Royals 4, Twins 1: Royals Sweep Twins

[Theo Tollefson]

The Twins played their final game at Kauffman Stadium for the season Thursday afternoon trying to avoid being swept by the Royals for the first time since August of 2020. Could the Twins hold off another loss or did the decline of the season show further digression in Thursday’s game?

 

Image courtesy of Jay Biggerstaff, USA Today Sports

 

Box Score
SP: Josh Winder 6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (89 pitches, 54 strikes (60.6 strike %))
Home Runs: None
Bottom 3 WPA: Jose Miranda (-.0104), Gio Urshela (-0.083), Jake Cave (-0.079)

Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Hitting woes continue
For the game's first five innings, the Twins bats did not get anything going aside from a Carlos Correa infield single in the fourth to stop Jonathan Heasley’s 10 up-10 down start to the game. Many of the Twins’ at-bats were wasted on flyouts and groundouts and not taking enough pitches each at-bat to draw walks as Heasley had 64 pitches and 41 strikes through five. 

The Twins mounted their first threat in the top of the sixth when Caleb Hamilton led off with a walk (his first career walk) followed by a Luis Arraez single which advanced Hamilton to third. Hamilton scored two batters later on a Nick Gordon sacrifice fly finally getting the Twins on the board down 3-1. 

The Twins hitters combined for a total of two hits and three walks with a run in Thursday’s game, continuing to miss opportunities to drive in runs when provided as in the sixth. 

Winder throws well with no support
Josh Winder had the start for the Twins and had a solid first two innings of work surrendering only a double to Bobby Witt Jr. and walking to Salvador Perez. Both those batters got to Winder once again in the third as both singled on back-to-back at-bats with Perez driving in Witt Jr. to put the Royals up 1-0.

Winder gave up solo home runs to Edward Olivares in the fourth and Drew Waters in the fifth putting the Royals up 3-0. 

Winder worked the sixth inning to give the bullpen a little extra rest, and aside from a two-out single to Kyle Isbel, he was able to retire all other batters on flyouts. Winder’s afternoon was done after the sixth inning. He threw 89 pitches and gave up three runs on six hits. He struck out four. An improvement from his previous start against Cleveland but still plenty of room for growth. 

End of season skid sees no end 
After the loss, the Twins have a 6-15 record for the month of September. They have not had this bad a record for the month of September since 2016 when they went 8-19 in the final full month of that season. 

The 2016 season was the worst in Minnesota for franchise history, this year has not been the case, rather the slow burn of falling apart since mid-June. This Twins team has also failed to really capitalize on any run-scoring opportunities as they have scored only 67 runs across 21 games. 

What’s Next? 
Twins return to Target Field Friday night to start the final homestand of the season with a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. Louie Varland is on the mound for the Twins against the best two-way player in history; Shohei Ohtani. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT. 

Postgame Interview 

Coming soon.

Bullpen Usage Sheet

 

 

View full article

[Aggies7]

Posted this in the game thread, but if you’re wondering what a baseball team looks like when it completely quits, watch practically any game over the last month. I don’t know how you bring back a majority of the players and coaching staff that we currently have, and I’m not just talking about injury replacements 

[LastOnePicked]

Even if they had originally planned to do so, I don't believe the FO can possibly bring back Baldelli after this complete faceplant finish. I know a lot of folks here on TD think his job is safe, but I don't think you can watch the way this team has carried itself and keep him on.

I'm not even sure he wants the job anymore at this point. Time for a change in the dugout. All new coaching staff in 2023.

 

[Aggies7]

9 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Even if they had originally planned to do so, I don't believe the FO can possibly bring back Baldelli after this complete faceplant finish. I know a lot of folks here on TD think his job is safe, but I don't think you can watch the way this team has carried itself and keep him on.

I'm not even sure he wants the job anymore at this point. Time for a change in the dugout. All new coaching staff in 2023.

 

I wouldn’t bet on him being gone. If this were New York or LA, yes. But not MN. Plus this is the FO’s guy. A rejection of RB is a knock on the FO itself. They’re too entwined with the analytics stuff and have the perfect excuse of injuries to break things up. Just my 2 cents 

[solomon1930]

9 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Even if they had originally planned to do so, I don't believe the FO can possibly bring back Baldelli after this complete faceplant finish. I know a lot of folks here on TD think his job is safe, but I don't think you can watch the way this team has carried itself and keep him on.

I'm not even sure he wants the job anymore at this point. Time for a change in the dugout. All new coaching staff in 2023.

 

I hope you are right.  I was on the fence until recently but now I want him gone.

[Game7-91]

[ashbury]

Two freaking hits, versus a bunch of pitchers who came into the game with ERAs over 5. 

Don't tell me about injuries.  Our AAA lineup should at least be able to compete against that.

Arraez and Correa with base hits.  Nobody else.

You know what I call that?  Lollygagging. 

So then what does that make our hitters today?

[Aggies7]

46-61 since May 24

[USAFChief]

8 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

46-61 since May 24

That's...not good.

 

 

[Mortimerkenny21]

14 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

46-61 since May 24

Holy mackerel!

[ashbury]

27 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

46-61 since May 24

That's some fine analytics work there, Lou.

[SanoMustGo]

They are one of the worst teams in baseball now.  I see 2-3 more wins.  Year 2 of the rebuild is almost complete.

[LastOnePicked]

2 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

I wouldn’t bet on him being gone. If this were New York or LA, yes. But not MN. Plus this is the FO’s guy. A rejection of RB is a knock on the FO itself. They’re too entwined with the analytics stuff and have the perfect excuse of injuries to break things up. Just my 2 cents 

Fair. But I'm sure people thought this about Jayce Tingler in San Diego, too. Epic collapses usually require a shake-up. And it seems to be paying off for the Padres.

[LastOnePicked]

2 minutes ago, SanoMustGo said:

They are one of the worst teams in baseball now.  I see 2-3 more wins.  Year 2 of the rebuild is almost complete.

Except usually in a rebuild you gain top prospects, not lose them. If only the rebuild had started already.

[ashbury]

11 minutes ago, ashbury said:

That's some fine analytics work there, Lou.

I already feel bad that my bit of humor could be misinterpreted as mocking the poster, so let me say: it doesn't take analytics at all, to demonstrate that this team has stunk for months now.  The won-loss record alone is enough.

[SanoMustGo]

7 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Except usually in a rebuild you gain top prospects, not lose them. If only the rebuild had started already.

Well, it could easily get worse before it gets better.  If next year is like the last two, clean house, and start over.

[Aggies7]

10 minutes ago, ashbury said:

I already feel bad that my bit of humor could be misinterpreted as mocking the poster, so let me say: it doesn't take analytics at all, to demonstrate that this team has stunk for months now.  The won-loss record alone is enough.

I’m offended ? 

[rv78]

48 minutes ago, LastOnePicked said:

Fair. But I'm sure people thought this about Jayce Tingler in San Diego, too. Epic collapses usually require a shake-up. And it seems to be paying off for the Padres.

If Tingler was a problem in SD why is he with the Twins? Looks like another acquisition that this FO didn't do their homework on. As I previously posted in another topic page.... Toronto turned their season around this year AFTER they fired their Manager. Twins FO could have done the same thing but didn't. Kind of makes you realize they and Rocco are joined at the hip. Only way to change the Manager and Coaches looks to be a FO change as well. Does Pohlad have both the guts and brains to do it? Only time will tell.

[mikelink45]

It is beyond commenting.  From Rest days to station to station baserunning on a team that cannot hit with RISP.  From managing SP to sticking with ineffective RP.  A season gets long when all the wins come in May.  It is hard to watch the Sox play lousy all year and then pass us with ease as the season winds down.  It is about folding against good teams, but also lacking the pride to win against KC after blowing the Cleveland series.  It is about all those coaches, but no one taking responsibility.  What has our hitting, pitching, bench coaches done?  Just lots of questions, but no answers.  

[garn from vancouver]

here on the west coast i'm sad. i will still love and support them- hey, here's to next year...but holy cow. fi they lost a bunch of games by one run i'd be saying bad luck but that's not this. i love you minneapolis and i love the twins. i'll be back for more games at target field. more burgers at revival and parlour. more art at the walker and shows at the First ave and Turf club...but please let me do those things after watching a great game where the twins win.

[Nine of twelve]

I was at the last two games, my first time seeing games there. It was disappointing for sure to watch how we played, but this is not surprising. It's been a tiring season and everyone knows it doesn't matter one bit whether we win any more games or not. We played literally our 6th, 8th, 9th, and 10th-string outfielders and 4th-string catcher today.

And speaking of disappointing, I expected to like Kauffman Stadium more than I did. I guess it's a bit unfair, having been spoiled by Target Field for so long. The field itself was nice, and I liked the fountains. But to me the upper deck is a monstrosity. There are a LOT of bad seats way up there. I'll include a photo I took after today's game so you can see what I mean. And I was also underwhelmed by the food and beer choices, although I didn't try any barbecue because I had a good meal of that yesterday afternoon at a small local establishment. That said, I liked the fans and staff I interacted with and I will certainly be back, hopefully under better circumstances.

[darwin22]

4 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

Posted this in the game thread, but if you’re wondering what a baseball team looks like when it completely quits, watch practically any game over the last month. I don’t know how you bring back a majority of the players and coaching staff that we currently have, and I’m not just talking about injury replacements 

Your comments are 100% accurate and reflect my current feelings.  Yes, I realize this team has been ravaged by injuries...moreso than most teams.  Saying that, it is beyond disappointing to see an entire team QUIT in this past series.  Its one thing to lose to CLE, but it is utterly unforgiveable to subject your fan base to such a blatant lack of effort and execution.  I honestly believe this group mentally packed up their bags after losing 4 of 5 to CLE having zero thought, desire or interest in even playing these last 3 games.  A total embarrassment that Falvey, Levine & Baldelli should be held accountable for.

[insagt1]

pathetic performance today. Team barely tried. The whole series with KC was pretty awful. Twins definitely have mailed it in. Hard to defend their play recently, no matter who plays.

[Game7-91]

4 hours ago, Aggies7 said:

46-61 since May 24

A few areas the powers-that-be may wish to improve next season:

Better pitching,

Better hitting,                           

Better fielding                           

Better baserunning                                            

Better coaching,

Better managing,

Better trading,

Better FA signings,

Better drafting,

Better development,

All of which =a

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

They are now 10.0 games out of first. 

Ten. 

[Aggies7]

5 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

They are now 10.0 games out of first. 

Ten. 

I never expected Cleveland to get this hot but thank god they did. Imagine if we were still a game or two out? How excruciating the losses would be? 

[MABB1959]

9 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

It is about all those coaches, but no one taking responsibility.  What has our hitting, pitching, bench coaches done?  Just lots of questions, but no answers.

FO for sure hasn’t delivered and should be fired.  If a new front office is brought in Rocco should be gone so a new front office can choose their own manager.  The FO has made way too many blunders and bad trades.  Given the poor pitching, hitting and fielding it doesn’t appear the bench coaches can’t get it done either.  And finally the medical staff.   Injuries do happen but the Twins staff obviously has issues with rehabilitation.  The players should be held to higher standards.  If you can’t hit or make errors they don’t get benched. The only time we saw anything close to discipline was with Celestino last week.  We don’t know what goes on behind the scenes but publicaly there hasn’t been a peep of an acknowledgement of failure from the Pohlad’s down.   This season was way more of a total system failure than ever before. 

[Whitey333]

My biggest concern with the Twins all year has been their lack of any fire.  This team quit a long time ago.  Losing is one thing but not showing up to play on numerous occasions is inexcusable.  I know we have had a ton of injuries and the length of them is crazy.  That in itself needs to be addressed this off season.  I'm afraid with the current FO and manager we can expect more of the same next year.  The "plan" has been a failure because Baldelli cannot manage without it.  He is terrible at in game managing.  His teams play boring, uninspiring, mistaken laden baseball which is a sure indication he should be fired.  However, this is the Twins we are talking about.  In the end the team will blame the whole season on injuries.  This is a sure indication Rocco will be back and the 2023 season will be like Groundhog Day all over again.

[mikelink45]

I watched the Yankee game last night hoping to see Judge crush one, but what stood out was that their starter went deep, they stole bases and ran with purpose, and finally their defense was superb.  It is playing all around good baseball and it is a pleasure to see.  I would like Rocco to listen to the announcers from this game who complimented the Yankees for using speed and relying on more than the HR.  

[garn from vancouver]

i would/will be shocked is carlos re-signs. shocked -  unless, of course, they offer him something longer term or he gets no other offers that make him happy. i dunno. i just can't see him doing it.