IndianaTwin

Call me silly, but I’d prefer if we had least one more run here.

I thought Lynn was a good signing, and I still think it was. I believe he's still got a lot of good bullets left in the arm. I think it was going to be very tough to put together a good year when you get the late start that he did. When you don't have spring training, you don't get to work out the bugs on the sideline in the same way. Switching leagues. Dealing with the dejection of getting paid a TON less than you (and most everybody else) were expecting. We can say that it should have made him ready to go out and prove himself, but I doubt any of us have had to deal with any of that kind of rejection. We forget that players are human too. Professional sports require an extreme amount of self-confidence, and he had virtually all of it blasted by those "in the know." And to those on this board who thought he was worthless, I'll ask this: Who is the only Twin to have thrown five straight quality starts this year? Hint: He's a Yankee now.

And here's the Super Two cutoffs in recent years, per MLBTradeRumors: 2017: 2.123 2016: 2.131 2015: 2.130 2014: 2.133 2013: 2.122 2012: 2.140 2011: 2.146 2010: 2.122 2009: 2.139

<<edit -- mostly ninja'ed by Yarnivek>> As I understand it, one collects service time if on the MLB 25-man roster or DL. I think he was on the MLB roster or DL until being optioned to Rochester on July 2. So 3 days in March, 30 in April, 31 in May, 30 in June, and 2 in July totals 95 days. At 2.062 going into the year, that would take him to 2.157. It takes 172 days to get a full year, so he would still be under 3 seasons if he's not activated. That's how I understand it, but I'm not as nerdy as my son. Almost, but not quite. No, not even close.

Sure, but that’s a rational explanation. Rationality doesn’t necessarily abound in the baseball world around July 31.

I predict that Tampa Bay and the Phillies just sent TD into a pheeding phrenzy...

Good call, Carole. And a good choice, I think, with Mejia and Odorizzi on for Wednesday and Friday. May is also a known quantity with Molitor and has a 1.10 ERA in his last 10 games.

You didn't go back far enough: 1991: oh yeah! (intervening years clipped in the interest of brevity. really, for brevity, nothing else.) 2006: epic rally...

It’s doubtful, but I think the odds are better than the percentage likelihoods that are given in most settings. I think it’s also simpler than what you describe (though believe me, I almost always prefer long and lengthy explanations — just ask my wife. Kudos for your work.). Here’s the simple version: 1. Beat the Indians 7 out of 9. How likely is that? Not, but not unrealistic. 2. Make up 3 games the rest of the way (to tie, 4 games to win). If we were only 3 games back, we’d likely be in (slight) buy mode, and few of us would consider the team out of it. How likely is to make up 3-4 games in the rest of the season? Perhaps (probably) less than 50/50, but not at all impossible, for some of the reasons you describe above. Look, I get that 7 games under .500 is what it is, and that’s how the Twins have played to date. But consider this: First 52 games: 22-30 Next 52 games: 26-26 Remaining 58 games: 1-0 (so far) In other words, with last night, the Twins have played as long (technically, longer) as a .500 team than they have as a “bad” team. And even in the stretch as a .500 team, there’s a strong sense they’ve underperformed. Said another way, it’s not unusual for .500 teams to play somewhat better than .500 ball for a lengthy time. And I think this is still better than a .500-ball roster. I repeat. Not “likely,” but not impossible either. Looking ahead, I would concur that with Santana, Sano back, the potential resurgence of some others, and guys in Rochester, the team may not have dramatically weakened itself in terms of talent. I think there’s greater likelihood of them falling apart mentally under the perception of giving up than there is of them falling apart in terms of talent. For that reason, I think tonight and tomorrow night are huge. Win both, and the stage is set for a “screw you, we’re only six back, and we’ve got seven more with Cleveland” response. I think that’s especially the case since the next four games with Cleveland come so quickly — next week. Win only one, and that is a much tougher mindset to have.

Mejia will pitch Wednesday, per radio guys. I'd think it's his spot for at least a few times through the rotation as they evaluate for 2019.

Thanks, Carole. I turned it on near the end of comments about "Joe," which I assumed to be Mauer. What was the gist of that question and response?

Because Pressley is headed to Houston .

I've got a five-hour drive in front of me, so I'm going to quit posting and Ride Like the Wind.

Dear Brian, You can get mad now. Sincerely, IT

It's the Best That You Can Do.

My son referred to Sale-Lynn as the Christopher Cross matchup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7khQNR7s1Ho

Spycake, if you found this easily, I'd be interested in knowing what percentage of starts throughout the league were in this range the past few years. The curiosity has nothing to do with Blackburn -- just wondering if the number has dropped as precipitously as it seems, or if it just seems that way because short starts are getting more attention.

Shoot the whole quiver, Mr. Rodney!

Ding, ding, ding — we’ve got a winner.

Let’s hope that watching this game doesn’t turn into a hard day’s night...

Sorry, but I couldn’t resist — how tall is he when he’s not healthy?

Is the 2019 edition out? 'Cause Hawk Harrelson still has a few games left before he (mercifully) retires.

As a friend of mine says, "'Free' is my favorite flavor."

Gold Glove catchers are supposed to be backing up the throw, Salvador.

Der Glover.