stringer bell

First win for the Twins when they scored two or less runs.

Had a day off on Wednesday as I recall.

You'd rather see Thielbar in there? It doesn't matter which way the hitters hit, I'd rather see Jax in a game situation.

Now I suppose Durán gets the ninth.

The bullpen with inherited runners has been brutal, but Jax has been their best pitcher all year.

I didn't see the play live, but I will say that Kepler does not run the bases with aggression. He is conservative to the point where one would think he is a slow runner. Last year at a crucial point, he didn't take second on a supposed double steal and I've seen several times when he is in cruising speed when there would be a chance to take an extra base. That said, Kepler makes few overt mistakes on the bases. I don't know if it is a function of trying to avoid injury or if he is just wired that way.

I think Buxton will give it a try by September 1. If not him, then whoever gets sent down when Lee is activated (Martin or Julien). Josh Winder might be up before the first of the month. If not him, Varland makes sense.

Maybe when Winder's 15 days are up......

I think Martin is the only one of those three that I would consider trading. Julien and Kirilloff both are at a low point in their value, much like Miranda and Larnach were last year. Martin has shown he isn't awed by the majors, but he hasn't established himself. All three of those guys are young enough to expect they will get better.

Agree. I was going to remark that his time in the minors was principally at shortstop. It doesn't give him experience getting jumps and setting up to make throws among other things. Martin has plenty of speed to be a good outfielder and I don't think his arm disqualifies him from center. He just hasn't played out there enough to make the right decisions and be fundamentally sound.

To expand further on the topic that has been here all year, the "training wheels" have been on all of the purely left handed hitters all season. Even Kepler has been shielded from lefties by riding the bench when a left handed starter is on the mound. It's probably too late for any left handed hitter to show they belong in the game against a lefty reliever (except Kepler). This was the decision that was made early in the year. I don't agree with the decision necessarily. We're going to see Margot, Farmer and Miranda hit for Larnach, Wallner and Julien. In the heat of a late August pennant chase it makes sense. The three left handed hitters haven't shown they can do damage against left handed pitching, although most of that is from lack of opportunity.

The Twins had a huge insurance run on third with less than two outs. Farmer is the better bet to bring in that run against a left handed pitcher. Wallner might be the better candidate for a big fly, but the low BA and high K rate make it more doubtful that he would get the run in. I presume you mean Vázquez?

My opinion: Floor--major league bench player. Ceiling--major league regular, but not a star.

It appears to me that Austin Martin has graduated to the major league level this year and that is good for him. However, I see a pretty limited upside. First and foremost, he plays two positions acceptably--second base and left field--not exactly the most vital defensive positions. He's played quite a bit of center field and he's definitely below average there. Secondly, as an offensive player, Martin lacks power. He has one homer in 214 plate appearances, although the 14 doubles and a triple give him an acceptable 16 extra base hits in those PAs. He's fast, but not a burner who can change a game or an inning solely by getting on first. Martin's throwing arm has been regarded as below average, limiting him to second base on the infield and precluding him from playing right field in the outfield. It makes center field more of a stretch as well. I don't know if his arm can or will improve, but I do know that making accurate throws (hitting the cutoff man etc.) makes up for a lot of not having a cannon like Matt Wallner. I think injuries and lack of experience have hindered Martin's development, particularly as a defender, and that with better angles and fundamentals most of his rough spots as an outfielder can be polished up. With gradual improvement as an offensive player and notable defensive steps, Martin could be much better next year and step into a role where he gets regular playing time, perhaps being the alternative for Byron Buxton in center field as well as getting playing time in both left and second. I don't foresee stardom unless both his defense and offense have another gear.

Why add him? He wasn't claimed last year and he's a year older. I don't know if the Twins will be able to keep Keirsey at AAA or if he can become a minor league free agent. I would assume that if he can become a free agent, he'll look for a better opportunity.

No W for the Fever.

I wonder if the extra day of rest helped Pablo. I know the Twins would like to use their best starters as much as possible, but even the best pitchers seem to benefit from extra rest and fewer pitches these days.

It looks very much like Friday/Saturday will be a wash as far as the Central is concerned. Phils up 8-2, Guards all over Texas and the Twins in control 6-0. Everybody goes 1-1.

Great catch!!😒

Chief must not be here.......plate appearance.

He did.....quite well.

If you want to score on a grounder, you have to get a good jump. Getting picked off can happen if everything goes wrong. If you're too cautious, then it doesn't pay to have the contact play on.

Public Address, Personal Assistant, Physician's Assistant.

Let's go blue!

Wallner makes contact!