Twins 7, Rockies 6: Bats Rally Late in 86th Win of the Year

Seattle still controls their own destiny, right? If they sweep the Rangers, they'll probably be the 6th seed- I am still holding out hope for the Astros to be sitting on the couch during October.

2 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

No. If Seattle sweeps the Rangers, they would each have 89 wins. However, both Toronto and Houston have the ability to reach 90 wins or more. If that happens, Texas would have the tie breaker for the sixth seed. 

How do the Mariners have permutations that would make them the 2nd seed, then? Would they come out on top of a 3-way tie between them, Texas, and Houston?

Kepler with the "Game-Winning-RBI", Pagan with the save.    Okay, this time technically in a meaningless game, but this is still a reminder that the oft-maligned duo has contributed significantly to this team's successful push to the playoffs once they each shook off horrible starts.

Keuchel has been an interesting story to watch, but it sure looks like it would be a big mistake to include him on the playoff roster at the expense of Funderburk.  For my money, the rookie has made his "Mark" and deserves to given the opportunity to have an impact.  Nice that they stretched him out an extra inning this time.

I can understand why Buxton wants to push to return.  This is, after all, contractually his team along with Correa.

Guess at this point I would take him over Luplow, but not really anybody else.  His struggle has been painful to watch and the team has thrived since his placement to the IL.

I still think Ryan is our third-best option as a starter despite this showing.  But, if he falters in his next start, how great is it to have Maeda on hand to pick up the pieces?

15 minutes ago, Karbo said:

I bet Ryan is glad he doesn't pitch in that stadium until at least 2025!

"That stadium?"  that's what they're trying to sell us.  I'm not buying it.  If I were Rocco, I'd be seriously considering starting Maeda or Ober in the 3rd game. 

Watching the ball movement in Colorado I cannot imagine them ever winning and being a good playoff team.  Imagine Atlanta playing in that stadium.

14 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Watching the ball movement in Colorado I cannot imagine them ever winning and being a good playoff team.  Imagine Atlanta playing in that stadium.

Little known fact. Atlanta has the third highest elevation of any mlb city. 

1 minute ago, Linus said:

Little known fact. Atlanta has the third highest elevation of any mlb city. 

I agree, but 1050 feet versus 5280 is a pretty dramatic difference and the Atlanta humidity would also diminish the contrast.  

37 minutes ago, Fat Calvin said:

"That stadium?"  that's what they're trying to sell us.  I'm not buying it.  If I were Rocco, I'd be seriously considering starting Maeda or Ober in the 3rd game. 

Colorado definitely plays against Ryan's style and way of pitching. It's just reality. Did he have a great game? No, but it's also the first time he's pitched there and if you ask literally anyone in MLB they'll tell you it's a different deal. Ryan's biggest issue is always the long ball and playing in Colorado magnifies it.

Good work by the bullpen to clean it up and finish it off. 

23 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I agree, but 1050 feet versus 5280 is a pretty dramatic difference and the Atlanta humidity would also diminish the contrast.  

Agreed. I just think it’s unexpected. Phoenix is number two. 

This off season Ryan needs to work on pitching all over the zone. Everyone in baseball knows he pitches up in the zone. The long ball is and has been a problem that has gotten out of control. I would guess that when Ryan is a free agent he will not sign with the Rockies. The sore ankle that Polanco has could be a problem for the 1st round. It is only a 3 game series and Polanco has been a clutch hitter in these situations. 

Speaking of the Braves, Elevation, and Home Runs....Atlanta's team home run total is now 304 - 3 behind the Twins record 307 (2019) with two games remaining. I guess I find all the stadium elevation conversation somewhat interesting. More appropriate to teams in the playoff hunt would be heat index / AC and their toll on position players, but more so pitching staffs. How would Arizona, Texas, Houston, Tampa be doing without climate control?? How many consecutive days above 100 degrees would the D-Backs, Rangers, and Astros have faced this year?? The Braves, on the other hand, have thrived despite the "Hot-Lanta" reputation. The Twins Series in Milwaukee and Chicago were brutal enough....Could not imagine the majority of the Summer Ball under such conditions. Whew!! Win Twins. 

14 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Correct. They lose two-way ties to both Houston and Texas, but win a three-team tie. 

Partially correct, partially incorrect. Texas beats Seattle in a 2-way tiebreaker. Seattle beats Houston in a 2-way tiebreaker. Houston beats Texas in a 2-way tiebreaker. Seattle wins a 3-way tiebreaker.

24 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Coors Field should have as little effect on Ryan's pitch mix as just about any MLB pitcher.

The thinner air primarily affects breaking balls. Ryan throws fewer breaking balls than most.

Coors Field is a tough place to pitch, but wasn't the primary reason for his struggles. He's been a below average MLB starter the entire second half. 

No way he should get game 3 ahead of Maeda. Hope it doesn't come to that.

Thin air affects batted balls too, you know. A fly ball to center that is caught at Target Field probably clears the wall in Denver. I think I've read that Ryan gets more fly ball outs than the average pitcher, and if that's the case it would be expected that Coors Field would be unkind to him.

If I consider only starting pitching, I lean the same way as you regarding game 3. But one needs to consider the pitching staff as a whole. It's not difficult to envision a scenario in which Maeda enables us to win game 1 and/or game 2 by being available in the bullpen.