stringer bell

Whatever the reason, Baldelli has always removed Dobnak earlier than later. The bullpen has been used a lot, but they have 15 pitchers.There are eight pitchers available to pitch the seven innings of the nightcap. If they can get a couple innings out of two or three guys, there should be plenty left to go tomorrow.

Silva got tons of ground balls too. I think one year he set a record for ground ball DPs in a season.

Outstanding catch by Donaldson!

He had one really good year with the Twins, the one where he walked almost no one, and was so-so the rest of his time here. I checked BBRef and he was pretty good in three of four seasons. He led the AL in homers allowed in the one poor season. Overall his ERA plus was 102 and he finished his time in Minnesota with a winning record.

Dick mentioned Carlos Silva--is Dobnak the 2020 version of Silva?

No doubter from Donaldson.

Garver went on the IL on 8/20. If he went on the 45-day list, that would put him out until 10/4 or thereabouts. Littell went on the list two days later, so his return would be 10/6 if placed on the 45-day list. Honestly, if they need to clear space on the 40-man, the Twins should consider Wade. He's essentially been passed by Larnach, Kirilloff and now Rooker. He would most likely get claimed, but I doubt he'll ever be a regular with the Twins.

With the possibly disabling injuries of both Arraez and Kepler, I'm wondering if DFAs can be stopped/rescinded. I have said earlier, I think the Twins would like to keep Vargas and use him as a utility player next season. If either player is placed on the Injured List can the Twins bring back Vargas?

My grandson’s Little League does that rundown better.

One would have to think so. Smeltzer has hardly pitched and certainly not in leverage situations.

I think the team is considering Vargas as the 2021 version of Adrianza. I doubt he's as good a shortstop, but with Lewis then close to ready, that wouldn't be as important. I think they could DFA him and outright him to St. Paul. To me, it is the obvious move since they are bringing back an infielder and have seven game in five days after their off day tomorrow.

After yesterday's crucial win over Chicago, I thought about how big the game tonight (Wednesday) is going to be. It will really be important in terms of catching the Sox and Cleveland in the final 3.5 weeks of the season. Then I looked at the coming schedule. With most everyone (except Garver) looking like they should be on the field within a week, I noted that the Twins have two doubleheaders in a five day stretch. They are not alone in this crazy partial season, but there will be a lot of innings to cover within those five days. I think there is a good shot that the Twins will have six different starters available for the seven games. Odorizzi looks like he will be on track to pitch within a week plus the Twins have Berríos, Maeda, Dobnak, Hill and Pineda all nominally healthy. There is one day off before the stretch of games and two days off afterwards. Also, with doubleheaders this year, the games are only scheduled for seven innings and an additional player is added. According to my calculation, the Twins would need to pitch 55 innings in the seven games, if they go the full seven in each doubleheader and there are no extra innings. How should the pitching staff be handled? Will Rocco do a bullpen game in the doubleheader with Detroit? On the other end (doubleheader in St. Louis) pencil in Odorizzi for one of the games with a bullpen game the alternative? Also of note, the Twins play Cleveland after their two days of rest.

Big Mike off the hook (deserved).

Well the double kind of got turned into a single.

Two extra base hits in the same inning? I can’t remember the last time.

I don’t like the chances of getting Abreu right here.

Pineda’s line might not end up looking good, but he’s pitched well.

On the plus side, Pineda looks good IMHO. Can't give a hot lineup extra outs!

Buxton and Pineda to be activated today, with Donaldson coming on board tomorrow, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Who goes? I would guess that LaMonte Wade Jr. is certain to head back to St. Paul with Buxton being activated. As far as making room for Pineda, Minaya or Poppen would make sense. Perhaps "sending down" Poppen for a day, since an extra player will be required for the doubleheader on Thursday. Vargas would figure to be on thin ice for a DFA tomorrow.

Hit ‘em where they ain’t.

Disappointing for Hill

Crazy play. Twins should have gotten two outs there.

Need to throw strikes!

C’mon Hill!

Get one more!