Muppet

If this is what it is like to play good teams, I think the Twins should stick to playing bottom of the barrel teams.

I like to think the schedule loaded with highly beatable teams gives the Twins an opportunity to train, practice, and get better. By the time they need to face good teams, they'll be ready to rock. Those who aren't injured anyway.

Absolutely. I grew up on the 80's Cardinals. Though that is one extreme of running and small ball, I think that the Twins are losing out on a big potential to increase their game by outright ignoring that side of things. Sano is tied for first with stolen bases. For a team that is in the top 5% of GIDP, it is not much of a risk to try to swipe a few.

I know baseball has changed. But can anybody imagine a team before 2000 that had a player as fast as Buxton who didn't even try to steal bases? Stealing bases does so much more than just advance a runner. It constrains the defense, throws off the pitcher, sparks offense, and excites crowds.

Think he’ll be rewarded with another trip to St. Paul like after his previous good outing?

Gotta say, this b squad lineup is looking much better than some recent a squad lineups I’ve seen. Momentum is in the right direction for some of these kids. Hopefully their grit that barely won all the games against some of the leagues bottom of the barrel teams continues. The Orioles and As were practice. Time to shine.

Would they ever dream of yanking a pitcher in this situation?

I have no idea, but usually good quality starting pitching is in demand. We seem to have a surplus at the moment.

1. Without stopping to look up pitching stats over the past five years, I'll rely on my faulty memory to tell me that one of the things the Twins have exceeded at in most years is turning a bullpen of unknowns and nobodies into a surprising solid relief staff. Everyone is willing to give the hitters grace and allow them to heat up as the months turn warmer, but everybody hates on the pitchers after 1 or 2 terrible outings. This is likely why Rocco will keep slotting in Thielbar and Duffy in high risk situations when it is their time. Getting three easy outs when there is a six run blow out won't give them confidence, but finally finding their arms in a tight situation will. That's my long-winded way of saying the bullpen will be fine. Give it time. 2. Also... Max Kepler is starting to look like an MVP. He is clobbering left handed pitching, and doing so in a way that makes him an asset in the lineup, even more so than in the one year he was merely good. 3. I'm done with Sano. I don't care if he heats up. I'd rather have him replaced with anybody and have Arraez in DH every day so the defense can be better. We have people that an hit home runs. Let's get some offensive diversity. Who has as a high batting average with runners in scoring position? That's more important. 4. We should trade a starting pitcher. Let's get someone who can play first base and a couple of hot shot prospects. If this team can keep hitting against good teams, this season will be interesting.

It all depends on how many runs Buxton can score and drive in. If he can stay healthy throughout the series, the Twins have a pretty good chance.

Kepler is actually starting to heat up. He has the third highest OBP on the team and is nearing a respectable batting average. He has been hitting RHPs well which has been his kryptonite in the past. Given that the Twins have zero running game, it might even make sense to have him lead off instead of Buxton if he keeps this up.

White Sox strategy: walk the bases loaded. No way they’ll score then.

Took away the dp and gave Buxton the chance. Worth it.

And a .455 obp against lefties. Not so bad. Just gotta keep him away from righties and he actually starts to look good.

Both teams trying as hard as they can to lose. The white six won at losing. We’ll… a win is a win.

2022 will be the year of Jake Cave! The stars align.

In 2003 I was living in Michigan and decided to give the tigers some attention. They lost 119 games that year. They still looked better than this.

Twins should try to steal second every time there is a runner on first with fewer than 2 outs. No exceptions.

All this talk about whether Gordon or Garlick are remotely capable and I can’t help noticing that the twins’ DH is hitting .083 and the cleanup guy is under the Mendoza Line.

That's how it looks like I'm paying attention.

I've been on zoom meetings all day. I just put the game up on the same screen as my camera and it makes it look like I'm paying attention.

Why does this win feel like a loss?

I hope the Royals manage to score 2 runs and not just one. I can't bear a 10th inning ghost runner on 2nd situation.

Sure is nice to see a Sano strikeout, given the alternative option.