Blake

Yeah, but I think Schaefer is at the top of the list.

When Nolasco comes back, Pelfrey to the pen, Schaefer is DFA'd (unless he starts hitting) and the Twins go with a short bench due to the stress the bullpen has been under.

Molitor, another by the book manager. Good grief, really? Pull Robinson, who is currently hitting, because you want the lefty/righty matchup, for Escobar with his .176 average? Numbers and matchups are all well and good, but don't any managers ever go with the hot hand? Here's novel thought: Leave in Robinson, then put Escobar in for Santana. Granted, blowing the lead like that shouldn't have happened, but the last bit of management looked like making moves just to make moves.

I can forgive Arcia and I'm quite sure he was humiliated. I don't pull Arcia, because, like it or not, Arcia is the future. Arcia is young and left field is a new position for him. I thought the misplay by Jordan Schaefer, who is touted as a great defender, to be inexcusable and bench worthy. Schaefer is not the future so, he gets benched over Arcia.

I told my wife a couple of days ago that Arcia was one of those players you love and hate. I mentioned that I like his emotion and fire. I then told her that inevitably, Arcia does something incredibly stupid. I really don't care to have my case made this quickly.

If Escobar can DH, then Robinson can play center field full time. I was all for Schaefer getting a shot, but he's not hitting, not even close. Right now, Robinson looks to be the hot hand. It certainly isn't like Schaefer is the center fielder of the future. Heck, is not even the center fielder of the present, presently. /rant

If Meyer can consistently hit that outside corner with his fastball and changeup he is going to be deadly. It was fun to watch yesterday. Toss in a few "Nuke" LaLoosh "not quite sure where they're going" 95 mph fastballs and you've got a winner.

So, we get to see Mr. Robinson. Cool and about time. (Okay, yes, I know Shane has played already, but, I want to see more of him. After all, Shane is auditioning for the 4th outfield spot, once the Twins start bringing in other center fielders)

From what I understand, the Twins are currently carrying two 4th outfielders at the MLB level. Considering that Schaefer is not hitting, might as well put the better defender out there, which I understand is Robinson. At some point, someone needs to be DFA'd and someone else brought up. Losing is losing, whether you lose with a top prospect or mediocre talent. I can understand wanting to be cautious, but, with the current lack of talent in center field, why not let someone learn at the MLB level? If I'm not mistaken, the 87 Twins brought up the core that won the Series a year or two before and lost a lot of games before things turned around in 87.

Yesterday's 6th inning weirdness is why I love baseball. Every year, I get to see something happen that I've never seen before, and I've been watching baseball for 30 years or so. Hughes is due for a W.

I love bullpen desperation. Bring in the guy who cannot get righties out because you got nothin' else.

Pity run?

First runner to third. Yeah, I'm making the call.

What's the over/under on Dick and Bert spending more time talking about opposing teams rather than the Twins?

I seem to recall someone mentioning that it was doubtful the Twins would bring the best 25 North. I thought that statement was a bit far fetched. Shows you what I know. Fire the whole team and bring up the Rochester team. Couldn't be any worse. In fact, I bet it would put fans in the seats.

Pelfrey wouldn't be the first starting pitcher that resurrected his career through a move to the bullpen. Hopefully, this attitude continues.

thrylos, jokin, thanks for the answer. After watching KC's outfield in playoffs and series, it's going to be tough to watch the Twins outfield this year. I'm expecting a long year. Sigh.

I honestly don't get the Hicks situation. I thought it was pretty obvious that if the bats aren't quite there, then you bring the best defensive outfielders north. I seem to recall Hicks hits lefties pretty well and Schafer is/was good against righties. Granted,it doesn't get Hicks the at bats, but, at some point, you need people in the field that can catch the ball. Of course, since I'm going from memory/impression, I could be way off. A platoon may not be ideal, but, look at KC and the platoon outfield they used that almost won the Series

Let me see, the Twins just extended a guy who: A. Set a record for walks in a season and B. Turned down the opportunity to pick up an extra 500K, basically, because he didn't see the point. How do the Twins not extend a guy who had what was arguably a breakout season, and, with better outfield defense may get even better and has a great attitude about his profession? Wasn't there an article earlier this year that drew some similarities, career timeline wise, between Hughes and Cliff Lee? How expensive does it get to sign Hughes if he has truly figured it out?

Watching Sam Fuld at the plate and in the field made me long for Aaron Hicks.

Well, just remember, Hawk exists to make all other play-by-play analysts sound good. With Gubicza running a close second. Blyleven has his faults, but he is not the complete homer other analysts are. Same with Morris and TK. In fact, I get a kick out of Blyleven some times, because you can tell, after a pitch by a Twins pitcher has gone a long way, Bert is almost saying "WTF kind of pitch was that?" I really wouldn't mind Morris taking over for Bert with TK in the booth once and a while. Although, the current rotation is fun. I like the variety of color announcers we've had over the last couple of years.

Considering I live 2,000 miles away from Minnesota these days, the questions didn't really apply.

Gad, so many moments. I was at the ALCS celebration in '87. I remember dome officials not expecting the place to jammed like it was. Kent Hrbek sprawled out face down up the first base line, foot on first, snagging a throw from Gary Gaetti is probably the most memorable defensive play I've ever seen. Although, Nick Punto rolling the ball to Casilla with his glove, while face down, is right up there. Allan Anderson doubling a guy off first after diving to field a bunt that was popped foul was another incredible play. Mickey Hatcher diving for a ball and the ball winding up under his cap, which came off during the dive, was the most hilarious thing I've ever seen, defensively. (I think it was Hatcher, could be wrong) Anyway, Puckett's catch and blast are the moments that really stand out for me. Jack Morris' complete game in Game 7 of the '91 Series may not be an iconic moment, but it definitely is iconic. Les Straker's meltdown after being called for a balk (dropped the ball while on the rubber) at Busch Stadium exemplified Twins post season road futility in the '87 Series. One of the things I love about baseball is that just as soon as you think you've seen everything, something wild and weird happens. Such as a wild pitch during an intentional walk.

Yeah, a double, with two outs in the ninth. Color me unimpressed. (I've never been down on Mauer, until these last few games) Too many chances to drive in runs and too many strikeouts.

I thought Mauer mailed it in last night. Perhaps the whole series. I'm starting to wonder if Mauer is butting heads with Brunansky and is perhaps disgruntled over Joe Vavra being replaced.