HarmonK03

Lewis does not look comfortable at 2B, you can see the difference when he plays there vs. 1B.

The Kreidler/Caratini love affair continues tonight. This is what is real frustrating about watching this team, they can be exciting to watch and they don't give but the line ups are totally mind boggling. Twice they didn't think Kreider was one of the best 26 players for the roster earlier in the season. What has he done this season to earn consistent playing time. So at one time he is not even good enough for the roster, but now they are playing him 4 games in a row. Yes we need him as our backup SS for this year but why keep running him out there, he hasn't earned it. And you keep moving your hottest hitter in Lewis around just to get Caratini in the lineup. He is average at best defensively at first and he hasn't hit lefties this year or previously in his career. At some point your players have to be given a position and the role players find their way in the lineup not the other way around. They are treating Kreidler and Caratini as core players, what team would do that other than the Twins.

Agree on Festa, pitchers struggle to come back from this type of injury. Until we see him on the mound, I don't think you can count on him for any role.

The only reason I would want Wallner is as a late pinch hitting option, and this may be a low bar but he would have more potential to do damage than anyone else we have been running out there. And Shelty refuses to use Jackson for anything. I know you like Roden, but if one of the younger prospects like Emma is ready, I don't really want him blocking anyone. His savant page may look good but he has yet to be productive in three different stints in the major leagues. His time is running out to make an impact and show he deserves a spot on the roster.

I agree, this is another case to get Jenkins up here, he has to be able to match any of those numbers. And I really wish they would keep Lewis at first, he is not comfortable at second and you can see it. Be careful bringing up Jackson and the need for him, the pitchforks will come out.

Their main channel you have to subscribe separately to and it streams only.

All sports are doing this, moving games as much as possible to the streaming services. They are throwing a lot of money at them to do this. And they think they will get the younger crowds, maybe some sports do but I don't think baseball is. The death of the the regional sports network was hastened by the growth of streaming services which I don't think was a good thing. For me, the only thing that saves me, I piggyback on my kids streaming services so I can usually get most games thru them. Had to get something for all the tuition money I have shelled out.

No but a good defensive team makes that throw more times than not and at least makes it close but we are not a good defensive team. The emphasis has been on offense first, which is fair but then plays like this are not made enough. I would prefer more emphasis on defense but others may appreciate how the Twins do it and that is fair.

I do agree with the stark contrast, but they are a fun team to watch, just not when they are playing us.

A small nitpick, but their two catchers I do not believe have that sprint speed or does Yelich any more. But the point still stands that we need more speed and athleticism.

The Milwaukee series was a fun series to watch, it's disappointing that we couldn't come up with one more win but they went toe to toe with Mis yesterday Yesterday's game I think showed the differences between these teams and how they operate. The Brewers had a starting outfielder go down with injury and they put their young prospect who was called up a week earlier for a struggling veteran into the lineup. When the Twins have Buxton go on the IL three days later, they call up a backup infielder who showed that he had not earned a spot on the major league roster and asked a player who recently moved to the outfield to learn CF on the fly. Thus giving more AB's to another player, Roden who is quickly moving past prospect status. Now I do not know all the inside information about why Milwaukee made the decision but the optics sure are a stark contrast. Shelty and his staff seem to have made improvements with the team on the field and has them not giving up. It would be nice to see them get more support and help from the front office. This is my hope is that Tom P. is looking around the league at how different organizations are run and what is successful and what may not work. And by the end of the year make an objective assessment about Zoll and his ability to run the baseball operations. I know we all say they need to make changes and become more athletic and improve the defense. But can the personnel who have been supportive of the way this team was built and the philosophies behind it change enough. I am skeptical, but hopefully that is what Tom P. is assessing. We will see, but it was fun watching the Brewers play and I would like to see more baseball and use analytics as a tool.

So because expectations were low, we can't have expectations now. You are correct this team has been more enjoyable to watch then the past two years. But they raised the expectations at the trade deadline with the moves they made. You don't trade Hill for a rental relief pitcher if you don't think you have a chance to make the playoffs. And I agree with the trade. But don't stop now, help the roster out, the margins for error are getting smaller every day. Yes they played well this weekend. But the if game goes both ways, they were two strikes from being swept by KC at home. That is what is frustrating they just can't seem to turn the corner and get any consistency going. And if they weren't fun to watch, a lot of people would have tuned them out by now, but a lot of us want them to do well but doing the same thing every day is leading to this inconsistency. So why not try something different to see if that provide a spark or some life to the team.

I haven't said it was all Kriedler's fault but in two key situations the #9 hitter was left in without pinch hitting for him. I have said multiple times, there were many poor at bats. But in the context of having someone that can pinch hit on the roster would be beneficial because most teams would have pinch hit for their #9 hitter in those situations. Read the posts, not just the part you want.

I get that he wouldn't debut against Rogers but when he comes up I really hope they don't ruin him by platooning. He needs to play every day. Resting against the tougher lefties like a Skubal is one thing, but I hope they don't platoon him.

But this roster needs help, Kreidler came up in two key situations and they needed someone to pinch hit for him. Wallner could be in that role of a pinch hitter, he can run into one and I would rather take a chance with him than Kreidler. You can't keep losing games like today this time of the season. And any moves they make may not work, but they have a player sitting on the bench not being used. If they are truly a contender that they say they are, you don't stash a player on the bench. And if not Wallner, than try something. To do nothing is more discouraging than trying something and it not working out. There are other options beside Wallner and they may not be optimal but this is the time to stop being conservative and back up the talk and try something.

Dan Hayes said it was a planned day of rest. He had played 5 days in a row including at St. Paul and coming off the injury, they wanted to give him a day off. But they also said he was available so I am not sure why he didn't pinch hit.

A lot of assumptions about why he is out, it would be nice to get an update.

This has been an organizational issue since Falvey took over. Analytics do not favor bunting so they do not prioritize it in development. I am a little surprised Shelty doesn't work with them more at the big league level as I am not sure he is in complete alignment. But it is hard if they aren't doing it in the minor leagues.

Appreciate the comments but I do feel they are being a little too conservative. And it's the same situations with the three catchers. Jackson did a nice job in June with Jeffers out, but was that an anomaly or who he is. Based on history I am not sure he could replicate that production. If Jeffers or Caratini get hurt yet this year, there are catchers on the waiver wire, you are going to more worried about defense than offense at that point. And I have to believe they could find a replacement in the offseason if needed. Yes there is some risk in DFA'ing Jackson, but Zoll said he wanted to give this team a chance to see what they could do. He then needs to continuing making some moves that at least tries to help them. Using a 12 man position roster is not helping them for this year. Roden and Martin both are not producing and could easily be sent down for Jenkins. They have to start taking some risks. Bring up Wallner or Gonzalez, I don't know who but identify the need and get someone up here that can help in some role.

I know you have been watching the games more. But I have been following game logs for Jenkins and he is 18 for 50 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home runs in one game. There is never a perfect time to bring someone up, I don't really understand why he wouldn't be up here tomorrow. We saw what outfield defense can do for you and we need a CF and Kreidler is not the answer to replace Keaschall. I know he won't necessarily save the season by himself, but it increases the talent level on this team. We are carrying Jackson and he has one pinch running appearance in 10 days. I can't believe that Jenkins at least won't improve the roster and be extension maybe the bench a little more as well.

Well it would help to have an outfielder out there. Clemens does an adequate job out there but his throws are not always accurate. We have to improve this defense and put players at positions they can play. I think this series shows that.

Let me rephrase, since you know what I mean, but I am calling for the front office to call up Jenkins. But you still are against the front office calling anyone up because they will automatically fail as rookies. And quite honestly, this front office has minimal credibility with me to make good decisions. It is the same personnel for the most part making the decisions for the last 10 years that has led to one wildcard win in that time. The only thing that changed was Zoll is now the final decision maker. But he has been here 10 years and a key decision maker for at least the past five years. And anyone who calls Gray back up after his horrendous season loses even more credibility that he has the ability to build a winning team.

You are not reading my post, I used that as an example but you conveniently didn't read the part about identifying a need and filling it. Jackson has been used once in 10 days, that is a waste. There were two times today that they could have pinch hit for Kreidler, not that he was the only one not having a good day at the plate, but he is the #9 hitter for a reason.

Read the post, I don't care if they would have Wallner just to pinch hit, at least the roster spot would be used. Right now we are not using one of our roster spots, Whether it is Wallner or someone else, identify a need and bring somebody up to fill that need.

We know you never call up anybody from St. Paul, there is no reason to have a farm system to develop talent. Just keep signing the Grays and Kreiderlers of the world and watch the World Series rings come raining down.