Twins

Aaron and John talk about Jose Berrios living up to the hype, Brian Dozier playing himself out of a qualifying offer, Fernando Romero going back to Triple-A, giving Alan Busenitz another look, more bad rehab updates for Ervin Santana, whether to blame Paul Molitor for awful baserunning, and how much of the 25-man roster is in the Twins' plans beyond 2018. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link.

Jake Odorizzi was cruising right along and then BAM, he couldn't find the strike zone. With one out in the sixth, Odorizzi issued consecutive four-pitch walks and was removed. Cleveland jumped all over Alan Busenitz to turn that into a decisive four-run inning.

What’s a more gut-wrenching way to watch your team lose? When the bullpen gives up a lead? When the game-tying run is thrown out at the plate to end the bottom of the ninth?

Both? Ah, you're good at this game. Must be a Minnesota sports fan.

The bullpen allowed a pair of inherited runs to score and surrendered two more runs of their own. The bats battled back, twice, but C.J. Cron was thrown out at home trying to score on a Byron Buxton double to end the game.

Travis Blankenhorn ended Pensacola’s night on a high note, hitting a walk-off single in the 11th inning. Also, Josh Winder pitched well, Willians Astudillo had four more hits and Brent Rooker provided a game-winning base knock.

Come check out what else happened across the system Friday night.

Several weeks ago in this space we discussed how Rapsodo technology can help pitchers and coaches establish a baseline with their breaking balls.

Now it is time to look at what data says about the heater.

158 games into the 2019 Major League Baseball season the Minnesota Twins found themselves in a position to clinch the AL Central Division for the first time since 2010. They’ll need a Cleveland Indians loss tonight before popping the champagne, but serve was held with Randy Dobnak twirling a gem prior to winding up a married man. A lead was secured late, and Rocco Baldelli was given the most important win of the season on his birthday.

Did you know that the 1997 Minnesota Twins draft produced both Michael Cuddyer and Jose Berrios? Or that the 2007 draft produced both Ben Revere and Trevor May? How about the 2009 international free agency producing three significant Twins in the 2019 lineup? Allow me to connect the dots for you.

Throughout the week, rumors of a possible start of the MLB season got some fans excited. Though very unusual, the potential formats would allow players to come back to action and get their paychecks. Some of the players would benefit more than others from coming out of the hiatus and one of them could be Twins starter Michael Pineda.

While the Minnesota Twins are still not playing games as MLB and the MLBPA continue to hammer away at negotiations, yet another baseball league has resumed play. This time it is Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League (NPB), which began play over the weekend.

Well, believe it or not, we're almost halfway through this strange season. The Twins have performed at about the same level as most people expected but how about the rest of the AL Central? It's very difficult to keep track of a number of teams at once, so allow me to walk you through what else is going on in the AL Central

This offseason will be all about Trevor Bauer just like last was about Gerrit Cole. That’s deserved and warranted given his abilities, and the likelihood he’s coming off an NL Cy Young. As much as I’d love to see him in baby blue, another big name might make more sense for the Twins. Enter Marcus Stroman.

If the Minnesota Twins really do hope to make an upgrade at shortstop for 2021, they should sign free agent Didi Gregorius. He’s the best fit available for their needs and organizational philosophies.