Article: Twins Game Recap (7/23): Twins Fall Short to Yankees in Game of the Year

[Han Joelo]

So many what ifs.  A lot of things could have gone differently, if only for a few inches (or less).  

 

Lots of negatives, and those have been well covered.  Tip of the cap to Hicks for making that catch.

 

I wonder if the bullpen purge doesn't have an effect on some guys--wondering if they will be next.  Make no mistake, this is good, in my opinion.  A veteran like Parker should really be nervous this morning about his long term job security.

 

Having said that, the Twins came through against Britton AND Chapmon, and very nearly Ottavino.  This team, OUR Twins--strike fear in the hearts of their opponents.  That was the Miguel Sano that we all have been imagining all these years.

 

A lot of positives to take from this game.  I might feel like Charlie Brown right now, but I don't think this team does.  Todays game will be interesting.

[james2334]

I would like to see the Twins add Duran to the bullpen. I know he hasn't pitched above A ball and he's not on the 40, but he has a live arm, he hits upper 90's on his fastball and he has to be added to the 40 after the season anyway. We need something in the bullpen that's better than what's there now. 

[VATwinsFan]

MLB Trade Rumors has posted an interview with Falvey re his approach to improve the team.

 

Not terribly inspiring.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/falvey-on-twins-deadline-approach.html#comments

Edited July 24, 2019 by VATwinsFan

[jz7233]

 

I could see Duffey, Harper, Stashak and Stewart all being sent out. For sure none of them are available today. But I don’t think the Twins have 4 guys to bring up. Certainly not on the 40 man.

Duffey and Stashak should stay as of now. Harper might stay. He should not be trusted to be a fireman. He should just start a clean inning. Stewart does not belong in the major league. He should be demoted immediately. Parker should be DFAd immediately.

[jud6312]

 

MLB Trade Rumors has posted an interview with Falvey re his approach improve the team.

 

Not terribly inspiring.

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/falvey-on-twins-deadline-approach.html#comments

 

I saw this, too, and realized I shouldn't have read it until after work.

 

They're going to view Allen - once fully healthy - as the "big trade" and probably find some other scrap heap pieces.

 

My expectations are incredibly low, and I have a feeling Falvine will fail to reach them.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Incredible game, disappointing to be on the wrong end of it, but it's one game out of one sixty two.

 

People are a right to be frustrated about the bullpen, but there's an incredible about of silly hyperbole and short term thinking going around. The Yankees have a pretty good bullpen too, and the Twins have pounded it. Sometimes good hitting teams prevail. For whatever Blake Parker messed up, ultimately the Twins got the lead to Taylor Rogers and he couldn't keep it. If Rogers is going to blow leads (and the Twins are going to struggle to get a hit with the bases loaded), they will lose games.

 

It's undeniably true that the bullpen needs another high-end arm who can take the pressure off Rogers to appear in every single one of these critical situations. It's probably true that they should move on from Parker and just stick with some of these AAA guys who at least can throw strikes. But there is no way the club doesn't know this, and writing it on all caps in every forum doesn't make it any more or less likely to happen.

 

The Twins are in a trade market with a lot of other teams, and all the buyers are looking for the same thing. Then there's the inherent unpredictability of bullpen arms. I'm sure they will make a move, but blowing leads against the Yankees does not suddenly give them a good reason to make a stupid trade.

[strumdatjaguar]

I set the DVR for 6 hours for every game.  It has been necessary this year. 

[yarnivek1972]

Duffey and Stashak should stay as of now. Harper might stay. He should not be trusted to be a fireman. He should just start a clean inning. Stewart does not belong in the major league. He should be demoted immediately. Parker should be DFAd immediately.

I’m not talking about MLB worthiness. I’m talking about availability. Right now, for today’s game the only adequately rested reliever is Trevor May. Harper has thrown 3 straight days. Duffey has 30 pitches in the last two. Rogers 34 in the last two. Thorpe threw 40 on Monday. Stashak 30 yesterday. All 5 of those guys are for sure “no go” today. Even Parker and Stewart threw around 20 yesterday. They could possibly go 1 today, but neither is going to help in high leverage, if such a situation arises.

[Dantes929]

 

Just looking at the pitcher zones on Brooks Baseball, I see the missed call against Duffey, and one against Stewart. But I also see one in Rogers' favor, plus another one that may have been in Parker's favor.

 

For the game (with the caveat that the Ottavino/Green data seems to be missing right now), I see 3 calls against Twins pitchers and 3 in their favor. I see 2 against Yankee pitchers, and zero in their favor*:

 

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?&game=gid_2019_07_23_nyamlb_minmlb_1/&innings=yyyyyyyyy&month=07&day=23&year=2019

 

* They do show one really wild one that appears to be in the Yankees favor, but I traced it to the first pitch of the Britton-Cruz AB in the 8th and it was actually a swing and foul tip, so it must have been coded incorrectly.

Every bad call affects the game but not in the same way.    Just like the playoffs two years ago where Santana had the third strike on Gregoriius that turned into a three run home run, this one should have ended an inning instead of giving Gregorius an at bat with bases loaded.    Not as much impact when it happens to the 8th batter with bases empty on the first pitch.    The pitch before the walk was a curve ball that was pretty borderline.   I said out loud to my wife "he should throw the exact same pitch but three inches higher"   In my opinion he executed the perfect pitch because it was nasty but not so close that it should have been subject to human error.   Duffy got hosed.    Theoretically all blown balls and strikes change at bats and thus change games but they are hardly created equal.

[MMMordabito]

 

It's undeniably true that the bullpen needs another high-end arm who can take the pressure off Rogers to appear in every single one of these critical situations. It's probably true that they should move on from Parker and just stick with some of these AAA guys who at least can throw strikes. But there is no way the club doesn't know this, and writing it on all caps in every forum doesn't make it any more or less likely to happen.

 

Well stated.  My angst with Parker is that I just don't think it can get much better.

[Dantes929]

 

Are you actually suggesting that the home team should get preferential treatment? Yikes.

I might suggest the Yankees shouldn't get preferential treatment at home AND on the road.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Well stated.  My angst with Parker is that I just don't think it can get much better.

Blake Parker was a terrible signing back then, and it still is.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Sorry, but hearing about umpires does nothing for me - Gibson pitching a poor game (I am being generous) and then our BP throwing batting practice was the problem.  It was not even just the BP because Gibson has not stepped up when we have needed him all season.  He lost what he had last year and it is really hurting the team in multiple ways.  

The Yankees are a really good offense.

 

So are the Twins.

 

Think of it this way: the Twins starters have outpitched the Yankees starters this series.

 

This is modern baseball. Gibson didn't look good but he battled against a damned good lineup and, had the front office equipped Baldelli with a real bullpen, would have almost certainly been pulled after 4.2 IP with a six run lead. He walks off, gets a huge ovation from the crowd, and the bullpen steps in to hold down a pretty easy six run lead over 4.1 innings.

 

I don't even blame the pitchers in the bullpen. Rogers has been overused, Stashak pitched his ass off, Duffey held it together and would look like a hero if not for one awful call, Harper is who he is (and probably a useful piece at the back of a pen).

 

Parker has no business pitching in that situation. Stewart has no business pitching in that situation. There was no LOOGY to pitch to Gregorius.

 

That's on the front office. There is no one move that I can point to and say "they screwed up" but they failed to acquire a real reliever in the offseason. They balked on paying Kimbrel. They didn't acquire even a lefty specialist which, even if you overpay, the cost is still "peanuts". They didn't aggressively promote guys like Stashak or Lewis two weeks ago in hopes that they'd be better than Magill, Morin, or some other M name I've successfully wiped from my mind.

 

Add all those things together and last night's game wasn't close and fun, it was infuriating. When Blake Parker stepped to the mound, I was seething. Not at Parker, he's just not very good. Not at Baldelli, his choices sucked. I was seething at the front office for failing to give the other 24 guys on that roster a chance to dominate a Yankees ballclub and get back on track during a pennant race, something that was badly needed after this team scuffled for six straight weeks.

[mendozaline]

Last nights game felt like it could be a major turning point in the season, one way or another. The resiliency shown by the offense was incredible. The Yankees no doubt have a great team as well but I hope the collapse from the pitching staff doesn't make the season go off the rails. Deflating loss for sure. 

Edited July 24, 2019 by mendozaline

[jmlease1]

Blake Parker, before last night's implosion:

July: 7 IP, No Runs (earned or otherwise), No Inherited Runners Scored (1-0), 2 holds and a win.

 

He'd struggled a bit in June before getting it back together leading into last night's mess. But he'd been awfully effective in April/May. Maybe a little recency bias against him right now? He is who he is: an adequate veteran reliever. Since I think "closer" is a stupidly overrated position, I'd let him keep finishing games.

 

Maybe Bremer just jinxed him, seeing as he said he'd been more effective than Rogers recently.

 

Ryne Harper is a much bigger issue; you simply can't bring him in to a game with runners on base; his stats look better on the surface but unless he starts with a clean sheet he can't clean up anyone else's mess. That's a real issue.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Blake Parker, before last night's implosion:

July: 7 IP, No Runs (earned or otherwise), No Inherited Runners Scored (1-0), 2 holds and a win.

 

He'd struggled a bit in June before getting it back together leading into last night's mess. But he'd been awfully effective in April/May. Maybe a little recency bias against him right now? He is who he is: an adequate veteran reliever. Since I think "closer" is a stupidly overrated position, I'd let him keep finishing games.

 

Maybe Bremer just jinxed him, seeing as he said he'd been more effective than Rogers recently.

 

Ryne Harper is a much bigger issue; you simply can't bring him in to a game with runners on base; his stats look better on the surface but unless he starts with a clean sheet he can't clean up anyone else's mess. That's a real issue.

Pick your most hated bullpen piece and demand their release.

 

Honestly, out of 4-5 guys, I don’t care which arm you name, I’m okay with it.

 

And that’s a *huge* problem, one that should have been more aggressively attacked at literally any time over the past *nine months*.

[mikelink45]

 

The Yankees are a really good offense.

 

So are the Twins.

 

Think of it this way: the Twins starters have outpitched the Yankees starters this series.

 

This is modern baseball. Gibson didn't look good but he battled against a damned good lineup and, had the front office equipped Baldelli with a real bullpen, would have almost certainly been pulled after 4.2 IP with a six run lead. He walks off, gets a huge ovation from the crowd, and the bullpen steps in to hold down a pretty easy six run lead over 4.1 innings.

 

I don't even blame the pitchers in the bullpen. Rogers has been overused, Stashak pitched his ass off, Duffey held it together and would look like a hero if not for one awful call, Harper is who he is (and probably a useful piece at the back of a pen).

 

Parker has no business pitching in that situation. Stewart has no business pitching in that situation. There was no LOOGY to pitch to Gregorius.

 

That's on the front office. There is no one move that I can point to and say "they screwed up" but they failed to acquire a real reliever in the offseason. They balked on paying Kimbrel. They didn't acquire even a lefty specialist which, even if you overpay, the cost is still "peanuts". They didn't aggressively promote guys like Stashak or Lewis two weeks ago in hopes that they'd be better than Magill, Morin, or some other M name I've successfully wiped from my mind.

 

Add all those things together and last night's game wasn't close and fun, it was infuriating. When Blake Parker stepped to the mound, I was seething. Not at Parker, he's just not very good. Not at Baldelli, his choices sucked. I was seething at the front office for failing to give the other 24 guys on that roster a chance to dominate a Yankees ballclub and get back on track during a pennant race, something that was badly needed after this team scuffled for six straight weeks.

I read your forum, I cannot disagree with the premise that the FO has not stepped up and it should have been a long time ago.  I cannot agree on Gibson twice he has pitched after long BP eating extra innings game and both times he could not add an innings to help the BP.  He is a replacement level pitcher, but also the best we have for his spot in the rotation. 

 

I am already wondering how the FO will handle this off season when we have almost the entire rotation going to FA and the BP potentially without any answers unless something is done at trade deadline.  

[ashbury]

If last nights game doesn’t send a message to the Twins front office of the positives and negatives (needs) of this team, I’m not sure what will. Unlike some who criticize Baldelli for his choice in pitchers last night, I believe he had to use arms that were available and his options were limited. For me, this team needs at least two, if not three pitchers, one to start and two RELIABLE relievers to not only get into but go far in the playoffs. So much promise with this club. Front office, please do all you can to add some additional pitching assets.

Great first post. Welcome!

[MMMordabito]

 

Blake Parker

 

He is who he is: an adequate veteran reliever. Since I think "closer" is a stupidly overrated position, I'd let him keep finishing games.

 

Numbers don't lie.  He relatively sucks.

 

Stat   -          Parker        -        AL Rank for Relievers

 

K%        -       21.7%        -           56

BB%      -       10.2%        -          56

xFIP      -        4.71          -            61

FIP        -          5.35          -          77

Edited July 24, 2019 by MMMordabito

[MN_ExPat]

A lot of comments on here scream of angst, handwringing and soul crushing anguish.   I get it, I was upset also.   I don't like to see the boys loose, especially against the *ankees.  

 

But... my son and I were talking about the 1st game of the series last night on the way home from his workout with a pitching coach and he looks at me and says, "Hey Dad, you were pretty worked up about some of the plays.  It's ok... it's just baseball.   These things happen."

 

I smiled, laughed, and told him that he was right of course, but the he was never allowed to say anything positive, or complimentary... ever, about the *ankees in public again or, no matter how good at baseball he is, I will sell him to the highest bidder (just kidding, my wife would kill me and I'm actually a little bid afraid of her).

 

But seriously, I had to laugh and admit he as right.   Kid has a good head on his shoulders.

[USAFChief]

Blake Parker, before last night's implosion:

July: 7 IP, No Runs (earned or otherwise), No Inherited Runners Scored (1-0), 2 holds and a win.

 

He'd struggled a bit in June before getting it back together leading into last night's mess. But he'd been awfully effective in April/May. Maybe a little recency bias against him right now? He is who he is: an adequate veteran reliever. Since I think "closer" is a stupidly overrated position, I'd let him keep finishing games.

 

Maybe Bremer just jinxed him, seeing as he said he'd been more effective than Rogers recently.

 

Ryne Harper is a much bigger issue; you simply can't bring him in to a game with runners on base; his stats look better on the surface but unless he starts with a clean sheet he can't clean up anyone else's mess. That's a real issue.

If there’s recency bias in looking at Parker, I’d contend it’s in thinking a couple scoreless outings are an indication of long term effectiveness.

 

Parker doesn’t have the pitches to be successful on his own accord. On nights when he’s facing weaker hitters, can get a called strike to start the AB, and his split finger is some what controllable and deceptive, he can get some outs. Any professional pitcher can do that...sometimes get some outs. Hitting is hard.

 

But he is never successful based on his own merits. He succeeds only when hitters fail. Good pitchers also get those outs, but sometimes add outs by actually beating hitters. Throwing fastballs by them, in fastball counts. Breaking off sliders that are darn near unhittabe, IN the strike zone. And still do some of that on nights when it’s NOT all working. Chapman had nothing last night, but still got out of bases loaded, no outs, allowing only a rather shallow sac fly. I rather doubt Parker would have allowed that little damage in a similar situation,

 

We need s couple three of those guys. Like other good teams feature.

[SpicyGarvSauce]

 

Numbers don't lie.  He relatively sucks.

 

Stat   -          Parker        -        AL Rank for Relievers

 

K%        -       21.7%        -           56

BB%      -       10.2%        -          56

xFIP      -        4.71          -            61

FIP        -          5.35          -          77

 

Top 100!

[mickeymental]

wow -- didn't see the game-ending play until this morning. dang hicksie. dang.

 

by the way, i feel the need to note that, contrary to a few recent posts, i do not believe that this year's yankees team is a fraud. it was a sarcastic nod to posters in recent weeks who seem to say such things about this year's twins every time they lose a lead -- much less lose a ballgame. my tongue-in-cheek button isn't working.

 

this year's twins seem to be an unusually resilient bunch with a few gapingly obvious holes. a joy to follow, especially in the context of recent seasons ... an incredibly fun season so far!

[ashbury]

But seriously, I had to laugh and admit he as right.   Kid has a good head on his shoulders.

Adopted, eh? Good for you.

[MN_ExPat]

Too funny.   Not adopted, but he clearly gets it all from his mother .

[Bomba2026]

The guys in the dugout were so excited when they tied the game in the 9th last night! They were so happy. The good thing about this series is that the Twins no longer just lay down and Give the games to the supposive "best" team in MLB...The Twins know their hitters are the best in the game today. Last night's game looked like the beginning of this season again. Nice to see Rocco getting the boot, we need him to stand up for his players sometimes! Fix the pitching. Send the relievers to psychologists to figure out why they let pressure get to them? Threaten to send them to Detroit! Do something today. Even the Best hitters can't carry the load all the way...

[David HK]

Sucks that we lost, but by gum, that was so untypical of a Twins loss to the Evil Empire.

 

Times past, they'd have laid down long before the 9th, even. But the way they kept battling was inspiring.  

 

On another note, why, oh why, has there been no BP help coming via trade since the Break, or even before? It's not like this has been a secret all along, just coming to bite us in the @$$ now?

 

My God, Falvine- we have a plethora of young OFers, and 1B-DH types, not all of whom are going to fit on the 40 when the time comes.  The need is now- actually, the need is months ago, so don't let us give up possible chips for nothing in a couple of years, when we had a chance to do something now!

[David HK]

 

Numbers don't lie.  He relatively sucks.

 

Stat   -          Parker        -        AL Rank for Relievers

 

K%        -       21.7%        -           56

BB%      -       10.2%        -          56

xFIP      -        4.71          -            61

FIP        -          5.35          -          77

And he was our one-and-only "big name" Pen signing of the offseason.

[Brock Beauchamp]

If there’s recency bias in looking at Parker, I’d contend it’s in thinking a couple scoreless outings are an indication of long term effectiveness.

 

Parker doesn’t have the pitches to be successful on his own accord. On nights when he’s facing weaker hitters, can get a called strike to start the AB, and his split finger is some what controllable and deceptive, he can get some outs. Any professional pitcher can do that...sometimes get some outs. Hitting is hard.

 

But he is never successful based on his own merits. He succeeds only when hitters fail. Good pitchers also get those outs, but sometimes add outs by actually beating hitters. Throwing fastballs by them, in fastball counts. Breaking off sliders that are darn near unhittabe, IN the strike zone. And still do some of that on nights when it’s NOT all working. Chapman had nothing last night, but still got out of bases loaded, no outs, allowing only a rather shallow sac fly. I rather doubt Parker would have allowed that little damage in a similar situation,

 

We need s couple three of those guys. Like other good teams feature.

Exactly. Looking at reliever numbers over short periods of time tells very little about their stuff.

 

Parker’s stuff is unimpressive. Sure, he can get three outs from the Royals, as can almost every other pitcher in baseball.

 

Getting three outs from postseason teams is a different story and being forced to put him into the eighth inning of a game like this looks bad. It looks really bad.

[pbrezeasap]

 

Chapman had nothing last night, but still got out of bases loaded, no outs, allowing only a rather shallow sac fly. I rather doubt Parker would have allowed that little damage in a similar situation,

 

On June 27th Parker loaded the bases against the Rays with no outs in extra innings and got out of it without even giving up a sac fly.