h2oface

Maeda "deGrom'ed" by his bullpen again.

Yup. That's a bullpen to rely on in the playoffs......

Diaz ...... what was he thinking? I like making the sox make a play. And you have the speed. But he has to know Buxton is going to slide head first and reach with his left arm.... the rehabbing still a bit arm. I just think he has to hold him there. No reason to risk Buxton hurting himself on a slide like that, even if he would have scored. It wasn't even close. You have to be judged on the decisions you make and the results they give the team. That was a horrible decision. Buxton should have stole second on the first pitch, and that would take care of all of it.

No pig headed umpire should be able to eject someone out of the game for that. Umpires are such arrogant power hungry insecure participants in this game. That was funny. And didn't hurt anyone. Shameful. The umpire should be fired.

How is that. Tied at 5-5.... what is the next criteria that gives them the tiebreaker?

No. You could trade him for Yelich.

Aaaaaaannnnnd..... then sent down. 1-3 with a double and HBP, and see ya later. The quick end of the story chapter.

Seriously, Dobnak is toast. Burnt toast. The smoke and mirrors is over. I am glad they Twins took action. One game too, late, but pretty quick, all in all. Let the apologist's scream.... or flip .......... be thankful for what we got but don't be fooled that he is a starter to bank on. Middle of the game innings eater..... even perhaps close games.... but small doses for not too long if he is needed.

Usually not the case for Buxton, but he wasn't really loafing, either. In fact, one could be more upset about the fact that he slid at home, risking injury, when he could have easily crossed the plate standing up, still. But you are correct, that these guys still don't run out the play, or pay attention and take off immediately on a missed swinging third strike. I mean really. What else do they have to do? It really isn't that hard of a job, to run full speed to first base. Sano didn't even make it to first tonight - not even close - on and infield grounder. Didn't even get up to 1/3 speed.

Burnt toast!

NO!

.... and we have all of 3 hits to Chicago's 12. The torch is passing pretty quickly ...... say it isn't so.

Don't ya just love Donaldson walks?

OK boys.... nothing a 5 run rally can't fix. And may as well make it 7, just to keep the pressure off the vaunted bellpen.

Another example of how stats don't win baseball games..... or stop runs scoring.

Dobnak = toast. Dobnak = Burnt toast.

Don't be fooled by one good inning. Like I have been saying for the last 4 Dobnak starts (even the one good one 3 starts back), the smoke and mirrors is over for Dobnak. Be thankful we got what we did. But to rely on Dobnak in the future as a regular starter will not help win games, and will be misguided.

If you don't understand the different mental pressure a batter faces with men on base and in scoring position, then you will always make this same argument to discount the value of RBI and the hitters that get them. But I assume you do understand the different mental pressure and context of that in the at bat, and just chose to ignore it in these cases. The run being scored has everything to do with the batter when the batter steps into the batter's box and is faced with the opportunity and added presure and intensity to knock a run in. No ball hit, no walk drawn in and bases loaded situation, and no run scored. But I am not trying to convince you. I just don't buy your angle. And you will make the same argument again. I love RBI guys, and that is why. Always have, always will. They have a history of knocking runs in, and under more mental pressure.

It is looking like there will be a bubble, and no home field, just home team for the game.

I respect your opinion, and I respect those you are disparaging. This is not a normal season. You can't have a 100 win pace in a 60 game season. Not apples to apples. I would bet Rocco is even doubting some of his decisions, regardless of what he says. I hope so. Smart people don't think they are perfect, but always willing to learn.

Which makes it even worse.....

It is clear the number one focus is to be as healthy as possible when the playoffs start. While it may not include winning the central and a better seed (and it still might), it is a smart thing to do in this shortened season. That is why I wish we see no more bullpen games. With starters only going 5 mostly..... the bullpen gets plenty of work. The Twins have probably blown the division title by their performance against KC and Detroit. For this lineup tonight to be competitive was impressive. The folks that let us down were the highest paid on the team.... Donaldson and Cruz. The table was constantly set for them. Hopefully they can step up in October. I will never understand how an umpire missing close pitches, the ones the pitchers or batters earn the most and deserve the most, and missing them for both sides makes it OK. To me, it just means he guessed more wrong, and that is even worse, and certainly always affects the at bat and the game. RBI always are important, and always will be. One can spout that one can't control the opportunities they get for RBI, and therefore it is not a good judge of the hitter, but today is a grand example of just how important those guys that can drive the runners in are. And walks rarely drive in runs, just ask Donaldson today. I always am amazed that a batter will not guard the plate better, and watch a called third strike to end the game. Just stand there and watch it, especially since the swung at so many that were way out of the zone, and this pitch is right on the edge. You just can't stand there. You just can't.

Watching Baldelli keep marching Rogers out in September 2020 as the ace closer is like watching Molitor keep sending Perkins out in September of 2015....... you know what is going to happen and just can't stop it. I didn't understand it then, and I don't now, and can't stop it. Perkins was hurt, and it didn't stop Molitor. Rogers? Why can't magic Wes fix him, eh?

MVP? Do MVPs get that many chances with the bases sacked and not get any runs in?

OK money man..... time to pay up and drive them in!