Twins Game Recap (9/8) Clevinger Shuts Down the Scuffling Twins Offense

There is virtually no doubt the Twins will be in the playoffs. No stress level there. But simply out of abject curiousity, why would Sano not hit in an attempt to prolong the game? Was he hurt?

"Now moving on to six more tough games against Washington and Cleveland, the Twins should just go 3-3 again to secure the division."    Yes, they should do that but why do you think they will.   If the Twins go 3-3 and at least one of those wins is against the Indians then I am with you.

Twins are missing Mauer more than ever. With a collection of Schoop/Cron type of players Twins are destined to break the HR record. Unfortunately the ultimate goal of baseball is to win the World Series. I think in the offseason Twins need to get a few quality starting pitchers and bullpen arms along with couple CLUTCH hitters who often produce under pressure.

Joe Mauer had a .641 career postseason OPS. Almost all of that was before he developed his concussion issues.

Forgive me for feeling negatively about this loss. But if you take away Mitch Garver's big home run yesterday, this team is averaging 2 runs per game over the past week. How they got away with winning 3-of-6 against Boston and Cleveland is beyond me. The Twins clearly can't compete head-to-head with Cleveland at this time and I wouldn't be shocked to see them swept next weekend. And with a hot Washington team scrapping for their playoff lives, the Twins are looking at a daunting week ahead.

The offense looks as dismal and absent as it has all year, tank looks like its running on empty, with no help in sight.

It would have been nice if Lamarre had not been rung up with his bat on his shoulder.

The help in sight is Nelson Cruz. Of course, his impact may be negligible in Washington. Would it be worth it to “start” him in the OF, let him hit in the first and then lift him for Miller or LaMarre right away? Obviously, the downside is having a terrible hitter in the 3 hole for most of the game. They have just barely enough bodies that they could pinch hit a couple times, but the choices aren’t real strong either at present.

FWIW, Cruz has 10 HR in the first inning this year, double any other inning. His biggest impact might be right away. Why wait for a “key” spot that may never happen?

With people busing injuris, the Twins need to make hard decisions on who WILL be available for the playoffs. Is Gonzales healing? Is Dyson still a possibility? Can Buxton bat? Will Kepler be an issue? Almsot need to put Gordon on the callup, and then 60-day him and bring in Kirilloff, fresh off the playoffs with the Wahoos. 

Gald the Twins got some inning work for a bunch of people sitting in the pen. I expected what happened to Dobnak and Smetzler to happen anyways. At this point, I would let Smeltzer start and get 3-4 innings, then bring in others. Dobnak should stay a one-inning opener. Where is Kohl Stewart? And Bristar Graterol should be in this rotation mix for 3-4 innings. Those five names should be the focus of five more rotation rounds for the remainder of the season.

If Kepler is out, then refocus the ineup. Arraez should start because he takes pitchers. LaMonte Wade is also showing discipline at the plate. Let him bat second, Polanco third. If Cruz remains out, make sure you get Astulido in there somewhere for every single game. Heck, with his bat these days, make Garver the cleanup hitter after Arraez, Wade, Polanco.

Going to be an interesting end of the season. Why aren't the Twins winning bigtime at home, hitting homer galore at Target Field? Will the lowly White Sox, Tigers and Royals be spoilers and play hard because they have nothing to lose?

I know we have a 5.5 game lead but with Pineda suspension and the tough 6 game stretch ahead I am feeling a bit negative about our chances right now.  I just hope Cleveland has as much trouble winning games as I think we will.  They have the tougher schedule but they still have very good starting pitching so hard to say how things will play out.  Hoping the good guys can find a way push through the end of the season and keep winning games.

I know we have a 5.5 game lead but with Pineda suspension and the tough 6 game stretch ahead I am feeling a bit negative about our chances right now.  I just hope Cleveland has as much trouble winning games as I think we will.  They have the tougher schedule but they still have very good starting pitching so hard to say how things will play out.  Hoping the good guys can find a way push through the end of the season and keep winning games.

Let's not forget that the final 10 games of the season are going to be against the 2 worst teams in baseball. The division is in hand, I'm just worried that they're not going to be capable of winning a playoff series.

Forgive me for feeling negatively about this loss. But if you take away Mitch Garver's big home run yesterday, this team is averaging 2 runs per game over the past week. How they got away with winning 3-of-6 against Boston and Cleveland is beyond me. The Twins clearly can't compete head-to-head with Cleveland at this time and I wouldn't be shocked to see them swept next weekend. And with a hot Washington team scrapping for their playoff lives, the Twins are looking at a daunting week ahead.

 

The offense looks as dismal and absent as it has all year, tank looks like its running on empty, with no help in sight.i

I'll be happy if they still have a 3.5 game lead a week from now. But honestly, I'm finding it hard to even worry about. Making the play-offs doesn't mean much if there's a 75% chance we're going to get swept. 

Let's not forget that the final 10 games of the season are going to be against the 2 worst teams in baseball. The division is in hand, I'm just worried that they're not going to be capable of winning a playoff series.

The division is not in hand. Cleveland could easily gain 3 or 4 games on us in the next 7 days. 

Well, once again, Cleveland defeated Rochester, and Clevinger pitched a gem, just as ace-type belly-itchers are supposed to do in a pennant crunch.

But holy heck, I'm wondering if Clevinger and Hunter Wood and their scraggly mullets each live in vans down by the river, or if they share just one? 

Yesterday was Sunday, September 8. It was the 143rd game of the year putting the Twins 88% of the way through the season. The Twins hit 1 home run upping their MLB record-breaking season total to 275 home runs.

I think Arraez and Polanco should bat 1st and 2nd. Kepler 3rd. Garver 4th. Rosario 5th. I don't understand why those power hitters are hitting 1st and 2nd in the lineup.

I agree 100%. I've never liked Kepler in the lead off spot. He swings at the first pitch almost every time! If I'm the Twins hitters I want my lead off man to make the pitcher show me what he's got. He's a great player, and I'd like him anywhere but the lead off spot.

If there was ever a good day for a day off, this is it.

Let's not forget that the final 10 games of the season are going to be against the 2 worst teams in baseball. The division is in hand, I'm just worried that they're not going to be capable of winning a playoff series.

You keep saying this like wins against KC and Detroit are automatic.

Personally, I am gonna sit back and enjoy Twins baseball the next few weeks.  Will they be playing in October?  We will see how it goes the next couple three weeks.

When I finished reading the paper this morning and learned of the extent of injuries to Buxton, Kepler, Sano, etc., etc., nothing is certain.

Whether it is October 1st or following the first playoff series, gonna look back and smile when thinking of perhaps the most enjoyable Twins season I have ever seen.  Then on to 2020!!!

Clevinger is a stud. Can the Twins trade for him?

Forgive me for feeling negatively about this loss. But if you take away Mitch Garver's big home run yesterday, this team is averaging 2 runs per game over the past week. How they got away with winning 3-of-6 against Boston and Cleveland is beyond me. The Twins clearly can't compete head-to-head with Cleveland at this time and I wouldn't be shocked to see them swept next weekend. And with a hot Washington team scrapping for their playoff lives, the Twins are looking at a daunting week ahead.

 

The offense looks as dismal and absent as it has all year, tank looks like its running on empty, with no help in sight.

Judging by the one win and two close losses this weekend, clearly they CAN and ARE competing head-to-head vs. Cleveland.