killebrewlover

So there are reasons to believe that the Twins may have turned a corner, if you compare it with last years progressive decline over the 2022 season. This year, they started the season by beating the heck out of divisional foe KC (6 wins, 1 loss). And for the first time in many years, they took the season series with the Yankees. The starting rotation has been better and despite Maeda's injury (and Pagan's inconsistency), the pitching (in general) is doing their job. Offense has been respectable, but inconsistent, especially at key moments where run support was essential. Defense is a meh, but there's hope that it can improve with time. So, on the surface, we should be happy the Twins are in 1st place in the Central and 2.5 games in front of the nearest team. Right? But then again.... You look at the last six games on the road. Losing 2 of 3 to divisional rival Chicago. Then another 2 of 3 to Cleveland. It's these games early in the season that can make the difference late in August and September when the race really ramps up. I really want to believe in this team. But my gut tells me we still have a long way to go. (Then again, I've had some indigestion lately watching the close games go the other way!). I'm worried that once the Tigers and/or Guardians get their acts together, we'll be relegated to a repeat of the slow inexorable decline of 2022. Someone convince me otherwise. Please!

It's not about being loud or yelling. It's about accountability. I can calm down after my initial statements. Can the Twins find their way to a divisional title? Based on what I've seen so far, I have my doubts.

Okay. So we agree. They're not a Championship caliber team. What does that have to do with playing to your team's (or as an individual's) full potential, which they don't seem to be doing right now? Accountability isn't reserved to Championship teams. Players and coaches need to start being accountable. Period.

Time to get the broom ready. Pretty sad. 😒

Bad bats, bad bats, what ya gonna do. What ya gonna do when they can't come thru....

I'm tired of the inconsistencies and excuses. This team needs to get it's s*#t together and start playing like a championship caliber team should. Hitters need to produce offense to support their pitchers. Pitchers need to win the tough late inning battles. Defenses need to stop making blundering errors at key moments. And coaches need to shake things up in the clubhouse and get in players faces. So much talent on this team, and the rest of the Central Divsion is practically gift wrapping the Twins the pennant. And they're squandering the opportunity. Now start playing some real baseball or get off the frigg'n field!!!

Tired of the inconsistency in this team. Seems when the pitching is working, the run support is abysmal. And when the hits are abundant, the pitching can't keep the lead in tact. PLEASE START SUPPORTING EACH OTHER LIKE A TEAM SHOULD!!!!

Relax. JM did what he had to. It's never easy. If it was, everyone would do it! It's the hard that makes it great. (Tom Hanks)

Assuming they win tonight, let's see how the offense does over the series with the Yanks. Seems to be feast or famine lately. Very inconsistent. A positive? At least they're competing with the Yankees this year!

This will not be the last time we see Jax in a tight spot this season. But he DID get through the inning. It's a start...

I think time will tell. But in retrospect, getting rid of Donaldson was a necessity overall. He was a costly player to have on the roster, especially considering his age and injuries. I'm glad we have Correa!

I'd like to give Pagan the benefit of the doubt. But it's difficult given his history going back to last year. I'm afraid that the Twins are behind a rock and a hard spot. Unless they can get some unexpected help from the minors, we're likely to see a repeat of last years drawn out spiral into bullpen pitching mediocrity. Unfortunate about Maeda's continued problems with injuries. But these are the times when the rest of the pitching staff, and in particular the bullpen, have to make a difference. It's not happening...

And just when you thought the Twins had solved many of their problems in the off-season, the series against the Marlins illustrates so vividly... they haven't. Bullpen can't carry the team when the offense isn't scoring. Offense can't score enough runs in the close games. Sound familiar? And so it begins...

The Twins are a hopeless organization. They started last year with a ton of talent and a promising start, and then squandered it over the course of the season. I understand why the Twins couldn't offer the kind of money the Mets ultimately gave Correa. But to leave a gaping hole at SS in order to save a few bucks with no appreciable gains in other areas (like pitching!) is unforgivable. It speaks to the cheapness of the Twins organization. Either the owners make the necessary investments to be a winning program, OR, they sell the team to the highest bidder and get out of the business of MLB. We're looking at a team dead on arrival in 2023. I'm sad for the fans...

That's it. I'm done with this team for the rest of this year. I will not shed one more tear, curse one more word, give one more fist bump, trade one more high five, provide one more excuse, etc. etc. etc., for what remains of the Twins' season in 2022. My mind, heart, and soul can't take this up-and- down performance ride anymore. It's like Cleveland and Chicago left the door open for Minnesota to walk in, but the Twins opted to try and squeeze through the keyhole. Please Lord, bring on the earth hurdling comets. So, until next year, this is "Killebrewlover" signing off from this forum for the rest of the season. Long live the Twins...

I read Rocco Baldelli's comments after the 4-2 loss to the Angels yesterday. I quote, "(The last two losses) felt like games that if we played good baseball and did the things we wanted to, we had a chance to win. We just didn't do much offensively. ... It's not rocket science. We've got to score some runs and there's different ways to do that." Really?! Seriously?! That sounds like a stereotypical straight-line leading into a comedy skit on SNL. So here's the thing. You know Baldelli is struggling with how to fix a broken team when he responds like Captain Obvious to why the Twins are in a death spiral. "WE'VE GOT TO SCORE SOME RUNS AND THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO THAT." ???!!! No screaming eagle do-do. I don't have the answers myself. But the guys who get paid millions of dollars should. Do your jobs. There's too much talent on this team to be in the position you're in now!!!! Geezze.

Hmmm. You're right about 7 or 8 game winning streaks. Does a 6 game winning streak count? Or the fact that the Guardians are 14-8 since the all star break? So I guess my "shark" reference is more apropos with Cleveland (although ChiSox are at least 11-10 which is better than Twins 8-9 since the break). Either way, trending to me says a lot about a team. And the Twins are trending downward. You're also very correct in saying that "Guys need to perform!". When should we expect that to happen???

"At this point to go into the 2023 season", I'd like them to improve their pitching, offense, defense, and overall ability to win. How the front office does that is up to them, but since you asked...

So there's still 52 games left in this season. But based on the past couple of weeks, the future of this year's Twins looks bleak. The Twins are 7-9 so far in the second half. I appreciate the moves the Twins tried to make in acquiring Mahle, Fulmer, Lopez, and Leon. But it's clear the Twins are at best a .500 club and with Cleveland and Chicago smelling blood, these sharks won't be missing an opportunity for an easy meal. Considering that the Twins have 6 of their last 9 meetings against the White Sox in Chicago, and 5 of their last 8 against the Guardians in Cleveland, I think it's safe to assume the Twins front office should now be thinking about the 2023 season. One might say that pitching was the ultimate undoing of the Twins this season. But the undependable offense and error prone field defense can take a share of the blame. Not that the Guardians or White Sox are that much better (or worse) in the statistical areas. But some key stats shine. Guardians have 29 saves. White Sox 31 saves. Twins only 21 saves. Combined team ERAs are 3.86 for Cleveland. 3.92 for Chicago. 4.10 for the Twins. Other stats bother me less (only 20 stolen bases, lowest in the league). The Twins are not a "bad" team. And they've had their share of setbacks/injuries to deal with. But so have Cleveland and Chicago. It just appears that the Twins have run out of gas, while Cleveland and Chicago seem to have the wind behind their backs. And I wouldn't count on a wild card spot. There are too many "better" teams in the mix. So front office, what are you going to do to make this team better in 2023? I wait with anxious anticipation!

C'mon already. If the Twins were a better team, they wouldn't find themselves in these situations as often, AND, wouldn't be arguing about calls after the game was over. Grow up. They're an average team in a bad division and are hanging on for dear life.

As much as I'd like to see some last minute hail Mary trade that gets them into the post season this year, I don't see it happening without giving up your future. I'd be fine with sitting pat. Maybe finding a RP or two if they don't give up too much. Let's "plan" for next year and beyond. Not just this season!

Had I answered this question a couple weeks ago, I might have said 85 was possible. After seeing the melt down of the last two weeks of play, I'm doubtful about 80. The Twins have an entertaining offense (at times). But their pitching (in general) is awful. A reversal of fortunes is my expectation for the remainder of the Twins season. A shame if I'm right...

I think we've found the secret to the Twins winning games. All the games need to be 1 - 0 scoring. They are undefeated in games where only 1 run total has been scored during the game...

Now we get to see how the Twins will respond (or not) over the next 15 games. 8 against the Indians (5 away) and 3 against the White Sox (all away). We'd be lucky to go .500 over that stretch. But more than likely we'll be at least two games behind Cleveland and even with the Sox. Hope springs eternal...

Well I think we all knew that either Cleveland or Chicago was going to make a move at some point. After today it'll either be a 1 game or 2 game lead (Twins losing 7 - 1 at this point and likely will loose the rubber to AZ). IMHO, this is not the end of the world when you consider all the injuries/COVID that the team has had to endure over the last few weeks. It could have been a lot worse! The Twins have a powerful offense. Pitching is touch-n-go, but with Gray back and Bundy showing some signs of resurgence, I like the Twinkies chances going into the All Star break and beyond. Yes, perhaps a trade for a good relief P or two. But don't talk to me about trading Correa or Arreaz! These guys are too essential to let go IMHO. Anyway, it's fun to see our Twins being competitive again. Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers in the world!