White Sox 9, Twins 8: In a Wild Game, Chicago Walks Off the Twins in 10

[Thiéres Rabelo]

The Twins gave up the lead five times throughout this game and ended up being walked off in the 10th inning. They fail to complete the sweep and lose their first game against the White Sox of the year.

 

Box Score
Starting Pitcher: Joe Ryan, 4.0 IP, 5H, 3R, 2ER, 2BB, 3K (85 pitches, 56 strikes, 65.8%)
Home Runs: Jorge Polanco, 2 (12), Gio Urshela (8)
Bottom 3 WPA: Trevor Megill (-.350), Emilio Pagan (-.230), Jovani Moran (-.195)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

For the third consecutive game, the Twins managed to load the bases in the first inning and came up empty-handed. Well, at least we thought so at first. After a Luis Arraez leadoff single and a couple of walks, from Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler, Alex Kirilloff grounded in what was first ruled as an inning-ending double play. However, someone at the Twins dugout noticed that Tim Anderson didn’t have the ball in his glove when he tagged Kepler at second, so the call on the field was overturned and Arráez run scored.

The lead didn’t last long, though, as Joe Ryan struggled with his command in the first inning. Despite getting first-pitch strikes against four of the five batters he faced, it took him 29 pitches to get through the first. He lost Anderson to a leadoff walk and he scored shortly after that on a Jose Abreu double. Fortunately, that was all Chicago got in that inning.

Minnesota got back on top in the second inning on three consecutive one-out hits. Gio Urshela hit a single to center and scored at the next at-bat on a long Ryan Jeffers double to deep center. Then, Arráez got his second hit of the afternoon with an RBI single to shallow center, making it 3-1 Twins. Arraez even moved to second after a wild pitch from old friend Lance Lynn, but the former Twin struck out Polanco and Byron Buxton to end the threat.

The game continued to go back and forth. Ryan settled down after the long first inning, pitching a couple of scoreless with almost the same number of pitches (31) it took him to complete the first. But he failed to remain sharp during the fourth, which would end up being his final inning in this game. After Lynn retired eight consecutive Twins, Ryan began the fourth giving up a leadoff single to Gavin Sheets. Facing Eloy Jimenez next, Ryan managed to get an 0-2 count but ended up allowing a game-tying two-run homer.

The Twins provided quick response in the following inning. Seemingly unstoppable right now, Arráez got his third hit of the day on the second pitch he saw to lead off the fifth. Then Polanco also jumped on an early pitch and smashed it to right field for a two-run dong, putting the Twins back on top, 5-3. Ryan has now allowed three or more runs in four of his last starts. He didn’t come back to pitch in the bottom of the fifth, with Emilio Pagán taking over in his relief – and he soon blew the lead. Three of the first four hitters he faced reached safely, including Andrew Vaughn, who hit a leadoff single, and Luis Robert, who hit a rocket for a game-tying two-run shot.

This went on for a couple more innings. In the seventh, Polanco hit his second home run of the night, a leadoff shot against reliever Kendall Graveman. This is Polo’s first multi-HR game of the season. But the White Sox would naturally tie the game again in the bottom of the inning. Griffin Jax allowed three hits, including an RBI single to Jiménez, making it 6-6.

Minnesota regained the lead in the eighth – because of course they would. Jose Miranda hit his 12th double of the season to lead off the inning. Then, Urshela went yard for the Twins’ third home run of the afternoon. It was 8-6 Twins with six outs to go. Could the bullpen hold on to this lead? Not really. In the bottom of the inning, Vaughn crushed a two-run bomb off Trevor Megill and the game was tied for the fifth in the game, 8-8.

Jhoan Duran pitched a scoreless ninth, becoming only the second Twins pitcher not to allow a run to score in the whole game, alongside Caleb Thielbar's clean sixth. The game went to extra innings and Minnesota put some pressure when Miranda drew a leadoff walk, but they couldn’t capitalize. Jovani Moran pitched in the 10th and he allowed Josh Harrison to walk and ghost runner Adam Engel to move up to third on a passed ball. Then, Leury Garcia brought home the winning run on a single to end the game.

What’s Next?
Minnesota has a day off on Thursday when they will be traveling to Texas. On Friday, they start a weekend series against the Rangers in Arlington, with Sonny Gray (2.47 ERA) scheduled to start against Jon Gray (3.96 ERA). The first pitch for game one is scheduled for 7:05 pm CDT.

Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Cotton	38	0	0	21	0	59
Pagán	10	0	18	0	23	51
Jax	0	0	26	0	17	43
Duffey	0	0	13	18	0	31
Duran	0	0	20	0	9	29
Moran	0	18	0	0	8	26
Megill	0	0	0	2	22	24
Thielbar	0	0	0	11	8	19

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[Vanimal46]

If this game doesn’t highlight the extremes of Twins baseball, I don’t know what will. Excellent offense, terrible bullpen, brain farts on the base paths, and players who had the day off getting one under any circumstance. 

It’s July 6th and there’s a ton of work to do fixing the bullpen Falvey and Levine. Time is ticking. 2 back end bullpen arms are needed at a minimum. 

[wsnydes]

This type of game is what I expected to see regularly this season.  Not so much the losing part necessarily, but a slugfest.

At least they took the series.  Keep winning series, and they'll be hard to catch.

[Rosterman]

First off, gotta trust your starter. They can go five and six innings. Please.

Moran in 9th. Duran in 10th. Don't use closer unless you have the lead.

Why are the Twins ONE of the teams that refuse to advance that guy standing on second to third, especially if they are capable of almsot walking to third. You pinch hit Jeffers, too.

Pagan, Jax, Thielbar, Megil, Duran, Moran.....any rhyme or reason? You got two dynamtie lefties...bring in Thielbar for the fifth, Moran for the 8th. I won't fauly bullpen arms for giving up hits or homers...it happens. The White Sox did the same as the Twins. But.....I can't figure out the bullpen usage. Never, ever, zilch...except that the front office didn't think Rogers could be the closer.

[SanoMustGo]

10 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

If this game doesn’t highlight the extremes of Twins baseball, I don’t know what will. Excellent offense, terrible bullpen, brain farts on the base paths, and players who had the day off getting one under any circumstance. 

It’s July 6th and there’s a ton of work to do fixing the bullpen Falvey and Levine. Time is ticking. 2 back end bullpen arms are needed at a minimum. 

This team has ALOT of work to do(Players, Manger, FO) to be playoff ready.  Could have really done damage to the Sox by winning today.  Like they have done so many times this season, they let teams off the hook.

[USAFChief]

Someone explain to me why

-Correa needed a day off. Again. I absolutely hate the Twins player usage. Hate it. And don't even try to tell me it keeps players healthy.

 

- Jeffers batted in the 10th. WHAT?

 

-I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on not throwing Duran for a 2 inning save, but

-why are we still struggling with the same names in the pen?

 

 

 

[SanoMustGo]

1 minute ago, USAFChief said:

Someone explain to me why

-Correa needed a day off. Again. I absolutely hate the Twins player usage. Hate it. And don't even try to tell me it keeps players healthy.

 

- Jeffers batted in the 10th. WHAT?

 

-I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on not throwing Duran for a 2 inning save, but

-why are we still struggling with the same names in the pen?

 

 

 

I keep saying...losses like these will catch up to this team by the end of the season.

[chinmusic]

5 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on not throwing Duran for a 2 inning save

Why not?  He threw 8 pitches in the 9th! (otherwise known as an Arraez at bat..lol)

I don't get it. Duran couldn't have come out in the 10th? with an off day tomorrow, to boot?

[Monticore]

Boston's pen is as wretched as ours and they're gonna be just one of the teams competing for likely the same arms at the deadline. The entire season pivots on the FO's competence and drive now.

[rwilfong86]

12 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Someone explain to me why

-Correa needed a day off. Again. I absolutely hate the Twins player usage. Hate it. And don't even try to tell me it keeps players healthy.

 

- Jeffers batted in the 10th. WHAT?

 

-I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on not throwing Duran for a 2 inning save, but

-why are we still struggling with the same names in the pen?

 

 

 

Not pinch hitting Correa for Jeffers with Sanchez on the bench makes 0 sense. 

[USAFChief]

13 minutes ago, chinmusic said:

Why not?  He threw 8 pitches in the 9th! (otherwise known as an Arraez at bat..lol)

I don't get it. Duran couldn't have come out in the 10th? with an off day tomorrow, to boot?

If he was available for 2 innings I'd assume that would have been the 8th and 9th. 

Since they went with Megill in the 8th, I assume Duran wasn't available for 2. Unless you think Rocco preferred Megill to Duran.

As for the 10th, unless you think Rocco preferred Moran, I'd assume Duran wasn't available. 

Duran threw 16 innings last year. 16. They are going to be relatively cautious with him. I can understand that.

I'd hate to even think about Duran getting inju......

...

Nope. Not going there.

 

I have my problems with Rocco. I've been labeled a negative Nellie on Rocco by a certain Cadre here. 

But I do think we need to be fair. Rocco has **** to work with in the  pen. I screamed into the void all winter about it. That's not on him.

 

 

[tman]

I agree with those who have asked why Correa couldn't pinch hit in the 10th and then stayed in as a defensive replacement after that.   The inability of this manager to deviate from his schedule befuddles me. These 'etched in stone' rest days are perplexing.  How much effort can it take for a guy to play an inning or two.

The FO had better get something done quickly on the bullpen front, as Jax, who has been solid all year, has shown some cracks in his last two outings.  I've seen articles on this site re: starting pitchers that the Twins might target in a trade.  What good is it to go out and get a good starting pitcher when you're only going to let him go 4 or 5 innings.  Last week, I heard Rocco say in an interview that the Twins want their starting pitchers to go longer.  Then in the same week, he pulls Bundy early and Ryan early.  He always said that he intended to use Pagan in lower leverage situations until he had made some adjustments.  So then the next two outings after he said that, he uses Pagan in high leverage situations.  (Today was not a high leverage situation and Pagan still gave up the 2-run lead.)  The fact of the matter is this.  1) Rocco definitely doesn't know how to handle pitching and 2) the front office has done a lousy job of supplying him with any pitching. When Falvey was named GM, the thought was that he would be a guy who knows pitching.  Certainly hasn't shown that so far in his tenure.

I'm going to show my age here, but among the bullpen guys the Twins need are a guy like Mike Marshall, Juan Berenger...someone who is available every day for more than 1 inning.

Enough of my ranting.  Still love the Twins.

[darwin22]

Well.........where do I start after this team gagged away game that should've gone in the win column.

I'll start with the positive:  CLE lost again to DET.......way to go Tigers.  Appreciate the help.

Now ....for the not so positive.....where do I begin?  I guess I'll go the flow of the game.

Joe Ryan:  I guess I need to remember he's a rookie and will have starts like this, but, saying that, Ryan needs to be better than he was today.  Only 4 completed IP which took him 85 pitches.  Not good.

Pagan:  Was a little surprised to see him enter in the 5th inning with a 2-run lead after Polanco's blast.

Well, Pagan proved he can't handle a lead now in the  MIDDLE part of the game as that 2-run lead was short lived.  After getting ahead of Vaughn 0-2, Pagan couldn't put him away surrendering an infield single.  After getting ahead of Robert 1-2, the Pagan Sacrifice served up his 84 mph "cutter of death," which was launched.

Having now proved he can't be trusted to protect a late inning lead (multiple blows saves vs. CLE in less than a week) nor a lead in the mid innings------I honestly ask, moving forward-----where can he be used other than mop up duty/ deficit of 3+ runs??   For those still believing Pagan serves a vital role in this bullpen, I have to ask---What makes you believe that?  His season ERA is now up to 5.34.  Pagan's regression----10.03 ERA since June 1st (11.2 IP/ 13 ER) -----signals to me his tenure as a Twin has to be coming to an end.

Moving forward/ later in the game....

T. Megill:  Pitching in bottom of 8th with ANOTHER 2-run lead after Urshela's HR, I was actually hopeful that Megill could protect the lead.  Not the case, as well all know.

Ryan Jeffers:  Throwing Jeffers into the fray here, but I do have to question his pitch call to Sox catcher Zavala.  With an 0-2 count after two 4-seam 97-98 fastballs---Jeffers called for a curve, which Megill left up, that was lined to RF for a single.  After Kepler's great catch for the second out, a similar situation arose in the Vaughn at-bat.  With Vaughn battling, but still with a 1-2 count, why would Jeffers call for another curveball....the 5th curveball....in Vaughn's at-bat?  Yes, I know Megill made the pitch, but when you throw 98.....I just hate getting beat on my 2nd best pitch.

Oh...1 more thing on Jeffers:  His waffle iron of a mitt....PB in bottom of 10th was critical in loss.  

Our offense: Hard to find fault here after scoring 8 runs, but going 2-11 with RISP didn't help.

and finally........

Baldelli:  2 things, I find fault with:

#1   Why wouldn't you let Duran come out for the 10th after he breezed through Abreu, Sheets and Jimenez in the 9th?  Duran threw a total of 9.....9 pitches.  

#2    Why was Jeffers allowed to hit in the 10th with runners on 1st and 2nd and only 1 out when BOTH Sanchez and Correa were available to pinch hit??  As soon as I saw Jeffers come to hit, I immediately knew the inning was over.  Proved right when Jeffers GIDP.

oops.....I knew I was forgetting 1 more person:

Derrick Falvey:  Where are you Derrick?  How many MORE late inning losses---due to our gas can of a bullpen---are you going to allow without taking action?  After today's debacle, which I think is at least our 10th loss after leading after the 7th inning----honestly, I've lost count---makes myself and countless other fans question your commitment.   Just asking you to simply do your J-O-B!!  

 

 

 

[Cap'n Piranha]

51 minutes ago, tman said:

I agree with those who have asked why Correa couldn't pinch hit in the 10th and then stayed in as a defensive replacement after that.   The inability of this manager to deviate from his schedule befuddles me. These 'etched in stone' rest days are perplexing.  How much effort can it take for a guy to play an inning or two.

The FO had better get something done quickly on the bullpen front, as Jax, who has been solid all year, has shown some cracks in his last two outings.  I've seen articles on this site re: starting pitchers that the Twins might target in a trade.  What good is it to go out and get a good starting pitcher when you're only going to let him go 4 or 5 innings.  Last week, I heard Rocco say in an interview that the Twins want their starting pitchers to go longer.  Then in the same week, he pulls Bundy early and Ryan early.  He always said that he intended to use Pagan in lower leverage situations until he had made some adjustments.  So then the next two outings after he said that, he uses Pagan in high leverage situations.  (Today was not a high leverage situation and Pagan still gave up the 2-run lead.)  The fact of the matter is this.  1) Rocco definitely doesn't know how to handle pitching and 2) the front office has done a lousy job of supplying him with any pitching. When Falvey was named GM, the thought was that he would be a guy who knows pitching.  Certainly hasn't shown that so far in his tenure.

I'm going to show my age here, but among the bullpen guys the Twins need are a guy like Mike Marshall, Juan Berenger...someone who is available every day for more than 1 inning.

Enough of my ranting.  Still love the Twins.

Perhaps Correa has an injury that does not require an IL stint, but does require total rest?  Otherwise not hitting him for Jeffers in the 10th is a fireable offense.  Especially because he wouldn't have even had to stay in on defense, as you'd plug Sanchez in for the bottom of the 10th.

I'm starting wonder if Falvey knowing pitching is a problem--does that make Falvey think he can identify guys off the scrap heap, polish them up, and make them part of a competent bullpen?  If so, I hope the past few weeks are teaching him some humility.

I don't necessarily think Rocco is the problem, but I definitely believe he is not the answer.  We tried it, it wasn't a match, best of luck in the future, enjoy your future summers on Naragansett Bay.

[Cap'n Piranha]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

If he was available for 2 innings I'd assume that would have been the 8th and 9th. 

Since they went with Megill in the 8th, I assume Duran wasn't available for 2. Unless you think Rocco preferred Megill to Duran.

As for the 10th, unless you think Rocco preferred Moran, I'd assume Duran wasn't available. 

Duran threw 16 innings last year. 16. They are going to be relatively cautious with him. I can understand that.

I'd hate to even think about Duran getting inju......

...

Nope. Not going there.

 

I have my problems with Rocco. I've been labeled a negative Nellie on Rocco by a certain Cadre here. 

But I do think we need to be fair. Rocco has **** to work with in the  pen. I screamed into the void all winter about it. That's not on him.

 

 

It would have been really interesting to see if they brought Duran out for the 10th if the Twins grabbed a lead in their half of the inning.  That said, I do agree that it seems likely they decided to only give Duran one inning today.

[Aggies7]

I’m afraid we aren’t going to get the bullpen help we need. The expanded playoffs will allow more teams to think they have a shot to get in, thus less likely to sell. More teams competing for a limited number of arms, driving up the asking price. “Just get a couple back end bullpen guys” sounds awesome in theory. With more teams looking for help and fewer teams likely to sell, it’s going to take an awful lot to find as many guys as we need. If we just had like two competent guys not named duran, I don’t think it would be as dire. But it’s as bad as it can be in that bullpen.

[D.C Twins]

19 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

I’m afraid we aren’t going to get the bullpen help we need. The expanded playoffs will allow more teams to think they have a shot to get in, thus less likely to sell. More teams competing for a limited number of arms, driving up the asking price. “Just get a couple back end bullpen guys” sounds awesome in theory. With more teams looking for help and fewer teams likely to sell, it’s going to take an awful lot to find as many guys as we need. If we just had like two competent guys not named duran, I don’t think it would be as dire. But it’s as bad as it can be in that bullpen.

This, This, aaaaaand... what was I forgetting.... oh yeah..... This!

[Dman]

First let me say Thank You to Detroit who swept Cleveland in a four game series.  At least we are not the only ones in the division that have trouble with the Tigers.  

Ryan needs to find that put away pitch or he is destined for more games like this.  Pagan will not survive the season, he has negative value at this point.  Megill has to be more careful with 2 strikes.  He gets out of that inning without giving up runs and that game is ours.  Jeffers don't try to be a hero at least have the decency to strike out so that Arraez gets one last chance to drive in the runs.  Why they didn't pitch hit for the black hole bat in the 10th inning only the spreadsheet knows.

Another winnable game lost by the pen who gave up 6 runs, 6.  They gave up more runs than the starter.  Just have to wait this out until the deadline I guess but we could be up 10 games in the division if the pen could hold leads.

[Brazilian Twins Fan]

Pagan should be DFAed immediately.

[Aichiman]

Our "All Star" center fielder is now batting 218.

[DocBauer]

Crap happens. You can't win them all. Period. We are having a very good season and are in 1st place in our division and control our own destiny. These, and a solid rotation and a lot of good and good young players and pitchers are part of all of the good that is happening. And we won this series. So the sky isn't falling.

Again,  crap happens.

BUUUUT, there were some pretty bad things I saw in my 2 innings watched, and the box and just following the GameDay tracker when I could.

Ryan is good, only going to get better, but just didn't have it today. His strike percentage was good, and only allowed 2BB, but 85 pitches in 4 innings doesn't get it done. I'm going to have to assume some deep counts, despite the solid strike percentage, and a lot of foul balls. Only way you can have that many pitches in just 4 innings. He's been in the 90 and even 100 pitch range previously. I don't know the answer, but did he look "done" after 4? Or was he looking strong enough that maybe the Twins should have tried for a 5th inning? I have to guess after allowing 2 in the 4th he was just toast.

I am not upset at Jax for allowing a run. He's been a wonderful and unexpected surprise and maybe the 2nd best arm in the pen this year, despite being barely past rookie status and in his 1st year transitioning to the pen. I'm not even mad that Moran lost the game in the 10th. Disappointed, absolutely, but not angry. He's a talented young arm with a future who's looked pretty good so far, placed in a pressure situation against a team with some pretty good bats and it wasn't his day.

I sort of WANT to be mad at Megill as he's got a live arm and has some promise, but he should be about the 12th man in a proper pen plan and should be "breaking in" with the Twins as an extra/middle innings spot until he proves to be capable of something more.

Who AM I angry with? I'm angry with the FO...again who I like and mostly support for a myriad of different reasons...for not taking the 2022 pen more serious. They couldn't have predicted the injury to Alcala. They didn't know...how could anyone really...how fast and furious trades and the such were going to happen post-lockout? By the time they made the deal with SD, there really wasn't anyone left to sign. But they needed another arm BEFORE they traded Rogers. And that may be more agregious than the trade itself! Look, a year from now, we may be loving having Paddack and the young prospect who escapes my memory at the moment. Plus, who says a healthy and productive Paddack isn't a quality re-sign? And yet, I still wouldn't have made the deal. I would have kept Rogers, signed another arm I really liked, and hoped for a Rogers re-sign if he looked like he deserved it. Even with the trade of Rogers, how much different might the pen look, and different results, IF the FO HAD made that ONE good addition to go along with what is currently on hand?

And I'm ticked off that I'm beating an obviously dead horse for about the 7th time.

And I'm ticked off at Pagan. NOT as a person. I'm sure he's probably a really good guy. But as a PERFORMER, I'm disappointed and upset. Despite a high velocity FB and a new splitter that seem OK, he just can't deliver. Period. He's not an inexperienced rookie just adapting and feeling his way. And I understand injuries and lack of arms is impacting Rocco and decision making. And while other guys have garnered 3 or 4 losses over the past couple of weeks, it has been his veteran, experienced arm that has directly and only somewhat indirectly lead to at least 5 losses in games in which the starters and batters have done about all they could do. (As well as some good pen performances). The Twins lead in the Central is a solid 4.5 games. But it could easily be 10-12 games right now without some huge meltdowns. This also affects end of the season numbers that could influence playoff positioning.

Do I dismiss the FO for the W-L record and Central lead being better due to mistakes made? Absolutely not! But sometimes you have to look at an individual performer in any career situation and just realize this individual just doesn't do the job. And sorry, that's Pagan. He just shouldn't be a Twin any longer. Literally, almost any young arm brought up by the Twins could pitch as bad as he's been, and hopefully better. It's just time.

As far as Rocco...who I also generally support and believe in for a number of reasons...I understand Correa had today off. And I understand that Thursday is a day off and arguements could be made he should play no matter what with that in mind. Not sure I agree, but I understand the frustration. It's a long season and he's pretty much been an iron man when healthy. So give him the day off! But he can't pitch hit in a crucial situation and just play an inning or two with Thursday off???

I FULLY 100% SUPPORT BEING CAREFUL WITH DURAN AFTER LIMITED IP IN 2021! Did I announce that loud enough? LOL. And I want him to continue to grow and develop and keep his arm fresh for the entire season and a playoff run. But 20 pitches Monday, off Tuesday, only 9 pitches today and an off day Thursday? Twins probably win today if Duran gets another IP

Good year. Sky is not falling. Our destiny is in our hands. FO has to make a couple good moves. 

 

[Nine of twelve]

25 minutes ago, Brazilian Twins Fan said:

Pagan should be DFAed immediately.

OK, name his replacement.

[Aggies7]

12 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

OK, name his replacement.

I find it hard to believe that there isn’t anyone at AAA, heck even AA that could be tried out. What does St. Paul do for a bullpen? No one can come up and help? It gets to a point where it simply can’t get much worse than what we have currently. 

[DocBauer]

27 minutes ago, Dman said:

First let me say Thank You to Detroit who swept Cleveland in a four game series.  At least we are not the only ones in the division that have trouble with the Tigers.  

Ryan needs to find that put away pitch or he is destined for more games like this.  Pagan will not survive the season, he has negative value at this point.  Megill has to be more careful with 2 strikes.  He gets out of that inning without giving up runs and that game is ours.  Jeffers don't try to be a hero at least have the decency to strike out so that Arraez gets one last chance to drive in the runs.  Why they didn't pitch hit for the black hole bat in the 10th inning only the spreadsheet knows.

Another winnable game lost by the pen who gave up 6 runs, 6.  They gave up more runs than the starter.  Just have to wait this out until the deadline I guess but we could up 10 games in the division if the pen could leads.

Detroit is like kryptonite, in the Central at least. They are either going to bottom out further, OR, they are going to be very dangerous in a couple of years beyond the Central. 

I'm not 100% on Ryan finding  a certain pitch. His stuff plays. And his increased slider usage really plays up his deceptive FB. He's still, basically, a rookie. There's a lot of general learning left to do. And he's smart enough to figure it out. I think, for now, his problem is just getting back to "rhythm" coming off his covid. 

I don't have a lot of faith in Megill in pressure situations. But I've watched him in games and ST and was kinda wowed with what he threw. And I've been thinking since I first watched him throw in ST; "if he could do this consistently....". Maybe a silent steal, but he should be nothing more than a middle guy at this point. I think he honestly has a chance with some time.

Did an absolute "spit take" in reference to Jeffers having the decency to SO to give Arraez another chance to hit. High 5er to make me laugh that hard after a loss.

 

[Dman]

1 minute ago, DocBauer said:

Detroit is like kryptonite, in the Central at least. They are either going to bottom out further, OR, they are going to be very dangerous in a couple of years beyond the Central. 

I'm not 100% on Ryan finding  a certain pitch. His stuff plays. And his increased slider usage really plays up his deceptive FB. He's still, basically, a rookie. There's a lot of general learning left to do. And he's smart enough to figure it out. I think, for now, his problem is just getting back to "rhythm" coming off his covid. 

I don't have a lot of faith in Megill in pressure situations. But I've watched him in games and ST and was kinda wowed with what he threw. And I've been thinking since I first watched him throw in ST; "if he could do this consistently....". Maybe a silent steal, but he should be nothing more than a middle guy at this point. I think he honestly has a chance with some time.

Did an absolute "spit take" in reference to Jeffers having the decency to SO to give Arraez another chance to hit. High 5er to make me laugh that hard after a loss.

 

Totally agree Doc.  I am getting seriously worried about Detroit and their pretty much lock down pen.  They get their young starting pitchers back next year and I think they are going to be tough next year.

I love Ryan but was disappointed that he got ahead with 2 strikes only to give in with a walk or hit too often.  Just the emotional me coming out.

Yeah not overly serious on asking Jeffers to strike out but like many other just felt like he would hit into the double play and of course he did never giving our best hitter a chance.  I mean if he hits a home run there I am like Jeffers is the greatest.  He just hasn't been that great at the plate and like many others I felt a pinch hitter there in the 10th made sense.

Sometimes things go your way sometimes they don't.  You can just see that if this pen was better this team could look really good.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

14 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

I find it hard to believe that there isn’t anyone at AAA, heck even AA that could be tried out. What does St. Paul do for a bullpen? No one can come up and help? It gets to a point where it simply can’t get much worse than what we have currently. 

You can’t name one?

[IndianaTwin]

To those who are part of the DFA Pagan Club, were you also part of the DFA Duffey Club? 

Because Duffey’s now given up 0 runs with a 1.00 WHIP in 10 innings over his last seven games.

Point being, guys with past success very often right the ship.

[Danchat]

32 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

I find it hard to believe that there isn’t anyone at AAA, heck even AA that could be tried out. What does St. Paul do for a bullpen? No one can come up and help? It gets to a point where it simply can’t get much worse than what we have currently. 

The best options are guys recently called up from AA (Schulfer and Sisk), and Cano is still pitching really well. Other than that, maybe move Sands to the pen and see if he gets better. There's not much outside of this... Canterino to the pen could be the next Duran situation, though I think he's got an elbow problem and he's also walking about 6 guys per 9.

 

19 minutes ago, IndianaTwin said:

To those who are part of the DFA Pagan Club, were you also part of the DFA Duffey Club? 

Because Duffey’s now given up 0 runs with a 1.00 WHIP in 10 innings over his last seven games.

Point being, guys with past success very often right the ship.

That's true, and was the antithesis of Nick's article on Pagan yesterday... but how many more games do we have to endure him shipwrecking before we get the good version of him? I wonder if part of it is pitching sequence:

A similar thing happened with Megill, he hung breaking balls that resulted in the single and then HR - I was listening on the radio and Provus suggested that going upstairs with his 98 MPH fastball was probably the better option. 

[Aggies7]

25 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

You can’t name one?

I’m not nearly as familiar with the minor league guys as some here. I would imagine if there’s nobody that can do better, that’s a pretty big indictment on our FO

[CharlieDee]

Top of the 10th, runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. You have to have Urshela attempt a sac bunt in that spot. A successful sacrifice eliminates the double play, and gets Arraez to the plate again.