sloopjont

It's funny how the people who agree with this post think that they've thought through the issue more thoroughly and that anyone who thinks harder comes up with their viewpoint. As if it isn't thought through to see it differently.

This statement is like a "when did you stop beating your wife" statement. It's a baited trap

What struck me after reading this article, is that the Twins played the game like a bunch of kids who drew up plays on the sandlot. Decoys, helping people overrun bases, bragging about carrying the team, home to first double plays, hustling to second on a big bounce, Kelly's comment about why he didn't take Morris out, etc. Made it a lot of fun! It's just a game

Lyman Bostock 1977 RIP

Doc: Raquel hands down ;>)

Two glaring statistical omissions for Killebrew's 1969 season: 145 walks .427 on base percentage These help tell how much opposing pitchers feared facing him. Add these stats to the rest of his for that season to see total impact.

They say they would have won the series anyway because they're the better team. If so,why cheat? Series win should be vacated; Twins don't absolutely need Marwin. Let him go.

-outside the box, I know- Try having him be the opener for another pitcher who doesn't go long--like Odoh. Go three-four innings a start. 3 or 4 innings times 30 starts=90-120 innings. Plus it saves a lot on the bullpen for Odoh's starts.

One friendly quarrel with this article is with the following: His immense impact on the field is marginal compared to his outstanding leadership in the clubhouse. As good as he might be in the clubhouse--no way!

not a fan

As Richard and LaTroy have commented, Kansas City never seems to quit. When the Twins score to go ahead they almost always respond in their next turn at bat. That trait doesn't seem to apply as much to Detroit and Chicago. Once we get ahead of them I feel pretty safe. Kudos to the Royals!

Maybe another factor to consider is, like with Smeltzer, when he is brought in and facing a good hitter; he is usually brought in to face a left handed batter and that may be part of why he does well against good hitters. But, nothing against Smeltzer, just wondering if that needs to be factored in; since lefty on lefty, everything else being considered, is an advantage to the pitcher.

Maybe captain obvious here but that inning Scoggins is referring to was one of the most impressive pitching performances I can remember seeing from a Twin's reliever. Kudos to Duffy and the coaches.

Mike Sixel Yesterday, 10:58 PM I have always been a bit of a fan. Plus he's the kind of person that seems like he's a good human. Yes, in his mission work, which cost him his health (and from getting sick doing it probably millions of dollars). Gibson has truly chosen the better part.

Absolutely agree with this take; there's no place for it in the game. A commenter on another thread said what the pitcher did was acceptable and he did it in the gentlest manner possible. Gentlest manner was a 93 mph fastball! And with that pitcher's lack of control he could have easily hit Kepler in the head instead of on the upper arm.

I hate to say it but came away from that game with great respect for Francona as a manager. He knew exactly which Twins to fear at the plate and kept them from hurting his team. Funny that Arraez is having the best at-bats of anyone on the team; and that they wouldn't even throw him a strike in the eighth but ended up intentionally walking him. They did the same with Cron in the ninth and he had a good at-bat. Too bad he couldn't finish it. Kepler and Sano got cheated out of good at-bats where they should have walked but instead had third strikes called on them considerably out of the zone. Bring on the automated strike zone! Francona knew to put the game in the hands of Gonzalez who is struggling lately and Rosario who faced a tough lefty matchup.

Despite the fact that others might share some blame in this, since he knew he was injured, at the point he found out he was traded, he should have let both teams know he was currently injured. If he did do that, both teams made the trade with open eyes. If he didn't, he contributed the most to this mess. --And they wonder why Minnesota fans are always waiting for the other shoe to drop-- ;>)

No buying postition to be in when trying to make a deal: desperate.

Thanks for the take. But I do have to disagree that the Twins can find a first baseman like Cron anytime. He's been exceptional with both the bat and the glove. Cron has to be in the top 10% of the free agents we've added in the last twenty years.

Yeah, one size doesn't fit all. Hit it all over the field works for Sano and Cruz, and Arraez; but pulling the ball more seems right for Kepler.

"Injuries may solve the problem but if everyone's healthy, have to believe that Arraez goes back to AAA unless someone gets traded. Man. You might be right but that would just be insane. He's been so good and everyone loves him (teammates, fans, and clearly Baldelli who writes him into the lineup everyday – more than Schoop)." This one shouldn't be difficult to figure. Arraez is hitting about .370 and Schoop about .250. The former has professional at-bats in critical situations; the latter has, in general, weak at-bats but does well in gravy time. Arraez is exciting to watch and is an igniter, the other is not (his one plus is power). What team would send down a player who's played like Arraez?

"One interesting thing to watch… Ft. Wayne outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton was hit by a pitch four times on Monday. Then again, the teams don’t play again in 2019." I'd like a Paul Harvey rest of the story on this one if anyone knows more about whether this was intentional and why. Thanks!

friendly correction to: hear, hear ;>)

It obviously worked out, but why have Kepler hit for Gonzales when he could have subbed in for Sano? Then on the center fielder's "catch", why did "Richard" keep saying he made such a great catch when it was obvious he bobbled it off the wall? It wasn't a catch at all!

Batters routinely ask the umpires when they swing and miss if the ball was a strike; i haven't seen anyone do that in this game.