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Things I've learned from this weekend: Pitchers are having a hard time staying healthy (Verlander, Kluber, Kershaw, Odorizzi, two pitchers in today's game, a whole bunch of other pitchers on the IL) early on. Perhaps from ramping things up too quickly? The White Sox have a legitimately good lineup The White Sox defense is quite awful Cruz does not look like he's 40 and I think it's safe to say his regression due to age isn't happening this year Arraez is going to hit above .300 again this year, I'd seriously consider hitting him leadoff

In the past, there was a lot of confusion about injured players hanging around and no information and then suddenly being placed on the IL, later than they should have been. I haven't really seen this with the current FO. While they haven't always spilled out tons of information...which is their right...they seem to be protective of their players well being and aggressive with the IL and promotion. At this point, they have said "stiffness". And I will accept that and a missed start, maybe 2 with a couple early off days. If it's more than that, I will absolutely begin to worry. But I give benefit of doubt at this point. The Twins have depth, but I don't want that to be taken for granted. Thorpe has a ton of potential, and Dobnak and Smeltzer both have decent potential. But I'd like them to ease in to reliability through experience and opportunity as much as possible. Same with Duran. But a short season changes said parameters of opportunity if this is something more. In regards to an extension, there are 2 ways to look at one: 1] I HOPE NOT, but if this turns out to be chronic related to 2017, Oddo is up against a hard place and will be looking for the best 1yr deal in a post 2020 season he can get. The Twins could still need him and easily bet on him for 2021 While waiting for some of their top arms to arrive. And he's already stated he enjoys pitching for the Twins and working with Johnson. 2] Even if he is ready to go with mild stiffness, and the Twins are just being cautious, and he makes 10-11 regular season starts, and we see the 2019 version of him, he is still up against a rock, though a less threatening, less jagged rock. He is a very good #3 SP who can/has pitched like a legitimate #2 most days if you accept 5-6 IP. He was a legitimate All Star in 2019 who was almost as good the 2nd half if you take away July dealing with a finger issue. And he no longer has a draft choice attached to him for 2021. But he's also making just shy of $18M in 2020, though now pro-rated. Even if the 2020 season plays out to completion, including expanded playoffs to make up for financial losses, are teams really going to invest big money for 2021? Especially considering the CBA and questions about 2022? Except for elite talent, I would say no. I think a healthy and productive Odorizzi is looking at a 3yr deal for about $45M. I believe the Twins can not only afford that, but I think he's honest in wanting to stay here. It might also be his best offer.

Nelson Cruz is really good and I don't want him to ever leave! That is all.....

I’m a little concerned about the whole staff right now. Hitters are supposed to be “behind” according to experts, and we’ve allowed 15 runs (and 6-7 HRs) in two days. Two of the first three starters have already been scratched (Odorizzi and Hill). Not an ideal start to the season. Taking the rubber match in convincing fashion today would ease some concerns.

Isn't it time for Rooker or someone other than Marwin to play first base? This is Marwin's last season with us, Let's get some prospects into the mix. He should be saved for emergencies - he is not an OF or 1B starter - get the people in who play the position.

I mentioned this on the game thread. This is what happens when you have a utility infielder playing in the outfield. Many right fielders would have made that catch and it wouldn't even have been on SportsCenter - not exactly a "routine" play but a catch that I think Kepler makes for sure.

Gonzales was right at the fence, in plenty of time, basically right under the ball, and could have and should have caught that homer by Jimenez that bounced of the top of the wall. Easy catch. Not even a super play required, but routine. That was pathetic fielding. He took a Delmon Young route back but still saunters under it finally and lifts his glove and gets it caught in the top rail of the padding. Gonzales has no place in the outfield. None.

During free agency I believe I read a number of statements on TD that Kuechel was not the ace we wanted. He might not be an ace, but I liked what he did. And our pen looked pretty poor today. Dobnak, on the other hand, looked like he deserves another start and has left Smeltzer in the rear view mirror.

The Twins lineup gave Kenta Maeda a wonderful welcoming present. Jake Cave hit a grand slam in the first inning before the Twins added five more runs in the second frame, making for a low-stress Twins debut for Maeda.Box Score Maeda: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K Home Runs: Cave (1), Cruz 2 (3), Gonzalez (1) Top 3 WPA: Cave .283, Cruz .102, Maeda .055 Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs): Download attachment: WinChart.png The Minnesota Twins took Sunday’s rubber match as an opportunity to declare that they are still the reigning AL Central Champs and don't plan on letting that change easily. That statement was fueled by a good debut by Kenta Maeda paired with an offensive explosion. The headliner being Nelson Cruz and his two home runs, two doubles, and seven RBIs were added to his already excellent numbers against the White Sox. The 1st inning looked to be headed to a non-exciting end as Josh Donaldson jogged out a bobbled ground ball to Tim Anderson which resulted in the second out of the inning. The Twins were not content with that and went on a 2-out rally to set up a Jake Cave Grand Slam to put the team up 4-0 early. After Maeda led the game by recording his first strike out as a Twin and going 1-2-3 in the first. The Twins loaded the bases again in the 2nd inning. This time it was Nelson Cruz with a bases clearing double that seemed to fully exercise any batting with the bases loaded demons that may have existed. Maeda was able to find a good groove after being spotted a four run lead before even toeing the rubber. Before giving way to Lewis Thorpe in the 6th inning, Maeda pitched to the tune of 5.0 IP, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 1 walk, and 6 strikeouts. Really besides Luis Robert’s first career home run, Maeda kept the White Sox quiet throughout Sunday afternoon’s game. The story of the game feels like it begins and ends with Nelson Cruz’s performance. It is simply amazing and a joy to watch how good Cruz continues to be even after turning 40 as he now sits at three home runs on the young season. It also seems fitting to celebrate how big Jake Cave has been to begin the season. He has once again performed well in important at-bats and has driven in 6 runs as he fills in for Byron Buxton. While there is a lot to celebrate there are few developments that cause a level of concern. The Twins have to be hoping that with an off day on Monday that Josh Donaldson will be able to find his bat. It is too early to call this an absolutely bad start to his Twins career, but it would feel good to see that first big hit fly off of his bat. It was very hard to see Lewis Thorpe leave today’s game with an injury after pitching well and turning in a line of 2.2 IP, 1 hit, 2 walks, and no runs allowed. Hope to see him back out on the mound soon as he continues to be one of the bright young arms that could take a positive step forward in 2020. The first place Twins will have the day off tomorrow as they prepare to play their first game at home as they open up a series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. The matchup for that first game is currently scheduled to be Carlos Martinez for the Cardinals and Homer Bailey for the Twins. Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet Download attachment: BullpenChart.png Highlights Click here to view the article

Literally my only worry in this lineup was Arraez and... yeah. He's just as much a professional hitter as he was last season and there's no stopping that kid. He spits on pitches an inch outside the zone and slaps all others into the field. He's on the path to being one of the best pure hitters in baseball.

40 years old should not be considered over the hill anymore, not in baseball, anyway. Remember, on July 4th 1966, ageless wonder Jack LaLane pulled the Moon out of its orbit with his teeth. He put it back later, of course. Point is, with careful exercise and good nutrition, Cruz should be able to hit baseballs over 400 feet for the next seventy years. I plan to be there to catch them with my cybernetic implants.

More like a 10K this year.

All the offense from Detroit's game today came from a HR by CJ Cron, and a 2 run HR by Goodrum. Both are former Twins.

Done. For what it's worth, longtime Twins fan Aaron Gleeman simulated the Twins' entire 2020 schedule in Out Of The Park and had the Twins winning the Series without a good year from Odo. Of course, it's only a simulation. But he also had Cruz as Series MVP, and that seems like a pretty sound projection three games in I want to see Bailey and Hill pitch before I begin to worry. I like what Dobnak, Thorpe, and Duran have to offer and like what I saw from Maeda today. Berrios did not look sharp Friday, but it was just one start. Gleeman also had the Twins picking up Corey Kluber at the trade deadline and being a stud down the stretch. Worst case scenario, we look to add someone like him (or him) a month from now. Not cheap, I know, but the window is open. This is our year. (Knock on wood.) Hopefully Odorizzi is OK and it's just a momentary setback. If not, next man up. We have several good young pitchers ready to prove themselves.

Buxton's injury and Sano's issues were both ... a concern. But ultimately we have so many good hitters and neither appear to be major setbacks, so it isn't too disconcerting (yet). But I think you can never have too much quality pitching. Especially guys capable of fronting a rotation. And if we are deep in premiere hitters, I don't see the same depth in our starting pitching. Last year the Indians were below league average offensively, but their staff ERA was 4th best in all of baseball (including the league that played without the DH!), which was huge for winning 93 games. Good pitching can keep you in every game. We have a lot of starters, particularly a large number who would benefit from showing durability, giving us good starts day in, day out. I love a no-no, 1-hitter, or shutout as much as the next guy, but I'd forego that flash for a rotation of durable guys who keep us in most games. What's happened with Hill and Odo is far and away the biggest concern in the short season so far.

I am very excited about watching Maeda pitch today. I think he will be an important key to our starters and to our season. He looks like a pitcher who knows how to pitch. Play ball.

The White Sox are legit.

Dobnak got help from the ump too. If you go through the game thread, you'll notice a few comments on the ump's strike zone and how balls below the knees were getting called as strikes. Kuechel relies on those, so it helped him more, but I didn't intend to say that it was all one-sided.

Over reactive post incoming: Already? Injuries (Buxton, Odorizzi) and coddling (Hill) already have the Twins putting together a bullpen game and duct taping a lineup together in the 2nd game of the year. Sending a soft-tossing lefty mop-up guy (Smeltzer) into the teeth of a right-hand heavy power-hitting lineup? For two innings? Huh? Where was Romo? And yes it's too early to panic but EARTH TO JOSH DONALDSON....uh, we're waiting bud

And Cave and Wade... Gonzalez should not be played in the outfield. Not that it really would have made a difference, but that won't be the first time Gonzalez costs the team runs in the outfield.

So today happened. Ugh! The good news is Dobnak looked OK and I agree he he serves another start. Very disappointed in Littell and Smeltzer but not going to panic over ONE GAME, and first game at that. Not the least bit worried about Berrios after one game either. Once again, first game, limited time ramp up, and facing a good lineup. He seemed to settle down in the 3rd and 4th. Honestly, I think he was too amped up and over-throwing.

I don't think we should underestimate the White Sox hitters, they're pretty darn good. I am concerned that Littell and Smeltzer got hit up so much, but I think Berrios will be fine. We'll have to see how the new additions (Maeda/Bailey/Hill) do; if they get hit up, then I will be concerned. Eh, he got some help since the ump was giving him some low pitches, and he only ended up with 5.1 IP and 2 ER despite him rolling through the first 5 innings.

Thanks, Tom!!

Effing autocorrect, baked not naked. LOL! I bet everyone of you would have been dogging me if that happened at the game.

Two troubling carry-overs for Berrios from last season: Good hitters read him like a book. Is it possible that something in his motion tips his curveball?His concentration seems to dip when he is staked to a lead Sunny side: Nice to see him clock his fastball at 95mph. On 24 July 2019, how many of you would have bet on the bullpen being as good as it looks today? 5 innings, no runs, 2H, 2 BB, 7K and just 3 batters above minimum. Outstanding. Bats are fine. Easy to see Donaldson was very eager to get his first hit in a Twins jersey. Cave deserves better from all of us. Oh, and 2 unassisted at first. We will not see this again in our lifetimes.

Living in Maine, I haven't seen Stashek pitch much. Color me impressed. Wherever Garver put the target, Stashek put the ball. The only hit was on a pitch thrown exactly where Garver wanted it. Quite a performance by the bullpen.

Bullpen! Wow!

That's an apples to oranges comparison. The NFL has nothing approaching the scope of Minor League Baseball, which presents a greater opportunity to more players... if they're paid a living wage to do it. And paying a living wage to MiLB players simply won't cost much money. In MLB player terms, and entire MiLB organization could probably get a pay raise for the cost of one aging, mediocre relief veteran.

It's low, which Nick touches on in the article, which is why we're currently brainstorming and implementing new ways to encourage more diversity within our writer corps (and, hopefully, improving diversity in our community as a result). But while I've been part of various conversations about the writer corps, it's not really my arena so I can't offer much in the way of details.

Absolutely. The RBI program is a nice start but it's quite old now and doesn't appear to be effective. In their own best interest, MLB should be doubling down on those types of programs... but we all know how short-sighted MLB owners tend to be on pretty much everything.

I would argue that baseball really needs to re-invest in the inner cities of this country as well as youth programs all over the country. The path to getting to the majors is much harder in professional baseball and its popularity with the youth continues to dive... that to me is a much larger problem but would also make headway here.

How about just allowing us to enjoy the partial 2020 season???