Article: MIN 5, CLE 4: Awesome Sauce!

[Tom Froemming]

Mitch Garver, AKA GarvSauce, delivered a walk-off double to beat Cleveland, clearing a fog that had been surrounding this Twins team since the Eduardo Escobar trade. Miguel Sano showed some signs of life in his third game back from the minors and the bullpen was outstanding.Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

Ervin Santana: 27 Game Score, 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 1 K, 2 BB, 68.2% strikes

Multi-Hit Games: Miguel Sano (2-for-3, 2B, BB), Mitch Garver (2-for-4, 2B)

WPA of 0.1 or higher: Garver .271, Magill .180, Sano .171, Polanco .158, Rodney .147, Moya .131

WPA of -0.1 or lower: Rosario -.156, Santana -.278

Download attachment: WinChart730.png

Let’s go around the horn …

 

First Base

Wooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!

Mitch Garver has been on a tear. This guy needs to be in the lineup as often as he can handle. On the days he’s not behind the plate, the Twins don’t have a better DH option on the team than GarvSauce. One of the funnest things about these next two months will (hopefully) be a lot more moments like this one.

 

Second Base

This team needs Miguel Sano, and I’m not just talking about the 2018 Twins. He showed some positive signs in his third game back from the minors tonight. He hit an RBI double in the second inning, singled in the fifth and made a great catch going back on a ball in foul territory. Sano also led off the bottom of the ninth by drawing an eight-pitch walk.

 

Gotta take the good with the bad. Yes, he also struck out. He was also picked off by the catcher at second base. It was an eventful day at the office.

 

Third Base

Ervin Santana looks like he’s in survival mode. In his first two starts back, he’s been throwing tons of changeups. He’s gone to that pitch 61 times among the 185 pitches he’s thrown in these two starts. Last year, he only went to the changeup around 10 percent of the time.

 

The fastball’s just not back. Ervin topped out at 90.9 mph. He only got four swinging strikes on his 88 pitches. The fact that he’s been able to limit the damage as much as he has is a credit to his willingness to adjust.

 

Home Plate

In case you missed it, the Twins traded Zach Duke to Seattle and dealt Lance Lynn to the Yankees. Adalberto Mejia will take Lynn’s spot in the rotation and Addison Reed was activated off the DL. With the bullpen shuffling and this game being tied late, we got to see some different looks from Paul Molitor.

 

Gabriel Moya bailed out Santana in the sixth inning, recording the final two outs with two runners on base. Then, Molitor went right to Trevor Hildenberger, who worked a scoreless seventh.

 

Taylor Rogers came out for the eighth, but after giving up singles to two of the three batters he faced, Matt Magill came in. Yes, Matt Magill. He came back out of the witness protection program, or where ever he’d been, and pitched in the eighth inning of a tie ballgame. He retired the next two batters to end the threat.

 

With the top of the Cleveland order coming up in the ninth, Molitor turned things over to Fernando Rodney. He was very on brand. He walked leadoff man Francisco Lindor on four pitches.

Lindor advanced to third with one out and then just when you were convinced it was all going to come crashing down … a strikeout.

 

Then another walk. Then he fell behind the next batter 2-0 … and struck him out. Never a dull moment. This may have been the final time we’ll see Rodney in a Twins jersey. If that’s how it goes down, this was pretty much a signature game to remember him by.

 

Postgame With Molitor

Bullpen Usage

Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

Download attachment: Bullpen730.png

AL Central Standings

CLE 57-48

MIN 49-56 (-8)

DET 45-62 (-13)

CHW 37-68 (-20)

KC 32-73 (-25)

 

Next Three Games

Tue vs. CLE, 7:10 pm CT: Kyle Gibson vs. Trevor Bauer

Wed vs. CLE, 12:10 pm CT: Adalberto Mejia vs. Carlos Carrasco

Thu Off

Fri at KC, 7:10 pm CT: TBD

 

Last Three Games

BOS 3, MIN 0: Fenway Free Fall Continues

BOS 10, MIN 4: Twins Blow Lead in Spectacular Fashion

BOS 4, MIN 3: No Escobar, but at Least We Still Have Belisle

 

Click here to view the article

[Mike Sixel]

No one else will be traded. IMO. And, continue to count me as a Garver believer.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I think you may be right. Although after watching Terry Ryan go year after year after year do nothing at the deadline with teams that were absolutely cooked (or teams that were competitive), I like the approach. Levine said “we are either looking to improve this year’s team, or next year’s, not just standing still.”

[DocBauer]

Who is this Magill guy you spoke of???

 

Santana will, IMO, have too limited of a time frame for any trade value. He will be gone for 2019, or signed to a friendly deal with incentives.

 

Personal note to Molitor: Please don't play Garver any more than you absolutely have to. I know he calls a good game. I know he's been showing signs of improving behind the plate defensively. I know his bat shows hitting and power potential. And I know that potential has been showing itself the past couple of months. But I'm just not sure if he's the same "gamer" that the 35yo AAA Wilson is.

[jimbo92107]

Nice thing about Garver is that he's very athletic. His defense should improve over the next couple years as he gets more thousands of reps blocking curves in the dirt. If his bat holds up, man... Good catcher. 

[snepp]

If it is indeed the last time, I'm dropping this here...

 

 

 

[PseudoSABR]

 

 

If it is indeed the last time, I'm dropping this here...

 

Why is he already shooting an already dead chicken dinner?  Is this the point? It must be the point.

[snepp]

 

Why is he already shooting an already dead chicken dinner?  Is this the point? It must be the point.

 

Yes?

 

 

Or perhaps if Bark sees enough of my editing "skillz" he'll (mercifully for the forum readership) take up his throne again.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Yes?

 

 

Or perhaps if Bark sees enough of my editing "skillz" he'll (mercifully for the forum readership) take up his throne again.

Yes. And please.

[Linus]

Sano should observe Garvers swing / approach.

[Platoon]

I found it difficult to discern the post Escobar fog from the all season fog. Now I am really worried about the Lynn fog, which while it may be the same, will move verrrrryyyyyyy slooooowwwllly........ And induce drowsiness. That said, Garvers big hit was made possible by Garvers efforts at blocking balls in the dirt with runners on third earlier. While he still needs better technique I will say he has been working his butt off on it. Effort is not a problem. Someone must have convinced him that pitch blocking is part of catching.

[ThejacKmp]

It would be absolutely amazing if the Twins swept Cleveland and were only six back.

 

Part of me wants them to keep Dozier on the off chance he goes nuclear and the Twins can keep it a race into September.

[Riverbrian]

Garver has his visable defensive issues that Wilson doesn't have. 

 

However, The team was starved for offense, the team died from that starvation and are currently donating the organs. 

 

Garver OPS .760 

Wilson  OPS .480

 

Garver provided more calories. 

 

Now Garver is getting playing time? 

 

I question the decisions. 

[bighat]

I got choked up and tears were welling in my eyes when Sano took that walk. That was his best at bat all night, and it led to the winning run!  Nice to see him cut down on his swing and take what they gave him. Hard not to be really inspired by last night's effort from Miguel.

[Platoon]

Garver has his visable defensive issues that Wilson doesn't have. 

 

However, The team was starved for offense, the team died from that starvation and are currently donating the organs. 

 

Garver OPS .760 

Wilson  OPS .480

 

Garver provided more calories. 

 

Now Garver is getting playing time? 

 

I question the decisions.

 

The question to the question is, whose decisions? Was it MOY that thought Wilsons defense improved the chances of winning, and now has thrown in the towel and used Garver? Or did the FO issue a directive to analyze Garver the rest of the season? Something seems amiss, I still don't think the FO and the MOY are on the same page.

[mikelink45]

 

I got choked up and tears were welling in my eyes when Sano took that walk. That was his best at bat all night, and it led to the winning run!  Nice to see him cut down on his swing and take what they gave him. Hard not to be really inspired by last night's effort from Miguel.

I am confused. He got on, but got picked off.  He got is daily does of special K.  It was not a bad day, but this is the start and I will be inspired when he starts hitting the ball hard and has consistent contact over a length of time.  I have been through the Sano and Buxton script too long to not be skeptical.

[Circus Boy]

 

Garver has his visable defensive issues that Wilson doesn't have. 

 

However, The team was starved for offense, the team died from that starvation and are currently donating the organs. 

 

Garver OPS .760 

Wilson  OPS .480

 

Garver provided more calories. 

 

Now Garver is getting playing time? 

 

I question the decisions. 

 

The team was starved for offense, the team died from that starvation and are currently donating the organs. 

Monty Python just called. "I'm not dead yet!"

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Next step in Garver's development: actually throwing down to the base the runner is attempting to steal.

[bighat]

 

I am confused. He got on, but got picked off.  He got is daily does of special K.  It was not a bad day, but this is the start and I will be inspired when he starts hitting the ball hard and has consistent contact over a length of time.  I have been through the Sano and Buxton script too long to not be skeptical.

 

Sano did make a baserunning mistake. Call me crazy, but I'd be willing to bet he doesn't get picked off again this year - these things happen and I can live with it. As for going 2-for-3 with a double, single, walk and an RBI...I have absolutely no problem with the strikeout.

 

I would be careful about comparing Sano's struggles to Buxton's. Miguel Sano has had his fair share of slumps, but he was an All-Star last year, HR derby, and he has shown a far higher level of consistency in the majors. Buxton on the other hand might be relegated to being a defensive replacement, pinch runner, 4th-outfielder type. Or a career minor leaguer. He might do well to start thinking about Japan as a backup plan. Big difference.

[theBOMisthebomb]

It would be absolutely amazing if the Twins swept Cleveland and were only six back.

 

Part of me wants them to keep Dozier on the off chance he goes nuclear and the Twins can keep it a race into September.

Yes, agreed. You sound like a starry eyed dreamer optimist after my own heart. I also note the Twins have a four game series next week in Cleveland.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Sano did make a baserunning mistake. Call me crazy, but I'd be willing to bet he doesn't get picked off again this year - these things happen and I can live with it. As for going 2-for-3 with a double, single, walk and an RBI...I have absolutely no problem with the strikeout.

 

I would be careful about comparing Sano's struggles to Buxton's. Miguel Sano has had his fair share of slumps, but he was an All-Star last year, HR derby, and he has shown a far higher level of consistency in the majors. Buxton on the other hand might be relegated to being a defensive replacement, pinch runner, 4th-outfielder type. Or a career minor leaguer. He might do well to start thinking about Japan as a backup plan. Big difference.

The hate has gone WAY too far on Buxton. Over the last 365 days he's played 84 games with the Twins and hit .254/.295/.437 (a slightly above league average OPS) in 319 PAs with 11 HRs, is 18-for-18 on stolen base attempts and obviously is elite in the field. If his second half 2017 would have come in the first half, he absolutely would have been an All-Star, he finished 18th in AL MVP voting last year.

 

I get it that people are disappointed he hasn't lived up to expectations and has been hurt a lot, but this is swinging way too far back the other direction. 

[Squirrel]

Sano did make a baserunning mistake. Call me crazy, but I'd be willing to bet he doesn't get picked off again this year - these things happen and I can live with it. As for going 2-for-3 with a double, single, walk and an RBI...I have absolutely no problem with the strikeout.

 

I would be careful about comparing Sano's struggles to Buxton's. Miguel Sano has had his fair share of slumps, but he was an All-Star last year, HR derby, and he has shown a far higher level of consistency in the majors. Buxton on the other hand might be relegated to being a defensive replacement, pinch runner, 4th-outfielder type. Or a career minor leaguer. He might do well to start thinking about Japan as a backup plan. Big difference.

Actually, I’d argue that he didn’t get picked off. If they had challenged the call I believe it would have been overturned. Video we saw at home showed he was clearly safe. I don’t know if the technical difficulties they were having led to that not being challenged, but I don’t think Sano was out.

[Squirrel]

Tom, not sure where to ask this question, but who fills the open 25-man roster spot? (There is still one, yes? If I counted correctly.)

 

With Mejia set to start in Lynn’s place I’d guess we won’t be seeing Gonsalves. What about May?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It would be absolutely amazing if the Twins swept Cleveland and were only six back.

 

Part of me wants them to keep Dozier on the off chance he goes nuclear and the Twins can keep it a race into September.

It would be even more amazing if the Twins started harassing Cleveland without Dozier or Rodney.

 

The reason the Twins haven't been very good is because their veterans have been sub-par. Dozier is one of those players.

 

Move players who won't contribute to 2019 and/or are expendable. Let the kids play and go into the offseason aggressive again.

 

There's just so little to be gained by keeping guys this season for the 1% chance of catching Cleveland, doubly so when you're eight games behind Cleveland at the deadline largely because those veterans failed to play to their capabilities.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Tom, not sure where to ask this question, but who fills the open 25-man roster spot? (There is still one, yes? If I counted correctly.)

With Mejia set to start in Lynn’s place I’d guess we won’t be seeing Gonsalves. What about May?

Yes, there is an open spot, I think I saw someone mention that a pitcher would be called up today, but I haven't seen which pitcher. Maybe they're waiting for the deadline to pass to see exactly how many sports they'll have open?

 

Trevor May would make would make a lot of sense, you'd have to think it'll be a right-handed reliever and he's been getting it done in Rochester. 

[BJames]

Is it just me, Em I seeing things or is Magill good.  Seems like his fastball is 95 plus and he has a biting curve.  He looks like what Pressly was suppose to be.  39 K's and 8 walks, not bad.

[BJames]

Top 4 OPS as of today.  - Rosario,Cave,Garver,Polanco.  Then Kepler,Mauer.  That would make an interesting top of the order. 

[Bill]

Anyone notice that Rodney does not seem to be warmed up when he starts an inning?  First fastballs are usually low 90s.  After letting on a few runners he starts to pump it up to 96 to 98.   I get that he may only have a certain number of fast fastballs in him per night, but I think a different strategy might be worth a try. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

It would be even more amazing if the Twins started harassing Cleveland without Dozier or Rodney.

 

The reason the Twins haven't been very good is because their veterans have been sub-par. Dozier is one of those players.

 

Move players who won't contribute to 2019 and/or are expendable. Let the kids play and go into the offseason aggressive again.

 

There's just so little to be gained by keeping guys this season for the 1% chance of catching Cleveland, doubly so when you're eight games behind Cleveland at the deadline largely because those veterans failed to play to their capabilities.

 

I mean, it depends what you can get for Dozier. The market for him sure looks limited with most contenders solving their middle infield problems. Really the only remaining deal out there is the Indians trading for him and moving Kipnis to center. Kipnis has already looked bad out there so that's a tough call.

 

At some point, the Twins may decide that keeping Dozier makes more sense. Reasons:

 

1.) He is a marketable name down the stretch.

2.) Gordon doesn't really deserve time at the MLB level and should stay in AAA. So really, you're clearing a lineup spot for . . . Adrianza? Not a real need.

3.) If you are playing for that 1% shot, it's hard to see it happening without Brian Dozier. No one would be super shocked if he hit 18-20 home runs in August and September. He's done it before. If you're not getting anything decent for him, might as well see if he can go nuts.

4.) Along those lines, if he does go nuclear, Dozier may suddenly be worth the one-year qualifying offer. If he finishes strong, he'll likely turn it down due to pride and the ability to get a three year deal for $30-$35 mill. That 75th overall pick (and the pool money it comes with) might be more valuable than the bag of balls a team is offering you right now.

 

Maybe the Twins get blown away but I'm fine keeping Dozier. He blocks no one, adds some excitement down the stretch, and there's a chance he blows up and you get a better asset anyways.

Edited July 31, 2018 by ThejacKmp

[laloesch]

I can't imagine the Twins keeping Ervin beyond 2018 at the rate he's going.  I think they will pay the 1 million buyout.