't been at his best this season' when he's sporting a sub 3.00 ERA.

It's more that Pablo Lopez has been at his best (highest ERA+ of his career, lowest FIP) but he hasn't been at his healthiest.

9 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Alcala looked like a loose, competitor last night. He was all in or around the zone and threw at least 3 different pitches. He was stoked! He’s got the talent, if he can get out of his own way he can be a weapon again at some point. 🤞

I saw some movement on his pitches I haven't seen all year ...

It was a good solid 2 innings , he just has to be more consistent  , like you said , his head isn't always screwed on the right way ...