Yah, getting on Rincon for a walk seems a little harsh under the circumstances.
The error on the ground ball could have also been given to Castro on the throw. I think he had time to set and throw rather than float it over from his knees. Kennedy is a pain but not that fast. Plus Morneau isnt exactly the human vacuum cleaner.
Castillo just took his eye off it.
The whole team needs to wake up. Lets go.
Twins Rotation
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
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Irishmans Shanty
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1/3rd of the way home
With nearly a third of the season now gone, a third of the teams have identified themselves as to who they really are. Six teams have proven they'll be around all year and will contend; the New Yorks, St. Louis, Sox, Detroit, and Boston. Six teams have proven they are well on their way to be being bad; KC, DC, the Floridas, Cubs, and Pirates. The remainder of the league, including our "beloved" can still remain in the crap pile. Of those in the crap pile, their stocks are either rising, falling, or holding.
For the Twins, as Bob Casey would say, their stock is falling, though they've been a bobber all year it seems more likely they will sink than rise. Last night's game is an indicator of what they really are, when something goes well (Radke), something else fall apart (late inning D). The seeds of discontent were planted last year within their less than cozy clubhouse, Rincon's abuse of inanimate objects in the dugout after the eighth last night indicates to me that frustration is beginning to surface yet again. Let's be honest the Angels are not a juggernaut right now, Guerrero and Kennedy had plenty of chances to abuse the Twins and didn't come through once. A 22-29 team played poorly and still muscled out a win, if that is not an idictment on "our beloved" I don't know what is.
For the Twins, as Bob Casey would say, their stock is falling, though they've been a bobber all year it seems more likely they will sink than rise. Last night's game is an indicator of what they really are, when something goes well (Radke), something else fall apart (late inning D). The seeds of discontent were planted last year within their less than cozy clubhouse, Rincon's abuse of inanimate objects in the dugout after the eighth last night indicates to me that frustration is beginning to surface yet again. Let's be honest the Angels are not a juggernaut right now, Guerrero and Kennedy had plenty of chances to abuse the Twins and didn't come through once. A 22-29 team played poorly and still muscled out a win, if that is not an idictment on "our beloved" I don't know what is.
Cant put it together
The timing on this team is just plain lousy. Hunter gets a 2 run shot early and Kubel hits his later but nothing in between nor after.
How can Mauer hit .352 in the 3 hole and have only 23 RBIs? How is that even possible? Is no one ever on base when he hits or does he never get a hit with anyone on base?
I dont know what to say about Baker. I would leave him there and let him learn how to do it. They arent going anywhere anyway.
How can Mauer hit .352 in the 3 hole and have only 23 RBIs? How is that even possible? Is no one ever on base when he hits or does he never get a hit with anyone on base?
I dont know what to say about Baker. I would leave him there and let him learn how to do it. They arent going anywhere anyway.
Mauers situational stats: (AB) .avg
bases empty (87) .333
runners on (78 ) .372
RISP (37) .297
RISP/2outs (18 ) .444
Based on those numbers it seems he doesn't get a whole lot of chances with runners in scoring position thereby limiting his RBI's somewhat. Torii Hunter has 61 AB with RISP, is hitting .262 but has 32 RBI, on the other side Rondell White has 50 AB with RISP, is hitting .222 but only has 14 RBI.
bases empty (87) .333
runners on (78 ) .372
RISP (37) .297
RISP/2outs (18 ) .444
Based on those numbers it seems he doesn't get a whole lot of chances with runners in scoring position thereby limiting his RBI's somewhat. Torii Hunter has 61 AB with RISP, is hitting .262 but has 32 RBI, on the other side Rondell White has 50 AB with RISP, is hitting .222 but only has 14 RBI.
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Irishmans Shanty
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Twins Power Curse
Good observation, 23 RBI's for a guy hitting .358, that's as impossible as the Twins not having a 30 HR player since? I believe that if Bonds were a career Twin, we would be celebrating his 500th homer some time this July.
Pink Panther Returns
After watching the last few games the 'mystery' of Mauers .360 BA and only 25 RBI's is solved ( pronounced sol'-ved) thanks to top notch detective work done by Inspector packerboy.
Lew Ford is a terrible choice at leadoff and Castillo cant hit a beach ball right now.
So, Mauer is getting a lot of hits with nobody base.
Does your dog bite?
Anyway, I have mixed feelings about them demoting Baker. It is a message that they are not giving up on the season, which is good , but I say let Baker learn the ropes like they did with the young Detroit pitchers.
And who do they replace him with on the roster? Tiffee. How exciting is that?
Lew Ford is a terrible choice at leadoff and Castillo cant hit a beach ball right now.
So, Mauer is getting a lot of hits with nobody base.
Does your dog bite?
Anyway, I have mixed feelings about them demoting Baker. It is a message that they are not giving up on the season, which is good , but I say let Baker learn the ropes like they did with the young Detroit pitchers.
And who do they replace him with on the roster? Tiffee. How exciting is that?
If they bring a productive Silva out of the bullpen I'm all right with Baker getting sent down. Silva is only 23 too I believe. Wooten is hitting like .220 in Rochester so I don't think he deserved to get called up, I wouldn't have minded seeing Rabe or Heintz. Ford can't hit consistantly enough so maybe Rabe deserves a shot in the outfield.
Why Tiffee? is Batista on the way out? The Twins are pretty solid at the middle infield with Castro, Castillo, Punto, and Rodriguez. The last thing we need is another middle infielder.
Why Tiffee? is Batista on the way out? The Twins are pretty solid at the middle infield with Castro, Castillo, Punto, and Rodriguez. The last thing we need is another middle infielder.
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Irishmans Shanty
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French Open
This morning I check the Strib website and low and behold what is the headline in the sports section "Nadal wins 55th straight". I didn't know that pro tennis has now raced past the Twins in importance. I guess it tells you where this team sits on the Minnesota sports landscape.
Ryan must have a deal in the works. Tiffee could be a throw in player on a bigger deal, some team may want a look at him in the big show. Tiffee isn't there to replace Batista and he isn't a part of the future, he's being showcased, for who, when, and why, I couldn't tell ya.
Ryan must have a deal in the works. Tiffee could be a throw in player on a bigger deal, some team may want a look at him in the big show. Tiffee isn't there to replace Batista and he isn't a part of the future, he's being showcased, for who, when, and why, I couldn't tell ya.
Twins
Well boys, it looks like this season will be reduced to monitoring the progress of younger players.
Will Mauer be the 1st AL catcher to win a batting title?
Will Morneau be the 1st Twin in 30 years to hit 30 home runs?
Will Boof stick at trhe ML level?
Will Liarano be rookie of the year?
Will Nathan get 20 saves?
This team is going no where. I can handle that if they play decent baseball. Success at all levels is cyclical. But its no fun to watch this.
Will Mauer be the 1st AL catcher to win a batting title?
Will Morneau be the 1st Twin in 30 years to hit 30 home runs?
Will Boof stick at trhe ML level?
Will Liarano be rookie of the year?
Will Nathan get 20 saves?
This team is going no where. I can handle that if they play decent baseball. Success at all levels is cyclical. But its no fun to watch this.
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Irishmans Shanty
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From Here on Out.
As the sub .500 months, series losses, and total runs in series equaling games played begin to stack up, it seems as though Twins chatter and analysis here is disappearing. Back in mid-April there seemed to be a nice collection of personalities who were excited about the new season, some were optimistic, others were not, but nevertheless, there was talk about the Twins. That talk seems to be drying up now. I'd be less than trueful if I said I were losing sleep about the Twins current state of affairs. Maybe that's why I can still watch, I expected little and so far I have been rewarded with it.
As Packerboy points out there are some interesting plots that still need to unfold even though the team is destined to be 25 out by late Sept. Mauer, Morneau, Bonser, and Liriano are worth seeing develop. Santana, despite a dreadful team is the goods, and longtime Twins like Hunter and Radke will soon exit stage right. Hunter's end will come quick as a phone call to the GM, Radke will die a slow painful death collecting a million plus per win.
As Packerboy points out there are some interesting plots that still need to unfold even though the team is destined to be 25 out by late Sept. Mauer, Morneau, Bonser, and Liriano are worth seeing develop. Santana, despite a dreadful team is the goods, and longtime Twins like Hunter and Radke will soon exit stage right. Hunter's end will come quick as a phone call to the GM, Radke will die a slow painful death collecting a million plus per win.
Sunday's game thoughts
Had a chance to see Sunday's game. They HAVE to move Ford out of the leadoff spot, Castillo is the obvious leadoff hitter with Stewart out right now. I had suggested Cuddyer bat 2nd but he's dropped off so I don't know who would fit there but they need to move these guys around because it's not working right now.
Silva had a lot of trouble throwing strikes. It looked like the A's were laying off his two seamer and got a lot of flyball outs. Maybe they've made adjustments to Silva and he needs to adjust.
Everything that Mauer hit was a rocket, he's just in a zone. He makes this team worth watching right now.
Morneau had a poor at bat in the first with runners on, but his next two were much better. Even though he struck out, he fought off several pitches and then went the other way for a single. The announcers said he's been looking better at the plate which is encouraging.
Silva had a lot of trouble throwing strikes. It looked like the A's were laying off his two seamer and got a lot of flyball outs. Maybe they've made adjustments to Silva and he needs to adjust.
Everything that Mauer hit was a rocket, he's just in a zone. He makes this team worth watching right now.
Morneau had a poor at bat in the first with runners on, but his next two were much better. Even though he struck out, he fought off several pitches and then went the other way for a single. The announcers said he's been looking better at the plate which is encouraging.
The lack of veteren leadership is striking. Someone called Gardy's show with Sid on Sunday and pointed out that Castillo seems to have a history to lose interest when things aren't going well for the team. I'm not anexpert on the history of Castillo, but he doesn't seem to be anywhere near the player he was just a month ago. Defensively he's mediocre, and for a guy with his fielding credentials he's been underacheiving to say the least. He already has 6 errors, not counting the ones in Anaheim and Oakland this road trip that were scored as hits. The outcome of 2 games came off of his glove, or lack there of.
Rondell Whites base running blunder finally put him in the doghouse, Kubel has hit just over .300 the past 6 games since becoming a regular in the lineup. White didn't even pinch hit on Sunday and only had 1 at bat the final 3 games of the Oakland series.
For less money we could have had Koskie, but we have Batista. Terry Ryan really had a poor off season.
Rondell Whites base running blunder finally put him in the doghouse, Kubel has hit just over .300 the past 6 games since becoming a regular in the lineup. White didn't even pinch hit on Sunday and only had 1 at bat the final 3 games of the Oakland series.
For less money we could have had Koskie, but we have Batista. Terry Ryan really had a poor off season.
On the cheap
goldy, Koskie is makin about 6 mil and Batista about 1.5 mil.
I agree that Ryan didnt do well in the off season. Castillo looked like he'd be a great addition but has faded badly. Batista is serviceable at best and what can you say about White.
That's what happens when everything is done on the cheap. You get 3 cheapos instead of a Thome.
Hey, is Brett Boone available?
I agree that Ryan didnt do well in the off season. Castillo looked like he'd be a great addition but has faded badly. Batista is serviceable at best and what can you say about White.
That's what happens when everything is done on the cheap. You get 3 cheapos instead of a Thome.
Hey, is Brett Boone available?
Twinks
Other than the three offseason pickups, who are the veterans on this team? Hunter, Stewart and Radke? You know I like Radke, but he had no business getting upset on Saturday when his team didn't come through behind him or at the bat especially with how poorly he's pitched this year. One of the reasons he's making the big bucks is he's supposed to be the coolheaded veteran. I know he had some issues last year but I thought it was an anomaly.
I would say Hunter is the current leader on the team, but Mauer's the guy who's going to lead them in the future.
Castillo reminded me of Christian Guzman on Sunday, at least at the plate. He is a slick fielder, but I haven't seen the games where he had lapses in the field.
packerboy, did the Twins have a serious shot at Thome this last offseason? I didn't get that impression, but I think they would've had a chance several years ago when Thome was a free agent.
I would say Hunter is the current leader on the team, but Mauer's the guy who's going to lead them in the future.
Castillo reminded me of Christian Guzman on Sunday, at least at the plate. He is a slick fielder, but I haven't seen the games where he had lapses in the field.
packerboy, did the Twins have a serious shot at Thome this last offseason? I didn't get that impression, but I think they would've had a chance several years ago when Thome was a free agent.
Show him the money
I dont know that Thome would have come here but I dont know of any reason why he wouldn't. The White Sox got him for virtually nothing.
His salary is 14 million for 3 more years. . Thast why the Twins would not even approach him.
His salary is 14 million for 3 more years. . Thast why the Twins would not even approach him.
The Blue Jays are still on the hook for most of Koskies salary. The Brewers are only in for 4 million for 2 years, so for an extra 500k we'd have Koskie.
I think Radke had every right to be upset, that was a play VFW teams don't screw up. If he gets upset about the lack of run support he has no argument especially since two of his wins came from the Twins overcoming his bad pitching, but to lose on a dropped infield pop up is bad. Anybody should be upset about that, especially when that was the second time in 4 games that Castillos lack of effort and basic baseball sense has potentially cost the Twins a game.
The Twins have no leaders on the field, Hunter could be, but his bat takes some extended vacation days and weeks. Mauer will be, but not in his second full year. Santana shows the guts I wish more guys would on this team.
Halfway through the fifth round of the MLB draft Rochester Mayo's Aaron Senne still hadn't been picked, he was thought to be a 3rd-5th rounder.
I think Radke had every right to be upset, that was a play VFW teams don't screw up. If he gets upset about the lack of run support he has no argument especially since two of his wins came from the Twins overcoming his bad pitching, but to lose on a dropped infield pop up is bad. Anybody should be upset about that, especially when that was the second time in 4 games that Castillos lack of effort and basic baseball sense has potentially cost the Twins a game.
The Twins have no leaders on the field, Hunter could be, but his bat takes some extended vacation days and weeks. Mauer will be, but not in his second full year. Santana shows the guts I wish more guys would on this team.
Halfway through the fifth round of the MLB draft Rochester Mayo's Aaron Senne still hadn't been picked, he was thought to be a 3rd-5th rounder.
Coach Radke
Radke has no beef with any of his team mates. He has let them down more than they him.
Maybe if Chrisk's hero would get as upset at himself as his team mates, hed be more productive.
Ship him and Crisk to Rochester. Bring back Lohse.
Maybe if Chrisk's hero would get as upset at himself as his team mates, hed be more productive.
Ship him and Crisk to Rochester. Bring back Lohse.
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Irishmans Shanty
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Gardy reads Mnhock
Which one of you guys is Gardy? I knew all along you read and posted on this forum. Thanks Gardy for finally batting Castillo leadoff, maybe that will throw a little charge into his game, he's been taking it easy lately.
Gardy, I'll try stay with you guys as long as I can tonight, but these left coast games are not easy to stay up for anymore. I'm getting old. Try put up a few runs early so I can comfortably doze in and out during the later innings.
Gardy, I'll try stay with you guys as long as I can tonight, but these left coast games are not easy to stay up for anymore. I'm getting old. Try put up a few runs early so I can comfortably doze in and out during the later innings.
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Irishmans Shanty
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That's why they stink
Top of the 3rd: After Mauer's double it is 2nd and 3rd with one out. 3-1 count to Hunter (infield back and conceding the run), what does Hunter do with his hitter's count? He hits the ball to the only place that will not yield a run, a nuclear bunt back to the pitcher. What does Cuddyer do to pick up Hunter? He strikes out on a check swing. What did these two guys do in the first? They doubled a walked. This team can not string anything together, they are the worst of both worlds, bad and unlucky.
My prediction for the next 6 innings: the Twins will advance only one runner to second base, their best chances to score for the game came and went in the 1st and 3rd innings. Result, Liriano throws well again and picks up his first loss, road trip falls to 2-6.
My prediction for the next 6 innings: the Twins will advance only one runner to second base, their best chances to score for the game came and went in the 1st and 3rd innings. Result, Liriano throws well again and picks up his first loss, road trip falls to 2-6.
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Irishmans Shanty
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Hunter
I wonder if Torii Hunter will throw a punch a Mauer in the clubhouse after tonight's game. The more Mauer hits, the faster it makes Torii's next contract decline in value. Torii you had three oportunities to drive the Ted Williams chasing Mauer in tonight, and three times you failed, two k's and a nubber back to the bump.
Back to last year
Well, the starting pitching is starting to settle in but we are back to the same old cant score runs stuff.
There is nothing going on ahead of or after Mauer. Castillo bats leadoff just like we wanted and its 0 for 5. He is now hitting .286 after being at .330 not so long ago.
Mauer can bat .600 and it wont do any good unless every hit is a home run.
Liriano pitched well. But just like last year the starters have no room for error. If they give up more than 2 its tough to win.
Hit the ball.
There is nothing going on ahead of or after Mauer. Castillo bats leadoff just like we wanted and its 0 for 5. He is now hitting .286 after being at .330 not so long ago.
Mauer can bat .600 and it wont do any good unless every hit is a home run.
Liriano pitched well. But just like last year the starters have no room for error. If they give up more than 2 its tough to win.
Hit the ball.
Last night's game
Good call Shanty, Liriano pitches well and picks up a loss because of the putrid offense.
Didn't Hunter take a swing at Morneau last year? Hunter may have had a bad night last night, but per this quote from the Strib, Morneau's wasn't any better:
"Up stepped Justin Morneau, who had watched Hernandez throw four pitches to Cuddyer, all balls. The last two pitches bounced in the dirt, in fact, and had the final one not gotten tangled in umpire Larry Poncino's legs, Mauer could have scored from third.
The situation begged for a patient plate appearance from Morneau, but he swung at the first pitch, grounding out weakly to second base.
Inning over."
Maybe a good clubhouse brouhaha would spark the team, I've seen inanimate objects with more fire in their belly than this team in the last month.
Castillo, Batista and White go a combined 0-11 with 2 K's. Ouch.
Didn't Hunter take a swing at Morneau last year? Hunter may have had a bad night last night, but per this quote from the Strib, Morneau's wasn't any better:
"Up stepped Justin Morneau, who had watched Hernandez throw four pitches to Cuddyer, all balls. The last two pitches bounced in the dirt, in fact, and had the final one not gotten tangled in umpire Larry Poncino's legs, Mauer could have scored from third.
The situation begged for a patient plate appearance from Morneau, but he swung at the first pitch, grounding out weakly to second base.
Inning over."
Maybe a good clubhouse brouhaha would spark the team, I've seen inanimate objects with more fire in their belly than this team in the last month.
Castillo, Batista and White go a combined 0-11 with 2 K's. Ouch.
Stay agressive
Thats a common criticism of a hitter but I don't buy it. You want Morneau agressive in that spot.
So what if the guy just threw 4 balls. This isnt little league. The next one could be right down Broadway.
So what do people want him to do? get behind by taking a meatball fast ball for strike one? I know that isnt what he got but you cant critisize a guy for lookng for some thing to drive right away.
So what if the guy just threw 4 balls. This isnt little league. The next one could be right down Broadway.
So what do people want him to do? get behind by taking a meatball fast ball for strike one? I know that isnt what he got but you cant critisize a guy for lookng for some thing to drive right away.
Morneau
I want a good at bat from Morneau in that spot. Now I didn't see the at bat, but a weak grounder to second implies that he didn't get a good pitch to hit.
If a guy's having trouble throwing strikes, Morneau should be sitting on a pitch in his hitting zone and if it's not there laying off. You should be aggressive if a guy's throwing strikes because you might only see one hittable pitch, but if he's wild you might have to wait for that pitch. If he'd made solid contact but right at a fielder I'd be OK with that, but a dribbler to second?
If a guy's having trouble throwing strikes, Morneau should be sitting on a pitch in his hitting zone and if it's not there laying off. You should be aggressive if a guy's throwing strikes because you might only see one hittable pitch, but if he's wild you might have to wait for that pitch. If he'd made solid contact but right at a fielder I'd be OK with that, but a dribbler to second?