Lauriee23

I switched to YouTube TV when it did carry the RSNs. After 2020, I watch wherever I could find the game (Fox, FS1, ESPN, Apple+, YouTube), and I have MLB.tv (as a STH and t-mobile customer). As a partial plan STH, I get to maybe 30-35 games/season in person.  For all the rest, if I really want to see a game I'll go to a bar, or try to do a self imposed media blackout until I can watch on MLB.tv (annoying and inconvenient). I listen to the radio broadcast most of the time, though.  MLB is losing fans and viewers and def not attracting new ones with this nonsense. They can't afford to do that for the long term health of the game.

I switched to YouTube TV when it did carry the RSNs. After 2020, I watch wherever I could find the game (Fox, FS1, ESPN, Apple+, YouTube), and I have MLB.tv (as a STH and t-mobile customer). As a partial plan STH, I get to maybe 30-35 games/season in person.  For all the rest, if I really want to see a game I'll go to a bar, or try to do a self imposed media blackout until I can watch on MLB.tv (annoying and inconvenient). I listen to the radio broadcast most of the time, though.  MLB is losing fans and viewers and def not attracting new ones with this nonsense. They can't afford to do that for the long term health of the game.

Anyone watching? Have a favorite team? Notable moment? If you are watching and want to jump in with a comment or observation, jump in!
Have to say, I’m enjoying Venezuela … they are coming on gang busters. Berríos got chased out of the game tonight, giving up 6 in an inning+ of work.
And two of my favorites … Eddie and Eduardo are playing ❤️

Thank you for the article.  Too many times Astudillo makes it into the rants and I do not know why.  He is fun, hustles, and hits.  He is the attitude we want. I used to love to watch Kirby Puckett because he smiled and loved the game, Astudillo is the one player who truly loves what he is doing.  I think Arraez and Buxton have that too if they could stay healthy. 

The Turtle gives you a lot of coverage for being 25-26 on the roster. Is he an elite defensive replacement anywhere? Probably not. But he can go out and make standard and at times above standard defensive plays. I saw  Polanco and Sano in the OF, enough said. Also, contemplate Cave at 1B? He has trouble with ground balls in the OF. Donaldson in RF? Garver in LF? Point is while the Turtle may not outplay a MLB starter in a defensive position, he will outplay most of them if they are off their normal spot on the field. Nice flexibility for a manager to have. 

I've been a Turtle fan from the get go. Although he may not be getting it done in the 10th inning, the Twins as a team aren't either. The team seldom gets the runner from 2nd to 3rd, let alone home.
 
I do have a little 2021 comparison for people who want a little "bang for their buck". This is a comparison of Astudillo's 2021 stats compared to Josh Donaldon's stats.  
 
                       Astudillo//      Donaldson
Salary:/           $573,500//     $23,000,000(avg of 4 yr contract)
Games:/            20//                20
Plate appear:/   65//               75
At bats:/            64//                69
Hits:/                 20//                20
Home Runs:/    3//                  3
RBI's:/             11//                10
Strike outs:/      4//                 11
Batting Avg:/    .313//             .290
Slugging %:/    .484//             .446
OPS:/               .792//             .877
 
Now I would take Donaldson's fielding at third any day over Turtle's, but he's done adequate around the field from watching the games. 
 
This is a small sample size with a lot of season left to change. But I guess what I'm saying is: Don't be grumbling on La Tortuga. He's been of of our more dependable hitters and players so far this season. 

Astudillo has plenty of fans on the board. It's just that the detractors have been more vocal. The way the team has been going, with too many stars failing to step up, I welcome seeing Willians in the lineup. He's like Star Trek's Scotty, giving her all she's got.

Forget the triple crown, let's see if he can survive series in a row. The most discouraging thing for all of us fans is seeing this great athlete constantly broken down and unable to play

The Berrios/Burnes matchup on Saturday night might have been the pitching duel of the year. Haven't seen 2 starters go toe-to-toe with no-hitters through 6 like that in a long time (there probably are a few but I haven't seen them). It made watching every pitch really fun. Great game.

I remember the thinking among my friends in 1987. Before Game 1 against the heavily favored Tigers: "I just hope they don't embarrass themselves when the spotlight is on them." Before Game 2: "Hey, they actually won a game! Good for them. We've used up our allotment of good luck." Before Game 3: "This can't last." Before Game 4: "Yep, what I expected. Now comes the onslaught." After that, there still was never confidence that this was really happening.
 
Hope similar guarded pessmism works out in the team's favor in 2021.
 

Great win. Both starters pitched like freaks of nature. Buxton hit a very tough cutter to the opposite field for a dinger. That's very encouraging to me. A hard fought game between two excellent ball clubs.

If there is a level playing field for the relief pitcher spots, I think Law should make the big league team. He has been absolutely lights out. Stashak is probably a competent last man in the bullpen, but given the apparent need for multiple innings early, I would expect Dobnak to come north with the team as a long reliever/spot starter. Also, given that Thorpe has an option, it will probably be used right away. He has been impressive so far this spring and may end up working many significant innings for the Twins.
 
Thielbar was effective last year, but I don't expect a successful encore. I am thinking that Waddell will get to Target Field early in the year and will supplant Thielbar, but probably not on Opening Day.

I think you nailed the takeoff and stuck the landing on this one Cody.

The fact we have 9 playoff caliber relievers in our bullpen is pretty insane considering how bad our bullpen had been over the last decade or so.
 
I would slide Rogers down to 5th or 6th and try to save him and Thielbar to use against LHB. Romo in the 9th. The rest are fungible.

I would have the order a bit different, for example Rogers a bit farther down with the way he has been pitching recently.
 
Overall though, when I look at the list I really marvel at the fact that out of these ten relievers, Poppen is the only one I wouldn't trust at all in a close game. That's pretty impressive depth and hopefully bodes well for the playoffs.

I agree with #1 & #2. No way should Rogers be #3 though. I'd put Wisler, Clippard, and Romo ahead of Rogers. 

Having watched Garver for a few years here on the Red Wings and of course watching all Twins games on MLB, there is something definitely “off” with him this year. I suspect that it is some sort of combination of the mental side (pandemic), physicality, or the loss of both His hitting coach (James Rowson) and his catching mentor to the Yankees. All of these factors are understandable and reasonable, but at this point I don’t know how far Rocco can go with him. I know he’s trying to bring him back to last year’s level , but I don’t think that’s happening. To add insult to injury he had Mitch pinch hit for Ryan last week with men on late in the game (forget which one). This may be designed to show Mitch, Rocco’s confidence, but on the flip side - what does it do to Jeffers who is superior in hitting and catching in 2020!! I say give the most time to the rookie this year and have a clean slate in Spring Training 2021. Go Twins!!

Watching Hill was a joy.
 
But the pen, WOW! 4 IP, ONE hit, ZERO walks, SEVEN SO.

number 1 might not be an over-reaction... 

Max Kepler vs Trevor Bauer again!  Hopefully Bauer will pitch one of the Reds games.
 

Max Kepler vs Trevor Bauer again!  Hopefully Bauer will pitch one of the Reds games.
 

Max Kepler vs Trevor Bauer again!  Hopefully Bauer will pitch one of the Reds games.
 

Option 1: Press "Like This" on this comment (or voice your support below) if you want us to start Blake Snell on full rest in Game 163.

This is what we acquired Snell for - when one game decides something.
 
If he lays an egg and we go next to a one-game wild-card series, we've got Berrios on normal rest for another game that really decides something.
 
If Snell pitches like we hope and we win, we start a series with Tampa with Berrios on normal rest.
 
I like the way it's set up.

Option 2: Press "Like This" on this comment (or voice your support below) if you want us to run with Marwin Gonzalez as our regular LF in the final week.