stringer bell

I do agree that Sisk is intriguing, but Moran has been successful with the Twins. I presume Sisk will be a tough roster decision for the Twins in the offseason.

Regarding Palacios, his brief time with the Twins, his glove looked at least satisfactory. Good to see that he has sustained his production from AA to AAA and I do think that he could be the Opening Day shortstop in 2023. It seems to me that the Twins regard Palacios as a shortstop who could be a utility player while someone like Nick Gordon is a utility player who can fill in for a day or two at shortstop.

Saints last game is 9/28.

Sure I'm concerned. He hasn't had an "easy" inning since his first outing with the Twins. Too many walks, hits and hard contact. That said, if he wasn't just acquired, it would look like a blip on the screen. Some of the hits were soft contact (I remember especially his first blown save) and his history as a bullpen arm features good control as well. I'll be anxious when he comes in for a save the next time and probably many more next times. He's had an outstanding season and has really good stuff, but hasn't pitched like that for my favorite team.

With the prospective returns of Ober, Winder and perhaps Maeda, that is more pitchers than the Twins can carry. Of course, Mahle is possibly headed to the IL. Sands may end up being optioned if/when he pitches again. Moran could come back (it makes sense to add another lefty) to the bullpen. The originally listed pitchers would seem to be on the outside looking in.

Ralph Garza Jr.?

Duran faced the top hitters (and highest paid) on the Rangers, plus Lowe had good at-bats through the game. That he got through the inning with an economy of pitches makes him a realistic option tomorrow. I agree that Lopez has been shaky. It is unfortunate that he has struggled and hopefully he comes out of it soon. The Twins definitely need more than Duran at the end of games.

Got him!!!!!

Yipes!

Throw strikes!

Duran—-impressive.

I wish Megill would throw more fastballs. I don’t trust his secondary pitches. He I’m looked overmatched by the heater and he was the best hitter Megill pitched against. Glad he got out of the inning.

100 mph fastballs.

Nice first for Bundy. BYW, the Twin have more homers, higher OBP and Slugging than the Rangers. The Rangers have scored more runs.

I kind of like hearing a national perspective. I’ll give the play-by-play a chance.

Buxton in and playing center field. Polanco back. Pérez has been good this year, but he always seems to be on the edge of a meltdown. IIRC, the Twins put up a big inning against him, but the Rangers rallied to win the game. Bundy needs to keep the ball in the park against these guys. It’s raining where I live, but no rain in the forecast for Minneapolis.

Lineups: HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG M. Semien2B 111-475 58 18 19 .234 C. SeagerSS 110-436 60 26 3 .252 N. Lowe1B 123-426 52 17 2 .289 A. GarciaRF 114-449 74 19 18 .254 J. HeimC 79-308 43 13 2 .256 L. TaverasCF 53-178 27 3 6 .298 B. MillerDH 42-205 29 7 4 .205 J. Smith3B 32-145 12 1 3 .221 B. ThompsonLF 12-46 5 0 4 .261 HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG B. BuxtonCF 75-331 51 28 5 .227 C. CorreaSS 95-349 39 14 0 .272 L. Arraez1B 132-394 38 6 4 .335 J. MirandaDH 78-273 51 12 1 .286 G. Urshela3B 90-338 49 11 0 .266 J. Polanco2B 82-349 55 15 3 .235 G. CelestinoLF 50-189 13 2 0 .265 M. KeplerRF 74-326 41 9 3 .227 S. LeonC 6-33 4 0 0 .182 Pitchers: PLAYER W-L ERA WHIP IP H K BB HR M. Perez 9-3 2.79 1.20 142.0 124 125 46 9 D. Bundy 6-5 4.76 1.26 98.1 103 75 21 15

Cleveland is in a stretch where they have four or five series in a row with teams with winning records. However in October the Guardians play KC six straight games. Gotta have a lead by then.

I know he’s been brutal, but he’s been able to take the ball when asked. IIRC, he has pitched in back-to-back games several times and at least once worked three days in a row.

Agree, but I’m not really sold on his breaking pitches.

And Perez bounces out on the first pitch.

I'm glad the Twins are up 4 right now.

I'd imagine Megill will get the eighth with Lopez on board for the ninth. Extra inning options would be Fulmer and Sands, who both pitched an inning yesterday.

It kind of made sense for the best bullpen option to pitch against Salvi and the most recent Player of the Week. Duran didn't get either one of them out, but he got the next three guys.

Really nice catch by Celestino.