Game Thread: Twins vs. Milwaukee 5-19 @ 6:10 PM CT

[Vanimal46]

I was just at a birthday party for a friend's little boy who turned 3 today... Some things are truly timeless. He's a big fan of Thomas the Train and Curious George. The same things I loved as a kid too.

[ewen21]

 

 

 

Byron Buxton isn't that good: Before you try to strangle me through the computer, hear me out! I want nothing more than for him to figure it out at the plate... But a ton of my frustration stems from him continuing to struggle at the plate. He's been touted as having star potential, and we've been waiting..... and waiting.... Other players his age have BLOSSOMED into stars.... How long do we need to wait?
 

 

Not sure why anyone should suffer any kind of personal assault for what you said in bold.  Currently he is bad and we have seen this rerun a few times now.  It would be nice if his speed and defense could actually make up for his ineptitude at the plate, but it simply cannot.  As per baseballalmanac.com a major league CF averages 2.5 putouts per game.  How many plays does he make that no one else can make?  He makes some nice plays for sure, but is every single running catch he makes a catch no one else can make?  Most certainly not.  It's like every web gem he makes is assumed to have the value of a 3 run homer and that just is not the case.

 

The fact is, he has to get up 4 times a game, sometimes 5.  Even if he averaged one otherworldly play a week it won't make up for all the horrendous at bats he gives us every single week.  Let's just call it what it is right now.  Buxton is a huge disappointment thus far.  

[Vanimal46]

Not sure why anyone should suffer any kind of personal assault for what you said in bold. Currently he is bad and we have seen this rerun a few times now. It would be nice if his speed and defense could actually make up for his ineptitude at the plate, but it simply cannot. As per baseballalmanac.com a major league CF averages 2.5 putouts per game. How many plays does he make that no one else can make? He makes some nice plays for sure, but is every single running catch he makes a catch no one else can make? Most certainly not. It's like every web gem he makes is assumed to have the value of a 3 run homer and that just is not the case.

 

The fact is, he has to get up 4 times a game, sometimes 5. Even if he averaged one otherworldly play a week it won't make up for all the horrendous at bats he gives us every single week. Let's just call it what it is right now. Buxton is a huge disappointment thus far.

I can't disagree with any of this. I'm not sure we can say our expectations were too high either. He did nothing but dominate minor league baseball. Now 30+% of his at bats are not competitive. We're getting to the point of saying this is who he is... Just a .230 batting average player

[Blake]

 

 

 

ANNND Welcome Weirdos! To another episode of Minnesota Twins Whine Line: Get it Off Your Chest! Edition. I'm your host for the next 2 days, Vanimal. Along with my trusty sidekick, the Intern. It's been a frustrating season so far, and it's BAD for your health to keep it to yourself! Today we decided to transform our studio into a therapist office... That way we can get it off our chest! Before we dive into the REAL and weird, let's do the baseball stuff.

 

It's going to be a BRISK day in Minneapolis. 61 degrees and cloudy at first pitch. REAL FEEL of 58 degrees. Winds out of the NNE at 12 MPH.

-

Minnesota Twins (18-22):

 

 

P - Fernando Romero ( R) - 23 year old hot shot! 79 overall on MLB the Show!

 

Milwaukee Brewers (27-18):

 

 

P - Freddy Peralta ( R) - 21 year old hot shot! 13 K in 5.2 IP in his MLB debut...

 

 

If you've followed Minnesota Twins Whine Line over the years, you'll know that we embrace the WEIRD... Today will be no different! The intern has been stress eating over the last 6 weeks because he's been holding in his frustrations about the team. Let's CHANGE that today, and get things off our chest! 

Byron Buxton isn't that good: Before you try to strangle me through the computer, hear me out! I want nothing more than for him to figure it out at the plate... But a ton of my frustration stems from him continuing to struggle at the plate. He's been touted as having star potential, and we've been waiting..... and waiting.... Other players his age have BLOSSOMED into stars.... How long do we need to wait?

Jason Castro's injury is a blessing in disguise: Prior to his season ending injury, Mr. Castro had a better chance of getting on base if he walked up to the batter's box without a bat in his hand. Now we get a chance to see if Garver can handle the job, or if we're all fooling ourselves. What better time than now to figure out if the team needs to upgrade the position going forward?

I like Post Malone: It takes a while for me to warm up to new music and new artists... However, Post Malone is my kind of weirdo! If you don't know Post Malone, ask your kids... Or your friend's kids... His new album is great!

Psychological Effect with Colors: I had a sales training this week learning how to "whiteboard" solutions to potential clients... Blue and green are POSITIVE colors! Red and yellow are NEGATIVE.... Which makes me think, is that why people are generally mad about eating at McDonald's?

Intern, is there anything you want to get off your chest?

Intern: Yes, actually I do... One time you got me so worked up about a Twins topic that I spent the rest of the night crying... I'm not going to tell you when that happened. I just want you to sit on that. 

Van: WHAT??! NOOO!! Tell me! 

Intern: Never. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to play MLB the Show. 

Now it's YOUR turn to sit on the therapist chair... What's something you want to get off your chest?

Let's get a win Twins! 

 

Please, we all know the intern lives in a box under a bridge. If we can figure it out, we know you can!

 

Great intro!

[Blake]

 

I like how you said feels... It hit me right in the FEELS! What else would you like to get off your chest today?

Dozier to Seattle for a catcher?

[Blake]

 

Life advice: be the person your dog thinks you are.

Well, considering the standards my dogs have, I already am. Which is kind of scary.

[Blake]

 

I was just at a birthday party for a friend's little boy who turned 3 today... Some things are truly timeless. He's a big fan of Thomas the Train and Curious George. The same things I loved as a kid too.

You're young enough to have liked Thomas the Train as a kid?

 

Whippersnapper!

[Vanimal46]

Dozier to Seattle for a catcher?

This makes me feel sad and upset. let's come up with a better solution!

[Vanimal46]

You're young enough to have liked Thomas the Train as a kid?

 

Whippersnapper!

I'm 28 with the mind of a 3 year old!

[Blake]

 

This makes me feel sad and upset. let's come up with a better solution!

Might see Nick Gordon a bit quicker, though...

[Vanimal46]

Well, considering the standards my dogs have, I already am. Which is kind of scary.

Post a picture of your pups!

[Vanimal46]

Might see Nick Gordon a bit quicker, though...

Can he hit 35 HRs?

[Blake]

 

Post a picture of your pups!

 

[VATwinsFan]

 

No offense to Cave, but why not LaMarre? Great ST, decent when he was up and on fire for Rochester.

With LaMarre all you get are singles.  They're probably thinking with Cave there might be an occasional double or home run, plus for the month of May he's batting way over .300.

[Platoon]

Dozier to Seattle for a catcher?

That would have been a better idea after game 4 this season

[Platoon]

 

 

ANNND Welcome Weirdos! To another episode of Minnesota Twins Whine Line: Get it Off Your Chest! Edition. I'm your host for the next 2 days, Vanimal. Along with my trusty sidekick, the Intern. It's been a frustrating season so far, and it's BAD for your health to keep it to yourself! Today we decided to transform our studio into a therapist office... That way we can get it off our chest! Before we dive into the REAL and weird, let's do the baseball stuff.

 

It's going to be a BRISK day in Minneapolis. 61 degrees and cloudy at first pitch. REAL FEEL of 58 degrees. Winds out of the NNE at 12 MPH.

-

Minnesota Twins (18-22):

 

 

P - Fernando Romero ( R) - 23 year old hot shot! 79 overall on MLB the Show!

 

Milwaukee Brewers (27-18):

 

 

P - Freddy Peralta ( R) - 21 year old hot shot! 13 K in 5.2 IP in his MLB debut...

 

 

If you've followed Minnesota Twins Whine Line over the years, you'll know that we embrace the WEIRD... Today will be no different! The intern has been stress eating over the last 6 weeks because he's been holding in his frustrations about the team. Let's CHANGE that today, and get things off our chest! Byron Buxton isn't that good: Before you try to strangle me through the computer, hear me out! I want nothing more than for him to figure it out at the plate... But a ton of my frustration stems from him continuing to struggle at the plate. He's been touted as having star potential, and we've been waiting..... and waiting.... Other players his age have BLOSSOMED into stars.... How long do we need to wait?Jason Castro's injury is a blessing in disguise: Prior to his season ending injury, Mr. Castro had a better chance of getting on base if he walked up to the batter's box without a bat in his hand. Now we get a chance to see if Garver can handle the job, or if we're all fooling ourselves. What better time than now to figure out if the team needs to upgrade the position going forward?I like Post Malone: It takes a while for me to warm up to new music and new artists... However, Post Malone is my kind of weirdo! If you don't know Post Malone, ask your kids... Or your friend's kids... His new album is great!Psychological Effect with Colors: I had a sales training this week learning how to "whiteboard" solutions to potential clients... Blue and green are POSITIVE colors! Red and yellow are NEGATIVE.... Which makes me think, is that why people are generally mad about eating at McDonald's?

Intern, is there anything you want to get off your chest?

Intern: Yes, actually I do... One time you got me so worked up about a Twins topic that I spent the rest of the night crying... I'm not going to tell you when that happened. I just want you to sit on that. 

Van: WHAT??! NOOO!! Tell me! 

Intern: Never. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to play MLB the Show. 

Now it's YOUR turn to sit on the therapist chair... What's something you want to get off your chest?

Let's get a win Twins!

I assume the Intern did the nifty little drawing on your GT Van? Was there a subliminal message therein? Since there are things on a chest, on yet another chest, are things twice as bad at One Twins Way? And what of the guy on the floor once he gets the chest off his chest? Day to day? 10 day DL? 60 day DL? Total chest replacement? Or as usual, all of the above? Only the Twins crack medical staff knows for sure!

[Vanimal46]

I assume the Intern did the nifty little drawing on your GT Van? Was there a subliminal message therein? Since there are things on a chest, on yet another chest, are things twice as bad at One Twins Way? And what of the guy on the floor once he gets the chest off his chest? Day to day? 10 day DL? 60 day DL? Total chest replacement? Or as usual, all of the above? Only the Twins crack medical staff knows for sure!

Bilateral chest weakness is the official diagnosis!

[Mill1634]

Sad news about Mauer. Can't afford to lose more reliable players. However, at least we have a capable backup at 3rd.

 

How does Cave's defense project at CF? Thought he was more of a COF, maybe I was wrong.

 

I was with the "stick with Wilson and Garver" team, but get me off that team if Molitor is not going to trust mitch behind the plate. We can't continue to roll with Wilson out there. Trade for J.T. Do it. Please. 

[Vanimal46]

Sad news about Mauer. Can't afford to lose more reliable players. However, at least we have a capable backup at 3rd.

 

How does Cave's defense project at CF? Thought he was more of a COF, maybe I was wrong.

 

I was with the "stick with Wilson and Garver" team, but get me off that team if Molitor is not going to trust mitch behind the plate. We can't continue to roll with Wilson out there. Trade for J.T. Do it. Please.

 

I'm not sure how a person is supposed to improve defensively if they're sitting on the bench. Platoon brilliantly said before it's like Garver is holding a frying pan instead of a glove behind the plate... Well, I think we'll take that over someone who's holding a feather in the batters box like Wilson.

[ewen21]

 

I can't disagree with any of this. I'm not sure we can say our expectations were too high either. He did nothing but dominate minor league baseball. Now 30+% of his at bats are not competitive. We're getting to the point of saying this is who he is... Just a .230 batting average player

I don't think "dominant" is what I would call his minor league run.  He had a .883 over his minor league career, which is very good, but then guys like Scooter Gennett and Asdrubal Cabrera are doing that at the major league level this season.  Eric Hosmer did that last year.  A very good year, not dominant, in my opinion.

[KirbyDome89]

Here me out here:

 

I want Buxton in the lineup. He's been terrible this year, no doubt, but if he isn't contributing by playing CF then why is he with the team? I have no desire to see him sent to AAA but I'm not sure how much longer that opinion will last. Either pencil him in every day and let him try to work through his "slow start," or send him down. He just missed a month; he doesn't need to sit 2 out of the last 7 games. It's honestly the worst of both worlds if he's sitting on a bench not seeing pitches. 

 

I'll also add that if he's sitting because they're worried about/resting his toe then he needs to hit the DL followed by an actual rehab stint. If he isn't physically healthy enough to play every day and/or it's significantly affecting his performance there's no reason to run him out onto the field. 

[Vanimal46]

Admittedly this is my first game watching Romero. Excited to see how he looks.

[Mill1634]

 

Admittedly this is my first game watching Romero. Excited to see how he looks.

Maybe you should shut if off. 

[USAFChief]

 

Here me out here:

 

I want Buxton in the lineup. He's been terrible this year, no doubt, but if he isn't contributing by playing CF then why is he with the team? I have no desire to see him sent to AAA but I'm not sure how much longer that opinion will last. Either pencil him in every day and let him try to work through his "slow start," or send him down. He just missed a month; he doesn't need to sit 2 out of the last 7 games. It's honestly the worst of both worlds if he's sitting on a bench not seeing pitches. 

 

I'll also add that if he's sitting because they're worried about/resting his toe then he needs to hit the DL followed by an actual rehab stint. If he isn't physically healthy enough to play every day and/or it's significantly affecting his performance there's no reason to run him out onto the field. 

Concur 100 percent. 

 

There is zero reason for Cave in CF if Buxton is available. 

[USAFChief]

 

Admittedly this is my first game watching Romero. Excited to see how he looks.

the socks look fabulous.

[VATwinsFan]

 

Post a picture of your pups!

 

[Platoon]

Sad news about Mauer. Can't afford to lose more reliable players. However, at least we have a capable backup at 3rd.

 

How does Cave's defense project at CF? Thought he was more of a COF, maybe I was wrong.

 

I was with the "stick with Wilson and Garver" team, but get me off that team if Molitor is not going to trust mitch behind the plate. We can't continue to roll with Wilson out there. Trade for J.T. Do it. Please.

 

This is a cunundrum. While I don't think Garver is a MLB catcher, or even close to one, I also have a hard time defending Molitor playing Wilson half the time. Darned if you do, darned if you don't. But forced to make a decision I would try and give Garver the majority of the playing time and see if he can turn into something representing a functional defensive catcher, and keep looking for a real one. Investing innings in Wilson is non productive.

[Riverbrian]

So everybody is already upset before the game starts? 

[USAFChief]

 

So everybody is already upset before the game starts? 

huh? we're 3 batters in.

[VATwinsFan]

 

So everybody is already upset before the game starts? 

We're Twins fans, remember?