I'm assuming Arraez gets another day to rest the ankle today.

I don't think he gets rest, he just doesn't start. The moment Paxton is gone, Schoop will follow, methinks.

The Turtle was playing great baseball down the stretch. Would rather see him play over Castro. Castro was essentially their worst hitter since July. 

 

I don't think he gets rest, he just doesn't start. The moment Paxton is gone, Schoop will follow, methinks.

My bet's rest...with another left-handed bat used to PH if/when the situation dictates (Adrianza filling in defensively).

 

But, I wouldn't bet much.

To me the fact Wade is not on roster says Kepler must be 100% or very close to it.  We really do not have much in way of CF depth if Kepler is not 100%.  Cave can play it and so can Eddie but both at subpar level, not that Kepler is amazing but he is better than both of them.  I would have preferred Wade over Schoop to provide depth to OF, pinch running possibly, and good late game AB if needed.  Schoop can provide some pop and decent defense at 2nd when there, but he is about as non-clutch as a player can be. 

La Tortuga over Castro would have been better. Castro can't hit, is overrated defensively and Astudillo can hit and is a creature out of Grimm's Fairy Tales, he's the mythological factor that could have propelled the team to victory. Adding Gibson was fine, even if sentiment played a role. Hope they can win this f*@$ing thing!

 

To me the fact Wade is not on roster says Kepler must be 100% or very close to it.  We really do not have much in way of CF depth if Kepler is not 100%.  Cave can play it and so can Eddie but both at subpar level, not that Kepler is amazing but he is better than both of them.  I would have preferred Wade over Schoop to provide depth to OF, pinch running possibly, and good late game AB if needed.  Schoop can provide some pop and decent defense at 2nd when there, but he is about as non-clutch as a player can be. 

Huh, that's an interesting point, one I hadn't considered.

 

But you're right. If Kepler is still banged up, it's hard to think they'd roll with Cave and only Cave as a CF option.

 

La Tortuga over Castro would have been better. Castro can't hit, is overrated defensively and Astudillo can hit and is a creature out of Grimm's Fairy Tales, he's the mythological factor that could have propelled the team to victory. Adding Gibson was fine, even if sentiment played a role. Hope they can win this f*@$ing thing!

No, he's really not. The problem is that his best trait - framing - is largely lost on viewers.

 

But Castro is a good defensive backstop. And given his .851 OPS against RHP this season, a good option to complement Garver.

Kepler is an above average center fielder, in admittedly small samples......

 

The Turtle was playing great baseball down the stretch. Would rather see him play over Castro. Castro was essentially their worst hitter since July. 

But Castro is their best player behind the plate. I think you are selling what Castro gives way short.

 

Huh, that's an interesting point, one I hadn't considered.

 

But you're right. If Kepler is still banged up, it's hard to think they'd roll with Cave and only Cave as a CF option.

If Kep can't make it through the ALDS ... what then? Is it a short enough series that that's his test? And then replace him with ... Wade (?) ... for the next run?

 

If Kep can't make it through the ALDS ... what then? Is it a short enough series that that's his test? And then replace him with ... Wade (?) ... for the next run?

If Kepler can't play, I suppose they could just swap him for Wade in the ALDS. If the Twins advance, Kepler would then be unavailable for the ALCS.

 

If Kepler can't play, I suppose they could just swap him for Wade in the ALDS. If the Twins advance, Kepler would then be unavailable for the ALCS.

Right ... it's just kind of risky, I guess, for lack of a better way to put it. Either he's really ready to go, or they just need him to be to get past the Yankees. Because if he's only partially ready, and gets reinjured, enough so they need to replace him, he's out for the next one. So, I think they feel they need him more for this one and are betting (hoping) he stays healthy enough to survive? Not sure if I'm stating that exactly right ... I had an extra shot in my latte so my brain is kind of racing.

I suspect part of the reason to carry an experienced catcher like Castro is that Rocco may try to lift Garver early if he can. He’s kinda banged up too.

Right ... it's just kind of risky, I guess, for lack of a better way to put it. Either he's really ready to go, or they just need him to be to get past the Yankees. Because if he's only partially ready, and gets reinjured, enough so they need to replace him, he's out for the next one. So, I think they feel they need him more for this one and are betting (hoping) he stays healthy enough to survive? Not sure if I'm stating that exactly right ... I had an extra shot in my latte so my brain is kind of racing.

That’s certainly feasible. I’m hoping that they’re so confident Max is healthy that they didn’t feel the need to add Wade.

 

That’s certainly feasible. I’m hoping that they’re so confident Max is healthy that they didn’t feel the need to add Wade.

Me, too ... wonder if he was on the plane, though? If he was on the plane, then no, I don't think they are completely confident but need Max for this series. Dunno. Just hoping for the best here ... 

 

I don't think he gets rest, he just doesn't start. The moment Paxton is gone, Schoop will follow, methinks.

Arraez in the lineup and batting 9th. I was wrong-er than you were .

 

Does beg the question...how/when/why would you use Schoop, then? Pinch-hit late against Britton/Chapman? Which of our left-handed bats would you do that for? If Castro is in the game, you're pinch-hitting Garver. Maybe Kepler given his rust? Maybe a late-inning defensive replacement for Arraez?

It would've been nice to see Buxton's name on the list, but I guess we'll just have to wait until next year when the Twins defend their WS title.

"...Could Gibson be the Game 4 starter, or will they use him out of the bullpen, in a long-relief role...."

 

 

Yes. 

Arraez in the lineup and batting 9th. I was wrong-er than you were .

 

Does beg the question...how/when/why would you use Schoop, then? Pinch-hit late against Britton/Chapman? Which of our left-handed bats would you do that for? If Castro is in the game, you're pinch-hitting Garver. Maybe Kepler given his rust? Maybe a late-inning defensive replacement for Arraez?

Does seem a tad odd to roster him if you aren’t going to use him in a spot where he is most likely to succeed.

I have no idea why Schoop isn't starting vs a lefty. Bizarre decision.

 

I have no idea why Schoop isn't starting vs a lefty. Bizarre decision.

 

Yeah, was definitely a bit of a surprise when the lineup was posted. Figured with Arraez's ankle and Schoop being strong against LHP, he was an automatic start at 2nd. Hard to ignore a guy with an OPS north of .900 versus LHP when the opponent is starting a LHP.

I will be curious with the lineup. Make sure the guys who egt on base hit high in the order and can be followed by not one but 2 or 3 or 4 guys capable of getting him home (speaking of Arraex here).

 

I'm happy with the pitching. Perez, Smeltzer or Thorpe are inetrchangable at this point. 

 

Every game starting today is the last game of the year!

 

Arraez in the lineup and batting 9th. I was wrong-er than you were .

 

Does beg the question...how/when/why would you use Schoop, then? Pinch-hit late against Britton/Chapman? Which of our left-handed bats would you do that for? If Castro is in the game, you're pinch-hitting Garver. Maybe Kepler given his rust? Maybe a late-inning defensive replacement for Arraez?

I would have used Schoop to start against lefties so I don’t know what the hell I’d do with him if that’s not the case.

This tells me that Gibson will be offered a contract for next year...if he is healthy. 

This also tells me that Perez is not likely to be with us in 2020.

This tells me that Gibson will be offered a contract for next year...if he is healthy.

This also tells me that Perez is not likely to be with us in 2020.

The Yankees have almost no lefties on their roster. That's all this is.

It would've been nice to see Buxton's name on the list, but I guess we'll just have to wait until next year when the Twins defend their WS title.

Would've, in the sense we miss him.

 

But not as a potential choice for this post-season - he's been on the 60-day DL for a while now (though not 60 days ) and will not play until next season.

 

La Tortuga over Castro would have been better. Castro can't hit, is overrated defensively and Astudillo can hit and is a creature out of Grimm's Fairy Tales, he's the mythological factor that could have propelled the team to victory. Adding Gibson was fine, even if sentiment played a role. Hope they can win this f*@$ing thing!

 

 

Castro's 2019 OPS of .767 would have been better than Mauer's OPS in 4 of Mauer's last 9 seasons, when Mauer's average OPS was .786.

 

Castro hit 13 homers in 237 AB's. Mauer averaged 552 AB's over his last 9 years, averaged 8 HR's and never hit more than 11.

 

The Turtle is NOT an upgrade over Castro. 

 

 

 

Technically cheating since we are underway, but statement would not change:  Gibson is too ill to play and should be watching while receiving treatment/therapy.  The bottom of the 7th just proved this. 

 

No objection to Stashak's presence, but his appearance in a 1-run situation is baffling...

 

Castro's 2019 OPS of .767 would have been better than Mauer's OPS in 4 of Mauer's last 9 seasons, when Mauer's average OPS was .786.

 

Castro hit 13 homers in 237 AB's. Mauer averaged 552 AB's over his last 9 years, averaged 8 HR's and never hit more than 11.

 

The Turtle is NOT an upgrade over Castro. 

Castro is also a way better defensive catcher. The fascination with the Turtle is confounding.

 

 

 

All good.  Ice cold.  Handedness aside, I'd take Gibson over Thorpe and Perez also.  I have a vague (and perhaps faulty) memory of Perez coming out of the pen back in April, and being awful.  At least Gibson has been preparing.

After game one you might want to edit this