DocBauer

Agreed. Doesn't have to be Refsnyder directly, but a RH version of Cave is what is needed. And no insult to Cave. But AK, Larnach and Kepler aren't going anywhere.

Found a couple Viagra pills that fell out of Chief's pocket, Got "up" for the game despite being tired,

Maybe. But injuries DO happen for everyone. Part of the beautiful, never ending story that is baseball, is wonderful stories like this that happen.

RefDog does it again! And I will forgive him for ruining the timing of my "dad joke".

Dad joke time! How many tickles does it take to "get" to an octapuss? That's right, "tentacles"! LOL

Strange question, but has ANY batter ever used Billy Squier's song "The Stroke" as their warm-up song? If not, I'm willing to start a petition for a Twin, maybe Kirilloff, to adopt it.

Content with victory in life wherever I can find it.

You don't try to quantify it. You just enjoy your team winning and suddenly playing better. It's kinda like drinking Busch Lite vs drinking Stella. You could have just spent a little more for better...but...it's cold and does the job.

LMAO! Tired and blew my energy reserve with a couple posts before sneaking in. I will endeavor to do better! Berrios struggled some but can't argue with the results. He batt,led! That's what a good pitcher does. Can't believe Refsnyder has been playing a solid CF and actually hitting and producing, Enjoy your time in the sun my man! Keep it up! Better?

If there is such a thing as unheralded MVP for a month, can I nominate Refsnyder?

Hello gang, late arrival just enjoying the game and finally have a few moments to sit down and enjoy the rest of a Twins win.

First of all thank you for updates like this, and thanks to all the milb game writers. The milb updates are a true joy for those of us who pay such close attention to the system, in my case since the early 80's. Really missed this in 2020. What still confounds me is the late start to the 2021 season after the washout of 2020. These kids already missed so much time and the late start to the season handcuffs the Twins, and everyone else, when it comes to promotions. There is nothing to be done about late starts due to injury such as in the cases of Duran, Balazovic, Vallimont, etc. But what about guys like Miranda, Wisler and Canterino, for example. If they continue to progress as expected and hoped for. A few extra weeks delay also delays their potential promotions, and delays possible ML appearances. Think about the Twins injury depleted OF. Refsnyder has been, at least, a temporary godsend. And he should be applauded. But what if he crashes and burns soon? What if there is another injury? Celestino got off to a slow start and Whitefield got off to a tremendous and surprising start. What if the Twins have to drop down to AA for legitimate CF help? Would a few more weeks make a huge difference? Perhaps not. But it COULD provide more confidence in promotion for the Twins, but also greater confidence for the player themselves. I may be splitting too many hairs here and I'll admit that. But after losing a full season of development time, I think MLB did a dis-service to the teams and the players with their delayed start and shortened season.

Just a few thoughts, in reverse order. 4] Not going to happen 3] I just don't think the Twins will trade Buxton or Berrios at this time. They want to keep both, if possible. I think their value, IF traded, would be best in the off-season. Not sure anyone would take on Donaldson's contract, and that's not a knock on him. 2] If the Twins hit July at .500 or really close, have continued to play better and get a run of decent health and the division of a possible WC don't appear as pure fantasy, I could absolutely see a RP added with a 2nd year available and said role player, probably a spare OF. 1] I can absolutely see expiring deals being moved. But I don't see a fire sale. No point in that, IMO. Happ and Shoemaker would seem obvious with Dobnak in the rotation and an open spot for Ober, Duran, etc to audition. Gut feeling is they'd keep Pineda and are looking to re-sign him and that he'd like to stay. Despite the disappointing performances in this season's pen, I think the Twins like their ability to build a pen. And there are arms coming up and FA next year, so Robles and Colome MIGHT provide value at that point. I'm not sure about Cruz. He gets right again and the Twins appear to have little chance, it might be doing him a solid to go to a team on a run. It would allow for more AB to the likes of Kirilloff and Larnach, etc. But if the offers were only a bag of balls, maybe they keep him to keep fan interest.

Going to echo a few other opinions and say I buy....or at least don't go on a selling rampage...if the team is healthier and playing better and crawls up to .500 IF the top of the division, whoever that may be, hasn't run away with it. Not being able to make a Wild Card and having little to no shot to win the ALC would make staying pay a fools errand.

I don't want to trumpet Cano as any bullpen savior, but to be fair, he was seen as a fast riser when signed. A lost season shouldn't affect any trajectory as to what he could be. I would dare to say his reports at signjng and limited time and projection and performance would say his floor is a solid middle man and a potential set-up guy. Anything more than that is gravy. But age, stuff and numbers and experience indicate he should be a pretty quick promotion to AAA. From there, we will see. But he clearly has arm talent. It's the reason he was signed in the first place. Selfishly, I WANT Chalmers to stay in the rotation. I WANT better control...which he has flashed at times...and a 3rd pitch that is at least decent to remain a SP. But I think we've all known for a while now that his projection is a RP. Now, he still needs to work on control, but being a little wild as a RP is not a killer with big SO numbers and poor contact. Some kind of 3rd pitch is still beneficial and I hope he can still find/maintain at least a decent offering there. But his projection is floor as a solid arm to ceiling as quality set-up to potential closer. It's up to him, but he was a great flier no matter what. Hackimer follows a great tradition of ML and Twins RP who throw side-arm, or lower, who produce and flash. So very few have had great or long careers. I hope he defies the odds. He has to be able to throw 90+ consistently with control and also have a couple other pitches. He doesn't have to throw mid 90's due to deception and arm angle. But arm angle alone doesn't do it. He needs to "drop in" breaking stuff and change of speed to be anything other than another milb arm.

I was honestly a little surprised that Wells and Badoo were selected considering Wells basically missing 2yrs and Badoo so young and having played at such a low level. Even still, I had thought/hope that either or both would be returned. Unfortunately for the Twins, they were selected by re-building teams that appear determined to keep both regardless of performance in order to keep both players. I wish them both the very best. Unfortunately, you can't protect everyone.

1] I agree with Smalley that that was one of the best 4R rookie performances I've seen. Ober wasn't great in any way. But I saw a decent FB and off speed stuff with movement that kind of surprised me. Almost looked his stuff moved too much. Over amped? Unfortunately his change betrayed him a couple of times. I do think he got squeezed a couple of times. I am NOT an Ober hater, but I actually expected the worst tonight. I say that despite AMAZING milb numbers and being a seemingly intelligent kid, but despite his numbers, he has so few milb IP in his professional portfolio. But the FO has liked enough of what they have seen and at least some projectability to put him on the 40 man. I'm not sure his future value other than a 4th or 5th SP, with time and better control, especially his change after what I saw tonight. And I love that his velocity has crept in to the 90's to go along with control and deception. Really surprised how fast he's been promoted with limited time. A little more control...mmmm...mjght be a solid back end SP. And that's not a slight. IMO, the Duffey pitch was lack of control or a slip on a dirty mound. LaRussa had already apologized to the Twins for the HR the night before. In the history of "retaliation" pitches, have you EVER seen one that was so wide and outside it was almost a wild pitch? Even IF it was an intentional pitch ,it was so crazy outside and unintentional in appearance that any removal from the game was BS IMO. But kuddos to Rocco to being kicked out for defending his team and pitcher. Maybe we need a little more of that. Maybe too little, too late, not his fault for everything that has transpired, but kudos for Sano to FINALLY find himself.

Only mad because I was just about to see a double taking place! Now I can't be seen as prophetic! Lol Twins win!!@

Polanco, you win the game right here

Honestly, I thought Duffey slipped or lost control and it was a mis-fire. Thought the umps blew it. Proud of Rocco to get thrown out!

The BAD FAN of me would say something like, "Hendricks, remember when you stunk pitching in Minnesota? Do that again now!"

How crazy is THAT? Arraez so scary you'd rather pitch to Donaldson?

First game I've had time to watch for weeks and no appearance in a game thread until now. Come on Twins! Pride! Win this one!

I missed Hinton being promoted late, but not surprised. Inexperienced but way more talented than Dozier. Really not sure what to think about Brandel, just find it really interesting they have been looking at him as a center. I think he's a project for a second year on the PS unless he surprises. But intelligent, experienced, with some skills, I just find him interesting. Udoh is a TALENT. It's why he was kept vs risking him on the waiver wire to stash. But whether he's a future starter SOMEWHERE or a future 3rd OT to replace Hill, you have to allow talent to compete for a spot. I was really disappointed he didn't get a shot at G last season.

A well thought out piece but I would disagree somewhat here and there. I agree Dobnak needs to work on control, and this is just my opinion, but I think his stuff almost moves too much at times. But the secret to him is getting that slider to be consistent. I watched him a little in ST and that slider looked wicked! He harnesses that, and can reign in the break of his fastball, he has everything needed to be a solid SP. We are in agreement on Thorpe. A "dead arm" for a week or two early in the season is not unusual. You build up, you lose a little, and then you "muscle" back up. A LH with control, a change, a solid breaking ball, can succeed with high 80's velocity. A LH who can throw in the low 90's with the aforementioned can be pretty good. So who is Thorpe? I'm not sure right now. But I'm confused and kind of upset the Twins aren't just letting him pitch as a starter right now. Ober surprised me tonight. I expected the worst. I saw a decent, solid performance from a rookie starter with limited experience who threw some great pitches and maybe got squeezed a bit. But his change killed him. But I saw some good things I wasn't sure I was going to see. But I am just if not more excited for the second half of the season. Happ and Shormaker will be gone. Personally, I am hoping Pineda is not only kept but is re-signed as our 4th rotation piece for 2022 with another addition to the rotation next year, however it happens. And I'm 100% with you on letting the prospects play/pitch at this point. But what I'm waiting for is Duran, Chalmers, Winder, Balazovic and Celestino and a few others to climb the latter the second half and audition and get themselves ready for the second half of 2021 and 2022.