Twins 7, Tigers 1: Twins Complete Sweep, Correa Comes up Clutch

[Epravens]

I had a glimmer of hope for Rocco following the game changing back-to-back bunts until he admitted the players did it on their own.

[MMMordabito]

The bottom end of the bullpen earned their dough today.  That's huge heading to Tampa with a rested Smith and Duran.  

[mikelink45]

It is hard not to be optimistic. But we have to look at who we beat and be ready for some tough times and challenges. I really like celestino coming through as well as seeing Correa starting to get hits.

If Ober is hurt we need to keep winder in the rotation.

[jimbo92107]

On Baily Ober: To me he now looks like a good middle rotation starter. Not a potential shutout guy (yet), but good now and potential to get significantly better, given his good poise on the mound. 

On Griffin Jax: This guy might have a higher ceiling than Ober. His slider is better than Ryan's, but his fastball needs more precision if he can't add movement, like a cutter. If Jax can pick the corners with his heater, he could be a good closer, a-la Joe Nathan. Nail the corners at 94 +, then slice 'em up with a power slider. It's like having 5 different pitches to worry about. On the other hand, if Jax continues to be a good multi-inning reliever, maybe he transitions to starter. 

On Josh Winder: On some teams he's already your #4 or 5 starter. Not quite as precise or consistent as Ober, but lots of potential. Definitely belongs in the pen for now, another long reliever. This is a good development plan for him.

On Jhoan Duran: OMG, what to do... Hondo heat, splinker at 96, and a hard slider. It screams "closer" or rally stopper, but he's got serious starter potential, too. Keep him in the pen for now, but USE HIM a lot. Get him used to high-leverage situations for later in his career. Especially, teach him to get guys out with his secondary pitches, by which I mean sliders, curves and changes. Mentor: Dylan Bundy. 

[RpR]

3 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

Which Jeffers are you talking about? 

Jeffers is good catcher: appears to call a good game, sets a nice target and does an excellent job with pitch framing, and blocks the plate pretty well. He's not the greatest at controlling the running game, but he's not awful at it either. And right now he's hitting just fine: OPS+ of 117. Good power, solid eye at the plate. (He's also significantly out-playing Mitch Garver so far) Weird take, mah dude.

Today's at BatsFull Player Profile

• 2nd: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 4th: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 6th: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 7th: Jeffers struck out swinging.

[singlesoverwalks]

I love the wins just as much as the next individual but let's stipulate that no team has ever deserved to be swept as much as these Tigers. In the 4-run inning they threw the ball into the back of a running bunter TWICE IN A ROW. You all saw how the Twins had a walk-off the-other-team-made-an-error in the first game (that was the second game they won this way during this streak). Practically every time the Tigers touch the ball, they bobble it.  It is a sight to behold. They may be sniffing glue.

Don't call me a killjoy. You should definitely still enjoy it. It's baseball and when things go your way, you take it, because when things don't go your way you lose and it's no fun.

[Schmoeman5]

8 hours ago, RpR said:

Jeffers is not a good catcher, period and has no bat to make up the difference.

You would complain if Bench was catching and your outfield was Mays Aaron and Clemente or since we're in the AL Kaline, Yaztremski and Mantle

[jmlease1]

9 hours ago, RpR said:

Today's at BatsFull Player Profile

• 2nd: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 4th: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 6th: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 7th: Jeffers struck out swinging.

So any time a player has a bad game, they're trash now? If they have a good game are they suddenly amazing? But regardless...everything (including the uninformed eye test) says that Jeffers is a fine catcher. So even if we accept that his bat is trash (and I don't, the bad game not withstanding), the first half of your premise doesn't hold up.

Hells bells, man: literally the day before Jeffers went 2-3 with a double and home run. The last seven days (on the very page you linked) shows Jeffers was 5-16 with 3 doubles and 2 home runs. Stop cherry-picking out one bad game at the plate to try and bury a player that you seem to hate for...reasons?

[wabene]

10 hours ago, RpR said:

Today's at BatsFull Player Profile

• 2nd: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 4th: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 6th: Jeffers struck out swinging.
• 7th: Jeffers struck out swinging.

jmlease said "Hells bells, man: literally the day before Jeffers went 2-3 with a double and home run. The last seven days (on the very page you linked) shows Jeffers was 5-16 with 3 doubles and 2 home runs. Stop cherry-picking out one bad game at the plate to try and bury a player that you seem to hate for...reasons?"

 

I'll add that Jeffer's block of that spiked pitch the other day allowed the Twins to steal that game. Looking at all the data points to one helluva catcher. C'mon RpR ya gotta be kidding, right? Just sitting there somewhere in the middle of Minnesota chuckling while you push all our buttons ?

[RpR]

5 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

 If they have a good game are they suddenly amazing? p.

Hells bells, man: literally the day before Jeffers went 2-3 with a double and home run. The last seven days (on the very page you linked) shows Jeffers was 5-16 with 3 doubles and 2 home runs. Stop cherry-picking out one bad game at the plate to try and bury a player that you seem to hate for...reasons?

You said it not me, but he is simply not good; they should have kept Rortvedt.

[Schmoeman5]

22 minutes ago, RpR said:

I have followed the Twins since they came to Minnesota; was fortunate enough to meet some said same year.

I know who and what I like, just like others here.

You may know what you like, but that doesn't qualify you as an expert either. You're always ripping on people but glorify the superstars who are struggling as well because you KNOW they're going to break out. But the younger guys who are still trying to find their way get no reprieve. You want instant superstardom or just get rid of them and bring in the next batch.

[RpR]

1 minute ago, Schmoeman5 said:

You may know what you like, but that doesn't qualify you as an expert either. You're always ripping on people but glorify the superstars who are struggling as well because you KNOW they're going to break out. But the younger guys who are still trying to find their way get no reprieve. You want instant superstardom or just get rid of them and bring in the next batch.

I am as much an expert as any one posting here who is not involved in the business.

I like what I like and you like what you like.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Mod note: @RpR @jmlease1 @wabene @Schmoeman5 quit bickering and accusing each other of trolling.

knock it off

[Schmoeman5]

So let's see how the Tampa Bay series goes. They have solid pitching and their offense hasn't gotten into gear yet. This will be a nice early test for the Twins. Let's see if they can keep it going.