stringer bell

The Reds added Hunter Renfroe and Harrison Bader with waiver claims and those additions have not worked. They’ve combined for 10 hits in 70 at-bats, one homer and seven RBI. Renfroe was DFAed today and Bader placed on IL.

Final from KC: Royals 6 Guardians 4. Magic number is 5.

Don't forget Ian Hamilton of the Yankees. I would say that it happens. The Twins picked up Brock Stewart and out of nowhere, he put up outstanding numbers until being sidelined. None of these guys are youngsters--Hamilton is 28, Cano is 29, Coulombe is 33 and Gibaut is 29. Something clicks for guys and most times it doesn't last.

I can't see Royce finishing in the top three in ROY with under 70 games played. I also doubt Sonny Gray gets #2 in Cy Young as a result of his ERA, but he has been outstanding this season.

If you're like me, you haven't seen the Cincinnati Reds play a lot of baseball in 2023. What I (and you, dear reader) do know is that they are a surprise contender for a Wild Card in the National League, and that their success has been fueled by ex-Twin farmhands Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (we'll call his CES going forward). The Reds started slow, but have played better and better as the season has gone along. Speer has been an everyday player, starting the season at third base, but transitioning to first base and left field. He's had a breakout season and certainly should get lots of votes for Rookie of the Year. Speer has over 100 more plate appearances than the second-most frequent Reds hitter and he's put up very good numbers--22 homers, 81 RBI, an OPS over .800 and even 14 stolen bases. It appeared that Speer was blocked by a similar player in the Twins' system (Jose Miranda), but he's produced this year while Miranda had a lost season and may well never be a regular for the Twins. CES was recalled at mid-season and has hit decently (105 OPS) while splitting his time between first base and DH. The Reds are a young team, with Jake Fraley and Nick Senzel (both 28) being the oldest position players to play regularly. That doesn't count Joey Votto, who has been dogged by injuries and is hitting .202, but has played in only 56 games so far this year. The Reds are fifth in the NL in runs scored, while eighth in homers. They are #1 in the National League in stealing bases. Reds' pitching looks uninspiring. They are 12th in the NL in runs allowed and ERA. It looks like they will have no pitchers who qualify for the ERA championship (the Twins did that last year). Hunter Greene, who the Twins passed over to select Royce Lewis, has had injuries and control issues, but has fanned 129 in 97 innings. The bullpen is led by closer Alexis Diaz, who has a 2.10 ERA, 84 Ks in 64 innings and 37 saves. Two guys who actually pitched for the Twins have contributed to the bullpen, Ian Gibaut leads the Reds in bullpen appearances, has a 3.07 ERA and nine victories. Derek Law is 4-6 with a 3.86 ERA and has been used a couple times as an Opener. It should be fun to see how the Twins stack up against Cincy. It is a given that they'll be going all-out as they sit a half game out of the last Wild Card.

I thought that with Cleveland playing “red hot” Texas, that the Twins might clinch in Cincinnati. It doesn’t look that way now. The Cincinnati series should be fun and some measure of where the Twins stack up versus a team in the hunt for postseason.

It's never too early for the fan base to discuss next year. It is too early for the front office to make center field decisions, but it would be criminal if the front office isn't making tentative plans for the position in 2024. Given what we've learned in 2023--that a seeming overabundance of depth is much more necessary than it would appear--I expect the Twins will somehow have multiple options in CF for 2024. While I like many of the in-house options, I'd like to see if the Twins can pluck Dylan Carlson away from the Cardinals, for a fair price.

Good seasons for the full-season affiliates, all around. While only the Kernels have a chance to win hardware, the teams did a good job of developing players and winning games.

Went out with knee soreness in his next appearance (as DH) after he played CF. Hasn’t played since, but the trainer says he still expects him to play for the Twins this year.

The Twins are now 36-39 on the road, not great, but respectable. I'd like to see them win the next two road series and at least get 40 wins on the road. Yes, I guess I'd like to see them clinch earlier rather than later, but playing games the matter is good for the team.

Of the four possible opponents, Houston has seemed to have the upper hand, and they have a lot of winning playoff experience. Each of the other three have pluses and minuses, and it won't probably be determined until the last day.

Good win. The Twins don't really need any help, and given the Guards season, I expect they still will get some. Should be a pretty good series in Cincy and then that magic number should be in Allison/Killebrew territory, at least.

Zoilo was #2.

No need to push Gray for the eighth, and a nice inning for Jax.

😃

First baseman Edouard Julien with a three-run homer.

Ump missed the 3-2 call on Farmer, but generally has had a good strike zone. Sox can rightfully feel like that 3-run bomb wouldn't have happened.

Just want him to stay healthy.

Game 1 playoff starter should be Jeffers.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is wearing out the Rangers, who just swept the Blue Jays in Toronto. The Rangers would seem to be the most up and down team in MLB.

A similar transaction to the one above--Chi Chi González had his contract acquired by the Marlins for the second time this year. González, Devin Smeltzer, Tommy Milone and Dereck Rodriguez are examples of pitchers getting their service time a couple days at a time. All have been DFAed multiple times, accepted assignments at Triple A and then return. They might change organizations, but continue in this borderline existence.

Don't know where to put this, but I'll put it in last night's game recap--LaTroy Hawkins was all over Alan Porter's strike zone last night, but it came in as solidly above average by Umpire Scorecard. I think this is a good example of the "TV Box" not being the most accurate guide to what is or is not a strike.

Kepler and Julien have been nursing injuries, I think. Giving days off all around makes sense (Polanco yesterday).

As far as the position he plays, I'm thinking of Manny Machado. Machado was a SS playing third base, but found a home there. Royce looks like the same thing.

Awards are nice, but what Lewis is doing heading towards the postseason is the story. He's not going to beat Henderson for ROY, but he might lead his team on a postseason run as a rookie.