Ultima Ratio

Mauer + Nolasco for Tulo + Hundley. Do it.

wow, 6 inches off the plate -- better put down some great bunts to overcome that zone.

I've got the HR call on Robinson

Jeebus!

BUNT!

say no to bunts, kids

If at all possible, you really want to break up an all RH or LH series in a lineup. So, while I agree that Mauer should be batting about 7th, there is no better LH bat in the lineup, so he's got to be somewhere 1-4. Remember when we had an extreme LH lineup and getting Hardy as RH bat was such a boon? (mauer, morneau, kubel, thome, span, and on down the line. I think there were times when 1-9 batters were LH against RHP. Without alternating L/R a bit, you make the opposing manager life so easy when it comes time for bullpen relief. All we are going to see is RHP against our RHB.

CF will be blocked by Doumit next year, so Mauer to third I guess.

Without using a calculator, the answer comes to 67 - 95

Here's the link to the video of these events: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120823&content_id=37231310&notebook_id=37240218&vkey=notebook_min&c_id=min

Since you can't hit a pitcher in retaliation in the AL because of the DH, I'd like to have seen a Twins hitter have his bat slip while swinging, hurling it back at Oswalt. Probably could hit him and make it hurt. Send the message and plunk the guy who started it all. All with plausible deniability.

Yeah, I agree. What he get, two games of rehab in and whithout a hit? How about at a week of rehab or hitting the cover off the ball in rehab, whichever happens first before returning.

Interesting research... somethings been wrong for a while now.

Expectation Actual Performance Span B A Carroll C C Mauer A A- Willingham B A Morneua B- C Doumit B- C- Valencia C+ D Parmelee C C Casilla C B+ Thomas C- D Plouffe C C- Pavano B- C- Liriano B F Blackburn C+ D Marquis C D Hendricks C- F Swarzak C C- Burnett C- C+ Gray C- B+ Burton C B Maloney C- F Duensing B- B- Perkins B+ C- Capps B- C Gardenhire B C

I think you are correct about the culture and expectation of winning, that we have a good chance to win every game we play, even when it's late and we're down. You can't teach this, but it pays dividends.

This is a nice blog entry. I too am in it for the ride, though I think you can have the glory too. You build a team to be competitive year in and year out -- to get you into the playoffs -- but you also must make additions to help succeed in the playoffs. This is doable in my humble opinion and that is what frustrates me the most about this organization; well, until now when they are just horrible or playing well, but well below what they're begin paid to do. Keep 'em coming!

Just to be clear (because there is some confusion) aveRISP has nothing to do with getting the RBI last night. To cite RISP as a stat that conforms to that situation is irrelevant. A hit wasn't necessary to get the RBI. I don't know if there is a stat for Sac fly/hit for the go ahead run. But that would be the only stat germane to last nights poor batting performance Mauer - Doumit (although ave RISP would apply to Doumit because with 2 outs there is not sac RBI opportunity).. Nice write-up otherwise.

Maybe you could add minor league players to this and make it a weekly posting. I think many of us who love the game and are interested in our farm but don't have the time to follow it as much as we'd like -- would love it.

I really hadn't heard anything about Gibson's progress, but thought that he was about a year removed from TJ and would be pitching soon (in the next couple months). If things go to plan (health and success) I hope he'll start 2013 at NB and move up accordingly. Weather he gets to NB this year seems a long shot with the info you've provided. Thanks for the info/opinion on this.

Soooo where goes Hollimon, released?

Q. for anyone: Assusming Gibson starts at Ft. Meyers, how far (or does he) move up this year? I'm guessing half at A+ then half at NB.

jorgenswest, these numbers above are OPS I hope (assume) or what?

Is the second Towles on the bench supposed to be Mike Hollimon? If not, where is Hollimon at this year?

So is Gibson in Ft. Meyers when he starts playing games? That was my guess.

BTW where is Gibson supposed to be this year and how's he healing/progressing from TJ?