How can there be an answer to that question? There are situations where we need him for a key out against a lefty and there are situations (such as yesterday) where we need him for two innings. One of the fine arts of managing is recognizing game situations and using pitchers to maximize wins, while still balancing the load so that everybody stays fresh.
One of the things I like a lot about this squad is its depth. The hitters can make a positive impact 1 through 9. The pitching staff less so, but if Gibson gets going and Odorizzi figures out how not to be wild after 4 innings, there are at least four guys who should give you a chance to win. Although the average quality in the bullpen could be better, we are not dependent on a Joe Nathan to clean up every game. Winning games like yesterday's and today's makes a big difference at the end of the season. Two losses and we are .500. Two wins and we top the division.
And the exact opposite was true in Pensacola, where the broadcaster (Joe Garagiola's grandson!) couldn't remember a game with such a strong wind off the bay, against the batters. Popups to shortstop were ending up 5 rows back in the seats behind the dugout.
One might have said: "Joe Record came on in the ninth to slam the door however, and grabbed his to RECORD his first save of the season while striking out the side."
I turned off the Twins in disgust and switched over to the Blue Wahoos against the Jumbo Shrimp. (Gotta love those MiLB nicknames!) I thought I was in a time warp. The Shrimp had the bases loaded with no outs and the Wahoos' pitcher proceeded to hit the batter to force in a run, cutting a two-run lead to one. They managed to get out of it but only because the next batter swung and missed at a 3-2 pitch above his eyes. Wow, maybe the Twins just needed worse Mets.
That looked to me like a passed ball that was a direct result of trying to "frame" a pitch. He tried to keep the glove in the strike zone even though the ball wasn't.
I guess he's had too many major-league innings to be a "prospect," but has everyone completely given up on Romero? Over the last two years he has been the "next big thing" and now all of the sudden I don't see any mention of him.