stringer bell

Maeda putting in his bid for Game 3.

I'm predicting that CES will hit at least one ball over 100 mph in this game.

Tweezers.

I didn't realize what a good hitter the Twins first #5 was. His OPS+ was over 100 for eleven straight seasons from 1962 to 1972. He was only a full-fledged regular for three years. He hit exactly 200 homers in that time and ended with a 127 OPS+. For comparison, all-time Twin Kirby Puckett was 124.

Stevenson can't be optioned, he would have to have been DFAed. Luplow has an option available and could have been sent to St. Paul. I guess the Twins want Castro over Luplow in left field. I also presume he would accept an outright and might be added to the roster if there is an injury, but the club does need to clear 40-man space for Stewart and would have to clear more space for Gordon, Alcalá and Paddack. The clock is ticking on all three of them and those transactions would have to be made during the postseason run if the Twins advance beyond the first round.

Mincher

I don’t believe in omens and jinxes, but it was Lewis’ first, and so far only time in Target Field as a center fielder. Lewis is a very valuable asset for the Twins, perhaps their most valuable. If he doesn’t want to play center for whatever reason, it probably isn’t in the Twins’ best interest to compel him. In listening to Gleeman and the Geek, they cite Twins sources that like Lee as a third baseman, if he can’t play SS. That creates a quandary on where to play Lewis long term. I’m not sure what the answer is and things have a way of working themselves out. Julien might be a 1B-2B-DH and Kirilloff might be a 1B-LF-RF, leaving more infield room for Lewis, Lee and Correa. Putting the pieces together is what the FO is paid far.

The Twins magic number is 5 as they enter play today. The have a 5:40 game in Cincinnati, Cleveland plays tonight at Kansas City and Detroit (magic number of 4) is at Los Angeles, but I'd argue that the Twins front office is more concerned about what happens in St. Paul as the Saints open their last home series of their season. Not one, not two, not three, not four, but five players on the Injured List(s) are scheduled to play tonight at CHS Field. The two position players (Joey Gallo and Nick Gordon) were regulars in April. Pitchers Chris Paddack, Jorgé Alcalá and Brock Stewart are all scheduled to pitch with Paddack throwing about 50 pitches. All five players have some chance of being on a Twins postseason active roster, particularly with Carlos Correa coming out of the Twins game in the first inning last night. Gallo and Gordon both are candidates to be added to the position player mix that might include as many as 15 position players. Stewart, Alcalá and Paddack could be added to the pitching staff. Of the five, I think the most likely to be added back is Stewart. Also of note, the only other player who has been mentioned as a possible performer in October is Byron Buxton. I have heard nothing to suggest he'll go back to St. Paul to rehab.

Now he’s out.

Kirilloff goes yard today. Maybe in his first AB.

Luplow DFA. I assume Taylor will be activated. This does clear a 40-man spot, as well.

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.