Front Page: Twins Game Recap (9/15): Bad Defense Costs Twins in Series Finale

[puckstopper1]

 

 

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
Click here for a review of the number of pitches thrown by each member of the bullpen over the past five days.

Dobnek's 74 pitches need to be added to the bullpen chart.

 

 

[h2oface]

I didn't like the backing off of the sweep and the choices made before the game, and in the 6th it just blew my mind. After we take the lead at 4-2 in the top of the 6th, it seemed no adjustments were made to reflect that we are still very much in a pennant race, and have a chance to bury Cleveland. It was a 2 game decision. To go up 6.5 games, or to drop to 4.5 games up. The choices have been well discussed here. The team, from management to players in the field and pitching, seemed to enter lackadaisical mode. None of the decisons of pitchers made any sense to me. To watch them play to get lucky instead of making the best choices of pitchers and players to win..... I don't like it at all. I realize there is a "no big deal, we already accomplished the goal and won two" club. I am not in it. 12 outs! They were so lucky, with Beiber on the mound, to be in the position to win. And it was there to take. I really hate to see my team back off, and not play to win in September. Bad habit to get into. I thought it was disgusting.

 

I was amazed that Astudillo would turn his head away and not even follow the ball if it was in the dirt, and not once, but several times. That can't happen at any level above little league. Romero didn't look like the real deal on the 5 pitch walk to Reyes followed by a Wild Pitch, regardless of Eddie's Delmon Young play in left field. And Gibson in the game to pitch there? When you need your fireman as the game is now there to be saved, and certainly NOT an EXPERIMENT! Gibson? It only took 2 pitches............. 

[Dantes929]

 

The bullpen is deep for the moment.

Once the playoff roster gets set it’ll be a little different. Do they keep Stashak or Smeltzer or Littell. More data is necessary to make that decision. Until they hand the ball to Smeltzer or Dobnak and allow them to pitch as many innings as they allow Perez to throw. Bullpenning seems like an accurate term.

Unless he blows up in the next two weeks I don't know how you can keep Littell off the postseason roster.   Gave up 8 runs in two appearances in May.   Since then he has been absolutely lights out in his last 22 appearances.   I could imagine a playoff roster without Gibson or Perez.   

[Only Here in Negative]

 

I have little faith in Schoop especially in playoff. He has proven time and again that he is a negative force in crucial situation.

 

Schoop has a .768 OPS in high leverage situations. That's not bad. 

 

He also has a .965 OPS against LHP and those stats are higher against LH relievers. He's ideal for a late inning PH appearance, especially if a team brings in a lefty to face Arraez. 

[Aerodeliria]

 

Right you are. My bad...I didn't look far enough down the list of 2's! In fact it says the Rockies did it in 1997 and 1998 as well as the 1973 Braves. So no, Twins won't equal that record this year...but I'm pretty sure Sano will get one more before its all over to give us 5 30+ HR hitters.

 

All this talk about Schoop (his value vs no value) reminds me of the Expos final season when they had Tony Batista. He led them in HR's and RBI but had a pretty low BA. And the stat hounds were quick to point out he had more chances to drive in runs than just about any other player in the league...conclusion....he failed a lot despite his seemingly decent numbers. And the debate raged on for months. So many ways to evaluate a player. And I still maintain that a component of how one spins the evaluation has something to do with whether you just flat out like or dislike that player.

I could have someone throw bouquets of stats in my face about how good Albert Belle was, but I disliked him so much I (irrationally perhaps) didn't care. As an Oriole fan, I could never cheer for him. Granted Belle was pretty much universally considered a real jerk...I don't think Schoop has that tag on him...but sometimes there are just players you don't like.

Not scientific....but still very true.

I remember Mr. Batista coming to Japan. He played some decent baseball here, but was kind of of disinterested in being a team player. (Something Japanese players and managers/coaches really cannot relate to.) In the off-season, he really let himself go, so by the time he got to the Twins front door, he was kind of useless. He hit the occasional home run, but his bat speed had really fallen by the wayside and his defense was horrifyingly bad.

Edited September 17, 2019 by Aerodeliria

[Riverbrian]

 

Unless he blows up in the next two weeks I don't know how you can keep Littell off the postseason roster.   Gave up 8 runs in two appearances in May.   Since then he has been absolutely lights out in his last 22 appearances.   I could imagine a playoff roster without Gibson or Perez.   

 

We are agreed on Littell. I'd like to see him get some higher leverage appearances so I know that Baldelli agrees with us. 

 

On Gibson and Perez... I can't see it. I wouldn't be opposed to it but I can't see it because it would be a 180 from how the team has treated them. 

 

The club ran right up to the wire with these guys throwing significant innings. A 5 man rotation with those two representing 40% of that rotation. I can't see them just changing course on a dime. 

 

Gibson and Perez were given every opportunity no matter the results... The club is trying to make them succeed. It would actually bother me now, if they pulled the plug on Gibson and Perez at this late stage, even if I think it should be considered. 

 

Littell bounced between the minors and majors and was almost always the last option for high leverage. Even during the dark days of July when we sent 4 relievers away for nothing. 

 

The club has just shown me different by action. 

 

Other than that... I agree with you. 

 

 

 

 

[Only Here in Negative]

 

Schoop started the game winning rally in game 2 Saturday, and made 2 really nice defensive plays that were pretty important in that game.

Schoop isnt a great player, and Mike's probably right about spending his money elsewhere next year, but he's contributed many times to this year's team.

 

Yeah, at this point you kind of wish that the Twins had tacked on an option year with Schoop (if he'd have been down for it). Not because you'd keep him but because he'd be a trade chip this offseason. Not a huge one but you'd get something for him. Its too bad the only reward the Twins get for making a nice call on him when he was down is a part-time 2Bman for one year - no one could have predicted Arraez would take his job so completely.

[Only Here in Negative]

 

Schoop has a .768 OPS in high leverage situations. That's not bad. 

 

He also has a .965 OPS against LHP and those stats are higher against LH relievers. He's ideal for a late inning PH appearance, especially if a team brings in a lefty to face Arraez. 

 

In fact, though it worked yesterday because Arraez's ball scooted by third base all on its own, Schoop really should've been pinch hitting with a lefty reliever. I hope that's the plan come playoff time.

[stringer bell]

 

In fact, though it worked yesterday because Arraez's ball scooted by third base all on its own, Schoop really should've been pinch hitting with a lefty reliever. I hope that's the plan come playoff time.

Actually, I still let Arraez hit with the team already ahead and a runner or third and less than two outs. He is so much more likely to make contact and get that insurance run home. Yes, if you are looking for an extra-base hit there, you probably hit for Arraez, not when a single or productive out is needed.

[Only Here in Negative]

 

Actually, I still let Arraez hit with the team already ahead and a runner or third and less than two outs. He is so much more likely to make contact and get that insurance run home. Yes, if you are looking for an extra-base hit there, you probably hit for Arraez, not when a single or productive out is needed.

 

See I think I'd be more interested in the contact if it was tied or they were down one. At that point, the one run via contact is useful. But up one in the 7th, two guys on and only one out, I think Schoop makes more sense. He's the most likely to blow open the game, which is what you should be looking for there.

 

It would obviously also depend on how good that lefty was against righties. Not all lefties are the same.

[Riverbrian]

See I think I'd be more interested in the contact if it was tied or they were down one. At that point, the one run via contact is useful. But up one in the 7th, two guys on and only one out, I think Schoop makes more sense. He's the most likely to blow open the game, which is what you should be looking for there.

 

It would obviously also depend on how good that lefty was against righties. Not all lefties are the same.

I think you make a decent point.

 

Personally I’d just have a hard time pinch hitting for Arraez ever.

[Only Here in Negative]

 

I think you make a decent point.

Personally I’d just have a hard time pinch hitting for Arraez ever.

 

It does feel weird doesn't it? Like all the stats show it's smart to PH and there's a part of you that just thinks, "Go with the magic!" 

 

I do worry for next year that we're going to expect too much of Arraez like we did with Danny Santana and Astudillo. He can't possible live up to this season. Enjoying it while the ride is in motion but hoping we can let him suffer some growing pains at some point.

[Mike Sixel]

Schoop has a .768 OPS in high leverage situations. That's not bad.

 

He also has a .965 OPS against LHP and those stats are higher against LH relievers. He's ideal for a late inning PH appearance, especially if a team brings in a lefty to face Arraez.

He pretty much has a negative WPA every year of his career....

[Riverbrian]

It does feel weird doesn't it? Like all the stats show it's smart to PH and there's a part of you that just thinks, "Go with the magic!"

 

I do worry for next year that we're going to expect too much of Arraez like we did with Danny Santana and Astudillo. He can't possible live up to this season. Enjoying it while the ride is in motion but hoping we can let him suffer some growing pains at some point.

I’ve stated it many times so it’ll come to no surprise. I have same worry about every player next year.

 

I say hedge your bets with depth just in case.

[DesertTwinsFan]

The bad fielding concerns me. This team is in the lower half of the league in fielding, an aspect of the game that used to be a strength. With their pitching staff, the Twins don't have a lot of room for error when (if) they get to the playoffs. Don't give the opposition more outs!

 

With 10 games remaining, I think they still need to win 5 or 6 to make the playoffs.

[stringer bell]

 

With 10 games remaining, I think they still need to win 5 or 6 to make the playoffs.

Let's say 7 of 10 to be sure!