MIN 5, DET 1: Behind Castro, Colon Twins Cap Off Regular Season With Victory

Another great post-game write up, Tom!

I'm really not sure about Sano and his role in the WC game. He did not look ready to me.

I’d take him off the bench in preference to Goodrum.

Another great post-game write up, Tom!

I'm really not sure about Sano and his role in the WC game. He did not look ready to me.

Agreed.

Sano vs. Robertson on Tuesday?

SO.   It's guaranteed.

Same with Betances and Chapman and Kahnle.

And he can't run.

Twins made this run without him.  For better or worse, let's face this without the Sano-man.

Easy decision to put Sano on the roster for the wild card game. Would you have more confidence pinch hitting Garver or Vargas for Castro late in the game? They probably should take all 3. If they need more than 10 pitchers, it won't matter if Sano is on the bench. There is a spot for everyone but Goodrum.

I don't get the Castro love. He's thoroughly mediocre and Giminez is worse. The slight improvement in the Twins pitching had NOTHING to do with them.

Fun to see the season pitch totals.  Not sure what to take away from it, other than Santiago sure threw a lot of pitches for as little as he seemed to be around.

So you're just going to throw out the 114 games he played and the fact that he's the single most dangerous hitter on the team? Also, it looks like the Twins went 21-17 while Sano was out with this injury. Of those 21 wins, just two came against teams with winning records and 11 came against 90-loss teams. They would've cleaned up even more down the stretch had Sano been in the lineup.

These things don't happen in a vacuum though so you never know.    Escobar had a .902 OPS the last month which is better than Sano's year to date.   Sano stays healthy and Escobar probably doesn't get the same playing time.  Maybe he splits time with Polanco and neither one of them get on a roll and I know Sano being good isn't going to make up for two decent players being hot.   Side note, Sano had an awesome first month.   His numbers since then don't come close to matching Doziers last couple months so IMO he is not the most dangerous hitter.   In fact, Buxton and maybe others can lay claim to more dangerous the last several months. This is a good thing.  None of this is to take away from Sano but without any meaningful proof that he is as good as he was when he got hurt what with the injury and the lack of timing from being off so long I'm not sure he is more dangerous that almost any one right now.   If he plays I sure hope I am wrong but I am not just going to assume it.   

BTW, on a some what unrelated side note, if everything else played out the same way the Twins only needed to finish 81-81 to get the 2nd wild card.   Who'd a thunk?

Sorry, I start Sano. I don't get the PH. If he's not ready now, he won't be ready for the ALCS by sitting on the bench. He needs to get his timing back, and that's going to take facing major league pitching. Perhaps we can draft a guy like Slegers (who I assume won't be on the roster) to throw 30-50 full and off speed pitches to him tomorrow, but ultimately, he needs to face MLB pitching.

Honestly, I don't have a ton of confidence that Sano should be back.   I have more confidence in Grossman giving us good at bats than Sano and if he is not ready he would be like an anchor in the middle of a lineup that has been going pretty good.   I do like your idea having him face a lot of live quality pitching.   I don't start him in New York but who knows?  I have been wrong before.

If he hits a ball over the fence he doesn't even have to run to first. I start him at DH.

I also have him on the roster and starting at DH. I probably bat him 5th or 6th or 7th...but I trust the talent and the one big hit potential. He's just too good not to.

As an aside which is truly not part of this thread...still don't understand the dislike for Castro as our catcher or even Giminez as the backup. Since Mauer had to move, this the best duo we have had. Imperfect but solid. Throw out the baby and the bathwater because neither was clean enough? I think not.

I'm on the fence about starting Sano in the wildcard game. Obviously, as Tom said, he certainly IS the most dangerous hitter in the lineup ... BUT that's when he's healthy. And right now, are we certain that he's really recovered from his injury and in game shape? Yeah, one mighty swing ---- echoes of Kirk Gibson --- could be the turning point in the game, but as as a few others have said, Sano didn't look entirely comfortable at the plate these past two games. I'd keep him on ice as a pinch hitter for this one game.

I'd give Sano a shot at dh, maybe he'll connect.  The one who looks lost at the plate is Vargas.  Not sure I'd even carry him on the roster.

Unless Sano will cost runs on the basepaths in the first 7 innings, I'd say he starts. 

I'd give Sano a shot at dh, maybe he'll connect. The one who looks lost at the plate is Vargas. Not sure I'd even carry him on the roster.

Even with Sano, there are only 16 active position players. You would rather have Goodrum as your third string pinch runner than Vargas, who could also change the game with one swing?