Game Thread x2: Twins @ Guardians, Noon:10 and 6:10 CT

[sampleSizeOfOne]

At least he has faced is 3 batters.

[umterp23]

There she BLOWS! 

[big dog]

The good news is that Pagan won’t be available for the second game. 

[aTwinsFanInMaryland]

How about we stop pitching Pagan against Cleveland yeah?

[rwilfong86]

Just now, LVTwinsfan said:

Ah yes, the 8th inning bullpen meltdown, I’ve seen this one before

And Rocco keeps using this guy in these spots. It's nauseating to watch. 

[Azviking101]

As many twins writers have noted, it wouldn’t take much to improve the bullpen considerably. Every team in rebuild has multiple guys that the twins could get without having to give up much in terms of prospects. But keep trying with Pagan and Duffey. I’m sure they’ll figure it out ?

[lukeduke1980]

At least we didn't pay Rogers' salary to get this guy

[bighat]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

Mind boggling we keep using him in this situation. 

I think he's the bullpen's weakest link, worse than Duffey. I have no clue why anyone here keeps defending him - is it because they don't want to feel like the Twins lost the Rogers trade or something?

[mrtwinsfan]

5 minutes ago, singlesoverwalks said:

Literally banging my head aganst the desk. Closing the Gameday tab and going back to work.

   Me to

[Aggies7]

Man that’s deflating. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

2 minutes ago, SwainZag said:

Going to have to pull the biggest houdini ever to get out of this mess

It is too late.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

At least he has faced is 3 batters.

Unfortunately the game is probably over after those 3 batters.

[SwainZag]

1 minute ago, rwilfong86 said:

Need to put Duran in first, he would have faced the heart of the Cleveland line up. Another questionable decision by Rocco.

He would have faced 9-1-2...the same batters Pagan just faced.  That's not the heart of the order.

[jimboeau]

Why do they keep putting that POS in there in crucial spots. 

[Aggies7]

Closers are overrated 

[Azviking101]

Assuming they lose, pagan will be mostly responsible for all 3 losses to Cleveland this past week. 

[CRF]

Looks like another Pagan ritual. I'd love to DFA this guy right effing now. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

3 minutes ago, SwainZag said:

Going to have to pull the biggest houdini ever to get out of this mess

Does scoring more in our next at bats count as getting out of it?

[SwainZag]

Not getting Kep in from 2nd with 0 outs last inning is seemingly pretty huge right now

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, SwainZag said:

He would have faced 9-1-2...the same batters Pagan just faced.  That's not the heart of the order.

The top of the order is what I meant, thanks for the correction.

[wavedog]

Might as well bring in Duffey - this one is over.  

[Azviking101]

I also believe Smeltzer could have and should have gone another inning, but Rocco’s main goal is getting relievers confidence back whatever the cost to the team. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

Closers are overrated 

Closers pitch in the 9th...

[Aggies7]

Just now, chpettit19 said:

Closers pitch in the 9th...

Yes duran is only used in the 9th, my mistake 

[rwilfong86]

Just now, Azviking101 said:

I also believe Smeltzer could have and should have gone another inning, but Rocco’s main goal is getting relievers confidence back whatever the cost to the team. 

Or use Jax for more than one inning.

[SwainZag]

Just now, Azviking101 said:

I also believe Smeltzer could have and should have gone another inning, but Rocco’s main goal is getting relievers confidence back whatever the cost to the team. 

Smeltzer threw 95 pitches.  They aren't going to allow pitchers to start a new inning with that many pitchers thrown.  That just is what it is.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just cut Pagan already. There’s no point in continuing this farce. 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Maybe I put too much emphasis on winning. Maybe I should just enjoy the beauty of the game. Nah . What did Vince Lombardi say about winning? "Winning is not everything, it is the only thing".

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, Aggies7 said:

Yes duran is only used in the 9th, my mistake 

Well pick a complaint. Do you want Duran used as a closer like you complain about constantly while saying he should only be used in the 9th or do you want him used in the 8th? Can't have it both ways. Either you want Duran as the closer thrown in the 9th inning of games the Twins are leading by 3 or fewer or you want him used the way Rocco has used him this year.

[Tibs]

Man that Taylor Rogers trade really did not work out this year