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the_brute_squad

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Everything posted by the_brute_squad

  1. the_brute_squad
    Giolito did exactly what an "Ace" is supposed to do. A rubber match and he took the ball and made sure the opposing team knew who was in control. The Twins do not have that pitcher. Which teams have that guy(s): Cleveland Houston LA That's exactly why the Twins are still favored to win the division but the Indians are favored to advance further into the playoffs.
  2. the_brute_squad
    I agree it would be good to see Arraez in the leadoff spot. Teams can play a shift on him because of his bat control. If Buxton ever makes it back let's hope he is still hitting. With Buxton on first and Arraez at bat it could make some pitchers pretty nervous. Buxton should have free reign to run and it probably wouldn't effect Arraez's focus. Put Kepler in the two spot and Polanco is a perfect fit right behind Rosario as a switch hitting combination power/contact guy.
  3. the_brute_squad
    The Twins hot start this year coincided with Jorge Polanco's. Since Polanco has fallen back to earth the Twins once "insurmountable lead" has turned a division front runner into a division contender. Throughout the season we've seen players move around the lineup based on the usual reasons (opposing pitcher, hot/cold/ other players in lineup), what we haven' consistently seen is Polanco hit anywhere but the two spot. If that spot is reserved for the hottest or best hitter then we should be seeing Kepler or Arraez in that spot. In either case those two should be batting 1 or 2 in the lineup. This isn't a slight toward Polanco as he's more than a serviceable hitter but the way he's hitting right now isn't a top of of the lineup hitter. Who knows, maybe moving down in the lineup will re-awaken his bat and he can carry the team to the division title.
  4. the_brute_squad
    The Twins lost the lead as expected. I predicted the division lead would be gone by Aug. 1st. I was off by a week but still patting myself on the back. I still believe this squad will win the division so I'm buying into the assumption of this article. I wouldn't be surprised to see Brusdar get the call up and earn some innings in relief soon. He very well could be a possibility in the rotation toward very latter part of the season. Since he hasn't faced any of the contenders he might be the rookie that makes it big in the playoffs. Every playoff series needs a story and he will be ours.
  5. the_brute_squad
    I agree with the no extension for Gibby. In my opinion this is a tryout and he's failing in the big games. Too bad big Mike Pineda is on the shelf because I think he'd be the best option right now. Baldi is showing his trust in the pen as he's had the starters out to hang 3 games in a row. It seems like he's more willing to do that since Odo had his meltdown about getting taken out too early a few weeks ago. It's obvious this staff doesn't match up against many of the better teams. If we don't get help from the minors - outside of Smeltzer - I don't see how the squad makes it anywhere past the first round of playoffs.
  6. the_brute_squad
    That was not an "ace" performance by Berrios. It shows that he isn't truly and ace, yet. I'm in the camp that he has the talent to become one but he's not there yet. There's plenty of evidence that puts him on the second tier of #1 pitchers. The one thing an ace is supposed to do is instill confidence that your team is going to win. I haven't had that confidence in Berrios and I haven't really had it since Liriano and Santana were on the club.
  7. the_brute_squad
    Was there a $50 co-pay with this blog?
  8. the_brute_squad
    It would be good to see the season numbers on the top 20 as well. (maybe a weekly update) Recently there's been a lot of 0fers for Royce. Is he making solid contact and just bad luck or is he having problems catching up to this level? Since Jake Cave is showing he's a AAAA player is there any chance we're going to see someone else who doesn't average a fielding gaffe a game with multiple strikeouts?
  9. the_brute_squad
    Not a playoff caliber performance. If this lineup can't crack the Miami pen I'm not too confident they'll do much against the Astros. Dyson gets a pass due to the circumstances.
  10. the_brute_squad
    It Twins v Yankees today. Which franchise has more coveted prospects to include in a deal for a front line pitcher or reliever.
  11. the_brute_squad
    What's more concerning? 1) A 3-6 homestand (2 losses to the Mets) 2) Our rookie pitchers handled the Yankees better than the veterans 3) The front office hasn't made a move On a positive note. The Twins had a 4-8 regular season record against their eventual ALCS foes in 87 and 91. Getting beat in regular season isn't necessarily an indicator as to what happens in the postseason.
  12. the_brute_squad
    The Yankees now see they'll need bullpen help. We already know the Twins need help. So the Pinstripes will go get the best bullpen arms available and our hometown 9 will wait to see what's leftover in the scrap heap.
  13. the_brute_squad
    If I'm not mistaken I believe I heard Rosario's pinch hit 3 run bomb was the first 3 run HR since June 5th. If that's the case, that a worrisome stat as it shows the team is not: 1) Hitting well in with RISP 2) Getting multiple hit innings Sure they've had some 4-5 HR games but it those are mostly solo shots. On a positive note Marwin's HR was great. If you watched the highlight you can see he choked up on the bat to make solid contact with two strikes. He still hammered it while choking up. It would be nice to see if some of the others are doing the same thing.
  14. the_brute_squad
    The pitching wouldn't be an issue of the defense played defense. The errors this team makes are lazy, fundamental errors. It's been a problem for over a month (19 fielding errors) and their record reflects it. Pitching and bombas mean nothing if you give the opposing team extra outs each game.
  15. the_brute_squad
    I like it. I don't see Stewart panning out for us so this is as good a time to cut bait with him as any.
  16. the_brute_squad
    Gibby needs to stop with the mental breakdowns. He can roll through innings with the best of them, but once he gives up a solo shot or has an error behind him you can write him off for the remainder of that inning. It's a good thing we've had the time off because that bullpen looked as sharp as it has all year. In regard to he second half, I see Pineda being a #1 quality pitcher for the squad. He's far enough removed from surgery, he looks healthy, and I'm pretty sure he's been missing more bats than any of our other starters.
  17. the_brute_squad
    I see Mn and Cle tied at the end of July. The lead could be 0 by mid-month based on the schedule after the break. A race to the title will add some excitement to an already fantastic season. I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade during the break, either. There certainly is room for a top tier starter. This team needs a guy that goes 7 innings and will ensure no extended losing streak (haven't had one yet, no reason to start now). Buckle up, it's going to be a fun ride!
  18. the_brute_squad
    Everyone expected Cleveland to be good this year so it's not surprising they are gaining. Every team goes through some down times and in this case it's happening while the Tribe is playing their hottest ball of the season. It is concerning that this team can't seam to hit with RISP. It's also concerning that two of our all-star pitchers pitched against that A's and those are the two games that were lost (blister didn't help Odo). This squad doesn't have a lights out pitcher - Berrios is on his way but not there, yet. The last concern is the defense. Entirely too many errors on more than routine plays. That's a lack of focus. I don't know if this team was coasting but it's time to get re-focused and start making routine plays. Injuries are going to be brought up but nobody has had more injuries than the Yankees and they seem to be doing fine.
  19. the_brute_squad
    It's getting to the point that I expect extra frames when Garver is catching! That guy is putting in some innings - and no bi-lateral leg weakness!
  20. the_brute_squad
    I don't know if it's pucker time but I said it would be a 5 game lead in mid-June. There appears to be a downward trend with the starting pitching that is concerning. Combine that with an increase in errors it's going to difficult to win at a first half clip. There are those out there that say to relax but until Cleveland gets that message it won't happen.
  21. the_brute_squad
    Great read and well done with the numbers. The only disagreement I have is you stating the strikeout is no worse than any other out. Making contact with runners in scoring position is very consequential. RBI's don't come from swinging at a low and away slider. Also, his hard hit ball ratio can make it difficult for defenses to defend. Errors are a part of the game and Sano takes the possibility away 40% of the time. There is a consequence to making contact and with his power it has a great chance in leading to something good.
  22. the_brute_squad
    "You don't play for a run in that situation". I disagree. The bunt was to move two players into scoring position. Additionally, where is it said you don't play for a run in that situation? There are more reasons than that to bunt: Take the team out of the double play Get the hitter to see the ball better if they are slumping Catch the defense off guard I'm not a huge fan of bunting - especially early in a game - but I've seen a lot worse circumstances than Schoop's attempt. Cruz did hit that effing ball, though!
  23. the_brute_squad
    Schoop needs to get the bunt down. Guys in scoring position with the top of the lineup at bat is exactly where you want to be in late innings. Baseball is more than modern metrics and data. Sometimes old school baseball that's worked for over 100 years is still the way to go.
  24. the_brute_squad
    Cron is playing better than anticipated and if you add that to last years production he's playing at a level you hope your prospects achieve. There's no reason to dump him after this year and if nothing else it makes Rooker expendable as a trade chip if we're going to go all in for a front line starting pitcher or closer.
  25. the_brute_squad
    I agree that it's time to start trusting him. The Twins have moved a few average to less than average starters into the bullpen and they became all - stars. Notably Aggie, Hawkins, and Perkins. I'm not saying Duffy will be in that class, but he's showing his stuff is pretty good and if he has the right mentality he could be the bullpen stud the Twins need.
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