yarnivek1972

Has anybody heard anything about a possible IP cap for Berrios? I ask, because it was mentioned as part of a fantasy article in Yahoo sports. If he has one, it's probably 190-200. That sounds like a lot. He's already at 100. I figure he has about 18 regular season starts left. That's only 5 IP per to get to 190. If the Twins remain in contention, it could become an issue.

I saw a blurb on Yahoo sports about Berrios. I think it was more fantasy value oriented. Anyway, the bit I saw mentioned a concern about an IP cap for Berrios as an impact of his value. Between AAA and MLB, Berrios threw 170 IP last year and close to that between AAA and AA the year before. Of course, because many of his MLB IP were long last year it probably worked out to 180 or more "normal" innings. Point being, maybe he has a cap, but I doubt it is lower than 190. He's right about at 100 now. Figure 18 remaining starts (give or take). That is only 5 per start. Problem if the Twins stay in contention all year?

This exactly. To get, you have to give. I see a lot of posts suggesting we get. Precious few willing to give up enough to get it.

Of course, if you trade Erv you have 4/5 of the rotation to fill unless you feel that Mejia is a sure thing. He'll probably be around, but I don't think he's much more than a 4 or 5 next year.

And, as I ssid, Ervin is in better condition than both of those guys. He also, like they have, reinvented himself a couple years ago. Do I think Ervin can be an all star the next two years? No. Better than average starter? Yes. There's really nothing that suggests an iminent rapid decline. And more to the point, I think he's probably better the next two years than anyone the Twins might be able to trade for or sign as a FA.

Bartolo Colon is 44. CC Sabathia is almost 37. Colon was good through last year. Sabathia has been up and down the last 6 years, but he's done fine the last couple. That's two who are active now. Ervin is in WAY better condition than either of those two.

He's not doing it by blowing people away now. He's doing it with smarts and hitting his spots. 2-3 years probably for sure.

I considered posting this under last night's game wrap, but didn't want to get too far off topic. It's more appropriate here I think. IMO the Twins can't consider themselves legit contenders for anything until they figure out how to win at home. Sure, they have a great road record, but is it sustainable with essentially 2 starting pitchers and a good, but inconsistent offense? I submit no. History agrees. The only MLB team with a better road record is the Astros. Both the Twins and Astros are on pace to win 50 or more road games, which is historically difficult to do. 2010 is as far back as I felt going. No team has win 50 road games since then. Only two teams even won 48. In the last 8 seasons. Good teams strive for 40-45. The flip side as we all know is the Twins terrible record at home. How bad is it? Only 4 MLB teams have sub .500 home records. The Mets, Phillies, Giants and the Twins. Only the Phillies home record is worse than the Twins current mark. The Phillies are well on pace to matching the Twins 103 loss mark of last year. So, let's say the Twins fall back to Earth on the road and end the season with 45 road wins, which would still be spectacular. That would mean going 21-24 the rest of the year on the road. Let's say they also normalize at home to win .525 of home games the rest of the way. That would be 21-19 at home. See the problem? 41 more wins won't get the Twins into the playoffs. No way, no how. Probably need 45-46. At least. So that likely means winning 4 or 5 more home games to go 25-15 or even 26-14 at home the rest of the way. That's a winning percentage of over .600, which is double what they have in the first half. I don't see it happening.

Could be Vargas. Then Jorge back down afterward. Perhaps for another pitcher for Sunday or for Granite or even Garver for a cup of coffee before the Break.

It is a bit odd. Jorge's most recent couple starts weren't particularly strong. 6 IP, 9 H, 5 ER,1 BB, 4 K in one. 7 2/3 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K in the most recent. Doesn't exactly scream "I'm ready for MLB" to me. Meanwhile, Romero's two most recent starts have been arguably his best of the year. 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 7 K followed by 7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K. But then, a lot of the moves made by Falvine this year have seemed a bit odd. No reason why this one should be different.

Then I'm confused. How do you expect the Twins to hang with the Yankees? Do you feel the Twins starting pitching depth is as good as the Yankees? The offense isn't close. The bullpen isn't close. The Yankee rotation isn't great, but 3-5 is WAY better than the Twins

The Twins haven't played the Yankees yet. They have a +103 run differential.

That's not entirely accurate. There is no rule that says that the 26th man HAS to be the guy sent down after a double header. It could be someone else. Kyle Gibson, for example. Problematically, however, there would be no one to make Gibson's scheduled start on Tuesday. Could be Matt Belisle though.

Maybe bringing Granite up in place of Vargas and giving Granite some playing time would be beneficial. Perhaps a little more bench time would send the message to Buxton better than being in AAA. The message being you need to perform or you won't play.

I was referring to the specific play. Boshers threw a pitch very wide. Giminez tried to throw out the runner at second. The throw was way late and bounced. Polanco was fortunate to keep it in the infield.

It's too bad this is the last game of the series. Kelly and Kimbrel are probably both going to be unavailable tomorrow. Kelly threw 30. Kimbrel is at 17 with just 1 out.

Angels and ministers of grace, defend us!

That was almost a disaster.

This wasn't a good time for Boshers to join the "throw gas on the fire" gang.

How does that make sense? The laddder has been there from day one. They have only had seating for like 10-15 years.

Yes, this game has Belisle meltdown written all over it.

Throw the f'ng ball over the f'ng plate.

On the plus side, the Twins squeezed 3 extra outs from Kyle. 3 less for the pen to get.

But did he turn the correct way?

Lucky call there