IndianaTwin

Enough with these literature references. Give me some math!

Concur. Though since we're talking about hopes, I hope it's in the National League.

I saw him last night, and I thought he looked pretty good. Of the six hits, one was a bloop, and most of the others were ground ball singles through the infield. A couple were nearly knocked down by diving infielders but took big hops on an infield that looked like it had a couple lips. Several other comments. I thought Banuelos did a good job working with all three pitchers. I was sitting right behind the dugout, and I liked how Lewis interacted with others, from being the only guy to talk to both bat boys and then comparing notes on pitchers with other hitters. Cabbage seemed to have good wheels for his size. Rortvedt crushed the ball on his double into a brutal wind.

First, I like the premise of this new series. I think it has the potential for some great discussions. Second, I wrote a lot of this in today’s game recap thread, but it may fit better here. A lot of the responses above use the “cut Hughes” language. Sorry, but I’m not ready to give up on him. He’s retired 10 of 12 in his four one-inning stints in the pen, and thrown the vast majority of his pitches for strikes after less than 60 percent for strikes as a starter. Two strikeouts and no walks. The first two games were the ninth inning in blowouts, but Monday was the first time he was tested in a game that was still in the balance. He succeeded, getting three outs on nine pitches with the team down just 1-0 in the ninth. He had a strikeout and two weakly hit balls. It’s true that the two batters he hasn’t retired in relief have each hit homers. But they were each solo, because he hadn’t allowed any other runners. Overall, I think he was probably able to leave each of the four outings with a sense that he had taken at least a small step forward. Those are the incremental steps toward getting the confidence of your manager. I think he’ll get a few more outings in low-leverage situations, but if he is able to continue progressing, I could see him moving into the mix. But to the original question, I think the bigger issue at this point is how much longer they can afford to run Lynn out there every five days. Most of the posts have also focused on the Santana question, rather than the May question. But May threw 58 pitches on the 12th — is he scheduled to go tomorrow night? Whenever he goes, I assume the goal is 75 pitches or so. This front office has seemed to operate by making their decisions at the last possible minute. Witness the way they played day-by-day on when they actually had to roll out Hughes as a starter amidst the postponements. We didn’t have large amounts of lead time on the fact that Romero was going to get a start. Put all those pieces together, and I could see the following. Lynn pitched today and May potentially tomorrow? With a Twins off day tomorrow, Lynn and May are essentially on the same scale. Eventually optioning May is a legit possibility, and I could see wisdom in that, but if May pitches well in the next two rehab starts and Lynn struggles (again) next Tuesday, I could also see making the switch to May on the 28th when he is eligible and Lynn’s turn comes around. In other words, one more guaranteed start for Lynn. If he pitches well on the 22nd, he gets to stay around. If not, May on the 28th. Then what do you do with Lynn? The optimist in me says that I think Hughes can work his way into the legit bullpen options group by then. The realist in me says that someone is going to get hurt or pitch their way back to Rochester. Either way, Lynn slots into the current Hughes role, seeking to regain his effectiveness in low-leverage situations. He wouldn’t be the first starter forced to make that transition. And if Hughes and Lynn could both actually make that transition, that has the makings of a deep pen! Now back to the original question. If from the mix of Romero, Berrios, Odorizzi, Gibson, Lynn, and May, there are five that are pitching effectively, add Santana and go to six. If not, Santana replaces the fifth most effective. If Romero isn’t among the top four, send him back to Rochester for a few starts and to protect innings, with the possibility of coming back as a starter if needed, or as reliever if not, since 150ish innings is likely the limit. (And by the way, if somehow they get through a six-man rotation for a few turns and all are effective, that sounds like a trade brewing, with either Odorizzi or Lynn hitting the road for prospects.) Finally, let’s remember that all of these options are better than last year’s choices!

Why not use Hughes in long relief? How about, “because that’s not his role.” When Lynn got pulled, it wasn’t a 5-0 game where you say, “Here, Phil, pitch until your arm falls off.” It was a 3-2 game, and Molitor was probably looking for the most likely candidate to get him 2-3 scoreless innings. Based on the last 16 months, Rogers was probably a better shot than Hughes. But sorry, I’m not ready to give up on Hughes. He’s retired 10 of 12 in his four one-inning stints in the pen, and thrown the vast majority of his pitches for strikes after less than 60 percent for strikes as a starter. Two strikeouts and no walks. The first two games were the ninth inning in blowouts, but Monday was the first time he was tested in a game that was still in the balance. He succeeded, getting three outs on nine pitches with the team down just 1-0 in the ninth. He had a strikeout and two weakly hit balls. It’s true that the two batters he hasn’t retired in relief have each hit homers. But they were each solo, because he hadn’t allowed any other runners. Overall, I think he was probably able to leave each of the four outings with a sense that he had taken at least a small step forward. Those are the incremental steps toward getting the confidence of your manager. I think he’ll get a few more outings in low-leverage situations, but if he is able to continue progressing, I could see him moving into the mix.

1-For all the “let’s call up the young pitchers and give them a chance” clamoring that goes on on TD, it seems an over-reach to declare Garver a flop at 105 at bats. 2-If Gimenez indeed has an opt-out on June 1, why trade anything for him on May 16?

I think I’ll play a little music while I go pick up some chicken... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gw6JO_l8NyQ

I was having second thoughts on the plan to run Berrios out again after how long the inning was, but at least he gets the ovation.

Elsewhere in the race to the bottom of the gene pool, Boston’s (and my fantasy team’s) Carson Smith hits the DL after a “right shoulder subluxation” after throwing his glove in the dugout following his last outing...

Feel free to go to class now. Fernando and Friends have this covered.

But they should have played the outfield back a little farther!

The wheels on the Bux go round and round...

Don’t we hate it when Molly bunts?

By “Murderee,” do you mean our guys are going to get killed?

Yeah, like that.

Though sooner would be fine.

At the least, this at bat by Rosario probably chases Flaherty after the inning.

5. Mother’s Day:The Kids and I took my wife out to dinner for Mother’s Day. Every time we go out to eat, she declines dessert and eventually grabs a spoon and takes bites out of mine. Now she is upset with me because I had her sign a binding agreement stating that if she declined her own dessert she gives up any claims to mine. How ticked do you think she’ll be when she finds you posted this exchange on TD?

The best year of my childhood was 1977, so I remember many sign-ons with Herb Carneal and Frank Quilici.

Thanks. My question was actually on the ground ball and whether Escobar should have seen it was going to be a tough double play and gone home instead to get the runner at the plate. I saw the play later and saw that going home would probably been an even tougher play since he was going to his left. I was able to listen and it was a great game. Both teams had a couple big plays they made and a couple they didn’t. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.

I was on the road, so I wasn’t able to watch. Should the Twins have easily turned the double play? Should Escobar have gone home?

Der Defender!

Der Schlagger continuing to climb the ladder to reach Mike Blowers. The bigger challenge could be staying ahead of Aaron Altherr, who he now leads 41-32.

Aw, hands are over-rated.

Almost can match you. I was greeted by Buxton down 0-2. Guess what pitch was next.