stringer bell

What about Perra?

My point was that while the Twins handled both Chicago and Baltimore, against the rest of the league, those two teams have been the equal to the Twins. Chicago is done, and Baltimore probably is, as well.

25 games ago the Twins started on a road trip that would be the first part of 19 out of 25 games being on the road. Of the six teams they played on the road, five were postseason contenders. In that 25 games, the Twins have won 60%, playing perhaps their best sustained ball on the road all season. If the Twins win 60% of their remaining games, they will have a record of 86-76, right on the cusp for postseason. Since they play 13 of their final 20 at home, I think that number is doable, maybe even a bit better.

That's what I've been saying for awhile. Houston just had one of those near-miraculous rallies to win at LA. I don't know how far that will carry them, but it can't hurt. They are still a lousy road team and have ten left on the road. They play Texas seven times in the next 13 games, something will have to give.

Two standings-related factoids: Minnesota (- games with Chicago) 61-62 Chicago (- games with Minnesota) 61-61 Baltimore (- games with Minnesota) 69-66.

Nice. While we all would like 2009 Joe Mauer, the club needs more guys to get on. Mauer is doing that part well.

Cleveland is 3.5 behind Minnesota, 4.5 behind Texas and 6 behind Houston. I do think they will be the toughest challenge going forward. I really don't think the Indians can win enough to get to the postseason, but winning four or five or more against the Twins would probably end Minnesota's season.

They gained on Texas and Houston while on this trip. Now they need to gain some ground while at home. Cleveland is now .500 while playing a game tonight.

Let's hope he only has one more at-bat and his team is down a touchdown.

Just a casual glance at the picture and I saw a high heel.

Do they pay Smalley by the word?

Hey, look! More runs!

No more Jamie Hersch. Huh.

Just what Dr. Molitor ordered.

Lineup notes: Zuke starts again behind the plate. Hunter in right with Buxton on the bench. Rosario had two hits against Sale last time and gets the start in left.

Being a Congresscritter is a full-time job. Many come from somewhere--law, education, unions, business--but once they get to the federal level it is all that they do. I have an extreme distaste for the perennial election cycles in the House, the constant fundraising and the "compromises" made to get those funds. My biggest problem is that approximately 300-350 of the US House seats are "safe". Currently, the gerrymandering is the worst I've ever seen in my memory. It locks in legislators who can and will be the edge of their political party.

For reasons I can't get into, I'm not at my accustomed place(s) on a Sunday morning. It has given me a chance to think about some random things pertaining to the Twins. I don't want to rival Brian or Always 33, but here are some things I am pondering on a Sunday morning: 1) Paul Molitor was a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. He had the requisite 3000 hits, a high number of stolen bases and a World Series ring. He finished his career with the Twins and played three years for them. Included in those seasons was an outstanding 1996, in which he had 225 hits, drove in 113 and won a Silver Slugger. My question is, if Molitor had retired after playing for the Blue Jays and not toiled three years for the Twins, would he have made the Hall? 2) Brian Dozier is my favorite current Twin. He made his first All-Star appearance (which he deserved) and had an incredible first half of 2015. Since the All-Star break, Dozier has not hit well. I believe his OPS is about .665. He run production has suffered and the power has diminished. His OBP is much lower than last year. Has the league figured him out? Will he have to make adjustments to use the whole field? Should he bunt more for base hits? 3) Last year, the Twins weren't good, but especially in the second half of the season they could score runs. This year, they are struggling. While three players that contributed last year (Arcia, Santana, Vargas) were demoted, the Twins have added a rejuvenated Aaron Hicks, Eddie Rosario and especially Miguel Sano to make up for the heavy regression from the three noted above. Yet, this year the Twins are below the median for run scoring. They've increased their power, relative to the league, but are drawing fewer free passes and no one is hitting for a high average. Is this expected regression or was last year a fluke? 4) I have maintained that the Yankees or Blue Jays get one wild card spot, while the Twins are competing with Houston, Texas and the Angels for the second slot. Toronto is on the verge of sweeping the Yankees and with the Yanks injuries and remaining schedule, maybe the Twins can overtake the Evil Empire. Is there a chance that New York can miss the playoffs? Should the Twins consider New York "in play"? 5) Danny Santana was the surprise Rookie of the Year for the Twins last season. He was given the shortstop position to start 2015 (his natural position) and truly has had a miserable major league season. In 64 games at short, he has managed to register as one of the worst defenders at the position, while registering an OPS+ of 45. Late this year, the Twins have resurrected last year's quasi-incumbent, Eduardo Escobar. Esco has hit very well and done his usual capable job on defense. Do the last two seasons guarantee Escobar the starting nod at shortstop next year? What is Santana's future with the Twins? The Twins have another huge game today in Chicago. I hope people have time to offer their opinion about my scattered thoughts. Enjoy the game today or maybe the great out-of -doors or maybe some football today.

Lucroy was just diagnosed with a concussion. I have beaten the drum to acquire him since June, but the concussion would add more risk to trading for him. Any trade for Lucroy would have to include more than Plouffe. Since the Brewers are bad and three teams above them are going to the playoffs, I think they would want prospects--Polanco, Kepler, maybe Walker, Stewart, Gonsalves, those kind of guys.

Great point. Defense, especially outfield defense is much improved. I'd like to see a defensive upgrade at catcher, but everyone is at least capable, with the three fast outfielders having a chance to be elite.

Three weeks is a long time. I imagine most, if not all, of the starters will have some sort of hiccup in their three or four starts. Three starts ago, everybody was down on Santana, three straight wins including two excellent starts and he's an ace. Let's face it, the Twins starting pitching has improved, but their top starters aren't aces, not even close. If they get that far, maybe one guy will be going great.

Both Astros and Rangers lost, so the Twins remain a game behind Texas and two-and-a-half behind Houston. Angels gain a game on everybody.

Astros are still in play. I would rather have two teams that the Twins can overtake, especially since they play each other seven times. The Twins can take care of the Angels next weekend.

Makes sense. A Game 163 would be a regular season game. IIRC, expanded rosters are available for such a game. It just wouldn't figure that a guy who has served his suspension would be excluded from a Game 163.

Zuke has picked it up and there is no question he's the best option in the organization. However, his overall numbers just don't merit all the playing time he has received. He should be sharing time with another catcher and it sure looks like that guy will have to come from someone else's system.

Thank you Robin Ventura.