Number3

The pre series analysis is fine but I am simply glad that it is being played. And what about those great crowds at Target for the wild card round? Now the Twins have a real home field advantage. Only the Phillies crowds matched the Twins' and by the way the Rays were a total embarrassment. Worst playoff attendance since 1919. Twins have now developed a real winning attitude and have to like their chances. Hope the weather cooperates at Target; maybe a little cooler than the 'stros are used to.

I hope the weather cooperates when the Twins host either the Astros or Rangers in the wid card round or possibly even the Jays. The first game in that series will be the biggest game they have played in a long time.

The comeback against the Reds kept it interesting but main thing is to keep playing the way they have been. Right now they are a team that no one in the AL would be thrilled to go up against.

Now 5 games behind with 12 games to play. Probably have to win 10 of the 12 to do it but, like they say in golf, just post a score. I still don't mind the 3 game wild card at home (hopefully 2) to get their feet wet. They now haven't played really meaningful games in a long time but do seem to have an "expect to win" mentality and are enjoying the game.

Yes

The proof in the pudding will be when the playoffs begin. Not only is the Central the weakest division but winning the division gives the Twins home field advantage for the wild card round in a 3 game series against the lowest seeded wild card team so the Twins get a break all the way around. Right now that team would be the Mariners but who ever it is will have a better record than the Twins. If Rocco can't at least manage his way through the wild card round the regular season record is meaningless and the Twins have been under no pressure for the majority of the season. The best team in baseball is the Atlanta Braves and they send the same lineup out day after day after day. Baldelli uses"Excel" to determine his lineups and juggles more than a circus performer. That will come back to haunt him in the playoffs more than likely.

Maybe this injury won't be career ending but the word "chronic" still applies. Buxton is chronically injured and his career has been shortened if not ended.

Thanks to the Texas collapse at least there is a possibility but short answer is no. Best scenario is to win 2 straight at home in the wildcard round so that the pitching staff is as rested as possible for the divisional round. Ironic that the nemesis in recent playoff appearances has been those wascally (see Elmer Fudd) Yankees and they are no where to be found. That in itself is a good omen.

Unfortunately, Byron Buxton is a tremendous athlete whose body simply cannot withstand the stress that his abilities impose upon it. It is a shame but it is. Forget Buxton as a career professional baseball player. Maybe Pickle Ball but there are injuries in that game too. Continually attempting to insert him into the lineup is a disservice to the team and to the player who is removed from the lineup. Of course the brilliant FO will probably try to salvage something from a trade to some other team with an equally brilliant FO as classic CYA when the handwriting has always been on the wall.

OK, lets assume that the Twins will hang on to the Central as long as Rocco doesn't manage too much. If they started today they would host the Astros as the lowest seed wild card team for 2 of 3 all at. Target. No matter who it is the wild card team will have a better record than the division champ Twins but 2 of 3 at home will still be very possible. I assume that tickets are available now and a packed house would make a huge difference. Shades of the Metro Dome? If they can actually get into the divisional playoffs anything is possible since the only truly scary teams are both in the NL. Go Twins.

In case you are not aware, there is no rule in MLB that says that the starting pitcher must be removed after 5 innings. Maybe when you are taking some time off next season you can study the rule book instead of spread sheets. Or maybe you are simply determined not to get too much of a lead in the Central. 6 games against the Cleveland team are looming and this team needs some kind of leadership beyond reading stats to finish those 6 games still in first place.

Crunch time is here starting with 2 against the Tigers and I agree. If they can't sweep or at very least split these 2 games whether or not they make the playoffs is irrelevant. This is followed by Pirates (no pushover), a bunch of games against Texas and leading up to the 6 games against Cleveland to end the month and into Sep. If the Tigers actually sweep the season is over.

So far so good; staying just above the .500 mark and maintaining Central lead. Ryan's outing against a weak Cardinal team last night not encouraging. 6 games v Cleveland at end of month into Sep still loom large. Get into playoffs and see what happens. There are no unbeatable teams in the AL this year.

The debacle against Baltimore speaks for itself. By the way, the Orioles are loaded with their own draft picks and players developed in their own system and are close to catching the Rays in the East. They also have 2 former Twins #1 picks on their roster. The Twins are essentially a good AAA team wearing MLB uniforms with the exception of starting pitching. Buxton was pathetic against the Birds and a couple of abs looked like he was striking out on purpose. Baldelli looked like he was totally lost. Luckily for Twins it seems that MLB in general has very few really good teams so they should still be in the running for Central through no fault of their own.

The main thing is to hang around the .500 mark and win the Central. 6 games against the Cleveland team from Aug 8 to Sep 6 loom large. They are now even in the loss column. Do the analytic geek stuff all you want but beating out the Cleveland team is all that matters. The reason they actually play the games is that once the games actually start the stats don't matter. Each game takes on a life of its own. The best players should play and the teams with the best players that play to their potential and avoid injuries usually win. See Byron Buxton. By the way, Royce Lewis must be Byron Buxton the second as getting injured running to first base is classic Buxton.