darwin22

This ^$%$% team. One short week ago tonight, I like many other fans (I'm guessing) just wanted this season to be over. After getting swept by the hapless Royals in KC, my mood was beyond angered. No energy and little sense of urgency by the players, coaching staff and the front office at the trade deadline had me ready to turn all of my Minnesota sports allegiance to the state of affairs of Vikings training camp. So one short week later, what series of events have me (GULP) actually willing to re-invest my heart into this team? 1. Winning 2 of 3 in STL after the KC fiasco. 2. Seeing CLE, despite only being a few games back, seemingly throw the white towel by trading away their best healthy SP (Civale) and jettisoning another quality bat (Josh Bell) at the trade deadline. 3. Witnessing one of the funniest (and stupidest) baseball fights----the welterweight action of Jose Ramirez vs. Tim Anderson last night. This imbecilic brawl will (hopefully) cost Ramirez a 5-game+ suspension. 4. This team finishing off a sweep today against the Snakes. Improbable to say the least with Gallen dealing early and seeing Pagan and Thielbar both give up late runs in their outings. Maybe just maybe what happened in the bottom of the 9th can be a springboard for the last 49 games. Saying that, I'm a realist. Bullpen is thin. Very thin. Buxton is out for an extended period. Who knows when either Kirilloff and Lewis will be back? Correa, despite a key hit today shows little evidence of breaking out of his season long funk. On the flip side----as others have noted---as bad as things have been offensively, who would've predicted the improvements from these 3 hitters 6 weeks ago? 1. Ryan Jeffers: Since July 1st, Jeffers is hitting .385 (20-52) with 5 HRs, 12 RBI and an OPS over 1000 2. Eduardo Julien: Same time frame---since July 1st is hitting .353 (30-85) with a .450+ OBP 3. Max Kepler: Since 7-1: .295 avg (31-105), 7 HRs, 17 RBI with an OPS over 900 This game of baseball is crazy. Twins have 49 games left. This week's 7 game road trip through DET and PHI is crucial. Need to come away with a minimum of 3 wins. The key to this season will be the 13 game stretch (Aug 24-Sept 6) when the Twins face TX and CLE for 13 games....7 vs. TX ( 4 home/ road) and 6 vs. CLE (3 home/3 road) One thing has proven true about this team through 113 games: They are consistently inconsistent. Time to buckle up to see what happens and maybe have some fun over the next 8 weeks. Its just a game...right?

Living here in the KC area for the last 20 years as a lifelong Twins fans, I'm often asked why I don't travel 20 minutes down I-70 to watch a game/series. This weekend explains why. Just a horrible performance from everyone involved.

Rising whiff number is up to 1088 after last night. Average of 10.36 whiff per game puts Twins on pace to shatter the Cubs record (1596/set in 2021) with a total of 1679. Brutal.

smh, but you're absolutely right. Lopez is a mess. Moran seldom has any command. Hopefully, Thielbar (soon) and Stewart (within 2 weeks) can return to solidify our pen, which could move Pagan back into a 6th-7th inning role.

With 13 more whiffs today---Twins have crested the "1000 mark"----now at (1002) after 98 games, for an average of 10.22 Ks per game. Team on pace----with Buxton and Gallo leading the way-------with 64 games remaining to set the MLB record for most team whiffs on the season. At current rate, Twins will finish with 1656 K's which would shatter the 2021 record of the Cubs who whiffed 1596 times.

Pretty predictable outcome facing SEA SP Kirby. Pablo Lopez sure isn't doing much to limit the constant criticism of trading Arraez away. He was lucky to escape with only 2 runs allowed. At what point does management come to Buxton to move him to IL? 0 for last 26. Just brutal. Jorge Lopez has become Pagan. Ugly. Any timetable on return of Thielbar? Brock Stewart? They are both desperately needed back healthy and effective. Time to erase this game and get a series win vs. White Sox.

Travel day back from Chicago after and 11-day/ 8 game baseball experience courtesy of Jay Buckley Tours (based out of LaCrosse, WI). Considering the last 2 days, I had zero interest in checking a Twins score, but was hopeful (stupid me) Ryan would have a solid start & bats would wake up. Wrong on both accounts. Glad to miss Rocco's postgame presser. Can't believe he found ANYTHING positive after ANOTHER lackluster day at the plate in addition to Twins pitchers doing their best impersonation of some of the horrendous games by Twins pitchers in the 90s. Not much to add to another depressing day, but a a few numbers that (warning alert) that don't inspire confidence heading into the 2nd half: 1. When you score 2 runs or less nearly 40% of the the time (39.5 %)----36 of 91 games-----you aren't going to win anything, let alone a playoff game. 2. When you have a winning % of .431 since May 1st---(28-34)----you're not heading in the right direction. 3. Even if the schedule makers helped out the Twins by giving them 6 more against KC (9-1 on year) that wont help. Twins are a dismal 36-45 against everyone except the Royals. Stupid me--part 2-------I AM hopeful that our #5 pick will become an impact player for years to come.

For those who didn't see the game today, I had the good fortune to give a 1st hand account as I was at Camden Yards today with a tour group (Jay Buckley Tours out of LaCrosse, WI) of around 40, which included a good number of Twins fans. This game, as most would agree, was a microcosm of the Twins "Ground Hog" 2023 season: 1. Get a very good/excellent performance from our SP. Gray looked very good today. I was most impressed by him keeping his pitch count down this afternoon. I think he got through innings 1-4 with only 49 pitches. His pitch count climbed over his last two innings on a very warm and humid day in Baltimore. Got to give him a lot of credit. He battled all day long and deserved better. 2. Fail to deliver in key spots with RISP Jeffers whiff with bases loaded seemed to give Cole Irvin (and his 7.18 ERA) confidence. 3. Continued failure to make adjustments hitting throughout the lineup. I personally counted 8 lazy fly balls or pop ups against Irvin over the first 5 innings. Other than those things, I was encouraged by the ABs (early in the game) from Buxton & Correa. In first inning, Buxton absolutely crushed a bomb to right center field at least 375ft plus that Mullins made an amazing catch against the wall. That ball drops, Solano would've scored from first base. Buxton walked in his 2nd AB and lined a clean single to LF in the 5th. Correa started game with a hard hit single to LF than hit an absolute roped line drive to Hicks in the top f of the 2nd. Understood Baldell's decision to go with Duran in the 8th. Got unlucky when Rutschman's dribbler--hit maybe 30 feet up first base line (with an exit velo of 25mph) resulted in an infield hit. Santander followed with the key AB of the game. After getting behind 1-2 in his AB, Santander worked the count to 3-2 then fouled off two pitches before lining a single to CF on the 9th pitch of his AB. Now sitting at 21 pitches in the 8th with only 1 out, Aaron ^#$# Hicks came back to haunt Twins again with a softly hit single--again with two strikes to tie the game. If not for a great stop by Kirilloff on a rocket off the bat of Mullins---the Orioles would've taken the lead. As we all know now Duran was human and forced in the go ahead run on his HB. Witnessing this loss IN PERSON was no worse than the countless other games that have gone a similar route. Seriously pleased though I dont have to see another exhibition of this putrid offense for the remainder of our trip. Onto New York tomorrow night followed by a July 4th afternoon tilt at Fenway then a full afternoon at Cooperstown on Wednesday. Have that to look forward to, but also hoping Twins can somehow find a way to win upcoming series vs. KC.

Great W today and hoping to personally see another victory tomorrow as the tour group I'm currently traveling with will be in Baltimore for the series finale. Tomorrow will be Day #3 (of 11) on Jay Buckley tour. Started at Wrigley yesterday and witnessed the Brewers win a slugfest today at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. For those not aware, Jay Buckley Tours are in their 41st year. They are based out of LaCrosse, WI and offer around 25 different trips this season. Major bummer to hear of Lewis' injury/IL placement. Hopefully Miranda will use this opportunity to prove he belongs on the active roster.

It was once said, "Losing is a disease....as contagious as polio" A healthy Roy Hobbs wouldn't help this team as he'd have been traded in the offseason or would be stuck in AAA.

Losing 3 of 4 to a +10 games under .500 divisional opponent without ANY quality starting pitching leaves me: 1. Frustrated to say the least 2. Angry to be understated but most of all........ 3. Indifferent: I'm done with investing any amount of time and energy into this team. Where's the leadership? Does this team have any fire/guts? I sure don't see it from anyone top down from the front office to the coaching staff and to the players.

Putting in perspective how BAD this offense is--consider the following MLB ranks by our pitching staff through 70 games, which doesn't include the 2-0 shutout "W" today, which pushed our record to a less than dazzling 36-35. ERA: 3. 23---3rd/ only behind Astros and Rays Quality Starts: 34/ Tied for 3rd with TOR/ Trail SEA and HST by 1 Fewest HR's allowed: 70/ Tied for 4th with TX. CHC & TB. SEA 1st at 65 Fewest BB allowed: 199/ Tied for 4th with Dodgers K's: 666/ 2nd--trail TOR for 1st place by 5 Lowest Opponents Batting Avg: .229/ Tied for 2nd with Yankees/ Rays pitching staff #1 at .224 WHIP: 1.18/ Rank-1ST! These ranks are even more incredible considering they include the pitfalls (being nice) of the Pagan Sacrifice (4.06 ERA in 31 IP) and Lopez (5.00 ERA in 27 IP).

Yes, the WHIFFS continue at an epic rate. 11 more today solidifies our #1 rank in MLB. Now at 728. Average of 10.25 whiffs per game. With 91 games left------Twins batters (cant call them hitters) are on pace for 1661, which would shatter the 2021 record of 1596 by the Cubs.

I was NOT advocating for Maeda over Varland. Saying that, I see the front office wanting/hoping Maeda can regain his form as a SP so they could then use him as trade bait to bolster the bullpen. I want Varland in the rotation, but he's got to pitch better/get deeper in games.

Echoing a few of the comments on today's W: 1. As long as Ober can limit HR damage to solo shots while having excellent command (only 1 walk), he's looking like a dependable rotation piece for years to come. 2. Next 4 home games against DET are crucial! Need to win 3 of 4. DET pitching "should be" gassed with a dh this afternoon. My understanding is that they plan to throw 2 LH SP's (Boyd and Wentz) with the other 2 being "bullpen" games. With Gray, Ryan and Lopez lined up to pitch tomorrow, Friday and Sunday---I like our chances. 3. What is the status of Varland getting the start Saturday? He's had 2 rough starts in a row. Is Maeda lined up to get recalled to start Saturday? 4. Will say this very quietly----Its nice to see Correa's bat start to wake up! If we have ANY hope of playing meaningful games in September and possibly into October-------WE NEED CORREA to produce! 8 RBI by C4 in his last 5 games. It took Correa 18 games to produce 8 RBI (May 11 thr June 7th) 5. See previous point----very quietly, its nice/wonderful seeing Griffin Jax return to his form of 2022! 10 scoreless appearances since May 9th. 9.2 IP over that span with zero walks and 12K's. Keep it going Griffin! 6. Finally, just asking: Any projection of Buxton's return date from IL? As with Correa------we NEED Buxton producing (starting up would be welcome) if we hope to win this division.

I totally agree with your assessment. The biggest thing that can't be ignored is the FACT that Polanco has made 5 trips to the IL since June 2022. As much as I (and many others) like Polanco we can't wish him back into the consistent hitter/ run producer he was. He has played a grand total of 30 games this season. My question to you (and others) centers on his "vested" option for 2024. Are the Twins mandated to pick up his $10.5m salary if he plays in 100 games? If that is the case then Polanco has some work to do. 94 games left to play. The earliest Polanco can return from IL is June 19, which reduces games remaining to 89. As a result, if I'm understanding his "vesting option" for 2024---Polanco would have to play in 70 of 89 games (78.7%) for the rest of the season. What happens with this "vesting option" if Polanco plays in fewer than 100 games? Can they just walk away from him? Not saying I'm in support of that--just need some clarification.

Excellent list of other Twins OFers that were very good players! I would like to add 1 other OFer that many have forgotten about: Bobby Darwin Darwin was my favorite player as a young fan growing up in northeast Iowa in the early to mid 1970s. Although not in the territory of Hisle or Bostock, I'd argue that during his 3 years as the starting RFer for the Twins (1972-74) he put up good numbers. GP: 147 average 72-74 AB: 1648/ 549 per season Hits: 430 AVG: .261 (respectable for the time) EBH: 129 over those 3 seasons which included 65 HRs....just under 22 avg per season RBI: 264/ 88 avg per season which was excellent for some very mediocre Twins teams. K: Averaged 136 per season, which was high for that era. Today, he'd fit right into this lineup Darwin started in the Dodgers system in the early 60s, then disappeared for a number of years before pitching a few innings in 1969. Came to Twins in 1971 then was full time starter before getting traded to Brewers in 1975. Wondering if Darwin is the answer to the following question? I seem to remember he became only 2nd hitter (Killebrew was the only other) to hit a HR into the 2nd deck at Metropolitan Stadium. Intended for the memory of "old time" Twins fans. Is that correct?

Your #5 remark regarding Pagan: I'd venture a strong guess that the vast majority of fans "tuned out"/ "turned away" from game with Pagan entering. To clarify point in earlier post, this was the 1st game Pagan pitched in with the Twins holding a lead since his nuclear meltdown in LA on May 17th. Not seeing a large number of fans defending the decision to bring him in, but there's a BIG REASON why he doesn't pitch in these high leverage situations. Plain and simple, he chokes! I could care less about his 7 effective appearances between May 17- June 6th as they were all LOW LEVERAGE situations (Twins trailing by 1+ runs). Pagan IS the modern day version of Ron Davis. Twins have jettisoned other RPs that failed-----Joe Smith, Addison Reed and others------what makes Pagan the exception? Is it really an ego thing with Falvey and the front office? Admitting your mistake and DFA Pagan immediately.

Understatement of year, but a gut punch loss. Those being honest had to see this coming with the "Pagan Sacrifice" coming in to pitch the 8th with a 2-run lead. I don't care that Pagan had recent success as this was his 1st appearance since May 17th (remember that game against the Dodgers) when he went walk--walk to force in tying run followed by 1st pitch grand slam to Outman). With an OFF DAY tomorrow, I have to ask why Stewart wasn't brought in? I know he pitched Friday with around 20 pitches and appeared yesterday, but only threw 1 pitch. Anyway, back to the Pagan Sacrifice. Can't put Kirk away ahead 1-2 in count--line drive single to right. Gets ahead of Espinal (8-hole hitter) 0-1 and then gets ripped for another single. The inevitable then happened. Falls behind 2-0 to Biggio (hitting .186 entering game) and throws a center-cut fastball-----------BOOM!! There goes the game. When will Falvey have the guts to admit the acquisition of Pagan has been a colossal failure? 7 blown saves last year before being pulled from closer role and now his 2nd BSBV this year. For those wondering, this is only the 5th game that Pagan appeared in with the Twins holding a lead. His pitching line: 4.0 IP/ 10 hits/ 7 ER for a tidy mess of a 15.79 ERA Saying all that-------Varland is also responsible for this loss. Given a 6-1 lead entering the 5th, you have to get through that inning. Yes, there should've been a DP without any runs scoring, but those plays happen. What can't happen with 2-outs and a 6-2 lead is hanging a slider to Chapman on a 2-2 count.

For as much criticism as I've reaped on Correa and Kepler this season, I will give each their "necessary props" for delivering clutch and crucial hits today! Nice work boys! As veterans of this team it would be awesome to see this game to be a springboard to good days ahead. With Buxton out for a long period, Polanco back to the IL and Gallo needing time to rehab at SP---your bats are desperately needed to support our strong pitching! Very good job today. Thank you

Unlike others, I had every opportunity to watch the game, but opted not to for a multitude of reasons, but namely my desire to maintain positive mental health. Great to see losing streak end. Saying that a couple of questions anyone wishing to answer: 1. Why was Gray pulled after 5 IP with his pitch count at only 76? 2. Not easy to answer, but have to ask: Why on earth would Baldelli insert (AAAA) Garlick into the 3- hole, while Lewis is stuck hitting 7th? What has Garlick done (other than NOT being Kepler) to be in spot when he was 3-19 (.158) against LH pitching BEFORE the game started? With his 0-2 against Kikuchi (down to .143 with an abysmal SLG %) how long must we endure him on this team while Wallner continues to RAKE at SP? One other question---that I'd appreciate anyone answering: What is the number of plate appearances that Polanco needs to reach for his 2024 vesting option of $10.5m to require Twins to bring him back? Twins are already locked into nearly $70 million next season for 5 players---Correa, Buxton, Vazquez, P. Lopez and Paddack. I've been a strong Polanco fam for years, but with his continued injuries and other/cheaper alternatives he'll be brought back.

Nick: Very good analysis of the woes of this team. After reading your story I was interested in researching how the "lack of significant HRs," especially over the last month plus has cratered this offense. I couldn't find an easy way to research this so I reviewed the box scores of all 63 games played. Going into today the Twins were tied for 8th (with SF) at 78 HRs. The (meaningless) solo shots today has team to 80 HRs. My math might be a tad off, but I found a few interesting things: 1. To nobody's surprise----zero, nada, zilch of the 80 HRs have come with the bases loaded. I would guess that the Twins are one of a small number of teams that hasn't hit 1 grand salami all year. 2. All 7 of Correa's HRs have been solo shots. Zero with anyone on base.....ALL SEASON!. Heck, even Kepler has two 2-run HRs. 3. Of our 80 HRs....47 have been with nobody on base, which is almost 60% of the time. To be precise, 58.8% of HRs have been solo dingers. 4. 25% of HRs (20) have been 2-run HRs. Only 1 of those this month courtesy of Lewis. 5. The Twins have hit thirteen 3-run HRs on the season (16%), of which 9 came in April when the Twins stood at 17-12 at the end of the month. Gallo and Buxton each hit three 3-run bombs in April. Since May 1st, Buxton has none and Gallo has one. Larnach had two in May. Team has a total of 4 since May 1st. Not sure how our 60% solo HR rate compares to other teams, but I'd venture when you combine our HIGH whiff rate--#1 in MLB at 641 with our poor OPS (.708/ rank 22nd), its no surprise to this die hard fan (since the early 70s) that THIS TEAM AS PRESENTLY CONSTRUCTED is destined for ANOTHER sub .500 record. My interest/investment of this team is waning. I'm sure that includes many fans on this site.

Wallner update since his demotion on May 29th (As most know this was after Wallner went 6-6 over his last 2 games prior to being sent to AAA) Games played: 8 AVG: .424 (14-33) EBH: 9......5 doubles, 1 triple and 3 HRs RBI: 12 Total Bases: 30 Slug Pct: .909 I could possibly/maybe understand Wallner toiling away at AAA if Max Kepler resembled ANYTHING close to an average MLB hitter. That is NOT the case as evidenced by Kepler's performance over that same eight game span: GP: 8 AVG: .115 (3-26), which includes 7 K's and 1 BB EBH: Take a wild guess? ZERO! RBI: 1 (same number as Correa--in his last 10 games) Total Bases: 3 Slug Pct: same as his average--an unsightly .115

Trying to maintain positive mental health, I must admit I didn't watch the entirety of the game. A few remarks after tonight's edition of Ground Hog Day. 1. Another solid/excellent SP start (Lopez owed the team this) wasted. 2. 5 runs scored in last 5 games. 3. 5th games this season that fell into the "L" column when our pitchers allowed 2 runs or less. 4. Last 20 games: W-L record of 8-12. Since May 15th Number of games scoring 3 runs or less: 12/ W-L record: 1-11 Games scoring 4+ runs= 8/ W-L record: 7-1 5. Question asked: Is this the worst offensive version of Correa's career right now? Answer: YES! His last 10 games----continue to mirror his inept bat all season. 8-37 (.216) 3 doubles, 0 HRs, 6 BB's and 1....yes..... 1 RBI over that span with a .297 slug %. If he's injured----there's a BIG DIFFERENCE between pain and injury---then put him on IL and move Lewis to SS in the interim with Farmer going to 3B. That would allow for Wallner's recall to move Kepler to the bench....where he belongs.

Answer: In Buffalo--mashing for the Saints! Since his demotion to activate Kepler (insert sigh) all Wallner has done is: Hit .423 over his last 6 games (11-26) with 26 total bases in 26 AB's. A slug % of 1000 is pretty decent. Wallner has 10 RBI over those 6 games.