Twins Go Down In Blowout, Lose Third In A Row

Angles, Yankees and Pirates.  These 3 series should show whether or not the Twins are actually going to be playoff contenders.  The Angels have established a template:  Don't throw Dozier 1st pitch fastballs.  The rest of the lineup, lot's of breaking stuff.  The pitching staff resembles the Tigers [actually, the Tigers over the past several years]:  Don't worry too much about the starting staff.  Keep things close with the Twins starters, because you can tee-off on their bullpen.

It's been a great ride:  A cause for looking forward to a .500+ WINNING season this year and renewed hope for the next.

Both Boyer and Fien should be shut down now. They are ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.

Beginning of the end and the dive to the bottom of the division. 

I was at the game (thank you, glunn), walking around the stadium concourse (they have a Panda Express!) when Blaine Boyer was called into the game. As I walked along, I thought, "Well, here comes a home run." The crowd erupted in wild cheers. Home run.

Boyer is so done, it's sad. Whatever he had in the first half, it's gone completely. Opponents are just teeing off on him. Same with Casey Fien.

I didn't actually watch that much of the game because I was having a great time chatting with Glunn and H2OFace, both great guys. What I did notice was that the whole Twins team looked troublingly similar to the punchless bunch we all enjoyed so much over the previous four 90-loss seasons. Gibson actually didn't pitch that badly, kept his team within reach, but Twins hitters seemed to have no chance against an Angels starter with an ERA over 4.5.

The Twins need more than just a great SS like Tulo. They need a good starting catcher, and they need some guys with better bats. But before they trade away promising prospects, they need at least one real, legitimate ace starter. Not a rental like Cueto, but somebody they'll have around for several years. Before that happens, trading away prospects seems really irresponsible.

On the other hand, Kurt Suzuki looks worn out. They should either start platooning him 50/50 with Fryer, or trade for a better catcher. Find somebody that can be around for at least five years, while this group is peaking. Either that or promote guys like Turner, Garver, Swim and Navaretto to the next level asap, and then draft the best college catcher available in the 2016 draft.

I was at the game (thank you, glunn), walking around the stadium concourse (they have a Panda Express!) when Blaine Boyer was called into the game. As I walked along, I thought, "Well, here comes a home run." The crowd erupted in wild cheers. Home run.

 

Boyer is so done, it's sad. Whatever he had in the first half, it's gone completely. Opponents are just teeing off on him. Same with Casey Fien.

 

I didn't actually watch that much of the game because I was having a great time chatting with Glunn and H2OFace, both great guys. What I did notice was that the whole Twins team looked troublingly similar to the punchless bunch we all enjoyed so much over the previous four 90-loss seasons. Gibson actually didn't pitch that badly, kept his team within reach, but Twins hitters seemed to have no chance against an Angels starter with an ERA over 4.5.

 

The Twins need more than just a great SS like Tulo. They need a good starting catcher, and they need some guys with better bats. But before they trade away promising prospects, they need at least one real, legitimate ace starter. Not a rental like Cueto, but somebody they'll have around for several years. Before that happens, trading away prospects seems really irresponsible.

 

On the other hand, Kurt Suzuki looks worn out. They should either start platooning him 50/50 with Fryer, or trade for a better catcher. Find somebody that can be around for at least five years, while this group is peaking. Either that or promote guys like Turner, Garver, Swim and Navaretto to the next level asap, and then draft the best college catcher available in the 2016 draft.

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After 4 years of, I don't even know what to call it anymore, I'm not big on making short-term changes in the hopes of making the playoffs this year.  I really like the idea of going after an ace.  The Tigers may be making Price available. [Possibly Cespedes, too]  That would most likely mean Buxton and 1-2 quality pitching talents would need to be included.  And I see the Tigers have Nick Castellanos playing 3B.  I'd toss in Plouffe too sweeten the pot, without any real knowledge how good Sano's defense is.