Hosken Bombo Disco

Had it the whole way

God I miss these

The Twins sit at 8-10 through their first 18 games. The Twins are in a much better spot than last season, but considering that opening series sweep against Kansas City, the Twins have been heading in the wrong direction recently. The Twins begin a six game road trip in Texas tonight. I want to get my hasty thoughts down for the upcoming week. There's not a lot the Twins can do about the starting pitching right now (yes there is, but anyway), so I will set that aside. There is also specific information we do not have access to, as fans. However, in my opinion, there are four general things I would like to see the manager do this week to improve the team's present and future outlook. Here they are, as addressed to Molitor, in no particular order (except for the number one thing, which is unquestionably the number one thing, in my mind): # 4 : Hold the outfield together. Rosario-Buxton-Kepler should start all six games. They will not need rest, as there is a day off after each series. If you feel compelled to make a starting lineup substitution, then it needs to be Grossman, and probably as a right fielder. Kepler can move to left field or DH. # 3 : Move Mauer down the order. These are the players that should be batting ahead of him: Dozier, Polanco, Grossman, Sano, Kepler. Against a lefty, Mauer can sit (Hamels pitches Wednesday) and Vargas can slip into that sixth slot as a RHB first baseman. I liked the early lineup experimentation, but things are coming into a little more focus. Polanco and Grossman are OBP machines. Take advantage. # 2 : Manage pitching changes as if it's August. Manage them as if the Twins are in a pennant race, too. I understand it's pretty slim pickins out there, but there's no need to bring in a guy like Breslow to face a guy like Castellanos, as you did on Saturday. Granted neither of those two has a strong platoon split, but mind the splits anyway. Also, I like how you used the mop up guy for three inning stretches when necessary. Tepesch is that guy this week. # 1 : Let Buxton bat. This might be the week Buxton gets on track. Do not pinch hit for him, do not pinch run for him, do not ask him to bunt. In fact, tell him not to bunt. Just let him hit. The Twins have played mostly afternoon games to this point. Oddly, the Twins have played one night game on the road so far. It is April, and it has been the cold weather schedule. Beginning tonight, they will start their normal schedule. They will play three consecutive night games, followed by a day off, followed by two more night games this week, and then the Sunday day game before heading home for an evening series beginning Tuesday. These are good conditions for establishing a routine. Often, teams do not take batting practice ahead of day games. I'm sure Buxton is being coached well and doing tee work and getting swings off the machine. It's the real stuff out on the field where he needs to be this week, standing tall (DeRosa), and keeping his eyes on the ball (Reynolds). Lots of repetitions. Minimum distractions. Sound mechanics, same approach, swing after swing. Then into the clubhouse to think about it, grab a bite, get dressed, and get ready. Let him carry his batting practice work into the games. Buxton was slotted third in the batting order to start the season, a show of confidence. Removing him from a game for a pinch hitter is probably a contradictory message. Imagine if Buxton is allowed to bat in those late innings and comes up with a big hit, instead of being pinch hit for. That might be the biggest affirmation of his work and confidence boost of all. Tell Buxton he has 12 plate appearances in Texas, and 12 more in Kansas City, and as long as he's doing things correctly, there's no pressure to change or make it all up in that first at bat. He's got 4 at bats tonight, 4 tomorrow, and just go out there and do it. Unless of course the Twins clobber the starting pitcher tonight, in which case he might get 5 at bats. Or 6, if it really goes off the rails. Go Twins!

For the record I don't think Shaggy should be called up yet. But if he's healthy and pitching in AAA games, I don't see why he couldn't be since he would be taking the spot of the lowest guy anyway.

What's the right number?

Minor league depth who are healthy and ready to be called up right now, today: Starter: Berrios Reliever: Chargois bench bat: Vargas (who btw is a first baseman, which Sano isn't)

I. am. a. Tigers. fan. The. Twins. bullpen. is. terrible. I. am. not. jinxing. the. Tigers. chances. http://memeguy.com/photos/images/the-finals-of-the-dance-competition-at-the-g-summit-were-today-david-cameron-busts-out-his-best-moo--15732.gif

Winning is nice, but actually, game threads are better when they lose *ducks, runs

Pressly finally works a clean inning

agree

we used to own the 7th Tonight we moved it up to the 6th Hope that's ok

no *ducks, runs

They are pitching around the big P

I was hoping he would hit .479 all season, but I'll take the groundout this time

Dribbler does it!

I know lineup construction isn't supposed to matter much, but just for laughs let's put Polanco back at the top again tomorrow.

I was just about to come on and type something about being impressed with Santiago, then someone hit a baseball 400 miles off him

Cedar Rapids and the whole Midwest league has Sunday off FYI

Good thoughts, but I feel like you are closer to our side than you realize. If Buxton needs to push through his struggles in MLB then Berrios should too. They play on different sides of the ball but as far as the maturing process, I don't see how it's that much different.

Isn't that the change up, though?

I don't remember Molly saying anything about "things Berrios needs to work on," it was about getting stretched out. Heck, we all have things we need to work on.

I know virtually nothing about the guy, so I am relying on you. You are welcomed to provide data or insight on Del Rosario on his prospect thread. However, my understanding is that those threads are meant to report and track progress and err on the side of being supportive.

Del Rosario is 21! I was following the play log as it was going on, and after a killer start Del Rosario pretty clearly began to falter suddenly. After he let in a run on a bases loaded walk, he was removed. The reliever pitched out of a stressful inning, Del Rosario maintains his low ERA, and the team won the game, so win-win for everyone. jmo

Actually I did, and a bunch of TwinsDaily pages came up. Maybe Tonkin has the right fingers to throw the sinker. Who knows. It's pretty apparent Gibson doesn't. How long has he been working on that thing? Gibson will be just fine with a fastball-slider combo. He just needs to have faith.

I think you are on to something, even if that Mauer pop up would have been a hard read. I can't really second guess anything Molly did there in the ninth, but you have to admit there were a lot of slow, lumbering earth-movers out there that inning.