Brock Beauchamp

Absolutely. In slight defense of Jax, I remember at least some of those walks coming after the defense kicked the ball around the field. Nobody is helping Griffin Jax right now. Not the baseball gods, not his own teammates.

So last night, someone in the game thread was concerned that Jax was coming into the game. Jax has been really good this year but unlucky... but I didn't realize just how unlucky he has been in BABIP and hit sequencing. The one thing he hasn't been good about is walks, giving up seven unintentional walks in 15.2 innings. Let's get that out of the way first. But over those 15.2 innings, he has allowed only 12 hits with zero home runs. He has given up six earned runs and the defense has gifted him three additional unearned runs. He has a very respectable 2.80 FIP that would be much better if not for the walks. This is where the numbers really get crazy. As I said, Jax has 15.2 innings pitched with 12 hits allowed... 11 of those were singles. He has given up all of one extra base hit, a double against the Nationals. While I can't find a link to the MLB video of that double - probably because it's so embarrassing - it was a 49.9mph ground ball rocket ship that scooted by the third baseman. Oh, and it was raining that evening. If you have MLB.tv and don't remember it specifically, go back and watch the "double". It's so emblematic of Jax's season thus far. April 21st, eighth inning. The only XBH Griffin Jax has allowed in 2023 was a grounder that didn't even have a 50mph exit velocity. The expected batting average on the ball was .150. Which explains his Baseball Savant page. Look at those top six numbers. This is not a man who should have an ERA that starts with a three.

As we've seen with Kepler over the years, garbage contact is worse than a strikeout. Sure, you might eek out a hit 10-15% of the time but you also GIDP often and make a pitcher's job easy by getting him out of the PA in a couple of pitches.

The team can't afford to rest them all at once. If I was Rocco, I'd consider giving Correa a day off and putting Gordon at short. Keep Farmer at third, Gordon just doesn't have experience there (though I'd prefer flipping those two if I was confident Gordon could play third). If Correa wants to play iron man after having a decent game last night, maybe give Jorge a day off instead. Kirilloff and Buxton should play. Consider giving one of them a day off tomorrow, probably Buxton.

I thought he was the guy from that one movie who screamed "WILLLSONNNNNNNNN" a lot.

See? This isn't impossible. Last night's game was frustrating as hell, yet the game thread remained civil. And the Twins won! I'm going to be starting game threads for at least a few days but I won't be able to monitor this one closely because I'll be at Target Field. So behave yourselves. No incessant grinding down of the same points, not everything that happens under the sun is Rocco's fault, and baseball is a silly game that is meant to be enjoyed. If your'e not enjoying it, consider a walk. It's going to be nice outside today. Though I won't be here, some moderators will and they have my expressed permission to thread-ban without warning. As for the game, looks like a great pitching matchup. Ober just continues to be a really good MLB pitcher and Darvish is always a tough opponent. Let's all rally behind the newest Twins Hall of Famer Alex Kirilloff, and cheer on a Twins win!

Hader also spent most of his career in a DH-less national league where bunting was more prevalent.

I don't think so because Vazquez had to give up after two strikes, like so many other batters facing a guy throwing chest-high fastballs.

So I looked it up because I don't know if I've ever seen a bunt attempt against Hader. According to FanGraphs, Hader has one bunt attempt against him since the start of the 2019 season. Jhoan Duran, in just barely over a season, has four career bunt attempts against him.

A healthy Alex Kirilloff has the potential to drastically change this team's offense over the remaining 3/4 of the season.

WINNAH WINNAH FISH BLIZZARDS FOR DINNAH Am I doing it right?

There we go.

Oh damn. Okay, get it done.

I don't even really care that much about the PED part, it was his completely idiotic response that turned me off.

The logic is that Hader is not going to throw you a ball good for bunting. I run a Brewers community, I've watched so much Josh Hader over the years. He's perhaps the last pitcher in baseball I'd want to bunt against. His entire shtick is that his fastball rides up and fools hitters.

I used to like Tatis's silliness but after the PED thing, I just want him to go the **** away. Which is too bad because he was one of my favorite players 2-3 years ago.

He's actually been really good this season, just incredibly unlucky.

Like I said when Vazquez squared up: "Don't ****ing bunt."

Sure, just predict what one of the top ten closers of all time is going to throw you and adapt in half a second. Easy peasy.

Hader lives in the top of the zone. Don't try to bunt on him.

Don't ****ing bunt.

Because Gallo's arm is about 14,000x stronger than Gordon's? Also, Gordon needs to take command of the OF in that situation.

Aw, Morneau, Gallo could throw that ball with the wrong hand falling backwards and still get the ball in faster than Gordon.

I like putting Duran out there for the tenth in this situation.

I never had the impression Kirilloff chases out of the zone but he definitely isn't known for taking walks. He's not undisciplined like a Rosario or Miranda, though, he's just a high-contact guy.