LINEUPS:

 

Pirates

RF Gregory Polanco

LF Starling Marte

CF Andrew McCutchen

3B Aramis Ramirez

SS Jung Ho Kang

2B Neil Walker

DH Pedro Alvarez

C Francisco Cervelli

1B Travis Ishikawa

 

SP Francisco Liriano

 

Twins

2B Brian Dozier

CF Aaron Hicks

1B Joe Mauer

DH Miguel Sano

RF Eddie Rosario

3B Eduardo Nunez

SS Eduardo Escobar

C Kurt Suzuki

LF Shane Robinson

 

SP Ervin Santana

 

I think it's time for everyone to take a deep breath.

 

In. Out. In. Out.

 

RELAX.

 

I'm going to try hard not to play the role of "It's Cool No Matter What" guy here, because I don't find that to be particularly interesting or compelling (or honest) writing. The fact of the matter is, the Twins aren't winning games. The bullpen has been atrocious lately (#asexpected) and they just aren't playing very good baseball.

 

But there are some things that I think are important to keep in mind for context. First, the Twins really aren't a great baseball team. I'm not even sure they're good (I realize these are completely subjective labels). While we want them to compete for a wild-card spot (and I think they still can) the ride we're getting this year has been completely unexpected. The Twins will likely enter August in a wild-card spot, which nobody could have said on here in March without getting laughed off the boards.

 

Second, every team goes through a stretch like this. Especially versus the level of competition the Twins have faced since the all-star break. These things happen. Just because the bullpen has been pretty awful, and Perkins has started to miss his spots, doesn't mean those things will continue to happen. Past performance over the course of months is a much better indicator of future performance than that of just mere days.

 

Of course, we all still reserve the right to be frustrated. We're fans. Part of what we argue about is how to get better. And how to stay in wild-card contention. Definitely beats the alternative that Indians fans are probably arguing about right now.

 

1. The Race. Believe it or not, the Twins are still two games up on the Orioles for the second wild card spot. Looming just behind them are the Rays and the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays made their move for Tulo and LaTroy and look like the team to hold off at this point. Just behind them are the (ALERT: SWALLOW YOUR COFFEE NOW!) White Sox, who have won six straight to be on fringe of this race. If the Twins can right the ship, they are still in prime position to steal a playoff spot.

 

2. The Schedule. After today, the Twins won't play a team that currently has a winning record until they visit Yankee Stadium on August 17. That's nearly 3 weeks playing teams that are significantly below them in the standings right now. So as bad as it's been, they have some games where they can roll up their sleeves and get some of the games back that they've given up.

 

3. The Pirates. That's right, the game today. As I stated back in May, the Pirates are my 2nd team. I love watching them and fully expected them to be in solid playoff position by the second time we played. That has turned out to be quite true. Jung Ho Kang hit the big HR last night (bat flip be damned) and he is now smack in the middle of what is a pretty potent Pirates lineup.

 

We see our good friend Francisco Liriano throw today against Ervin Santana. Runs should be at a premium early, unless we get "bad" Francisco. That hasn't happened much lately; in 2015 he has been pretty consistent, posting a 10.1 K/9, a 2.77 xFIP and a 1.03 WHIP. Those number, by the way, are the best he's posted since before his TJ surgery 8 years ago. Santana, of course, has been phenomenal since coming back from his half-season suspension.

 

If the Twins can pull off the split todayk, they remain in good position and 6 games on the right side of .500. No matter what you think of their recent play, or recent FO/managerial decisions, that's not a bad place to be.

Thanks BK! Great job, much appreciated!

What a ****ty looking lineup. Top 4 better get it done for the Twins today, and hopefully Santana can go 8 strong.

 

I predict a 6-1 win.

 

Sano 2-2 1 double, 1 HR 3 RBI 2 BB

Mauer 2-3 2 RBI

Dozier: 1-4 1 HR 1 RBI

Hicks: 2-4 2 Runs

 

Santana- 8 IP, 7 k, 4 H, 1 ER

Did we win the trade deadline yet?

Twins need to win today

I like how the Eddies are taking up the middle of the lineup. I'm not saying it's a good thing... but there names are almost the same.

 

I like how the Eddies are taking up the middle of the lineup. I'm not saying it's a good thing... but there names are almost the same.

If Polanco is up for Plouffe's family leave … I'd rather he be playing SS … then put either Eddie at 3rd. Guess Sano's ankle isn't 100% yet as I'd rather he be playing 3rd. And have Arcia DH. Oh, wait. Hmmm … 

 

FWIW,

 

@SethTweets: My sense (And @jeremynygaard agreed) is that Jorge Polanco has played his final game in the #MNTwins minor leagues... #KindaSad

 

FWIW,

@SethTweets: My sense (And @jeremynygaard agreed) is that Jorge Polanco has played his final game in the #MNTwins minor leagues... #KindaSad

That's probably because the Twins called him up to take Plouffe's roster spot while he's on paternity leave.  #NotSoSad

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/twins-jorge-polanco-tigers-price-white-sox-samardzija.html

Woo! Early game! I hope you guys aren't doing anything stupid like working.

Home sick and kinda depressed... I need a Twins win!!!!

 

That's probably because the Twins called him up to take Plouffe's roster spot while he's on paternity leave.  #NotSoSad

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/07/twins-jorge-polanco-tigers-price-white-sox-samardzija.html

Pretty sure they are aware of that. I think the implication is either Polanco either sticks this time or will be traded.

 

This is all hypothetical of course, but very little here isn't.

 

Woo! Early game! I hope you guys aren't doing anything stupid like working.

The stupid.

Nice. Gotta get that first out. Statistically, it's really hard to get into the sixth or seventh inning if you don't get that first out.

 

#madden

Pretty good first for Chinstrap.

 

If Polanco is up for Plouffe's family leave … I'd rather he be playing SS … then put either Eddie at 3rd. Guess Sano's ankle isn't 100% yet as I'd rather he be playing 3rd. And have Arcia DH. Oh, wait. Hmmm … 

I bet Polanco isn't there yet or something like that.

Aaron Hicks had an OPS+ of 104 entering today

 

I bet Polanco isn't there yet or something like that.

These paternity leaves have a way of sneaking up on a team.  It's only a nine month deal.

Aaron Hicks had an OPS+ of 104 entering today

How about his RHP split?

Mauer taking that 3-1 fastball from Liriano, only to tap a tough 3-2 pitch to SS, is why I can't like him as much as I should as a player.

Royals losing, we need a win!!!!

 

How about his RHP split?

Shhhhhhhhhh

 

Mauer taking that 3-1 fastball from Liriano, only to tap a tough 3-2 pitch to SS, is why I can't like him as much as I should as a player.

 

I can't help liking Mauer, but that was irritating, wasn't it?

BOOOOOOO

Well crap. That was unexpected.

 

I can't help liking Mauer, but that was irritating, wasn't it?

To me it's always been his achilles heel. 

I haven't been on game threads much because I was coaching baseball and busy with farm stuff. I'm going to Boston tomorrow and can't wait to see Fenway Park for the first time on Saturday.

 

To me it's always been his achilles heel. 

 

He gets (or has gotten) a lot of love for his discipline, and I guess that's a part of it.

 

He also gets (or has gotten) a lot of love for how well he hits with two strikes. That said, sometimes it never should have gotten to two strikes. Even if you're Mauer, you're significantly better without two strikes on you.

Glad they didn't sign Kodos too.