stringer bell

All because of the sacrifice. I am sure DickBert think so.

Ahh Shut Up Bert.

Zuke's OPS back over .600.

Big at-bat early in the game. Perez is a good hitter, but Gibson has handled him well.

Pretty nice play by Mauer. It's actually the kind of play he's hesitated on too often.

Bert has been preaching get 'em over, get 'em in for years. Maybe if it was the 6th or 7th against the Royals because of their BP. Outs are too precious to give up to try to get a runner to third with one out. The percentage of getting a run with a runner on third and one out isn't that high anymore anyway.

Seems like every ball the Twins hit is at somebody. Not many bloopers and choppers getting through. Of course, that has something to do with the Royals defense. Also, have they had any major injuries? I guess Rios broke his finger and a couple of pitchers have been disabled, but their positon players are all healthy.

Sano Time!

Moustakas takes advantage of the shift.

I do think KC is the best, most complete team in the AL. Obviously, you need to get your runs early against them, with that bullpen.

Thanks JB. You're the best

Do we have a weather forecast to go with the lineups?

It's pretty obvious that there is no consensus about the rotation and this segment of Twins Daily is comprised of fervent fans. I think that if five of us were asked to rank the starters from 1-5, we'd get five different lists. In the Twins case "best" and "worse" looks to be a matter of opinion.

Mixed feelings on this. There are six legit starters and none of them is a certainty to be an asset in the bullpen, which is where help is needed. Secondly, it pretty much does guarantee a 13-man staff, something I have railed against for months or at least since the Twins added another relief pitcher. Perhaps, short term this isn't a bad idea but after the All-Star break, it should be decided who is in the rotation or not.

I was originally going to write about the Twins "June Swoon", but the news of Vargas' demotion followed by word that Miguel Sano would assume his spot on the roster makes last month's struggle old news. The Twins are above .500 so by loose definition they are contenders to make the playoffs. They have promoted three of their top prospects within the last month and it looks like this won't be the end of the moves. First, a look at positions, followed by a look at players. Center Field: The Twins have supplanted an injured and now released Jordan Schafer with first, Aaron Hicks and then top prospect Byron Buxton. Both are currently on the DL, with Hicks rehabbing and Buxton supposedly not due back for three to five weeks. I was really surprised when Hicks was not recalled following the injury to Buxton. Hicks has struggled a bit in his first games, but had three hits today. I have to believe Hicks is in Kansas City tomorrow when the Twins face the Royals. The future still belongs to Buxton, despite his struggles with the Twins. Hicks future seems pretty uncertain. The team has started three guys in center in the last week. Shortstop: When Santana was demoted about a month ago, it was assumed that Eduardo Escobar would get his chance to establish himself as the current shortstop. It didn't happen. Santana has returned and started a few games and Eduardo Nuñez has been at short more than Escobar. Jorge Polanco is still in Chattanoogs and committing too many errors. Starting rotation: Ervin Santana's suspension is up on Independence Day. His three rehab starts were very good. All five current starters have a pretty good claim to stay in the rotation. Bullpen: Alex Meyer was recently called up and in two appearances where the starter was knocked out early, has been pretty close to dreadful. The two non-closing left handed reliever have bad statistics and little chance for upside. Blaine Boyer seems to be weakening after a stong start. DH: Vargas opened the season as the regular DH, got demoted and then came back. He hasn't been a constant threat and has seen his playing time diminish. It appears that Sano will get a chance at DH. Players: Kennys Vargas-He wasn't a top prospect last year, but last year he forced his way onto the Twins last year. This year has offered major regression. Vargas had a brief demotion to AAA and today was sent to Chattanooga. Vargas needs to hit with authority and he's failed to do that. As mostly a pure DH (a game at first occasionally) the production has to be substantial. Oswaldo Arcia--He was injured and then optioned to Rochester. Arcia finally has started hitting, but he's been passed by by Eddie Rosario as an outfielder and probably Miguel Sano as a DH. The way back to the majors isn't clear. I would guess someone needs to struggle while Arcia lights it up. Eduardo Escobar--Last year's primary shortstop has hardly played the position. Danny Santana was given the job and when he faltered Escobar has gotten a few starts, but other have started many more. Most of Escobar's playing time has come in left field. He hasn't hit well enough to be a serious alternative in the outfield. Danny Santana--The Opening Day shortstop was demoted to the minors and only recalled when there were injuries. He hasn't hit well since his recall, and started the last two games in center field. Eddie Rosario--Rosario was recalled in May and now seems secure to stay with the club. He has adjusted very well to the majors, starting games at all three outfield positions. Aaron Hicks--Recalled after dominating AAA, Hicks played well in the field, but was at best only a #9 hitter. He was injured just as Buxton was to be recalled and is rehabbing in Rochester. Hicks could be on his way back to the majors as soon as tomorrow. Byron Buxton--The crown jewel of the farm system, Buxton struggled but showed obvious talent. He is slated to be disabled for probably another month. It appears that the Twins have settled on Rosario as a regular outfielder and that DH will be handled by Sano for now. Center field probably goes to Hicks until Buxton is healthy. I don't know who the shortstop for the rest of the year will be. I wish they would give Escobar a legitimate chance at this point. I think Santana needs work in the minors, along with Vargas and Arcia. That is some high quality depth

There are prospects and there are PROSPECTS. Sano and Buxton are the upper-case type. They might struggle short-term, but within a year they should be cornerstones. Nobody should block them. Now jumping from AA does give some pause and increases the chance that they will not succeed immediately.

Sano probably is the DH most of the time. If Mauer is the DH, then Plouffe can play first and Sano third. They can give Plouffe a game off each week and DH him. Not sure that having Hunter DH would get Sano on the field. I'm wondering if Hicks is coming up. Escobar shouldn't be a regular left fielder and Santana needs to go back to the minors.

What was it that Chi-Town used to say? "Bleep it, I'm going to Target."?

Today.

The starters are good and pitching deeper into games than previous seasons, and yet they are carrying an eight-man bullpen. They have two or three guys who aren't good, reducing by one shouldn't be that big of a deal. yes, there were hiccups along the way, but they should get down to a 12-man staff sometime soon.

A pitcher, please! Actually, they could send Santana or Vargas down, as well. Vargas had the one good game, but overall he's struggling. DanSan hasn't captured the magic of 2014 yet.

I actually hope Pelf is hitting .400 by the end of the game. That would mean he pitched deep into the game and the Twins didn't need to pinch hit for him late in the game.

I was kind of expecting the return of Aaron Hicks, with Buxton on the shelf. Sugar Shane and Esco don't hit enough to be playing a corner, but one does with what they have. Good luck to Pelfrey tonight. Let's hope he keeps the ball on the ground in Cincy because that place is a bandbox.

I was going to "like" this post. I don't like it, but agree with it word-for-word. May does have one more chance, and he'll need to be more than effective. Also, if he is demoted, will he go to the bullpen or the minors?

Well, this is one DVR I won't be watching. Actually, I'd like to see Meyer's first outing, rocky though it was.