Sherry Cerny

I felt ridiculous only in the sense that I know, there has to be a LOT of better pitching calls made and go ahead runs. I really like the younger guys and I think they can survive without Buck and Correa on the field, but there has to be some serious things done with the pitching and management.

I'm trying to believe we can do it ... I honestly like the team we have - but Buck and Correa do make a difference.

Buck says he feels good, but he continues to have problems with inflammation. I don't think he will be ready for a bit longer.

So I have to admit, the stance of the article was the youth on the team - but there are a LOT of things that I couldn't put in here that will lead to other articles. THere is NO WAY we make it to October without pitching. There is no way we can fully expect to create a winning postseason without strong bullpen. I really am impressed with the youth, but I do know Carlos and Buck make a difference. Also, Management on the field I agree with Plouffe as well. You are saying a lot of the things I feel.

It wasn't a do-or-die game, but it is getting to the point where wins become more critical every time. With the Royals sliding into second place with their win on Friday and the Twins losing to the Cardinals. Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray played a massive role in the Twins postseason run last year, and on this night, Twins fans saw a fun pitching matchup. Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Box Score SP: Pablo Lopez 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K (96 pitches, 75 strikes (78%)) Home Runs: Trevor Larnach 2 (14), Matt Wallner (9) Top 3 WPA: Pablo Lopez (.257), Trevor Larnach (.252), Austin Martin (.042) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) Pablo Lopez took the mound opposing former Twins pitcher and friend Sonny Gray. Carlos Santana got a rare day off with Jose Miranda taking over at first base. While the team is very familiar with Gray and his arsenal, it will be their first time facing him since not re-signing him in free agency last offseason. Lopez wasted no time setting the tone with a quick inning, giving way to the Twins lineup to set the same tone. But Gray answered and reminded the Twins of who he was by ending the inning for the Twins with a nearly immaculate inning. The Cardinals continued to threaten in the top of the third as Lopez’s pitch count climbed. Victor Scott II hit a line drive double. Masyn Winn laid down a beautiful bunt. He was fast, but Lopez was faster, throwing to Miranda to get the out. However, the sac-bunt did its job to get Scott II 90 feet closer to home. With Alec Burleson at-bat and the run to home looming, Christian Vasquez threw a nasty pick-off to third baseman Royce Lewis to get the second out, and then Lopez struck out Burleson for the third out. Plays like this show just how solid the Twins' defense is and how smart Vasquez is behind the plate. Once the Twins settled in, they started to get hard contact on the ball in the third inning, starting with a double by Austin Martin and a walk to Willi Castro. Trevor Larnach followed with a three-run home run, giving the Twins the lead 3-0. The Cardinals pitching coach came to talk to Gray to calm him down, which didn't work. Lewis and Matt Wallner reached base on singles which meant five Twins reached base in a row. Lewis came home on a Max Kepler fielder's choice giving the Twins a 4-0 lead. Lopez struggled a bit off and on throughout the night, but managed to get out of the innings with no damage. In the top of the fifth, Lopez slowed down a bit and lost command, striking out the first batter, but allowing the next two on base. Vasquez took a moment to talk to his pitcher, then took a foul ball to the mask, leaving a small nick on the bridge of his nose, but he got right back into the game and helped Lopez get out of the inning unscathed. Larnach looked lost during his first at-bat with Gray, but it only took one time of seeing him to learn. Larnach launched his second home run of the game off of Gray in the fifth inning, and it was the first time Larnach had a multi-home run game. It gave the Twins another bump in their lead to 5-0. Lopez finished with seven shutout innings, with five runs of insurance. He left the bullpen to come in and close out the game. Griffin Jax came out of the 'pen for the 8th inning and maintained the shutout. The Twins offense got another chance to add some runs before the closer came in. Wallner hit a 430-foot bomb to centerfield. It was on the first pitch of Cardinals reliever Kyle Leahy, pushing the lead 6-0. Since returning to the big leagues, Wallner has had the highest barrel rate of any hitter in the big leagues since July 23. 2% ahead of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto of the Yankees. With a scoreless inning from Jhoan Duran, who hasn't pitched a game since the weekend, was a welcome way to end the the game. What’s Next? The Twins continue with the Cardinals in the last game of the series with rookie Zebby Matthews (1-1; 3.60 ERA) taking the bump against Erick Fedde (8-7; 3.39 ERA) at 12:10 pm central, in hopes to secure the series before hosting the Braves starting on Monday. Postgame Interviews Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet View full article

As MLB teams gear up for the stretch run of the 2024 season, the Twins are without two of their best players, due to injuries that they might be able to play through, if the situation were more urgent. This strategic decision reflects a long-term vision aimed at balancing immediate success with future potential. Image courtesy of © John Froschauer-USA TODAY Sports One of the primary benefits of giving younger players increased playing time is the opportunity to build depth, and one thing that the organization certainly has is depth. The Twins' lineup has long relied on the contributions of veteran leaders, but playoff success often hinges on the ability to call upon a deep roster. Mitigating Injury Risks This strategic rest can be invaluable for players like Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, who have dealt with their share of injuries over the course of this season. Yes, Buxton is on the injured list with a hip issue, but the collision with the wall he suffered a week before that and his earlier stint on the shelf with inflammation in his knee are part of the calculus, too. Ditto for Correa, sidelined by plantar fasciitis but worth protecting especially in the light of last year's similar problem, plus the intercostal strain that shelved him in April and some plunkings that bruised and battered him earlier in the summer. By reducing their workload in the regular season's final weeks, the Twins can minimize the risk of injuries that might otherwise jeopardize their postseason availability. This precautionary measure ensures that both players are fresh and fully prepared for the demands of the playoffs. Despite missing them, the Twins have thrived in their absence. They are currently in second place in the AL Central, with a record of 70-55. This is mainly due to the contributions of several young players who have stepped up in a big way. Fostering a Competitive Culture While the big contracts and impressive track records boasted by Buxton and Correa lead fans to demand that they're out there at every possible opportunity, both players have showed increasing maturity and patience with their own injury problems. For younger players, this recuperative time for the high-paid stars is a powerful motivator and a chance to demonstrate their value. The result is a more engaged and driven roster, where each member is focused on contributing to the team's success. In providing young players with more at-bats and defensive innings, the Twins are able to assess their readiness for high-pressure situations. This enhances the roster's flexibility and builds a foundation of experience that can be crucial in October and for replacing players. These injury absences have also allowed veterans like Carlos Santana and Max Kepler to compete to keep their positions. Santana, who is a one-year signing, is certainly making a case why re-signing him may be one of the best things the club could do, even as José Miranda has asserted himself. Kepler, who is coming up on free agency, has gotten more time to show his worth, which some fans argue is not worth what he is up for in the offseason. Still, were Buxton and Correa both in the mix at this moment, the team wouldn't be getting a chance to regularly play all of Kepler, Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner, without a substantial opportunity cost. Impact on the Younger Players The increased playing time for younger players like shortstop Brooks Lee, Wallner, Larnach, and utility man Austin Martin presents several critical advantages, like experience in crucial situations, confidence, and the biggest one: chemistry. One of the most impressive performers has been Royce Lewis. He is batting .267 with 15 home runs and 35 RBIs. Lewis certainly had his setbacks twice in the season, but he is making things happen while healthy--and despite letting Buxton and Correa treat their injuries judiciously, the Twins have had the patience to keep Lewis fresh with days off since his latest return. We have seen the younger core find great chemistry: Martin, Wallner, Edouard Julien, and Miranda, who have bounced back and forth between Triple-A St. Paul and the parent club, have shown great on-field chemistry and continue to improve. Two of the most significant improvements are Wallner and Martin, on base and defensively. Wallner has been much better since returning from St. Paul. Last night against San Diego, he had a double and an RBI, pushing up his batting average to .259, and his OPS is one of the highest on the team at .954. Martin gets on base at roughly an average rate, and makes things happen once he gets there. His defensive play has struggled, but he has taken considerable measures to improve and, in Buxton's absence, has started to look more tenable in center field. Looking Ahead The Twins' decision (to the extent that it is one, which might be greater than some realize) to rest Buxton and Correa while leaning on their younger players is not just about the present; it's about crafting a sustainable future. This strategy aligns with the broader goal of developing a resilient and adaptable roster capable of competing at the highest level for years, in addition to ensuring the longer-term health of two players in whom the organization has a huge remaining investment and without whom they would be much less dangerous in October. As the 2024 postseason approaches, the Twins are positioning themselves not just for a single run at glory but for sustained excellence. By trusting their young talent and strategically managing the workloads of their veterans, the Twins are preparing for the immediate challenge of the playoffs and laying the groundwork for future success. The resulting blend of experience and youth could be the key to a deep postseason run, especially because it makes it more likely that the team will be at full strength when the time for one comes. View full article

The Twins continue to excel without Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, taking the series from the Royals and now clinching a second straight against the defending champs. With the division deficit down to two, Minnesota will angle for a four-game sweep on Sunday. Image courtesy of Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Box Score SP: David Festa 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (81 pitches, 54 strikes (68%) Home Runs: Trevor Larnach (12) Top 3 WPA: Willi Castro(.257), Austin Martin (.125), Ronny Henriquez (.092) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) The Twins lineup continues to impress and hold their own in lieu of team veterans Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton. Players like Christian Vásquez, who just celebrated his 10 years of MLB service time, have been among those players who contributed to the on-field success. Vasquez struggled off and on throughout the season, but over the last seven games has slashed .375/.407/.750. He has come in clutch many games, giving the Twins insurance runs that have been valuable. The first part of the Twins lineup was retired quickly in the top of the first. Willi Castro was first up and got on base first but was stranded after Trevor Larnach, Royce Lewis, and Matt Wallner were victims of in-game outs, stranding Castro. Twins Pitching Keeps It Low David Festa started his sixth game tonight since coming up from Triple-A. Festa has been learning the difference between hitters in the minors and majors, with some hard contact, but he has continued to adapt quickly, and has thrown strikes at a surprising rate. Saturday’s start was no different. The Rangers struck first with a run from Wyatt Langford. Langford got on base right away with a single and was able to advance on the two groundouts from other players before finally scoring on the single from Carson Kelly. Festa struck out the final hitter to close out the inning, giving the Twins a chance to answer, but they went scoreless. The Rangers carried their lead into the fourth, where Eovaldi fell behind Larnach 2-0 and the slugger took advantage, hitting a 403-foot solo home run to get the Twins on the board. Eovaldi continued to battle with players at the plate, running up his pitch count, but managed to prevent more damage. The Rangers answered the same inning after Jonah Heim doubled with two outs, followed by another double from Kelly on a fly ball to center field, scoring Heim. Kelly drove in both runs for the Rangers. Festa saw just one more inning before giving way in the sixth two Henriquez, who didn’t allow a run through his two innings. Twins Keep it Spicy Although Julien struggled at the plate tonight he made some adjustments and hit a single on a curveball to start the eighth. Vázquez followed with a line drive single to center, putting two on with no one out. Eovaldi had a mound visit with Mike Maddux to figure out a strategy to keep the hitters from scoring, but in the next at-bat, Austin Martin singled on a bunted ground ball to Josh Jung. Martin was initially called out on the close play, but Twins manager Rocco Baldelli challenged. New York overturned the call, loading up the bases with no outs. The Rangers brought in veteran reliever David Robertson; however, Castro ripped a single on the first pitch to center field, scoring Julien and Vázquez to put the Twins ahead 4-2. There were still no outs, but it ended quickly with a groundout from Larnach and a strikeout double play from Lewis that had Castro in a pickle, ending the inning. The Twins continued the threat against in the next inning against pitcher Walter Pennington, with Santana getting on base, followed by Max Kepler who has been hitless through this series delivering a line drive double to get Santana on third, bringing Farmer up to bat and one out. The Twins forced the Rangers to make another pitching change to bring in Jose LeClerc to keep the damage low, but instead, Farmer hit a sac fly to center field and Santana got a chance to come home pushing the score 5-2. This is the first win for Henriquez, leaving the Twins 17 games above .500 with their the 70th win this season! It took them until September of last season to get to 70 wins. With the Guardians falling to the Brewers, the division lead is down to two. Interviews What’s next? The Twins wrap up their series with the Rangers tomorrow. Minnesota will send out Pablo Lopez (11-8, 4.67 ERA) who continues to slowly improve, against Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle (0-1, 2.79 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:25PM CT. View full article

A slew of roster moves have plagued the Twins over the past 10 days, yet the twins have forged forward, taking the series from Kansas City, and now face the Texas Rangers who are struggling this season to look like their old selves. Box Score Starting Pitcher: Bailey Ober 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (93 pitches, 63 strikes (68%) Home Runs: Willi Castro (1) Top 3 WPA: Jhoan Durán (.204), Bailey Ober (.160), Jorge Alcalá (.108) Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs) Is it Ober? Bailey Ober has been terrific this season. He instills confidence in the team and its fans, alike. Thursday night, he came out and tried to shake all that confidence, right away. Ober threw 28 pitches, loaded the bases twice, walked in a run, and gave up a sac fly before closing the inning with two runs. The Rangers wouldn't score again. The second inning for Ober went much better, keeping his pitches down and getting out of the inning with some assistance from the defense. No damage was allowed, and retiring the side took only 10 pitches. Ober looked more controlled and calm, compared to the first inning. He's been so consistently efficient this season that, compared to where he has been on the mound, Thursday night was rough. At the end of the third inning, Ober had 54 pitches. The nerviness of the whole thing was out of character, but the results gradually came to match nicely with his other outings. Just Some More RISP The Twins answered Texas's opening volley immediately in the top of the second, with a solo home run from Willi Castro, followed by Kyle Farmer, the next at-bat, who drove one to left-center field and was able to get around the bases for an inside-the-park home run, called a triple due to an error from Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras. Max Kepler made it on base after taking a hit by a pitch to the shin, but was ultimately stranded after back-to-back outs from Austin Martin and Manuel Margot. Twins Daily's winning "Make It Official!" game recaps are sponsored by Official Fried Chicken, which you can find in center field of Target Field. With a name like "Official," we know we have to be the best in the game every day, and from your first bite, you'll know thats a promise we make good on. Both teams sat stagnant, and then there was a glimmer of hope for the Twins. Rangers sent out pitcher Jose Léclerc, and it looked like he would cycle quickly through the hitters, getting two outs right away, one of those being a foul ball off of Matt Wallner's knee, who stayed in but then struck out swinging. That quickly changed, though, as Léclerc walked Carlos Santana with Royce Lewis on deck. During Lewis’s at-bat with a 2-2 count, Santana picked up his fourth stolen base this season, in preparation for what would hopefully be some help from Lewis. Instead, it was another walk, with José Miranda on deck. Miranda battled tough, but unfortunately struck out swinging, bringing the runners left in scoring position for the night up to five, four of those with two outs. One Run and Done...Finally Griffin Jax took over for Ober in the seventh, along with defensive changes. Margot slid over to center field and Wallner took over in left, after pinch-hitting for Martin. It was yet another scoreless inning for Jax, with only one on base, giving the Twins a chance to break out of the tie--only for them to do nothing in the eighth. Jorge Alcala kept the Rangers from scoring any runs, pushing the game into the ninth inning. With both teams unable to move the offensive needle, the battle came down to breaking the tie from the bullpens and who would blink first. Rangers reliever Kirby Yates had one out, a popout from Kepler, before walking Wallner (who then stole second) and Margot. On a wild pitch to Santana that bounced in front of Jonah Heim, Wallner and Margot advanced, putting them in perfect position to score. And Santana, who just fouled off a ball that was nearly a home run, punched a sac fly to right, allowing Wallner to advance and take the lead, making way for Jhoan Durán to close out the game. Duran worked through a long battle with Marcus Semien, but he closed out the game with the Twins winning 3-2, allowing us all to breathe, until tomorrow night. What’s next? The Twins continue the series with the Rangers Thursday this weekend. Tomorrow, the Twins send out Simeon Woods-Richardson (3-3, 3.52 ERA) who continues to slowly improve, against Rangers pitcher Heaney (4-12, 4.05 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. View full article

The simplest standard we can apply to umpires is: let the players determine the outcome of every game. This spring, MLB umpires aren't meeting that expectation. Image courtesy of © Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports No Time for Games Umpires take a lot of flak. It’s understandable. As a baseball fan, it’s almost a rite of passage as a baseball fan to heckle an umpire. This season, it seems almost duly warranted. The umpires have, seemingly, no patience for anyone. Yankees manager Aaron Boone is making a habit of getting the heave-ho, and usually, it’s warranted. Let’s be honest: Boone is a whiner. He has been ejected 35 times since 2018 - the most of any MLB manager. But in the game against the Oakland Athletics on Apr 22, 2024, a fan in the stands was heckling the umpires, and home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt gave no quarter. He immediately blamed Boone, and tossed him. It was the oddest of the ejections thus far this season, but certainly not the only one that raised eyebrows. In the Twins' game against the White Sox on May 1, Byron Buxton attempted to steal second, but during the run, he slowed to a jog with a wince of pain. He passed second base, and as the trainer came out to get him, Buxton felt obvious pain and gingerly walked off the field. As he and trainer Nick Paparesta walked off the field, first-base umpire Rob Drake hollered at Buxton, “Let’s go, hurry up,” and “Get off the field.” Like the Wendelstedt incident, it was an unforced error--an example of poor judgment from men whose entire job is judgment. The umpiring staff has been struggling to keep their composure. On May 4, in the game between the Blue Jays and Washington Nationals, Bo Bichette was frustrated at the plate in the bottom of the fourth, after striking out. Fed up with his own struggles and the team's, Bichette threw his helmet in frustration, and umpire Jonathan Parra immediately ejected him. There seems to be an influx of umpires who are either getting defensive and taking it out on players and coaches or who have legitimate concerns about the structure of the game. The game is already shorter, the bases bigger, and the rules keep changing. Umps face the real and justifiable fear of automated strike-calling, so maybe they are feeling the heat, but their handling of it has been bizarre. The Shrinking Strike Zone One of the fans' favorite things to do in the morning after a game is race to their favorite Twitter handle, Umpire Scorecard, to lament the umpire's job from the night before. The most egregious umpire for detrimental calls is Angel Hernandez, but these days, he's far from alone in having some ugly reports coming in. On May 4, Yankees captain Aaron Judge was at the plate with a 3-2 count, and a pitch came in off the plate outside. Judge assumed that to be a ball, and as he started to take a walk to first, the umpire called strike three. Judge did not like that call, and informed the ump of that. In fact, he made clear what he thought of the entirety of the umpire's game, which earned him and Boone (you guessed it) an ejection. The highlight was people pointing out that former captain Derek Jeter never was ejected in his career, and this ejection was a “quick” response from the umpire. Whether it was or wasn’t, the Umpire didn’t have it, and Judge was ejected. Looking at the ejection, let’s look at the umpire in question. Umpire Ryan Blakney has been around for a few seasons. He’s no Joe West, but he has some tenure and is well-known. This game was low-scoring, highly competitive, and frustrating for both sides, and Blakney was adding fuel to the fire. While his scorecard favored the Yankees lineup, it is evident that he had a rough day behind the plate. Of all the strikes that were called in that game, nine were recorded as strikes and did not even come close to the strike zone. It’s no wonder the teams were frustrated, and that tensions were high. No Solution in Sight... or is there? After reviewing the cards and the grading (which is not official, but it is interesting to look at), the umpires are simply losing control—either of the strike zone or themselves. A tour through the scorecards is a trip. There hasn’t been a change to home plate or the strike zone, but the umpires have undergone a change in attitude and comportment. Now, it cannot be easy to be an umpire, and the Minnesota Twins have had some really good umpires this season. With the exception of a few bad calls, there are much more egregious games out there. There are many ways to track and watch umpires throughout the season; this has been an eye-opening experience. One interesting thing is that the umpires are paid, controlled, and punished by their union, and getting fired for “poor performance” is nearly impossible. There were instances in 2012 and 2007 where repeated offenses of the commissioner's office got two separate umpires suspended for a game, but nothing since then. Poor performance is left up to the union's discretion, and is hard to prove. Yes, even in the case of Hernandez, his lawsuits keep him in the game, which is equally frustrating. There is no set time for robo-umpires, and they may never happen, but it’s clear that the current umpire staff is over-compensating through fear or frustration, making the games frustrating to watch for the fans and frustrating to compete in for the players. While human error is a part of the game, it should include controls and checks and balances for the good of the game. What would that even look like? View full article

Some fans--of the Minnesota Twins themselves, and especially of their rivals--have been dismissive of the team's 10-game winning streak. It's true that they've played bad teams for the last week and a half. Then again, that's the schedule. If the Twins had lost half those contests, the narrative would be how bad they are. So, as they head home to face the Red Sox, it will be a chance to silence the haters and show they have the tools to make it to the postseason. Image courtesy of © David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports The Twins get only two days off in May, and one of them is Thursday. After that, they begin a stretch of 13 games without a day off. The grind begins with a visit from the Red Sox, who are surprisingly sturdy contenders in the AL East. Boston hasn’t had an overly difficult season, but they have struggled against teams like the Guardians and the Orioles, which is a dupe for the Twins' struggles as well. They have injuries, but they also have underrated depth from which they have drawn, and right now, their hitting and pitching are red-hot. Pitchers Duels The Red Sox have suffered some injuries in their pitching staff--namely, Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock, and Nick Pivetta--but it hasn’t stopped them from getting great starting pitching. Their remaining staff all have a .589 winning percentage. Tanner Houck is having the season of his life right now, pitching to a 1.60 ERA in 39 innings. He may be their most effective starter, but their bullpen is not easy to exploit. To beat this team, the Twins' pitching will need to control the strike zone and the hitters. The Twins' pitching staff has been adequate in the past three series, but there are some concerns with the first two starters starting the series. Chris Paddack, set to start Friday, and Pablo López, set to start Saturday, have had some velocity issues in their past starts, which can range from a mere blip to a red flag for injury, The starters will have to set the tone to start the series. Luckily, the Twins have had an effective bullpen. They added a fresh arm with Caleb Boushley Wednesday afternoon to replace Cody Funderburk, who was sent back down to Triple-A. Boushley, a 30-year-old minor-leaguer, has been successful, but something else is needed. He certainly will be a candidate to spare some of the more heavily used middle relievers on the staff, giving Rocco Baldelli multiple innings, which will be much needed. Giving Boston a pitcher they have never seen before could be an excellent strategic move. What matters is that when, Boston’s pitchers are on the mound, the lineup keeps the contact high and the chase rate low. Keep up Contact Hitting Baldelli is infamous for bringing in different hitters to face lefty or righty pitchers, meaning substitutions in the field. There needs to be more consistency in the lineup, as the constant movement of players can disrupt routines, quirks, and mechanics. The boys are having fun toting around a three-pound sausage as a good luck charm (and it’s working), but there was a change in the second White Sox series that has to be picked up before playing Boston. Monday marked the return of Carlos Correa and the demotion of Austin Martin, and while the Twins won the game, they certainly were struggling again at the plate. Correa is undoubtedly glad to be back, but he hasn’t looked very comfortable at the plate. Maybe he's easing in, getting the feeling of the bat again. In Martin's absence, Manuel Margot was aggressive at the plate during the White Sox series, helping secure some runs. Willi Castro looks to be back to himself, Alex Kirilloff is continuing to wreak havoc, and even Kyle Farmer is finding himself at the plate, which is going to be essential to stay ahead of Boston on the scoreboard. The Sox have scored 4.8 runs per game so far in 2024. They're down a couple of big-name regulars, in Trevor Story and Triston Casas, but Tyler O’Neill is answering all their problems. O’Neill has been one of the best hitters in the AL so far, and needs to be controlled at the plate, specifically in the strike zone. O’Neill can destroy the fastball, but he has a whiff rate of 30.4% against off-speed and 40.8% against breaking balls. That is the norm for the Red Sox. They have many extremely hard hitters, but they lack discipline at the plate when it comes to chasing the offspeed stuff. The Twins match up with them well in that way, because only one team in baseball throws fastballs less often than they do. As it happens, it's the Red Sox. The nood news is that the Twins are playing at home. There is nothing like a good home crowd, and the Twins fans have been loud and fervent (if few in number) this season. The atmosphere at Target Field has been electric. Nothing about this series says the team can’t take two of three and continue on through the season and climb in the win column, even against “good” teams. View full article

You know that I didn't think of Margot, I was seeing red over Martin and not Larnach or Miranda.

Dr, you are making me blush!!! Thank you! I am trying to get better. NOW I do know that his fielding could use some work in the aspect that he is in charge down there but struggled a bit with Buck in the field with him, so I for sure am excited to see his growth.

That is quite okay! I knew this was a stretch for some people. For me last night it was evident that his bat was missing. Some say that this is to keep Margot 'trying'...I am not sure how accurate that is! But, I suppose it could be! Martin will absolutely be back and I am so excited for when that is!

fully agree!!! I just miss him!!!

Finally, here at the end of a month that gave them plenty of bad problems, the Minnesota Twins have to navigate a good one. They sent out a rookie who had earned a better fate this week, to make room for a superstar on an increasingly loaded roster. Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports There's no need to rehash the bad start the Twins had, because they have turned it around and the bats are on fire. A large part of that is thanks to rookie Austin Martin, who came up on Mar. 30 and immediately made an impact. Martin was drafted in 2020, and had one of the best bats in the draft. Injuries (plus a developmental detour or two) slowed his ascent to the big leagues, but he came to spring training healthy and ready, and when Royce Lewis got hurt on Opening Day, the club called him up. Martin has been an integral part of the Twins. His bat has been one of the best on the team, driving in six runs and scoring 16 to keep the team above water. While he is not the owner of the sausage, maybe Martin was the magic the team needed, and to see him sent down deserved a moment of reflection. Notably, later call-ups Trevor Larnach and José Miranda stayed put. Neither Miranda nor Larnach have made the impact that Martin has. Miranda certainly made a splash in 2022 when he came up for the Twins, but his 2023 and the start to his 2024 were anything but impactful. Miranda was brought up on Apr. 8, and has been comparable to Martin in the numbers that he has helped drive in, but his at-bats are streaky, with no consistency. There is an argument for Larnach, who certainly has a better batting average, but in the big picture, he doesn’t get on base as much as Martin. Larnach has a .379 batting average, but fewer appearances and fewer at-bats, so he's made less of an absolute contribution. Larnach's RBIs and runs are equal, at seven, and doesn’t have stolen bases or some of the ancillary skills Martin has. Larnach has shown how great he can be in clutch situations, but can’t hit both lefties and righties like Martin can. Martin bats .250 against righties, with only a 21% whiff rate and .167 with a 13.9% whiff rate against lefties. The latter number is ugly, but it would regress upward with time. Larnach is a great hitter; there is no argument there. However, the plate discipline that Martin has is one of the best on the team, and his speed sets him apart from Miranda and Larnach around the bases. He came around to score a staggering 79 percent of the times he reached base during his big-league stint, and while some of the credit for that goes to teammates, his legs deserve to be counted when choosing among fringe options like these. Larnach’s sprint speed is in the bottom half of the league, with Miranda’s speed hanging out slightly above that. Martin has two stolen bases and six doubles on the season. In each of the games where Martin hit into a double, the Twins won. It’s not saying that he is the reason for the win, but his contribution to the team is undeniable in that aspect. Willi Castro and Buxton took a bit to be productive at the plate like Martin was. Martin’s stolen bases equal Buxton and Castro put together. It's the same with doubles and RBIs. Martin’s speed is an absolute necessity on this squad and will be missed. Eventually, Royce Lewis will return to the roster, but that remains far off on the horizon. Until then, perhaps the team feels more comfortable with Miranda defensively than with Martin playing the infield. Still, this move was a bit of a bummer. Being objective as a fan and a writer can be hard at times. Baseball is a business, but it’s also hard to watch the guys to whom fans get attached sent back down or be traded. The good thing is, this is a good problem to have. View full article

There is still no word on Lewis, but I have to think it's getting close??? Because on March 28 it was at LEAST a month. So....I am impatiently waiting. I am HOPING after this Chicago series because May looks atrocious.

Thank you!!!! That means a lot. I am taking more reps to improve! We should NEVER get complacent, ever. I worry about trap games, so I am praying the bats and sausage keep doing what they are supposed to!

While finding out about the sausage has been amazing, I really have enjoyed watching Margot and Santana. I really hope that they keep it moving when the sausage explodes lol. They need one made out of Resin or something!