bighat

Twins are about to lose their 3rd straight series. Two of them coming to some of the worst teams in baseball (AZ and CO), with the other coming to a division rival who wrestled 1st place away from them. The Twins have now been shut out 10 times, worst in MLB. I am puzzled by the "trade for Marquez" chatter in this article. What we should be talking about is Bundy's performance, and whether or not the Twins can salvage something for him at the deadline. Looking more and more like MN will be sellers, folks.

Yep, for all the pitching woes and the amount of time devoted to the discussion, I think the offense (or lackthereof) is what's going to sink the season for the Twins. Clutch hitting doesn't exist, and they seem to have a terrible time with RISP with less than 2 outs.

Right. And if you can only use those 2-3 guys in the close games, what are you supposed to do when you have three close games in a row? Just keep using them? Or take a risk and use the other 5 guys? I mean, you have to use all of your arms, otherwise what are they there for.

It feels like you're right, but we've only been watching the Twins - who are certainly putting the ball in play more than their 2019 Bomba Squad days & last year's awful team. But do you have any numbers to back up your claim around the league?

Yeah that's where I'm at also. Is he honestly not supposed to consider using 50% of his roster if the game is close? These are guys with MLB contracts, they're supposed to be able to get hitters out - even if it's a 1-run game. That's literally their job.

Is it possible Rocco's doing this to spark moves from Falvine? "If this is what you're giving me to work with, I'm going to play them" type of thing?

Same. Instead they sit on their hands, whisper "oh jeez" under their breath before heading home for some macaroni salad and a glass of milk.

Average creeping closer and closer to the Mendoza line as well. Amazing how hard it's become to find a catcher that can even hit .240.

Worst loss since the one in Oakland last year when Arraez threw the ball over Sano's head. If you recall, that loss sent the Twins into a very dark place they could never come back from. Last night's game has a similar feel: doom. I can't believe anyone is still blaming Rocco. It's not like he has a choice between a putting in Mariano Rivera and a bus driver and keeps making the wrong moves. These are grown men, major league baseball players. If the manager doesn't trust Duffey enough to put him into a 2-run game in the 9th inning, what the hell is he even doing on this team? If Kirilloff and Celestino and Larnach can't make major league plays in the OF, why are they all on the roster? Second night in a row where super inspiring offensive moments were immediately squashed by horrendous pitching. Good teams don't do that, especially two nights in a row when they are FIGHTING FOR FIRST PLACE AGAINST THEIR DIVISION RIVAL! With a Boston win last night, the Twins are now outside the playoff picture looking in. We're watching the death of the season in real time right now. Don't forget the Twins have 5 games AT Cleveland next week. Team could be under .500 before that series is over.

I think we all know exactly what's going to happen tonight, like a freight train bearing down...

Smalley does have some really great insight - my issue with him (and it sounds like many here have the same issue) is that he is constantly talking. He seems to just be going a mile-a-minute with his chatter. I much prefer to hear the sounds of the game sometimes, just let a pitcher throw a few without commenting anything.

Err....great job Joe!

Boy did Joe Smith's arm sure go to hell in June. Aging guy, looks like he's just running on empty. Really sad to see the Twins keep running him out there to get pummeled night after night at this point. Bad for Smith and bad for the team.

Who was that clown in the tie-die shirt trying to fight those women for the Kepler HR ball? Sending bad karma his way ~~~~~~oogabooga~~~~~~

Attaboy Max.

When's the last time Kepler got a hold of one?

My bad, I read that last week but that's clearly changed. It's Plesac, you are correct and I was wrong.

Another inspiring, gritty inning of Twins offense followed immediately by the pitchers giving it right back. Bieber going tomorrow. Twins HAVE to win this one.

Not Rocco's fault that the Twins big off-season acquisition can't go 5 innings. This is all on Gray.

I wouldn't even really feel "safe" with 2 more runs, but I would at least think they have a chance. I agree with you, I don't think 5 runs gets it done.

Cleveland isn't going away.

Arraez knows how to get that runner home. Nice job Luis, we'd have expected nothing less.

BEEEEUUTIFUL trickery from Jeffers!

Horrific ABs from both Gordon and Larnach with men on 3rd and less than 2 outs. Both struck out on three pitches.

I agree with you. For starters, Kwan makes that play almost certainly. Larnach is slow out there, but he has flashed some leather if he can get close to a ball. So in this case it was probably more his positioning to blame.