Riverbrian

He's a special hitter. There isn't much more to be said. His home run yesterday off of Ober would have been a ball. It was 6 inches North of the normal strike zone coming across the letters on his jersey. The Home Run off a Brock Stewart was a cookie. Not every cookie gets eaten... he ate that one. That home run off Thielbar (who hadn't allowed a home run to a lefty all year) was almost a perfect pitch. It was a sweeper that caught the bottom corner of the zone low and away. Alvarez was able to PULL that pitch down the Right Field line for a home run off the foul pole. He didn't go the other way with it. He PULLED a slider low and away for a dinger... Who else is able to do that? His first home run of the series was a changeup center cut. He was ready for the change of pace apparently. That's 4 home runs against 4 different pitches, a high fastball out of the zone, Cutter dead center, Nearly Perfect Slider and an 84 MPH changeup. What do you want to throw him? Who from the Twins do you want to blame? He hit .295 with an .892 OPS against left handers this year. He hit .292 with an 1.044 OPS against right handers this year. He has 4 home runs in 12 AB's this post season. That equates to 136 home runs using the 410 AB's that he had during the regular season. You have to hope that he can't continue that pace and has to slow down sometime soon... However, in case he can keep it up... Keep changing speeds, move the ball in and out on the EDGES... if you walk him... you walk him but stay away from the middle. I'm not blaming our pitchers for what he is doing. The team you are playing is part of the equation. It hurts but we are watching a pretty special player playing special at a special time.

I think the batting order should be fluid. Managers tend to keep them somewhat static. I am reasonably sure that data is going to be very fluid (batter vs pitcher, hitters performance against fastball pitchers, slider guys, hot and cold streaks so I am reasonably sure that data is ignored to keep the lineups static. I don't know why.

I have been a frequent critic of the strict usage of the platoon throughout the season. The main reason for my criticism's was the pulling of young left handers against left handed pitchers early in the game during the regular season. They were being pulled in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th inning in low leverage when a lefty came out of the bullpen. Those AB's that they lost were opportunities for exposure to lefties which will prep them for exposure to lefties in the playoffs if they need to face them in October. The front office doesn't know in May, June or July if they will need to face them in October because they don't know who will be injured and not available for the playoffs. For example... If Correa, Lewis and Buxton were all not able to go for the playoffs... which came close to happening. They would not have been able to shield all 3 young lefties against left handers forcing them to do something IN THE PLAYOFFS they haven't been asked to do the regular season. Now that the playoffs are here and the roster is healthy enough to make the platoon functional... By all means... platoon. Next year... I'd rather they don't do that again (they probably will) during the regular season. Let them get those looks against lefties in the middle innings. Pick your spots for pinch hitting opportunities... Just don't make it automatic.

Game Two has just concluded... And now I'll say he is worth every penny.

Health is the only concern... Normally I'd say let's give it some time before making this type of extension decision. This isn't normal. The guy is a superstar so I'd say go for it but... that health thing is lingering. I'll trust the front office to make the right move here.

Let them step between the lines and let's see what happens. I fear no one and I fear everyone. This should be as close to a set it and forget it series as they come. For pre-planning... The Houston Offense: Rocco will have to have some lefties available out of the pen for Alvarez and Tucker who usually bat back to back and Brantley who isn't too far from them in the order to create a 3 out of 4 left handed hitter stretch in the middle of the order. We will need Thielbar to get some key outs and we will probably need to utilize Funderburk after Thielbar gets used. I don't anticipate many pinch hit moves from Baker. Maybe a Diaz for Maldonado switch if they find themselves needing something. The Houston Pitching: Framber Valdez is a the lone lefthander. They have another left hander in the bullpen but I don't anticipate Baker to throw him just to throw him when he has better right handed options. Valdez will cause Rocco to deploy the right handed hitting crew and once he is removed from the game... Our young lefty hitters can enter the game and finish it off. This means Julien may not have a defensive replacement in the late innings. Apart from Valdez... Rocco can set it and forget it. Baker will probably do the same. Get your popcorn ready... Let's go Twins.

Right now... I'm hoping that he is worth every penny and that is still be determined because we have no idea what the next 5 years are going to bring. I think even Carlos Correa would agree with that. But regardless of weather he ends up being worth it or not worth it when it is all said and done. 200 million is what he cost to join our team. That is how free agency works. If you want the player, you have to pay the price and he cost 200 million. The transaction is complete... he is a Minnesota Twin. I was happy when he signed with us. I'm still happy. He's an elite SS. He's one of us.

I want to proceed carefully here because I don't want to give the appearance that I am tearing down Correa in order to support a playful Martin Mull/Hotel reference. I'm happy right now and I'm ready for any and all positivity. However... in the spirit of this discussion. Nobody has been paid 200 million for one year. 😉 I just want to say... that play that he made was perfect at the perfect time. The pickoff call was perfect at the perfect time. They were very tasty mints. Go Twins!!!

I'm not trying to break him into pieces. I think I was trying too hard to work an obscure 80's advertisement into the discussion. Further clarification it seems is needed. I believe 200 million is 200 million because that is what it cost to sign him. Market forces are going to determine that. If you want a free agent, a free agent will cost what he costs... after you sign a free agent... the money is spent. I'm not going to be looking back at it. In hindsight, even in consideration of his offensive struggles this year. If given a do over... I would sign him again. I am a C4 fan. I hope that helps clarify things a little. I laughed when I read worth every penny. I realized that "worth every penny" was expressed out of a joy hangover and I love that. I laughed because I thought it was funny and I tried to be funny back. BTW... In the metaphor. Carlos Correa isn't the Red Roof Inn. The play was the mint on the pillow. Carlos can be any hotel of your choosing.

So.. it is I who diminished the value of 200 million.

I got a downvote on my earlier post. Not sure why... Perhaps my Red Roof Inn Commercial similitude was out of bounds... perhaps it was the use of a mint. Since it seems I must clarify. The play was awesome. I leapt to my feet and I don't leap easy at my age. Correa has been defensively nearly perfect all season. I want Carlos Correa on this team right here right now. I'm a C4 Fan. But the title of the article was "Carlos Correa is proving he is worth every penny". 200 Million? That's what... 2 Billion Pennies. We are in year one of a 6 year deal. We got 5 more years to go and the first year of that contract has been a struggle at that plate. It was a big play on a big stage by a big player. I will not diminish what it was because I loved it. However... Is it ok that we don't diminish the value of 200 million. Go ahead and downvote me again if you must. 😉

Back in the late 80's... the late Martin Mull did a series of commercials for Red Roof Inn. In one of the ads... He was comparing the Red Roof with another hotel chain (I don't remember which one). He would compare the amenities and the price. I don't remember it exactly but the ad went something like this: This Hotel has complimentary breakfast so does the Red Roof Inn but for 25 dollars less... This hotel has this a fitness center so does the Red Roof Inn but for 25 dollars less. This hotel does offer a free mint that they leave behind on the pillow... the red roof unfortunately does not do that. He then takes a bite of the mint and says... it's a really good mint. Not worth 25 dollars though. The play that Correa made was a fantastic play... it was a good mint... Not sure it was worth 200 million though. I'm glad Carlos Correa is a Twin but he's gonna have to provide some improved additional amenities going forward.

It's about how you are playing for sure but it's also about how the other team is playing. Also good runs can stop on a dime and bad runs can also stop on a dime. The Twins had the 2nd best record in September 18-9. The Jays was tied for the 8th best record in September 15-13. The Twins had the 6th best record in baseball post all star break 42-29. The Jay had the 11th best record in baseball post all star break 39-32. Not a ton of difference but the Twins are out trending the Jay entering the playoffs. However... Consider this. The Brewers had the 7th best record in September 17-11 The D-Backs had the 12th best record in September 15-12 The Brewers had the 3rd best record post all-star break 43-28 The D-Backs were tied for the 19th best record post all-star break 32-39 including dropping the last 3 games of the year with everything on the line against the Astros. They cleaned Milwaukee's clock. You like seeing teams trending correctly at the end of the year but it is always review mirror because every playoff game starts 0-0 and you never know who is going to come up big when needed. A diving catch by Donovan Solano? 1 run scored by Toronto? A rookie with a 5 plus ERA and almost the entire Arizona 18th ranked bullpen combining to out duel Corbin Burnes and possibly the best bullpen in baseball. Nobody can predict what will happen in July and Nobody can predict what will happen after game 162 concludes. I have no idea what is going to happen against the Astros... I'm just thrilled to be able to sit here and wonder what will happen.

Rocco's management style while unique isn't that far off in how the other 29 managers do it. The Blue Jays pulling Berrios was pre-planned and also somewhat predictable.

I have no issues with Rocco's moves thus far in the playoffs. The club has been run in this direction all year. My issues are exactly what you stated and to me in the rear view mirror now because it can't be fixed now. Taking them out in May, June, July, August and September in non-leverage situations robbed them of the opportunity to get significant swings against lefties which makes the taking them out in the playoffs necessary. We have thus far dodged a bullet there but just try to imagine what the lefty vs lefty situation would have been against the Blue Jays if Correa and Lewis were not able to return for the playoffs. With those two right handed hitters out. Farmer is now starting at SS and not able to pinch hit for Julien so who pinch hits for Julien when the lefty steps on the mound. Julien would be better equipped for that moment if he was allowed to stay in and battle some lefties in the 5th inning in June. Now you are finally feeding them to lefties on the big stage while avoiding those moment on the lesser stage. The obvious roster spot choices to replace Lewis and Correa would have been who? Larnach, Gallo or Gordon... all left handed? Celestino who they now can't cut to make room for pitchers because he not only has to be on the roster but he probably would have to play in the playoffs to keep the young left handers away from left handed pitchers. Give Austin Martin, Brooks Lee, Helman or Prato not only a 40 man spot but playoff roster spot at the last moment with zero major league AB's under your belt... just so you can keep the young left handed hitters away from lefties and that means not only are they brand new out of the box but also utilized just to keep the young lefties away from Mayza and his left handed ilk. Just like you... this is where my issue was... but not now. Correa and Lewis are on the roster... we have the team in place to continue what we have been doing so keep doing what you have been doing. I think Rocco has done a fine job so far. Bring on Houston.

I'll never understand how anyone can see a formula for success or failure in a 3, 5 or even 7 game series between a .549 winning percentage and a .537 winning percentage... or even a .623 winning percentage and a .537 winning percentage. In the playoffs... Win or Lose... It's just different. It's a whole new level of baseball. I stopped breathing a couple of times. Weak Central... Awesome for us. We get the opportunity to stop breathing a couple of times. Bring on the Astros... I fear no one. And I also fear everyone.

I'd be more upset if Rocco all of a sudden decided... OK... NOW... this is when I'm going to let you stay in a face a left hander. Rocco has been taking his young left handed hitters out against left handed pitching all year long and he has done it consistently. He has starved them all year long. We know it and the opposing managers know it. It could be argued that Berrios was taken out of the game while looking incredible because Rocco has been so absolute consistent and predictable in this fashion. They knew before the game that Kikuchi was entering the game early to get those lefties out of the lineup. He was just sticking to the plan. Kikuchi was up in the pen after the 1st inning. Schneider should have made the switch then but he chickened out. He allowed Berrios to continue so when he finally decided to stick with the plan... the move looked much much worse because Berrios stayed in long enough to look awesome. If Schneider yanks Berrios in the first... he isn't going to be as vilified. Either way.. the plan was in place because Rocco was going to take the lefties out... everybody knew he was going to do this so the Jays decided to help Rocco out. The SS Young lefthanded hitters facing left handed pitching (great name for a ship) has sailed... this die has been cast by consistently not letting them face lefties in May, June, July, August and September. You don't start letting them hit against lefties NOW.

I think the opponent entered into the discussion but once Seattle lost... They were either the 5th or 6th seed. They didn't need to burn Gausman... they were going to be a road team win or lose so hold Gausman so he could start the opener... But... yeah there may have been a little.. I'd rather go to Minnesota in that discussion. And for that.. I say Careful what you wish for.

The difference between playoff baseball and game 68 of the regular season is like the difference between: 1. A ribeye and ground beef. Nothing wrong with ground beef but... you know. 2. The Taj Mahal and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum. That Art museum will make me stop and look at it but... you know. 3. Yosemite and Sugar Loaf Bluff. Nothing wrong with Winona, Sugar Loaf is an awesome name but... you know. 4. A Golden Retriever and a Chihuahua. Nothing wrong with a dog whose eyeballs pop out occasionally but... you know. 5. The Beatles and Duran Duran... I catch myself singing along to Hungry like the Wolf but... you know. 6. Saving Private Ryan and We bought a Zoo. I'm glad all those people were able to climb over that tree in the end but... you know. 7. A Porsche and a Toyota Camry... Lots of folks driving around in a Camry but... you know. 8. Gelato and a Tub O Vanilla. There is nothing wrong with a big tub of ice cream especially if don't plan on leaving the couch for a weekend but... you know. 9. The many voices of Seth McFarlane and your uncle who does a spot on impersonation of your aunt. You laugh a lot every Thanksgiving but... you know 10. The Mississippi River and the Elk River. Nothing wrong with the Elk River but it's just gonna flow into the Mississippi... so... you know. For all of you who didn't care if we made the playoffs because it wasn't going to matter anyway. I didn't understand what you were talking about then and now... well... you know.

I'm still counting on Polanco to help us out. IMO... Lewis, Julien and Polanco are 3 of our top 4 bats in the lineup. They are 1,2 and 3 in the order and that seems to support my opinion. I want him in the lineup. Lewis is the DH because he can't play in the field. Yanking one of our top hitters at this moment is dangerous. I expect Polanco to make some outs at the hot corner without incident today. Yesterday was Yesterday. Let's go Twins!!!

Polanco out? Or Polanco to 2B and Julien out? Or Polanco to 2B and Julien to 1B and Kirilloff out? Or Polanco to 2B and Julien to 1B and Kirilloff to LF and Wallner out? What is the plan?

If they find bigfoot... not only can they measure it's feet but the show has to change to "Found Bigfoot".

If they find bigfoot... not only can they measure it's feet but the show has to change to "Found Bigfoot".

Great Post. A friend of mine was wondering why there was all this crap on TV. I told him it was because we watch crap on TV. We vote every day. Finding Bigfoot on Animal Planet. We chose that. I wonder if the adjustments to the game have anything to do with how many watch, how long they watch, the demographics of those who watch, what advertisers will pay for the how many, how long and how old. I really hope somebody in the commissioners office is tracking this stuff. 😉

If I'm Toronto... Ryu makes the roster and I'm throwing the lefties early. I'm making Rocco empty that bench.