Maybebaby

Said it before and I'll say it again.... Over-rated and over-paid.
I laugh at those who think he's so devoted to the Twins. He left for bigger money hoping to cash in to 2 other clubs, both of them wised up to his shortcomings before he came back to the Twins on a lesser offer. If it is pressure from the contract then he only has himself to blame. If it is due to injury then the FO is to blame..... again 2 other clubs were smart enough to see health problems. 5 more years of him is gonna bite, especially when it's time to start extending contracts to the good young players that are carrying this team. 

In Pagan's defense, his first walked batter should have been a strikeout.    The 2-2 pitch was a great strike that was missed.  He let his frustration with that pitch throw him off the rest of the inning.

Just no more Kuechel, time to cut ties with Joey!
 

Just no more Kuechel, time to cut ties with Joey!
 

Just no more Kuechel, time to cut ties with Joey!
 

Just no more Kuechel, time to cut ties with Joey!
 

These guys are professional athletes someone be it Lewis or Polanco should be fine at 1b!
 

Hard to watch. Having said that, it's hard to be consistent on offense when 3 of your top 6 hitters likely in the 3, 4, and 5 spots (Kirilloff, Buxton, Lewis) aren't playing. My view is get Lewis on a plane to Philly and get him in the lineup Friday night. He can DH for a couple of games to lessen the potential for re-injury. This team cannot score enough if we have to rely on Julien, Wallner, Kepler, and Castro to consistently deliver. They are either young and/or complimentary pieces - they can't be the engines.  Add to that playing Gallo and Taylor most nights and Vasquez half the games and it's a recipe for stinkers like today. We can't bring back guys that are hurt but we can bring back guys who are playing. Bring back Lewis. 

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Did Tony Olivia, Rod Carew sit against lefties?  Did Puckett, Killebrew, Allison sit against righties.  Just play your best players and see how it plays out.  🧐

Just get rid of Gallo and bench BB.  Let the young lefties play everyday regardless of pitcher.

"The game calmed down, entering the usual see-saw to nowhere that many baseball games see for a few innings."
I just wanted to say this is a great piece of writing. Very evocative description of a certain mid-game rhythm we all know well. Something about those meandering middle innings reminds me of half-listening to games with my dad on the garage radio, deep in to the middle of a seemingly endless boyhood summer. 

Simple solution, DFA someone and bring up Wallner and Jenkins. JK but not really. 

I'm hearing persistent rumors that the Padres may be sellers and that Josh Hader could very well be on the block.  Using Baseball Trade Values this is a trade that works "value wise" between the Twins and Padres:
Padres Get:  Jose Miranda 3B/1BD/H 8.9 value and Jorge Polanco 2B 7.3 value.  Total Value 16.2.
Twins Get:    Josh Hader RP 8.3 value and Blake Snell SP 7.4 value.  Total Value  15.7.
Padres need to upgrade at 2B from Croenenworth.  Also need a DH with their release of Cruz.  Miranda could also play some 1B.  San Diego also off loads salary (they have been spending like drunken sailors with Machado, Darvish, Soto and Bogaerts just to name a few).  
Twins need another stud in the back end of their BP and Hader is the ultimate stud.  The Twins could certainly use a lefty in the rotation and Snell has been outstanding lately.  Acquiring Snell could allow the Twins to trade Sonny Gray for a nice return in either prospects or a current player who could help the offense.  The Twins are taking on salary here but the return they are getting would be an immediate boost to an already solid pitching staff and possibly open up opportunities to make a deal of two to improve the offense. 
In a short series, having to face Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Blake Snell and Bailey Ober would not be something other teams would look forward too.  Add in Hader and Duran at the end of games and it could be downright miserable.  Games would need to be won 2-1 and 3-2 but that's what dominant pitching can accomplish in a shorter, playoff series.  

Another game where offense is offensive.  Where is Lewis at least he puts the ball in play!
 
 

Stay far far away from the Twins "hitting coaches".

Another game where offense is offensive.  Where is Lewis at least he puts the ball in play!
 
 

Another game where offense is offensive.  Where is Lewis at least he puts the ball in play!