Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account
  • TX 8, MIN 1: Circling the Drain


    Tom Froemming

    One run. Three hits. Another devastating out recorded on the basepaths. Yep, just another drop down the drain in this 2018 Twins season.

    On the plus side, Eddie Rosario was able to start, Eduardo Escobar was able to come off the bench and Brian Dozier made one of the best double plays you’ll ever see. And, not that this is necessarily positive, but it's obvious what Matt Belisle has become. At least that should provide clarity.

    Image courtesy of © Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

    Twins Video

    Snapshot (chart via FanGraphs)

    Fernando Romero: 50 Game Score, 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 64.0% strikes

    Bullpen: 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 K, 2 BB

    Lineup: 1-for-3 w/RISP, 2 LOB

    Bottom three per WPA: Rosario -.130, Romero -.127, Dozier -.097

    WinEx622.png

    This game was lots more frustration piled on top of what has already been a frustrating year, so let’s just start out with the good stuff, huh? Check out this play Dozier made:

    https://twitter.com/TwinsHighlights/status/1010349057645187072

    The Twins turned in a handful of other nice defensive plays, but unfortunately none of that really matters if you can’t score runs.

    The Twins trailed 4-0, but started to get rolling in the sixth inning. Max Kepler hit a leadoff double and Ryan LaMarre drew a nine-pitch walk. It seemed like an opportune time to strike against Mike Minor, who had been excellent up to that point.

    On a ball in the dirt, Kepler advanced to third but LaMarre hesitated before breaking to second. He was eventually tagged out in a rundown for the first out.

    That can’t happen when you’re down four runs.

    It was especially maddening because that inning continued to go well for the Twins. Bobby Wilson walked, then Joe Mauer hit an RBI double. Rosario popped out, bringing Dozier to the plate.

    There were two outs and runners on second and third. Dozier represented the tying run. A lefty was on the mound. I didn’t expect Texas to pitch to him in that situation. Dozier’s a career .275/.352/.520 (.872 OPS) hitter against lefties and Minor was struggling in that inning. If teams are pitching to him in that spot, it’s a pretty strong indication they don’t just think he’s having a down year, they think they’ve figured him out.

    And sure enough, Dozier popped out in foul territory to end the threat.

    One night after giving up three runs in an inning, Belisle gave up four runs in the ninth tonight. Along with just looking terrible, he’s now thrown 48 pitches over the last two nights. Great guy or not, if he’s not DFA’d to bring up a fresh arm … I don’t even know. No words.

    Postgame with Molitor

    https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1010367569453174785

    Bullpen Usage

    Here’s a quick look at the number of pitches thrown by the bullpen over the past five days:

    Bullpen622.png

    AL Central Standings

    CLE 41-33

    DET 36-40 (-6)

    MIN 33-39 (-7)

    CHW 25-50 (-16.5)

    KC 23-52 (-18.5)

    Next Three Games

    Sat vs. TEX, 1:10 pm CT: Jake Odorizzi vs. Yovani Gallardo

    Sun vs. TEX, 1:10 pm CT: Jose Berrios vs Bartolo Colon

    Mon OFF

    Tue at CHW, 7:10 pm CT: TBD

    Last Three Games

    BOS 9, MIN 2: There Go Those Shiny Pitching Stats

    MIN 4, BOS 1: For Grossman and Kepler, The Price Was Right

    MIN 6, BOS 2: Bats Get to Boston Bullpen

    MORE FROM TWINS DAILY
    — Latest Twins coverage from our writers
    — Recent Twins discussion in our forums
    — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email
    — Become a Twins Daily Caretaker

     Share

     Share


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Featured Comments

     

    Falvine already spoke to this and said he's sticking around?

    I'm quickly running out of patience with this regime if that's the case.

     

    Ehh, is that a component of his own "tanking" strategy?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

     

     

    I'd really like to see Gordon getting some playing time instead of Motter, Adrianza and Dozier. Not one of the three are relative to the Twins future, why are they being used over Gordon? Especially when none of the 3 are producing? Makes no sense.

     

     

    Unfortunately, Nick Gordon has yet to make his case for promotion in Rochester. It makes no sense to promote him to the Twins while he's struggling to hit AAA pitching.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Im still of the opinion that we just need to be able to tread water a few more weeks. We do need to win the next two against Texas but we will have Buxton and Polanco back very soon. With Mauer, Dozier, and Kepler in supporting offense and the Eds producing we will only have a hole at DH and C in the lineup so as long as Buxton is ready to hit the lineup has the potential to improve. The pitching is solid. Not worried about keeping Belisle at this point he is going in low leverage situations anyways and will be gone soon id the runs continue to pile up on his record.

     

    So once we have all but Sano back, what will it take to get the offensive light turned on?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Unfortunately, Nick Gordon has yet to make his case for promotion in Rochester. It makes no sense to promote him to the Twins while he's struggling to hit AAA pitching.

    That's just it. Those clamoring for Gordon better just get ready. He's a slap hitter at best and likely not a difference maker anyway.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    OK, now that it's clear Belisle isn't going anywhere, I do have some words on that today.

     

    What kind of a message is the front office sending to its young players in the high minors? 

     

    They burned through Busenitz, having him throw 25+ pitches on back-to-back games, sent him down and haven't given him another shot despite outstanding numbers in the minors. They've now done the same with Belisle, but he gets to stay?

     

    The same kind of thing happened with Duffey, Curtiss and Moya, all of whom have also been great for Rochester. Why not use that last bullpen spot as a rotation between those guys? There's also Luke Bard, Jake Reed, Nick Anderson ...

     

    I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but this is crazy. I get that Matt Belisle is a great guy, but if he's that valuable in the clubhouse can't you just Ichiro him? Make him a special assistant in the front office but allow him to continue working out with the team and be a peer mentor.

     

    I mean, honestly, does it really matter? As soon as Sano had to get sent down along with Buxton, this season was over. Those 2 held the keys for this season and completely tanked. In fact, they hold the keys to this organization's success or lack there of for the next few years. If they can't make it, this will turn into ANOTHER rebuild. Fun...

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Im still of the opinion that we just need to be able to tread water a few more weeks. We do need to win the next two against Texas but we will have Buxton and Polanco back very soon. With Mauer, Dozier, and Kepler in supporting offense and the Eds producing we will only have a hole at DH and C in the lineup so as long as Buxton is ready to hit the lineup has the potential to improve. The pitching is solid. Not worried about keeping Belisle at this point he is going in low leverage situations anyways and will be gone soon id the runs continue to pile up on his record.

    So once we have all but Sano back, what will it take to get the offensive light turned on?

     

    I held your opinion until only recently.  Why is that?

     

    - Buxton is still a huge "IF?", not a "WHEN?". He was one of the worst hitters in the league BEFORE he got hurt.

    - The Eddies have a history of streakiness, reversion towards the mean is more likely than their current phenomenal output.

    - Mauer's talent- and average- is fading fast. Don't we all collectively cringe every time he dives for a ball?

    - Dozier and Kepler haven't yet demonstrated they can go on a sustained hot streak at the plate.

    - Polanco may very well struggle initially.

    - Sano has shown nothing yet- against A ball pitching.

    - No other offensive help seems to be coming, from the farm, or via trade.

    - The continual baserunning blunders shows this team is either very poorly managed in that area or fundamentally unsound.

     

    Conclusion- this team will be in full sell mode by the ASG.

     

    Edited by jokin
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Falvine already spoke to this and said he's sticking around?

    I'm quickly running out of patience with this regime if that's the case.

    Remember how excited everybody was for things to change with the new FO? 

     

    It's getting to the point where we're watching two versions of the same broken machine....

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

     

    Just once I'd love for one of these brown nosing network reporters like that hack Doogie or Johnny Athletic to do what their readers actually want them to do, and cut out the fluff.

    Hold this FO accountable and ask them, "what is your thought process on Belisle, Grossman, etc?" By no means am I imploring anyone to be offensive or rude. But, ask a real GD question.

    I miss the days of actual journalism. All media today (with the exception of sites like these) is absolute garbage.

     

     

    I've been disappointed also at how few tough questions seem to get asked by the mainstream media. The Belisle decision is a perfect opportunity. The perfect chance for the new FO to shed light on how they think, and the perfect opportunity for a good reporter/columnist to put that thinking under scrutiny.

     

    Name-cailling detracts from your excellent point, however.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites




    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    Loading...

×
×
  • Create New...