I guess I'm not really on board with Rocco taking our starter out in the 5th inning with two outs. Afraid to have him face the lineup the 3rd time? Come ON. Little league here? He was a lefty and was replaced by a lefty. Give the guy a shot at completing the inning. Then decide what to do in the 6th. So no, I didn't like that decision at all, especially who he chose to come in. The worst that would have happened is a two run HR to tie the game.
But, yeah it really is on the hitters who have all disappeared. Like it was said, even adding Buck and Correa hasn't helped because everyone else has failed. What they did on Sunday, when the playoffs were on the line was mind-boggling. Did anyone have a decent AB?
I suppose if the team misses by a game, lets say, we can go back to the Cleveland series. Twins actually could have won all 4 and definitely at least 2.
Bottom line....this isn't a very good 'team'. The parts taken in a vacuum seem all right, but put them out there on the field and they don't work. If Twins miss the playoffs, Rocco has to be gone. Twins need new direction; a new voice; some new energy. Managers were fired in season for a lot less this year.
3 wins over Miami or bust. Its really that simple. Don't expect an easy series with Baltimore. Another team thats desperately trying to find its way.