darwin22

I know this sounds "old school," but after Rosario's blatant disregard to stop at 3B on double by Rooker, Baldelli should've benched him. Yeah, I know he got 2 hits in his last 2 ABs that produced 2 runs, but this kind of "I'm gonna do what I want attitude" is not putting the TEAM first. Eddie wants to be put Eddie first. It shows not only in his ABs---wild 1st pitch swings trying to yank the ball 600 ft., but in his defense/throws. Although it didn't cost Twins a base after Greiner's single to bring DET within 1 run, but he had NO CHANCE to throw runner out at home. This was a perfect example of Eddie putting Eddie first. Pretty much any other runner would've taken 2B on his wild throw home. Say what you want about Rosario's hitting, but prior to his last 2 hits, he was in a 5-30 slump with 1 HR and 2 RBI over his last 11 games. The time has come for Falvey to TRADE Rosario in offseason for additional bullpen help or and more importantly a RH bat that can play a corner OF position. As for the last 18 games of the season, our veterans--Cruz and Donaldson--need to show some leadership and pull Rosario aside and remind him his SELFISH play will not be tolerated. This needs to be done "asap" as its pretty apparent that Rocco doesn't have the cajones to do it himself.

A few observations from watching both wins today: 1. Does our lineup vs, LH pitching miss Garver and then now departed Schoop and Cron that much? It sure appears so as we've been collectively atrocious all season. Doesn't help when Baldelli is forced to playing Cave (4 for 27 vs. LH) with Kepler out. Saying that, Kepler is even worse this year going 4-36..111 avg. 2. Getting JD back adds a huge dimension to this team thats been lacking all season. I know only a couple of games...knock on wood....but he adds a presence that nobody else does, even Cruz. His walk in the 8th was crucial. He grinded that AB out after getting to 2 strikes. His defense is Gold Glove. 3. Nice to see Marwin Gonzalez break out from his horrendous slump...3 for his last 32...with hits in his last 2 ABs. Hope his game-winning RBI is what he needed to get his swing back. We need him as I cannot stand to see Adrianza in the lineup. 4. I know we came back to win, but is just me not understanding Baldelli's decisions with his bullpen its a close game? I've lost track of how many times Rocco has reached into his pen trailing by a run or two and goes with our #9 or #10 RP. First it was the awful experience with Lewis Thorpe. Today, I'm sorry, but I saw no reason why Sean Poppen was the BEST CHOICE to protect a 1-run lead in the 3rd inning. Yes, Poppen got the 8&9 hitters out, but made a bad 1-2 pitch to Reyes for a single. What does Rocco do? Of course, leave him in. Although Rooker butchered the ball hit by Schoop into a triple to tie the game, even if Rooker plays it safer, its 1st and 3rd with Miggy coming up. No reason to let a rookie continue in that situation. This is not our 40th game in a 162-game season Rocco!! I'm so tired of Baldelli appearing to just "wave the white towel" in games that are within reach of victory by keeping our least talented RPs in the game. I know Thielbar worked out of a big jam after that, but at 35+ pitches with 2 runners on, allowing him to continue, was just bad managing.

I don't think so, but his sample size is pretty small. Saying that, he's nowhere as good defensively as Avila, Jeffers or Garver. It really won't matter much as I'm sure he's optioned to alternate site tonight since he was only called today for DH.

This team is in a complete free fall and I'm getting real sick and tired of the "oh well, we'll get em tomorrow" philosophy of Baldelli. I also fault players throughout the lineup, mainly our hitters as they continue to fail to produce runs. A grand total of 12 runs since leaving KC last Sunday over our last 5 games. I'm sure others will disagree, but this offense, albeit an occasional good game from Kepler, Rosario or Sano has been MIA all season with the exception of Cruz. I know only a shapshot, but after 2 days off...2 days off.....our hitters combined to go 8-47 today (.170) with 10 whiffs and only 1 walk drawn. I'm sure Falvey and Levine will sit idly by as the trade deadline passes without making ANY KIND OF MOVE to upgrade the OBVIOUS HOLES on this team. Its just the Twins way. As is, signing over the hill FA's and getting nothing from them. Yes, JD..I'm talking to you.