Game Thread: Twins vs Brewers 6/07 @11:10 am Pacific Time (1:10pm CT) Grizzled veteran edition

[USAFChief]

Must I see Bo Ryan on FSN?  I understand they're trying to make money by selling commercial time, but geez, have some pride, ferpetesakes.

[ashbury]

There ya go, big Pelf.  Bring it on home.

He's got this.

[Blake]

If Pelfrey keeps this up, how do the Twins not offer him an extension? Obviously, not more than a couple of years, but still...

 

The Twins have been desperate for a staff ace and right now, Pelfrey is an ace.

[USAFChief]

Ed-DEE, Ed-DEE, Ed-DEE.

 

//not a chant, just repeating the Twins batting order//

[glunn]

Some insurance runs would mean a lot here.  

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Ooof-da.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Didn't get 'em, unfortunately

[USAFChief]

OK, I've been trying to defend Santana.  I still think he's the Twins best SS, and I don't think Escobar can hold down the position long term.

 

But I don't know how long these PAs can continue.  

[JB_Iowa]

I've come around to the conclusion that Santana needs a dose of the "AAA Confidence Booster".

[glunn]

Santana does not look competent at the plate.  

[drivlikejehu]

Santana needs a magical boost in hitting talent. That's about the only thing that will save his career.

[drock2190]

If Pelfrey keeps this up, how do the Twins not offer him an extension? Obviously, not more than a couple of years, but still...

 

The Twins have been desperate for a staff ace and right now, Pelfrey is an ace.

Small sample size. I feel later in the year, we will be begging for him to be out of the rotation.

[SwainZag]

 

If Pelfrey keeps this up, how do the Twins not offer him an extension? Obviously, not more than a couple of years, but still...

 

The Twins have been desperate for a staff ace and right now, Pelfrey is an ace.

 

His results have been ace like, but he is not an ace.  He is pithcing well lower than his FIP and xFIP suggests.  It's encouraging to see his BB and groundball rate down, but he should be viewed as nothing as higher than a 3 in any rotation.  I would enjoy the ace like results while it lasts, a regression to the mean is likely in store for him.

[Squirrel]

OK, I've been trying to defend Santana.  I still think he's the Twins best SS, and I don't think Escobar can hold down the position long term.

 

But I don't know how long these PAs can continue.

 

What's long term for you? I'm okay with Santana going down 4-6 weeks and Esco filling in for that stretch and/or giving Polanco a try as they did last year.

[USAFChief]

 

What's long term for you? I'm okay with Santana going down 4-6 weeks and Esco filling in for that stretch and/or giving Polanco a try as they did last year.

Honestly, I don't know.  I don't like the idea of 4-6 weeks of Escobar.  I really don't know enough about Polanco to say, but I'd be inclined to give him an month long trial rather than Escobar.

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

You will occasionally see guys pitch out of their minds for an entire season. I think that describes Pelfrey in 2015. Admit it, nobody is nervous anymore when Pelf's turn in the rotation comes.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Small sample size. I feel later in the year, we will be begging for him to be out of the rotation.

It's June dude. No more SSS. Give him credit as an ace or a good pitcher on an ace-like roll. For the record, im with the latter.

[USAFChief]

Lets put together an inning here, and get Pelf some more cushion.

[a-wan]

MIke Pelfrey ace? No. Mike Palfrey good? Meh. Career ERA+ of 90, career FIP of 4.24. He is what he is. A mediocre pitcher. 

 

Just like Santana's minor league numbers were mediocre and a .400 BABIP last year suddenly made people forget that. Or Escobar's minor league numbers were mediocre and after last year that was forgotten? 

[Squirrel]

Honestly, I don't know.  I don't like the idea of 4-6 weeks of Escobar.  I really don't know enough about Polanco to say, but I'd be inclined to give him an month long trial rather than Escobar.

It's a tricky thing, in my mind, and every player is different. So how long do you keep letting a player struggle before doing something, and then for how long? You are one of the guys who think the team should be doing what it takes to win each year, so, is this helping us win? (Rhetorical, because that's really impossible to answer.) This is where I really wish I were a fly in the wall when players in various levels are discussed. But, I don't think Santana is helping at this point and being here isn't helping him, and I don't think we'd be harmed by Esco at short for 4 weeks or so, with maybe some Polanco mixed in. <shrug>

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

MIke Pelfrey ace? No. Mike Palfrey good? Meh. Career ERA+ of 90, career FIP of 4.24. He is what he is. A mediocre pitcher. 

 

Just like Santana's minor league numbers were mediocre and a .400 BABIP last year suddenly made people forget that. Or Escobar's minor league numbers were mediocre and after last year that was forgotten?

 

Pelfrey is doing well.

 

It's okay to check the weather online indoors, but don't forget to look out the window and step outside, too

[USAFChief]

He's pitched like an ace so far in 2015.  If he keeps it up, with a sub-3 ERA, I don't care what you call him, don't care what his FIP or XFIP is, don't care if it's considered lucky by some.

 

Don't care.

 

He has pitched legitimately well this year so far.  While I'd be surprised if he can keep it up, he has done it, it's in the books, and it counts.

 

And so far, it hasn't been  lucky at all.  He's located well, had a mid 90's fastball in most starts that he's been able to maintain, has been getting more and more comfortable with his splitter, and has pitched ahead in the count more often than not.

 

 

[SwainZag]

Could use some cushion here boys.  Let's go Torii

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Torii comes through with a hard hit --- too bad that didn't have a little elevation or we'd be looking at a souvenir for a Brewer's fan

[a-wan]

Pitchers with sub 4K/9, and career numbers like Pelfrey's are not aces. Joe Mays just called and would like a try out too.

[USAFChief]

 

It's a tricky thing, in my mind, and every player is different. So how long do you keep letting a player struggle before doing something, and then for how long? You are one of the guys who think the team should be doing what it takes to win each year, so, is this helping us win? (Rhetorical, because that's really impossible to answer.) This is where I really wish I were a fly in the wall when players in various levels are discussed. But, I don't think Santana is helping at this point and being here isn't helping him, and I don't think we'd be harmed by Esco at short for 4 weeks or so, with maybe some Polanco mixed in. <shrug>

You're right, its a tricky thing.

 

I don't know about SS.

 

I'm pretty confident they could be sporting a better lineup at DH, I'm just not totally convinced that Escobar represents an obvious upgrade.  He might.  I'm leaning that way, with every weak Santana AB.

 

And I DO absolutely want the Twins to do everything in their power to win NOW, rather than playing for the future.  IMO, there's no future in playing for the future.

[Squirrel]

He's pitched like an ace so far in 2015.  If he keeps it up, with a sub-3 ERA, I don't care what you call him, don't care what his FIP or XFIP is, don't care if it's considered lucky by some.

 

Don't care.

 

He has pitched legitimately well this year so far.  While I'd be surprised if he can keep it up, he has done it, it's in the books, and it counts.

 

And so far, it hasn't been  lucky at all.  He's located well, had a mid 90's fastball in most starts that he's been able to maintain, has been getting more and more comfortable with his splitter, and has pitched ahead in the count more often than not.

Yeah! This!

[SwainZag]

 

He's pitched like an ace so far in 2015.  If he keeps it up, with a sub-3 ERA, I don't care what you call him, don't care what his FIP or XFIP is, don't care if it's considered lucky by some.

 

Don't care.

 

He has pitched legitimately well this year so far.  While I'd be surprised if he can keep it up, he has done it, it's in the books, and it counts.

 

And so far, it hasn't been  lucky at all.  He's located well, had a mid 90's fastball in most starts that he's been able to maintain, has been getting more and more comfortable with his splitter, and has pitched ahead in the count more often than not.

 

But when you are talking an extension like the original post brought up you HAVE to care about thinks like xFIP, FIP, K/9, BABIP and career numbers.  He has pitched well this year, there's not doubt about that, but you have to take things into consideration.  The bulk of every statistic out there say he cannot keep up an ERA in the 2.50 range, nor should we expect it, especially, especially when bringing up an extension.

[Squirrel]

You're right, its a tricky thing.

 

I don't know about SS.

 

I'm pretty confident they could be sporting a better lineup at DH, I'm just not totally convinced that Escobar represents an obvious upgrade.  He might.  I'm leaning that way, with every weak Santana AB.

 

And I DO absolutely want the Twins to do everything in their power to win NOW, rather than playing for the future.  IMO, there's no future in playing for the future.

Well, DH, yeah ... different discussion. Can't lump it in this one. That one is just plain frustrating.

[Squirrel]

Damn it, Brock! Do something about these ****ing auto-redirects to the App Store!