Game Recap: Twins 8, Cleveland 7

Twins were sloppy but Cleveland was sloppier. Kirilloff with an HR and Gordon yet again making it hard to sit him down. Arraez is the guy on this team we should be thinking about extending...

Lots of disappointing efforts. Kepler is just a shell of what he was two years ago. Sano isn't even a regular anymore. Robles, yikes. But hey, Twins win and we can all sleep well.

Thanks for this great write up Theires! 

A lot of Twins fans mention Rod Carew when they see Arraez, but I'm going to stick with my Tony Gwynn comp. His stout body and thick forearms are made for driving balls to the gaps, and sometimes over the fence. What we saw today should be what we see for most of his career. Line drives to the gaps, driving in tons of runs.

I really enjoyed the game tonight ... had great seats behind the Twins dugout.

When Kepler comes to the plate Ramirez plays a deep shortstop against him and then with the first strike he moves back on the grass about ten feet to the left of second base. Kepler needs to bunt until he gets the infield to move because 100+ mph at the 2B in short right field isn't a good plan. The entire left side of the infield is open. The situation doesn't matter at this point; Kepler needs to bunt.

I thought Jax battled decently.

Luis Arraez - Super(utility)man!

7 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

 

I thought Jax battled decently.

I initially agreed and now I'm thinking: Good lord, we're so browbeaten and traumatized by Twins pitching that we say it's "decent" when a guy gives up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in just 4.1 innings.  That's like an ERA of 7.50 or something. If a Yankee pitcher did that he'd be booed off the field, yet here in Minneapolis we're giving the kid medals for throwing batting practice. We've got to raise our standards.

As for Jax, I guess it's noble of him to go out there and get crushed night after night, but at some point we should expect a bit more or give someone else a try. He's been disappointing and at this point isn't up to facing MLB talent.

51 minutes ago, bighat said:

 

I initially agreed and now I'm thinking: Good lord, we're so browbeaten and traumatized by Twins pitching that we say it's "decent" when a guy gives up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in just 4.1 innings.  That's like an ERA of 7.50 or something. If a Yankee pitcher did that he'd be booed off the field, yet here in Minneapolis we're giving the kid medals for throwing batting practice. We've got to raise our standards.

As for Jax, I guess it's noble of him to go out there and get crushed night after night, but at some point we should expect a bit more or give someone else a try. He's been disappointing and at this point isn't up to facing MLB talent.

Sad situation really. Our better arms are in Wichita and below. Looks like all we have in Minnesota are potential 4th or 5th starters at best. And Cleveland keeps churning out pitching. I've never heard of most of Cleveland's pitchers. Look at their injured list. Yet they churn out pitching. 

Any roster moves today? You gotta figure that Jax is used up for the next 4 days so he should be on the shuttle back to Saint Paul to be replaced by a “fresh“ relief arm. Perhaps the same for Coloumbe. May be a chance for Ian Hamilton, Andrew Vazquez, or someone like that to come up?

About Jax ... yah ... but it is a relief from seeing Shoemaker, Happ, etc. get beat up even worse; a different face.

Interesting. I guess it depends a little bit on who starts Monday. I have this uneasy feeling that Shoemaker will wind up making the start on Monday because of the lack of anyone else. If you subtract him from the bullpen equation, we’re pretty light going into the weekend games. That’s why I was thinking that either Jax or Coloumbe would be sent back down for a fresh arm. 

I did forget about Ober, so maybe the plan is for him to start Monday in Chicago, Berrios Tuesday, and come back to Jax on Wednesday.

3 hours ago, bighat said:

 

I initially agreed and now I'm thinking: Good lord, we're so browbeaten and traumatized by Twins pitching that we say it's "decent" when a guy gives up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in just 4.1 innings.  That's like an ERA of 7.50 or something. If a Yankee pitcher did that he'd be booed off the field, yet here in Minneapolis we're giving the kid medals for throwing batting practice. We've got to raise our standards.

As for Jax, I guess it's noble of him to go out there and get crushed night after night, but at some point we should expect a bit more or give someone else a try. He's been disappointing and at this point isn't up to facing MLB talent.

One comment about Jax.  He has pitched less than 300 innings since leaving college (fulfilling his military commitment and COVID).  He is still learning.  Don't give up on him yet.

Gordon has been a really pleasant surprise. He made a dumb base running mistake last night, but overall he has been impressive. It’s good to see him driving balls to the gaps and using his wheels. 

Arraez just keeps doing his job.  Won't be long and his average will be around .325+, where it will likely be throughout his career.  Didn't watch, well couldn't, and was wondering if he slid feet first on all his slides...as the picture above showed?

Also warming to Gordon as someone that should remain with this team.  What role?

Great seeing Jax get some experience.  Still believe that he has a career ahead of him, especially if he can settle into some type of regular role.  Have always thought of Scott Baker when I see Jax on the mound...maybe?  Could be?  Will he, remains to be seen.

1 hour ago, cHawk said:

Do Balazovic and Duran not have #1/#2 potential?

Balazovic is still in Wichita and Duran has arm trouble. 40 man is full 4/5 at best types Thorpe/Ober/Dobnak/Jax et all won't move the needle. Yes - They both have 1/2 potential. Get Winder up quick he is breaking out. We are no pitcher churning out factory like Cleveland I guess was the lament.

9 hours ago, Thiéres Rabelo said:

Thank you for reading it, my friend!

As a Twins fan who regularly checks in from Guatemala, it's great to see someone else in Latin America following the team. I missed out on visiting Rio a few years ago due to visa problems but I am sure I will make it down there someday!

Have we seen Kepler look worse than he looks right now,  and for the last two weeks weeks? If he is hurt get him off of the field. 

On 6/26/2021 at 11:07 AM, cHawk said:

Do Balazovic and Duran not have #1/#2 potential?

Lots of guys have #1/#2 potential if you focus on their strengths and assume they'll significantly improve their weaknesses. There are a LOT of guys in the minors that can throw hard and have a nasty pitch or two, but they can't put it together into an effective package at the major league level.