MN_ExPat

Yeah, it's a shame he didn't stay in the game and get a chance to pass Gausman, but I'd rather Lopez be rested and ready for his playoff start. A few extra strikeouts won't matter right now. But we absolutely need him in top form for the next game. 

If their postseason results match the ‘87 club, I won’t get too hung up on settling for 85 wins. 

I assume Lopez was on a pitch count. Go to 75 pitches and finish the batter. Had their been two outs, he might have been given a chance to get the third. 
Similarly, I’m not worried about Duran getting the seventh. I think the goal was just to get him an inning and then try to have Keuchel finish it out, including if they needed to go to extra innings. With a little trouble, they let Jax finish off.
I’ll also not be surprised if we see Keuchel starting on Sunday as they seek to rest starters and others who will be on the postseason roster. 

I asked this team just to win every series since the two crucial Cleveland matchups. I think they darn near have. Should I push my luck and ask them to win every playoff series, too?

Now tied with the '87 club with 85 wins.  Chance to post a respectable 88 or 89.

I don't understand the need for all of this conversation and debate when in reality Pablo and Gray will throw back-to-back complete game shutouts!! 

It might be overkill, but I can see the Twins adding 12 pitchers for the post season.  Our bullpen would be that dominant that a 15-inning game will not wear out the pen for the next game.  I could be wrong, but the pitching is our strength this post season we need to dominate with it.  
Also check out this article on mlbtraderumors.com regarding our pen for the playoffs.  The Twins' Bullpen Is In Good Shape For The Postseason - MLB Trade Rumors

He shall be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Just after the trade deadline, a lot of people were calling for the front office to be fired.  To me, this bullpen is better than one they could've built by losing more assets.  Kudos to the men in charge.

Is Hugh Boost a new addition to the Twins?

Playing the Angels without Trout and Ohtani, you'd think they wouldn't need a pitcher, a backup catcher should suffice.
Yet last night the Angels said otherwise.

Do the Rangers have any pitchers left at this point?

Great post!
I'm watching the results this week out west very closely while at the same time attempting to detach myself from any thought of cheering for a particular team based on who I'd like to match up against because we just don't know who will be the right or wrong team at the right or wrong time. 
Your post makes perfect sense... we should have the advantage of setting our rotation while the Jays, Rangers, Mariners and Astros have to fight to the end leaving THEM to roll with however it it rolls. 
However, while we worry about Luis Castillo and George Kirby or worry about Valdez and Verlander. History has shown that it just might be Logan Gilbert, JP France, Bryan Woo or Hunter Brown that hang zeroes while Castillo hangs a 4 in the 1st inning. 
While we hope for the return of Lewis and Correa. It just might be Christian Vazquez who hits a three run homer in 9th inning to send us to the next round. 
It's why I love baseball and it's why I'll never take for granted my team participating in the small sample size that is the playoffs. 
Great Post though and Go Twins!!!  
 

Thanks for the report, Seth.
Have been intrigued by Grace since he was drafted.  Certainly perked my interest while in Cedar Rapids this year as it seemed like every outing was a 1-2-3 clean appearance.  Noticed that he didn't do as well in AA, but that could be expected.  Is he someone the Twins may find in their bullpen later next year?
Seems like every time I see Funderburk pitch for the Twins he isn't all that sharp.  Yet, he seems to settle down and get thru the inning without giving up any runs.  As you point out, however, his numbers the last two years in the minors have been very, very good.  To be honest, don't know what to think about his future?

Loved what I saw from Bailey Ober.  When I ran marathons, I always worked up to marathon length with 2 weeks remaining and then tapered back so I was ready for the big race.  That is exactly the luxury that the Twins have by locking this up early and IMO they are doing a great job of giving their guys (pitchers and hitters) the adequate taper needed to make a playoff run.  Keep up the great work and don't worry about getting to a magic number of wins or trying to catch the ALW leader for that first round bye.

I don't think Funderburk has 98, but everyone else can reach those velocities. 

I’m curious, how is @John Bonnes feeling today after attempting the 9 hot dogs, 9 beers in 9 innings challenge last night?

Despite all the strikeouts, the Twins have a Top Ten offense. They've raised their team OPS to .749 and have been much better since the All-Star break. In their last five games, they face the two teams that have allowed the most runs in MLB, so their numbers figure to improve on offense. 
On the flip side, the Twins have allowed the fewest runs in the AL, fueled by a starting rotation that is top five in about every stat but victories. They are playing their best baseball right now. 

From a stuff perspective, Paddack and Stewart certainly had it. While his overall line was rough, I liked how CP worked the first, and I like how he bore down to squelch the A's rally in the second. Both guys will be in the playoff bullpen, I'm confident, so it's not the end of the world for them to get some game experience like that.
 
Ober looking good to me as the #4 playoff starter, hopefully his services will be needed in that role.

Concerns over Wallner's demise were greatly exaggerated

That's what I'm saying. I also agree with the way he was handled this year and pushed back against those calling for him to pitch longer in games. Gray was handled very well too. The only mishap was Ryan, but that is on him. Part of the reason the Twins have such a good staff is the management of said staff. 

Next season, sure. But how Ober was handled this year, I think was absolutely right, despite the calls this year to push him more. 

Fun game last night. Twins just keep working the walks, and correctly assuming that the next guy will take care of business. Morneau making the call on Wallner's HR was pretty fantastic. My goodness he pounded that one; I know they reported it at 463 ft, but it seemed even longer. Just an absolute bomb.
Nice to see Paddack's stuff playing up. He looked great in the first inning he threw. Not so great in the second one, but it's good to have him back regardless. Should he be in the bullpen for the post-season? Maybe?
Oakland is a pretty bad team, though. Yikes.

What impressed me is the willingness to take walks. Those walks were Ks earlier in the year. 

Maybe that’s why he’s not injured and ready to go for the playoffs?