Twins 6, Tigers 3: Keaschall's Return Slugs the Twins Past Paddack and Detroit

"Welcome back Mr Keaschall. Would you care for a HR in your return to the lineup this evening?" Wow!

Another good start from Matthews. He had his best start before his IL stint, and a pair of back to back solid games, IIRC the order properly. Could be a very big last 2 months for him, Festa, and Sims. Let's hope we get the latter 2 back ASAP.

Every time I'm still not sure if Clemens has a role in 2026 or not...betting they bring him back...he keeps coming through, albeit with a back that runs hot/cold. But he's having the best season of his career and has been keeping his OPS in the high. 700-.800 range. I believe his swing speed and hard hit % remains the best of his career so far. Is it possible at 29yo a light came on and he really IS a solid role player for the Twins?

While not everyone is a fan, I still like Larnach as a DH and part time corner OF. I just like him better in the 6-7 hole rather than "one of our best bats" near the top of the lineup. It's possible he's traded this offseason. It's possible he's traded later than that due to Rodriguez, Jenkins, and the recently acquired Roden being ready to replace him down the road a bit further. But I still like him.

Can we PLEASE get the 2024 version of Sands back? Need a new bullpen for 2026? Sands regains some close resembling to last season's version and we can check off one box.

7 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I’m afraid you’re right and he’s been unimpressive with the bat. I’d like to see what he can do over a 30 game stretch before the team gives up on him.

Roden is the same for me. Thrived in AAA, but so far isn’t up to major league ball.

Larnach and Wallner are too much alike IMHO and the club will have to choose one and trade the other.

Zebby + Festa + Abel + Bradley is a wealth of rotation talent on the cusp. One or two to the bullpen?

Plus Sims.

1 minute ago, bunsen82 said:

Sands gets out of that inning with 0 runs or 1 run with a competent center fielder.  Buxton gets to that ball if he is playing.  

Sounds that way. I was at the movies so I can only speak to the box score, the OP, and in general about Sands' season thus far.

Thank you for the more complete information.

15 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I’m afraid you’re right and he’s been unimpressive with the bat. I’d like to see what he can do over a 30 game stretch before the team gives up on him.

Roden is the same for me. Thrived in AAA, but so far isn’t up to major league ball.

Larnach and Wallner are too much alike IMHO and the club will have to choose one and trade the other.

Zebby + Festa + Abel + Bradley is a wealth of rotation talent on the cusp. One or two to the bullpen?

Going to mostly agree with you here. 

Martin is still young enough, athletic enough, that with continued hard work he still might be a solid OF. But he also can't succeed as a zero pop/power opposite field slap hitter. To be fair, despite good numbers at St Paul this season, he's barely played due to his hamstring issues. The next 2 months may determine if the Twins even bring him back for 2026. I'm crossing my fingers, but definitely not holding my breath. 

And as I've stated elsewhere, it's very possible that Fedko, Gonzalez, Olivar, and Rosario may simply overtake him very soon as much better bats who are probably no worse defensively. 

I also agree that Larnach and Wallner are pretty similar types, with Wallner...at least IMO...clearly the better overall ballplayer. But for NOW, Roden only has a little over a 100 PA, so we really don't know if or when his bat might translate to ML success. (Better speed and defense than Larnach). And Rodriguez and Jenkins aren't quite ready yet. So I still like Larnach as a LH DH and part time corner OF for NOW. I think I'd rather have him than Julien, but that also depends on IF Julien's recent re-surgence is real or not.

But like with Martin, it may not matter with better, younger players right behind them. And maybe Larnach gets traded in the offseason. But I also wouldn't mind seeing him back for 2026 as of NOW.

*I have very little faith that Outman is going to suddenly re-capture his 2023 form and be of any help for the Twins...still really hate that trade...so I didn't include him.

28 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I’m afraid you’re right and he’s been unimpressive with the bat. I’d like to see what he can do over a 30 game stretch before the team gives up on him.

Roden is the same for me. Thrived in AAA, but so far isn’t up to major league ball.

Larnach and Wallner are too much alike IMHO and the club will have to choose one and trade the other.

Zebby + Festa + Abel + Bradley is a wealth of rotation talent on the cusp. One or two to the bullpen?

Wallner>>>>>>>>Larnach as a hitter. Somehow Larnach is going to hit more than 20 hrs, and still put up zero fWAR. It's kind of uncanny.

Martin is not a ML OF. Sigh. I will always wonder how things would have been if they had not had him play SS so much, when it was 100% certain he never would (Winokur is the newest example of this). 

I really didn't think Clemens could keep this up, but I'm becoming a believer. 

There were 4 or 5 legit ML players in the field for MN, which still isn't enough. 

Alcala DFA by the Red Sox 

Martin's ability to both look incredibly athletic at times and beer league softball athletic at others gives me serious cognitive dissonance.

All we can ask is for energy and some fun in the games that are left.  This was a good one, but it also showed why CF is so important and Martin is not the answer there.