Doctor Gast

DET just took the lead 2-1 over CLE

I never said anything about not swinging hard or about not hitting HRs. I said the focus cannot be on hitting HRs. on every pitch. Of course, when a pitcher gives you a pitch to hit you take it long. I never said that the Twins' focus is on small-ball, contrary I said they are slow at it. I said that small ball should be their focus. Where do you guys come up with this? Below is some quote from report from his player meeting. April 6, 2024 Baldelli has said as much repeatedly over the past several days: He feels the Twins need to simplify and shorten up their approach from the beginnings of at-bats in pressure situations, and not just in two-strike counts. “Free swinging with guys in scoring position, generally not the way to go,” Baldelli said. “Again, you may run into one over the course of the game and get a big swing. But it's going to be a lot of rougher at-bats when you're going out there like that.” Perhaps in an indication of the league’s adjustment to the Twins’ approach, they entered the day seeing the third-lowest fastball percentage in MLB as a team with runners in scoring position and carrying the fourth-highest swing-and-miss rate as a team in those situations. They’re swinging and missing at a whopping 47.4% of offspeed and breaking pitches in such at-bats. SEA & MN were very similar teams offensively with the same approach, top in the league hitting HRs & Ks. Both entered the season doubling down with their approach. Early in the season fans were calling for Popkin's head because of their terrible offensive production start. Baldelli quickly pivoted & brought us out of the skid, sending Wallner then later Julien to reset at AAA. SEA held firm to their approach & are still suffering. There is nothing mystical about it, you just change your focus. Our HRs are slightly down but we have cut way back on Ks. Providing success to this season.

For me, Judge is a comp for Jenkins. Judge is more than a slugger, he hits for average. I like that Jenkins is developing as a hitter 1st. Once that's firmly established then we can look for HRs.

If you actually read my texts before you see my name & slam the "thumbs down". I had stated before basically better ABs, that means going deeper in counts, making contact & getting clutch hit not striking out due to trying to hit HRs. If you want more specific you better talk to Baldelli.

I credit Baldelli for finally changing the hitting approach after the start of the season when it was obvious that the old one wasn't going to cut it. They are slow but they are finally trying to improve our base running & small ball. Finally, they've improved our CF substitution defense after years of suffering with Cave. Finally, they improved our SS defense after years of Polanco suffering with his ankles. We finally got Vazquez to bolster our defense-catching position. At our premium defense positions, I wish the Twins were more proactive instead of not seeing our need until it's an obvious shambles. How many GG prospects do we have waiting in the wings when these pass on? At 1B & RF they are very defensively proactive, positions where they need not be & production has to be the focus.

IMO with a tight payroll, the Twins will have to walk a tightrope. Kikuchi is a veteran presence but has that helped TOR, IMO just the fact he's a LHSP doesn't normally move the needle. He does add depth & innings but can we do that cheaper? The ruling factor should be if the Twins think that they can transform him into a top-tier SP going into the postseason

I think a lot of fans went to the game to see Harper, Turner & co. play not to see a Twins' win. But everyone was surprised with a great Twins performance. Harper had been impressed with Ober in spring training & Ober was impressive again last night. Sands was impressive in long relief that helped save the BP. Hats off to the Twins for a very impressive win. Go Twins

IMO Twins' post "juice ball" game plan was hit HRs; don't focus on defense, base running, bunting, or hit & run; don't worry about SOs. Especially now when the whole league has the book on this game plan. This game plan no longer if ever works. The true game plan should be the opposite- should be instead, good ABs (don't strike out & clutch hitting), focus on small ball & don't worry about HRs.

Paxton is an expensive back-of-the-rotation piece that LAD doesn't want. IMO Varland is a better spot start/ long relief candidate because he's cheap, has proven himself in that role & IMO it's better to invest in our future as we are competing now.

I'm sure that if Dodgers are looking to unload a player, Falvey would be the 1st he'd call. I hope they resist.

The Twins came into the series short-handed. But got swept by MIL by them playing small ball, hit & run, stealing bases, defense, bunting & hitting in the clutch. The Twins didn't. The Twins could have easily swept MIL.

We need clutch hitting from everybody. But to answer your question about the all-star performance in the 2nd half? Have to believe Pablo & Duran will turn it around, Correa is always a 2nd half guy so once plantar fasciitis is behind him look out. Lewis & Miranda will mash when they get back they have to be candidates. Expect the same from Buxton which is a very good upgrade, the same for Castro. The young guys will surprise when given the opportunity. Expect the same quality performance from Jax. Alcala & Staumont will continue to pitch great if managed properly.

Baldelli pinch-hitting Margot, IMO is him just obeying orders sent down. To put Margot in every time there is a LHP.

We need more clutch-hitting, Single HRs don't do it.

Now that takes the cake. Margot PH against RHP

How was that not fan interference?

come on Twins let's go

AA is the test. See if he can make the adjustments.

Lopez pitched a good game against a good team. On that CS, Pablo threw a perfect pitch to put Jeffers in the perfect position to make the throw down to 2B, Jeffers throw was on target & Castro laid down a perfect tag. W/o the great cooperation of all 3 there'd be no CS. Last nite was a perfect example of our need of Varland in long relief that I've been advocating all season. Before the All-star break our pitching staff (rotation & BP) were showing signs of fatigue. Our 1st game into the 2nd half has already put a lot stress on our BP. It's time to chuck TB's strategy of 1 inning-relief dependence. We need our BP & rotation, especially Paddack rested ready to pitch quality innings. Last nite was a heart-breaker

I've seen a lot of positives from Julien. #1 fewer SOs, I believe that is his main focus. Because of that I don't expect many HRs until he really feels comfortable with his new approach on the MLB level. #2 I've been a big critic of Julien's defense at 2B. & I haven't seen anything to support his improvement until yesterday. He got a good jump on a GB & showed good range while completing a play. So I congratulate him on a job well done on the fruits of his efforts.

Oh my

Great play by Julien

Pablo helped out a lot on that CS.

Pablo looked zoned in. Go Twins

As I stated before I suffered from plantar fasciitis a short time ago. As I tried to keep up my walking the pain became excruciating. I could hardly stand. I can't fathom how Correa was able to play through it. I relinquished my walking for 2 days & got extra cushioned insoles. After that, my pain went away w/o any other treatment except my own of cold, hot, stretching & massages. Correa suffers much more impact on his heels to where he has contusions. Although rest, extra cushion for his heels & treatment can do wonders, IDK if it'd be enough to combat totally the problem. My advice is the same as I have for Buxton, if he's not good enough to play the field, he's not good enough to DH. Because Correa's hitting suffers more from this than his fielding. So instead of putting him at DH, just rest him. His willingness to seek rest instead of plowing through it. Encourages me that he's on the right track.