MN Brian

The python script can be run against any team, one at a time. I had Claude add in the L/R/S count for the batters in the starting line-up -- I haven't done a sanity check on that data but it seems reasonable. The data can be run for any time period other than this year, this example data set is 2016-2025 inclusive, so 10 years total. twins_vs_pitcher_hand_games (version 2).csv

@Riverbrian - I'm a newbie when it comes to sourcing baseball stats, so fully possible that I have made a newbie mistake here =) I asked Claude to write a python script to scrape the baseball stats to determine the data that you are looking at: the Twins (or another club's) game record and runs scored against the handedness of the opposing starting pitcher. The data seems good - I cross checked a half dozen data points from the spreadsheet against Baseball Reference game box scores and the pitcher, handedness, win/loss, & run scored were all accurate. Unfortunately it won't include this years results until the year has ended. The game by game log is in the CSV file. Does this help? Personally I understand the hypothesis but am unsure of how you see this data supporting it. Would it be by comparing 2 different teams on opposite sides of the spectrum? twins_vs_pitcher_hand_games.csv

So if we only have a half season due to a lockout, and Joe Ryan is only a half season pitcher, doesn't that indicate it might be a perfect match?

Based on my experience in business we were always looking to develop the team aspects =) Humans, in business or sport, are not automatons. They are humans and if you fail to treat them, or their coworkers, as such then you leave an awful lot of production opportunity on the table. That's not to say don't focus on production, but just not exclusively. Always include the human perspective in the business (or sport) decisions.

Maybe it's not the standard, but it's not that unusual (Jose Conseco? Mark McGwire?). Certainly not the norm however. But the main point being that nothing of this nature gets implemented without mistakes. That's not to say that most testing is not accurate or that the testing shouldn't be done. But it is to say that it would be crushing as an individual if you devoted your life to a sport only to have your reputation dirtied by a bad test, or by an accurate test that did not capture intent.

Found this on the Phillies Nation site and found it interesting in terms of the background on Kepler’s PED suspension. He acknowledged being responsible but not guilty, which is an interesting positioning. If true, it's a sad by-product of the need to crack down on PED use. Of course, no way to know if there was an intent to take PEDs or not. https://philliesnation.com/2026/09/philadelphia-phillies-arizona-diamondbacks-max-kepler-ped-suspension-september-3-2026-mlb-update/

Dang! Look at Dobby with the flashy ERA!

No, but I heard it runs great!

No current Twins player is more recognized by the general public. That public recognition is well deserved and it means that he has more value to the Twins than just his playing performance. He has marketing value that means his overall value to the Twins (performance + marketing) is greater than we would ever get in return in a trade. So my answer is that while a great trade for younger prospects might make sense for the long term playing performance of the baseball team, it won't make business sense unless Buxton chooses to torch the marketing value by requesting a trade. At least I hope so!

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that the Lansing Lugnuts logo is a bolt, not a lugnut?

I don't recall ever seeing switch hitters bat same sided against pitchers with reverse splits, but it potentially makes sense if the data shows there is a slight advantage to be had. I have seen where switch hitters have temporarily abandoned one side if it has been going poorly for them. Does it happen in MLB that they react to reverse splits? If I was a switch hitter I think it would be challenging as you are not only trying to keep your L/R swings healthy but now potentially have L/R swings vs. L/R pitchers or 4 different variations to keep healthy.

An easy way to choose a section is to look at the available tickets on the Twins ticket page. Tickets tend to sell from down to up in each different dollar category. Pretty easy to see if all of section 102 above the first 10 rows have not been sold, for example. And, if the Twins cared, it would be easy for their ushers to have this info as well. Yet there are typically people scattered all over the unsold sections.

I have the stadium access tickets (no seats) and have been to a dozen games. I have explored all around the stadium and am almost always sitting. I usually check out 2-3 different spots during a game. I have never been asked to show my ticket. As noted by others, some sections have no ushers (mostly upper decks). The lower sections generally do, but they typically allow you to walk right past. Or you can wait for them to go to the bottom of a stairs in between innings and follow them down. I believe the dugout sections and the club seats always verify tickets so I haven't gone to those sections. Lower deck left field, down the first base line in 104/103/102, and directly behind home plate have all worked well. I do make sure to sit in areas that are not populated (easy to do this year!) and generally I wait until after the first inning. All that said I have seen people challenged for tickets. Usually when a large young group of fans move into a premium section. But really I think it is likely usher specific. Most likely want nothing to do with challenging fans about tickets. Maybe some do =)

Gotta say I'd focus on Hawaii over this Twins team!

I have my doubts . . .