DocBauer

I am NOT going to bang on Rocco, the offense, the rotation or the pen. But losing the series to the Dirty Sox hurt, I was hoping for more of course, but a split and moving on a single game out of 1st I was OK with. I WANT that banner in Target Field that we won the division. But on the realistic side of things finishjng 1st or 2nd has little implications in regard to the playoffs. We still get home field 1st round. The opponent is yet be determined and changes almost daily. So any sort of hope/want/prediction at this time is rather fruitless. Winning the division is within the Twins grasp if they take care of business, 3 on the road against a good Cubs team, then 5 mkre at home against the Tigers and Reds. The Sox have the next 7 games on the road, 3 with the Reds and then a 4 game set against the Indians before finishing with 3 at home against the Cubs. I'm pretty sure I have home and away correct, forgive me if mistaken. The Indians have the next 7 at home and finish with 3 on the road against the Pirates. Again, pretty sure I have H/A correct. So what does all of this mean? It means, yes, time to kick it up a notch and get Arraez back, at least. It also means the Dirty Sox have the toughest schedule to finish out and we need to be Cleveland fans during that 4 game series. If the Twins just take care of business their last 8 games, that ALC 2020 pennant can still be theirs.

Oddorizi looked really good to me. Guy can't catch a break this year. I hope he's ready to go in 5 days. He can still make a difference before this season is done. THAT was the May we've seen before and need to see more of.

Agree with Trov and basically everyone else. 2020 will stand as it will in regard to numbers and the eventual champion. But there are so many weird aberrations in regard to performance numbers for pitchers and players in 60 games and a weird ST that I will pass no judgement. Kepler's best? A normal season, which we hope to see in 2021? MAYBE a little less HR power but a better overall hitter. 2020 does NOTHING to diminish what I think of his talent, ability, and foreseeable future. Same holds true for Polanco, BTW.

Someone had to go down. Dobnak has options and Odorizzi has to be looked at. I have no problem with this, even though it stinks. You still have to play the roster game. I think Blankenhorn has a future, but it's not NOW. Oddo pitching or not, it's time for the team to get angry and determined and make a statement the next 2 games.

It's still up to him how good he could be. At 24 and coming off AA with the St Paul experience, he should be close though he may not be fully ready until sometime in 2021. I think the comp to Gonzalez is fair, even though they are different players. Blankenhorn is larger and probably has more pure power. And it's very debatable at this point how good defensively he will be ANYWHERE. But he is athletic and has a strong arm. I object to conclusions he is slow as he has twice stolen double digit bases and has been successful doing so but with limited numbers. And he has more than enough speed to handle the OF. A few reviews of his play last season should show that. What he is is a so-so defensive player at this point with an OK bat with power who could, potentially, be a 5 position reserve. There is HUGE value in that! Now, can he be that or more is still up to him.

I agree he needs to play. There is no sense bringing him up to just sit, especially with the bats of Adrianza and Marwin being so quiet. Though Marwin seems to be beating up lately. But let him play and get his feet wet at the bottom of the order. The worst thing that could happen is he gains experience for the future. Despite not yet showing the defense we'd like to seem he remains a pretty good athlete from everything I've read. He's twice stolen double digit bases with a high % of success in his career. And he's looked good in the OF, range wise, from the few times I've seen him. So I don't think speed is an issue, though he is no burner to be sure. I'd like to think he has a chance to be a really nice 5 position bench piece with an OK bat and power. Up to him to prove he can be that.

I guess this is where I stand. You just can't have so many positive underlying numbers and a high BABIP and say the guy is cooked. But at the same time, there simply has to be something mechanical taking place he needs to figure out because even with only 17IP bad luck for his BABIP can only go so far. And then it means despite his other good numbers he's grooving a few pitches he hasn't the past 2 seasons. They have 2 weeks to get him right. And they need him right, whether he remains the closer or not. May is in the same situation despite not being the focus here. His velocity, SO numbers and most all peripherals seem to be career bests and yet he seems to be allowing HR at an alarming pace. Then he finishes things off by SO the side. Both this guys are talented and important with some big stuff. And both need to figure it out over the next 2 weeks. Need Johnson and company to work some magic and get them on a roll.

I'm with Chief and others on the RBI discussion. I fully understand RBI doesn't work as a tell all in regard to hitting ability. And opportunity...such as being put in a 3-5 spot in the order for a good team...only goes so far as an excuse for debate. Actually GETTING RBI is still clutch, still a moment, still a skill to actually come through when it matters. We had nobody do that last night. That stinks and is unexpected just with the volume of opportunity. But I'm not blaming Cruz just because he had a bad game. I love Rocco, but nights like last night do make me wonder why the Twins don't play just a little small ball. If you truly have a feel for the pulse of your team, which I think Rocco does, he should have felt it was an off night. Especially with so many guys out. It's would have been a good night, here and there, to try to manufacture a run or two, IMO. Still just ONE game.

Sorry, thought those last 2 pitches and the framing was good

Good time for Cave to bust through

Whatever bug Marwin has must be affecting the Twins broadcast. Sounds like they are talking in to a tin can phone. Must be a he'll of a long cord stretching to Chicago.

Wade is beginning to look more and more like he is confident and ready. Didn't look that way to me last season.

Edit: Blankenhorn may be traveling with the team on the taxi squad right now. I may have jumped the gun saying a move had already taken place. My hunch is he may yet be activated this series.

Sielk reported Blankenhorn was with the team in the taxi squad. THOUGHT I saw him up for Smeltzer but may have jumped the gun on that.

Marwin out due to non covid illness. Adrianza playing 2B and hitting 9th I believe. Blankenhorn reportedly called up and Smeltzer back down. I wouldn't start Blankenhorn either. Just let him get over jet lag and maybe play tomorrow. Interesting lineup. Don't hate it. But I think I would have dropped Kepler down behind Cruz and maybe put Wade #1. He's been taking some awfully good AB as of late. Twins are the better team overall, especially defensively and pitching. But Chicago is home has a potent offense, and I'd be OK taking 2 of 4, of course, I'm hoping for better than that.

Didn't copy and quote, but going with Spycake on this. If Kepler or Rosario were actually hurt and done, I feel the Twins would be inclined to give Kirlloff or Larnach a shot. But just because there was need and a feeling Jeffers and Rooker were ready doesn't mean either of these other two are. And that shouldn't diminish their rankings or potential! It just means in a weird, no milb season, practice and simulated games at St Paul may not have them ready to come up and make any difference with only 2 weeks left before the playoffs. Again, a significant injury could change this thinking. But Cave and Wade are older, have some experience, and varying degrees of experience and production. Status quo is best, meaning every one is healthy and ready to go and we don't even have to worry about a move of this nature. Break the glass if something else happens, but only then, IMO.

I tend to agree with you. But the Wade I've been seeing this season looks comfortable at the plate and seems to just feel he belongs. I didn't feel that way last year. He's made some good plays in the field and looked very good at 1B the other day. (I confess I forgot he could play there some). I feel Celestino remains a good year away. The team is better keeping Kepler in RF and having someone else fill in at CF, other than a game here and there, of course. Right now, Cave is that guy and he's improved his defense tremendously, IMO, but he is not the productive hitter we got the second half of 2018 or 2019. Meanwhile, Wade is taking great AB and wearing pitchers out and tossing in some hits to go along with those AB. With Kepler and Larnach getting close, not to mention Rooker, the Twins may have to make a tough decision on Cave vs Wade in the near future.

Right now, there is a 3 man battle for the 4th SP option between Hill, Dobnak and Odorizzi, who should be back this week. IMO, this a sign of strength, not one of weakness. Dobnak has slipped his last couple of starts, but I'm tossing out his last one due to 3 days rest, suddenly too much movement on his stuff, a hit batter that didn't actually get hit, and a display by the young Jeffers for not getting his foot on the bag. Hill looks like he is ramping up a bit and has tons of savvy and experience. Odorizzi has the smallest chance as he has probably only 3 starts to show he is stretched out and fully good to go. Agree there is a chance one of these guys assumes more of an opener position but we have a couple weeks yet to figure it all out.

As long as Alcala is OK and May's back tightness is just that, with Odorizzi coming back the entire staff is 100% plus, even without Littell. The lineup is mostly intact and the offense has started to look like the one we expected. Catcher is the only real worry and Jeffers has been easing that concern. Everything is coming together at the right time. I don't think that's just a co-incidence with the way Rocco manages. Is Maeda a true ACE? Or still too early to call it? Image the team record without the Royals being involved. Just glad we won't have to play them come post season time.

Maeda, Berrios and Pineda, in that order. I've said all along Berrios would bet right and finish strong. I think we are seeing that now. I am completely dismissing Dobnak's last outing for many reasons. I shouldn't have to break it down if you've being paying attention. Hill is a mystery/wild card, but the proverbial "ace in the hole". Oddo's latest setback was a fluke, and and not arm or back related. But is there enough time to "get right" before the post season? The next couple of weeks will determine if Hill or Dobnak are your 4th SP. IMO, Odorizzi will be either a long man or a designated opener. Compare this to last season or past seasons. Things are coming together. We are actually debating 6SP and how best to use them. This is an amazing luxury!

I absolutely love Romo from his fire, his humor, his experience to his production. I thought he was a certainty to come back this year and was ecstatic when it happened. I want him back next year as well at this point. Love the guy. But without further information/clarification, i put the onus on Romo for this little dust up. I don't know that I have EVER seen a batter do what Lindor did, basically trotting sideways/backwards down the line and chirping. Uncalled form IMO, regardless of what was being said. Run it out, and then say something if you really feel you need/want to. BUT, he seemed to be smiling and laughing the whole time. MAYBE he said something completely uncalled for. Again, we don't knkw at this point. And maybe Romo had a right/reason to bark back. But he just kept going and going and didn't seem to want to calm down. As others have well stated, you have to be able to take it if you dish it out sometimes. Kudos to Sano for being the peace keeper/brick wall. Honestly, I think this is a tight race in a short season with a bit of a bubble around everyone and some cabin fever setting in and that is all.

I'm also going to echo twins-89. This is the PERFECT time for Gordon to get his feet wet. The problem is I doubt he is physically at full strength right now after such a prolonged bout of illness, and has something like 2 weeks over at St Paul. I really, really want to say just roll with Marwin and Adrianza who are experienced and we know they can do the job. I know they are struggling mightily with their bats right now, but like other hitters in the team, what if either or both gets in to a groove? We've seen what they can do previously. With this crazy season, I'd take a month and a half struggle from both with a strong finish. And that may be the smartest route to take. BUT, Blankenhorn is already on the 40 man. I think he has a future as an offensive super-utility guy who can be OK defensively at potentially 5 spots. The Twins think enough of him to protect him and played him a lot during both Set's. Give Blankenhorn a shot. Let him get his feet wet. Coming off 2 off days, another 2 off days in a week, the pen rested and the staring staff rounding in to form, there is nothing to lose. *I hate losing Adrianza at this or any juncture. And be won't come back 100%. But doing this now may keep him stronger for the finish to the season.

I remain so-so on the runner on 2B. I despised the idea but am now ambivalent. I was OK with 7 inning double headers for this year, but not going forward. But I have to admit, I like the pace of the games played, the short turnaround between games, and pitching staffs and rosters overall not being worn out by a pair of traditional length games. I think I could get used to this. Hate the idea of the expanded playoffs.

Arm talent and potential is harder to define than athleticism and bat potential, IMO. I don't think that is a hard stretch. In regard to pitching, especially SP, there are few "guarantees" when it comes to the draft. There are so few guys like Clemons, Verlander and Strasburg at the TOP of the draft you can have the luxury of drafting as a close to sure thing. The next best thing to do...NOT talking about major trades or major FA signings...is what the current FO is doing. That is, revamp coaching. Which they have done. Next, draft a guy who has 1 or 2 great pitches or qualities you see and develop them. I would call this the Cleveland/Dogers/Rays format. I think we all know throwing 95mph+ doesn't mean you can "pitch" and be successful. But what if you can throw 92 with a great change or curveball and the Twins staff can add velocity and help with command and teach you a slider, slurve or cutter? The FO looks for arm talent, to be sure. While it's not talked about, I believe they are also looking for intelligence and the obscure "coachability" talent. Duran was obtained through trade, Vallimont through trade, Enlow and Sands via the draft. Dobnak came from the nether regions, lol. And I've left a lot of guys out, obviously. The point being they are astute at looking at coachability and projection. And not everyone will make it as a SP, or make it at all. But being a 1st round draft choice as a P guarantees little. It's about having as many arms as you can to work with and develop as you can. Right now, I am so encouraged as to what may be coming up the next couple of years that i am giddy with anticipation. And yes, I did use the word "giddy". Lol

I've already stated my love for Eddie and all the reasons why I think phasing him out NOW is a huge mistake. Also stated, for many reasons, why I think he will be back in 2021. And I am happy and good with that. But I really like this post. Forgetting defense metrics, I think Kepler is the better pure hitter with as much power. And I believe Kepler has more in him. Short, weird season and injuries, I would have LOVED to see some sort of combination of Arraez/Polanco at the top of the order and Kepler as the LH #4 hitter with the productive Rosario sliding down to #6 behind Polanco. It's not a slight to Eddie. It's about the top of the lineup and then staggering the lineup for greatest production and depth.