Doubleheader Recap: Twins Sweep Tigers Behind Big Day From Jorge Polanco

Is Astudillo really that bad behind the plate?

I don't think so, but his sample size is pretty small.  Saying that, he's nowhere as good defensively as Avila, Jeffers or Garver.  It really won't matter much as I'm sure he's optioned to alternate site tonight since he was only called today for DH.

Is Astudillo really that bad behind the plate?

I remember him being adequate, if a bit below average the past couple years. I'll go check and see what Fangraphs has to say about him.

From 2018-19, there were 88 catchers who caught at least 250 innings. Astudillo tied for 49th with 0 DRS (defensive runs saved). Fangraphs' pitching framing metric ranked him 44th at -0.1. Doesn't seem like he's a major liability.

I believe I heard the Twins were the 7th playoff team beginning today due to that horrendous 6 game losing streak. If the Tigers won 1 game today I believe they would be at .500. So if 4 of 5 teams in the ALC are still in the hunt, does that mean the ALC is not as bad as thought? Does it mean the NLC is just that much worse? I mean, the wins are comjng from somewhere, right?

Do we love and hate the 60 game season for all the drama that it is brining? Or do we now hate it that much more?

Some quick thoughts and questions from today's DH:

1] We saw the long ball and we saw clutch hitting. We won. Are we happy with that or disappointed the bats went silent again and we missed opportunity?

2] Congrats to Rooker for his first games, first hit and first RBI. I wish he had gotten in front of the one sinking ball instead of trying for the big catch.

3] I get Rocco wanting to secure the win in the 1st game. I think I would have thrown Dobber another inning.

4] You can like Astudillo or not but having him available was important today. He was able to take over the C spot late in game 2 and made some nice stops back there. With Avilla back barking, he couldn't have been ready at any more important time.

5] I feel bad for Poppen, I don't think he was throwing badly. Seemed like bad luck. That happens.

3 more to go, and we ARE the better team. Now let's go prove it.

A few observations from watching both wins today:

1.  Does our lineup vs, LH pitching miss Garver and then now departed Schoop and Cron that much?  It sure appears so as we've been collectively atrocious all season.  Doesn't help when Baldelli is forced to playing Cave (4 for 27 vs. LH) with Kepler out. Saying that, Kepler is even worse this year going 4-36..111 avg.

2.  Getting JD back adds a huge dimension to this team thats been lacking all season.  I know only a couple of games...knock on wood....but he adds a presence that nobody else does, even Cruz.  His walk in the 8th was crucial.  He grinded that AB out after getting to 2 strikes.  His defense is Gold Glove.

3.  Nice to see Marwin Gonzalez break out from his horrendous slump...3 for his last 32...with hits in his last 2 ABs.  Hope his game-winning RBI is what he needed to get his swing back.  We need him as I cannot stand to see Adrianza in the lineup.

4.  I know we came back to win, but is just me not understanding Baldelli's decisions with his bullpen its a close game?  I've lost track of how many times Rocco has reached into his pen trailing by a run or two and goes with our #9 or #10 RP.  First it was the awful experience with Lewis Thorpe.  Today, I'm sorry, but I saw no reason why Sean Poppen was the BEST CHOICE to protect a 1-run lead in the 3rd inning.  Yes, Poppen got the 8&9 hitters out, but made a bad 1-2 pitch to Reyes for a single. What does Rocco do?  Of course, leave him in.  Although Rooker butchered the ball hit by Schoop into a triple to tie the game, even if Rooker plays it safer, its 1st and 3rd with Miggy coming up.  No reason to let a rookie continue in that situation.  This is not our 40th game in a 162-game season Rocco!!  I'm so tired of Baldelli appearing to just "wave the white towel" in games that are within reach of victory by keeping our least talented RPs in the game.  I know Thielbar worked out of a big jam after that, but at 35+ pitches with 2 runners on, allowing him to continue, was just bad managing.

THE SKY IS FALLING. IT IS TIME TO PANI.....wait what?! (checking ear piece)....it appears everything is ok....please go about your business...

I'm glad Astudillo is in there. I still see him as some kind of mythical folk hero who once released from the forest blesses the team with his good luck.

2 wins how ever sliced is a good day.

Go easy on the bullpen Rocco.

Not the prettiest double-header sweep I've seen but at this point we'll take it.

With how the Twins have played against DET, KC and PIT, it's scary to think about what OAK, TB, HOU or the dreaded NYY might do against our boys.

Donaldson's presence seems to be welcome. Twins are 3-0 since his return.

Sano was 0-7 with 5ks on the day. WOOF. When he starts down this road, it can get real ugly. Just hit the ball the other way and you can bat .300 buddy.

Dobnak is 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA, but has just struck out 21 batters in 40 innings of work this year. You can't call him "dominant" but just look at the numbers. He's good. Still behind Maeda and Berrios IMO but is solidly our 3rd best starter.

A few thoughts came to mind as I read the review and the comments.  I love that we won the DH, but we have to remember that we were playing Detroit.  Our season has been heavy on Detroit, KC, and Pittsburgh - we have a tough final road so hopefully we can get some bats moving - we will not keep winning with 2 - 3 runs per game.

I do not understand why Dobnak was not allowed to pitch another inning or two in game one.  Save the BP.  If Dob gave up a hit or a walk take him out, but the RP does not have to come in for a clean inning and if Dobnak went a complete game the BP use chart would look a lot better.   With only two unused RP on the chart it reminds me of how much I hate BP games.

Sano should not be batting above #5 in the lineup.  Love the long bombs (although they do not count more than the ones that just clear the fence) but still hate the Ks and when we have players on base on want to keep the inning going.

Is Poppen the next to go down?  

Astudillo needs to replace Avila.  We need his energy and flexibility. 

Enough with the bullpen games at least in using up Wisler.

I said it in the game thread yesterday, and I'll say it again here. I don't understand the absolute disgust that a lot of Twins fans seem to have about the bullpen games. I would understand it if they didn't have a deep bullpen, if the top guys were being overworked, or if they were trying to do this regularly over a 162 game season. But for this 60 game sprint of a season, when you have a bullpen that has proven its depth and effectiveness, if they give you a better chance to win games than using an unproven rookie starter like Duran, why not have regular bullpen games?

I've heard all of the arguments about overworking the bullpen, but they just don't hold any water. None of the bullpen arms have been overworked, and I don't think they've lost a game yet this season because they weren't able to use certain pitchers because of lack of rest.

Even looking at the bullpen chart after the doubleheader, Rogers, Duffey, May, Romo, and Clippard should all still be available to pitch today. Hopefully they only have to use two or three of those guys today, and then the others can be used tomorrow, as needed.

Is Astudillo really that bad behind the plate?

Watching the game today should answer that question.