Kirby_waved_at_me

Any chance that Josmil Pinto could rebound from a lost season? Anyone with a good bat capable of converting to catcher? Maybe one of the Outfielders? Wasn't Kepler catching at one point? (This is a terrible idea, nevermind, forget it.) Any international options? Is there a Catcher version of Jung ho Kang in Korea? Where are all the Cuban Catching prospects? Wieters is a long shot, not just because the Twins are gun-shy, but also because Wieters may have more interest in places like Atlanta (he went to Georgia Tech), or staying in the AL East (Tampa Bay?)

Liked the idea of trying to trade for AJ at the deadline to shore up a ragged and beaten up Suzuki, but I agree that AJ/Kurt is not a very good plan A. Wieters is too old / injury prone / overrated to sign long term, right? That's the consensus? Lucroy's catching days are possibly nearly over, trading for him could be a mistake... What is the likelihood of the Twins spending enough in prospects to trade for Gary Sanchez, Austin Hedges, Plawecki, etc.? I don't see that happening either. There are solutions out there, it just depends on which flaws the Twins are willing to absorb. Recently, they've been willing to have Doumit, Suzuki, Butera, Herrmann, and Fryer do it. It's a low bar, but they can do better.

Must win #2 of 4. Got the win last night, Twins need to strike early and often and run KC out of the ballpark tonight. Let's Go TWINS!

As far as I'm concerned, these next three are all postseason games. Win all three and the Twins could be in the Wild Card game. Lose one, and the Twins are probably eliminated, making the Sunday game an exhibition. The Royals are in the Twins' way to getting to the World Series anyway - a sweep would show how little the Twins fear the Royals. Perfect tune-up for the inevitable ALCS re-match. I'm pumped. Let's go Twins!

Escobar squared to bunt and then pulled the bat back (at least according to the radio, I couldn't see the play), and Gladden's point was that Hunter was reacting to Escobar squaring around to bunt, took a few steps too many towards third in anticipation of contact, then got himself hung out to dry. My impression of the exchange was that Gladden blamed Hunter for getting himself out, however he could see why Hunter would think a play was on. Still Hunter's fault for being too far from 2nd to get back in time. I do think that Gladden hates it when players square around to bunt and then pull the bat back. He's said similar things many times this year about needed to actually try to bunt the ball if you square around (and the bunt is the play called) because if you don't it shows your cards to the other team and basically removes the option from the equation. Plus things like Hunter getting picked off can happen because the runners on base don't know you are bluffing any more than the fielders on the other team do.

Regarding Joe Mauer - I think people look at his numbers and think, wow, he's not the player he used to be. They are right in thinking that, but at the same time he had that ridiculous on base streak this year, as well as plays like the two-out double last night that have helped the Twins score runs, take the lead, and win games. As his counting stats have diminished, I think he's still helping the team win. I don't buy into players being "clutch" or having some innate ability to come through in specific situations. At least, not in a way that is predictable or projectable. What I do buy into is the results that have actually happened this year. Mauer's performance with runners in scoring position this year has been great. His ability to get on base in front of Sano in the second half has been so valuable. He deserves scrutiny for the position he plays and payroll he commands, as well as the elite level of past performance, but I have to give the guy some credit for the role he's played in this team's success.

I think the first game is huge - if the Twins can knock Cleveland out of contention, it could drastically alter the strategy of the team no longer in the race. "Critical Series" and "final week of the season" are such nice things to read in tandem about the Twins.

Kepler Watch begins now! 13 games left, so my expectation is 26 Homers between Kepler and Sano. Anything less is a horrible letdown.

Yeah - the Tex v Houston series makes me happy because the Twins can make up ground regardless of how that series goes. They can beat each other up and the Twins emerge in the driver's seat.

All l hope is that the Touchdown the Twins gave up to the Sox the other day in the 4th inning is the last touchdown they allow this year...

It's a real bummer about Suzuki, he was actually heating up at the plate recently...

Perkins is available, but they are gonna let Jepsen have the save opportunity if WHEN it comes up in the 9th.

Wow - sweeping Baltimore on the road is even more impressive looking at that run differential. Also, how in the world are the Rangers 3 games above .500???

The Twins have a few really glaring issues at Catcher, Short Stop, and the bullpen. The Twins could really help themselves out if they can find a taker for one or two Nolasco, Santana, Milone, or even Phil Hughes. I'm guessing the last two would get more in return. Gibson should be considered available as well. Berrios might be pitching in the majors quite a bit next year, especially if one of the four veterans are traded away. Don't forget that Alex Meyer could possibly have a rebound season next year as well. There's May, Meyer, Duffey, Berrios - before you even get to the veteran guys. Depth like that is really nice. I wouldn't hold my breath on Meyer, but at least two of the young guys and at least three of the veterans will be fighting for the 5 starting spots in 2016. I'm hoping someone gets moved to bring in a catcher or a SS that can be a bridge to Polanco or Gordon.

Hoping tonight's the night for Ervin Santana to get his groove back - I'd settle for a "Quality Start" He did pitch into the 8th inning against the Yankees, so that's nice, the pair of HRs hurt, but that should be harder to replicate in St. Petersburg....