Darius

I think the lack of consistency is a joke. But, I’m not overly offended by the way the game is this year, it’s actually fun to watch. What I mean about lack of consistency is, think about a player like Joe Mauer for instance. Let him play with that ball for a couple of years in the Dome and eventually TF. Remember how many opposite field fly balls were caught on the warning track in his career? Literally hundreds. It’s not out of bounds to assume he would’ve had dozens of home runs, at least, added to his career stat line, thus making him a first ballot hall of famer and one of the greatest catchers of all-time (he’s an afterthought nationwide). As a fan, sure it’s fine. But you can’t tell me this doesn’t upset players who didn’t get the benefit. Certain players it may have even cost millions of dollars and who knows how many accolades (some players benefit from this more than others). It offers no reasonable comparison between a player now and a player in the past, which is part of the fun of being a lifelong fan of the game. Basically, it’s fun to watch. But, in a way, it throws the history and nostalgia of baseball out the window. It’s even on a greater scale than Bonds/Big Mac. By appearances, a few players were out of whack back then. But, when dozens of guys hit 40+ home runs (which may happen this year), it dilutes it even more. All context in terms of baseball for us middle-aged and older fans know is all but gone. Frankly, it’s kind of joke that the Twins and Yankees this year may be considered the best offenses of all time based on stats. Deep down, any reasonable baseball man knows that’s false (some of the Indians and Mariners teams of the 90s alone blow them away, IMO).

If I had to make a choice, I’d like to see a starter. I know that Odorizzi and Perez have been good, and Gibson can be good at times. But, I’d rather not lean on any of those too heavily in a playoff series. I don’t feel great about navigating the gauntlet of New York/Houston when running a guy like that out there twice per series. Starting pitching is huge in the playoffs. We may have enough guys to get by in the pen if the starters can get some relatively deep starts. Add a serviceable late-inning guy to a starter and we’re really in business. But, I think a high/quality starter does more for World Series aspirations than a 7th-8th inning guy.

Great article. My summary: Martin Perez being a regular starter and allowing the fewest HRs on the team is much more surprising than Eggs’ number, IMO. I had no faith in Perez. I don’t think Buxton is a surprise for anyone other than a handful of hot take fans that were ready write him off at age 23-24. It would be more surprising if a player of his caliber never materialized into some sort of player. Cron would probably be my biggest surprise. When they picked him off of the heap, who saw a borderline All-Star coming?

For reference, going into 2019 they had Lewis at 8, Graterol at 33, and Kirilloff at 39.

Kepler, without a doubt. It’s a stacked position, but I believe he’s right up there with Mookie Betts for the AL OF WAR leaders not named Mike Trout. Austin Meadows over Max Kepler? Robbery. Rogers and Cruz have pretty air-tight cases....but Kepler is a full fledged star. I’m kind of shocked that the MLB didn’t do whatever it could to try and take advantage of the European emerging market angle. Even discounting Kepler’s superior performance, what on earth does Austin Meadows from the least followed team on the planet do for anyone? Not to mention, he’s been abysmal for a while now (down to pedestrian .289/12/41 after a red hit start to the season). Not hard to say Rogers makes sense considering Presley, Chapman, Hand, Green, and Hendricks made it for reliever. A legitimate argument can be made that they deserve it over Rogers. But Meadows over Kepler AND Rosario AND Buxton.....joke.

Everyone seems to preaching patience, but seem to forget the most important fact of this matter. This Indians are now less than 6 games with 13 against us (3 after the break). We have a much harder schedule than the Indians after break (I believe we have the Yanks and As while they get the Tigers and Royals). You want to wait for market to loosen a little to save a somewhat marginal prospect in a deal? Well, it’s looking like we are going to be a Wildcard team by then. I don’t know about any of you, but I’m not raiding this system for a couple relievers just to get bounced out of New York or Houston. You have to make the move now, or just scrap it, IMO. Ideally, some help would have been brought in weeks ago when this slide started (we’ve been about .500 for a month now). There is a lot of this wait and see attitude when it comes to baseball, and it boggles my mind. One game could be difference between getting a home series or being a wildcard club. That game could’ve already been lost by sitting on our hands. Stop waiting to see what happens and be proactive.

Lead is now below 7. Buckle the seatbelts for the second half. Not overly confident we’ll hang onto this lead.

Great win. These injuries just keep piling up. All you hear about is how amazing the Yankees’ story is with injuries. Well, the Twins have come out of nowhere to enter the conversation for the most prolific offense of all time. That has been done without a full lineup contingent healthy for nigh a single game this year (honestly, I think none). ...And just think, that includes giving the Yanks Aaron Hicks for absolutely nothing.

Arraez is incredible.

The Twins surpassed 500 runs as a team last night. The Tigers have yet to score 300.

That inning felt really therapeutic.

This series is massive, actually, after dropping one of Oakland. With Cleveland now within ear shot (with a ton of games left with them), Texas could quickly become one of the team we’re competing with for a wildcard. Yes, it’s gotten to the point where we need to start being concerned about what the other possible wildcard teams are up to as well. Scalding hot take for some right now, maybe, but I’m concerned.

This lead is going to dry up to less than 5 games before the end of the weekend. They darn well better start making some moves.

Poor Matt Harvey.

Fantastic discussion topic right now. There are arguments for a number of guys. Hard to argue against either Berrios or Buxton. I think the team would most without either of them for a sognificant stretch. Polanco and Kepler are among the top WAR guys in the league right now (Polanco on pace for an 8 win season, Kepler 6 - pretty incredible). The thing about Kepler: he’s been a consistent force at the top of this lineup all year. He’s been hammering the ball all year, for the most part. Probably not going to be handed team MVP, but he has been a massive driver of this team’s success this year. In the end, I just can’t give it to anyone other than Buxton. The difference when he’s in center field is clear. The effect he has on the opposing pitcher when he gets on base is clear. To rip off a line from the Twins Skor North crew the other day (not sure of the name, and paraphrased): Despite all of the new-fangled advanced stats out there right now, I don’t think there is one that fully and accurately measures Buxton.

Big win. Have to keep salvaging a game here or there to hold off the Indians, who can’t lose these days. Everyone better enjoy being the most prolific offensive club in history for one more day. The Yanks are now within a single run scored (incredible considering how far ahead we were of the field a month ago).

This team is falling apart. The offense will always be there, but I have significant doubts anything meaningful will be accomplished with this pitching staff.

Can’t believe they’re still letting that bum Sano play.

Berrios. Probably Buxton. Kepler and Polanco are getting there on those contracts.

The Orioles are really tearing the Indians a new one this week.

Sano getting hot is going to be incredible for this team.

Pineda delivered in a big way tonight. A high quality start like that was much needed.

Disappointing outing Harper. Throw strikes and give the team a chance. Even so, I think we get out of that inning with Rosario and LF. That’s a play he makes at home. Way too many GIDPs in overtime. ExhibitA in the argument that strikeouts can often be beneficial (or at least less detrimental than a ball on the ground).

For those who think a ground ball is better than a K, that GIDP was for you.

What a game by Perez and the pen thus far today (wood has been knocked). Even if we lose this, very encouraging. A functional Martin Perez makes this team so much better.