Twins Game Recap (7/13): Series Clinched Behind Big Performances From Kepler, Cave

I concur. Occasionally, he falls into to the trap of keeping the starter in too long (especially when the game is tied), but not very often. He seems to know pretty well when to pull the plug.

Its just my view from watching for decades and reading other teams boards that no one knows when to pull the plug.    Or rather, the manager whose team won the game knew when to pull the plug and the manager that lost didn't know when to pull the plug.    I am concerned about over usage but I don't expect Rogers to pitch today and we have Monday off.    One thing I like about Rocco is that he seems to think that pitchers 10-13 have value also.    Its really tough not to ride Harper and Rogers every opportunity but in the long run you would rather have a tested May, Duffey, Parker, Littell and a rested Rogers and Harper.    Tough because the long run is often at odds with the short run.

I’ve got no problem with the Rogers use last night, for three reasons:

1. Stamp out any hope of Cleveland coming back.

2. Good chance you won’t have a chance to use him Sunday, so he’s got two days rest coming.

3. It wound up being relatively low-leverage, even though the game itself wasn’t very important. Giving Rogers a low-stress outing instead of always trotting him out with the game in the balance is probably welcome by him.

If it wasn’t Cleveland, I might have had more of an issue with it. But that was a game you had to put away. Don’t try to get cute with it, trying to save him for a chance the next day that may never come. Just end the game right then and there. Good work, Rocco, and Rogers.

Now, Berrios—sweep the leg!

I oversimplified. But this doesn't address the additional point that Parker was also warmed up (from having been used) and had thrown only 15 pitches.

 

Also, I have absolutely no problem with managers deciding things. Rocco has done a few things I've noticed, and doubtless many that I haven't, making a statement that this is his team. Good leaders do that. "I'm not the manager because I'm always right, but I'm always right because I'm the manager." -- Gene Mauch

 

Rocco is the anti-Gardy in regard to closer usage. At a BoSox game I attended earlier this year, sitting next to the visitors bullpen, Shane Greene was up and fully warmed up, then his Tiger teammates scored a couple of runs making it no longer a save situation; down he sat and another guy who had been warming up came in. The chump allowed enough runs to make it a save situation again, so in came Greene. Nothing remarkable about that, but I suppose times are changing.

It really isn’t a new concept for good managers. I remember a game (I think it was against the Twins, but not positive) where LaRussa brought Eck into a tight situation in the 8th. I don’t know the exact specifics, but there were runners on and big hitters due. He got out of it, Oakland tacked on and someone else pitched the 9th.

<<  Hey wait a minute. Is that socialism? >>

No, to be socialism every player would have to have the same salary whether they produced or not; not a likely happening under the next CBA.

I like the pic of Max in the write-up. Max is a giant. Polanco looks totally puny next to him. And the guy in the red shirt looks like a pygmy. The dugout throng? Mere Lilliputians in Max's World. Max is Godzilla and crushes all pitching Bauers.

Tough because the long run is often at odds with the short run.

The application of this simple idea to monetary policy won the Nobel Prize for two economists, one of whom was from the U. of Minnesota.

I’ve got no problem with the Rogers use last night, for three reasons:

1. Stamp out any hope of Cleveland coming back.

2. Good chance you won’t have a chance to use him Sunday, so he’s got two days rest coming.

3. It wound up being relatively low-leverage, even though the game itself wasn’t very important. Giving Rogers a low-stress outing instead of always trotting him out with the game in the balance is probably welcome by him.

If it wasn’t Cleveland, I might have had more of an issue with it. But that was a game you had to put away. Don’t try to get cute with it, trying to save him for a chance the next day that may never come. Just end the game right then and there. Good work, Rocco, and Rogers.

Now, Berrios—sweep the leg!

When I managed I had a saying: "You win the game you're in."  That is especially true in the playoffs. 

Its a variation on the old "bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" saying.

A manager has to manage. That means playing hunches. I have changed my mind about who I was going to brig in to pitch on my way to the mound to pull my starter. Rocco made the right call because it worked. He had a hunch that Rogers would not be needed Sunday with Jose starting. Plus he was already warmed up. Good call. 

I continue to have no complaints about Baldelli at all. 

 

I question why Morin is still hanging around (Mejia DFA'd instead). He is clearly at the end of the bullpen based on usage. But, that is just a question and not a complaint. 

Every team needs a guy to come in and pitch in a blowout. 

I’ve got no problem with the Rogers use last night, for three reasons:

1. Stamp out any hope of Cleveland coming back.

2. Good chance you won’t have a chance to use him Sunday, so he’s got two days rest coming.

3. It wound up being relatively low-leverage, even though the game itself wasn’t very important. Giving Rogers a low-stress outing instead of always trotting him out with the game in the balance is probably welcome by him.

If it wasn’t Cleveland, I might have had more of an issue with it. But that was a game you had to put away. Don’t try to get cute with it, trying to save him for a chance the next day that may never come. Just end the game right then and there. Good work, Rocco, and Rogers.

Now, Berrios—sweep the leg!

For some reason I'm good with the "sweep the leg" metaphor, but the whole "step on their throats" one bothers me for some reason.  I wouldn't mind if that one got laid to rest along with the so-called "definition of insanity" one, which I gratefully haven't seen as much of lately.

Every team needs a guy to come in and pitch in a blowout. 

I'm kind of impartial on all this--I don't think either guy will be on the eventual playoff roster.  However, it seems like pitching a few innings in a blowout would have been exactly what Meija would have been good for.  Morin seems like more of a short stint specialist guy...which is maybe why they kept him?

At least Bauer has a sense of humor

This is awesome!  Thanks for sharing.  Well done, Mr. Bauer.  I was kind of wishing there had been a little more ceremonial acknowledgement on the field between the two--they clearly knew what was up.  Maybe a tip of the cap to each other.  It would have been funny if Perez handed Max a gift certificate to Chili's or something (vague reference to "The Office.)

Fantastic. Well played, Bauer.

His humor is going to fit right in here in a few weeks when he is a Twin and starts posting on TD.

I have stated I would be happy had we won one of three this weekend.  I am more than happy with two wins.  I will be elated should the Twins sweep the Tribe.

 

Speaking of the Tribe, today's game may be the biggest game of the year for them.  Lose three out of the break to fall 8.5 back of the Twins and their hopes to win the division may be toast...burnt toast.

 

Still get antsy when both Duffey and Parker are on the mound.  Duffey had that deer in the headlights look again last night.  Does anyone have a pill filled with confidence they can give him?

I do. 

But it rests at the bottom of my gin bottle.