stringer bell

Celestino is fine as a fourth OF, but he’s being exposed as an everyday player.

This game is far from over. The Twins have had opportunities to have a big lead, but so far only up two. In that ballpark, they need a bigger cushion. This game is really big with Cleveland way behind—they have a chance to put their foot on the throat of the Sox and tie Cleveland. Losing tonight would be a real missed opportunity.

Cleveland hasn’t scored in well over 20 innings. Hard to believe they’ll score six in the last four at-bats.

Cave for GG.

That has been their outfield since the Polanco injury (with Gordon moving to second). Garlick did start one game against Boston but Cave replaced him later in the game.

Not exactly an easy inning, but Gray put up a zero.

Two teams in playoff contention each missing a bunch of their regulars. Sox are missing Anderson, Moncada, Robert and Jimenez. The Twins are without Buxton and Polanco, among others.

Need to get the two runners in.

Cease and Giolito for the rest of the weekend, so it is important to win tonight.

Okay. Thank you Richie.

Bailey Ober started his rehab tonight in Fort Myers. Three innings, 42 pitches, one run on a homer.

They still have a roster spot with an absolutely disposable position player (Hamilton--unlikely to stay on the 40-man after this season) so if they want someone else that can hit, they could certainly bring them up and designate Hamilton.

The extra-man moves were about what I would expect. With several big leaguers expected to return this month, some guys on the active roster might be DFAed or optioned. Last reports I have are Winder and Sands along with Dobnak are pitching at St. Paul. Ober is supposed to be ready for his rehab assignment in the coming days. Jeffers and Larnach are supposed to be playing at Fort Myers this week. Buxton should be back too.

I was wrong about Nick Gordon. I didn’t think he would ever hit enough to be even a utility player. He has done that and more. On the other hand, Nick isn’t really a shortstop. When Correa was on the Injured List, someone else took over shortstop duties.

Does Davis have an option? I presume they will DFA Sanchez when Mahle is activated.

I saw Elton twice in St. Paul. Halloween (1974?) with young Elton and in the Face-to-Face tour with Billy Joel (much more mature Elton) in about 2006.

Looks like we’ll see Jax in the eighth.

I think 22 wins will be the minimum and the Twins will need to win at least five from Cleveland.

His hitting is beyond poor, but he can run and play defense. As a fourteenth position player in September he could steal a game or two for the Twins. As a thirteenth position player in the unlikely event the Twins make postseason, he could impact a game positively for the Twins.

As of today the Twins are two games behind Cleveland and three ahead of Chicago. Their prospects for making the playoffs as a Wild Card are pretty small. They trail the three teams in line for Wild Card slots by more than they trail the Guardians. The Twins play Chicago nine times and Cleveland eight times in the balance of the schedule. They would appear to control their own destiny. I believe the Twins will need to win 22 to 24 games of their remaining 36 and they need to win a majority against both the White Sox and the Guardians. I think it is a tall order, but it is doable. Here's my take on the roster--additions on September 1. Mahle (technically 9/2 or 9/3) and probably Billy Hamilton. 40-man space could be created by DFAs to Caleb Hamilton and/or Mark Contreras. I'm hoping the Twins can add back some of Buxton, Jeffers, Larnach, Ober, Maeda and Dobnak.

Really sloooooooooow game.

Kind of a cheap run allowed.

So far, an inning and a half in, there have been four hits and none was anything close to hard-hit.

Yep, both struggling. Time for those guys to break out.

The Twins had a starting pitcher from the Dominican with the first name of Michael.