Minnesota Twins 2014 - ∞: To Infinity & Beyond!

[Cowgirl]

Was anybody else mildly creeped out by that Fanny pack giveaway commercial?

I just saw it again, and it sounds like the voice in the background is saying “fake boobies”.

[The Rube]

Related, but off topic: unless it's for medical reasons, fake boobies suck.

[Cowgirl]

“Relentless percussion” says Dick.

And a phenomenal throw out at home from right field!

[Karlsson]

Magill went back to Magilling.

[Karlsson]

Where the eff was this Grossman/Herrmann/Hendriks on the Twins? Figures.

[streakygopher]

Probably don't win too many games giving up a grand slam...5-5 in past ten games coming into this week against two teams on the upswing, the A's and the Indians. Rough start tonight, and frankly they've looked pretty beatable lately. Seems like when they're hitting they're not pitching and when they're pitching they aren't scoring runs.

[frozen4champs]

Odorizzi placed on IL with a blister.

[Composer]

When David Ortiz played for the Twins, he was my kids' favorite player. But, he would go weeks doing nothing, striking out, killing rallies. Then he would go a week being Big Papi. Then back to the old David Ortiz. It is extremely unlikely that Sano (or anyone) is going to turn into a Big Papi, but anybody who has been calling to give up on Sano has no business faulting the Twins for letting David Ortiz get away.

[frozen4champs]

Berrios named to All-Star team. He will replace Odorizzi.

[The Rube]

When David Ortiz played for the Twins, he was my kids' favorite player. But, he would go weeks doing nothing, striking out, killing rallies. Then he would go a week being Big Papi. Then back to the old David Ortiz. It is extremely unlikely that Sano (or anyone) is going to turn into a Big Papi, but anybody who has been calling to give up on Sano has no business faulting the Twins for letting David Ortiz get away.

Part of Big Papi's issues were with turf, and also the massive difference between the right field walls in MN and BOS.

[Beauner]

When David Ortiz played for the Twins, he was my kids' favorite player. But, he would go weeks doing nothing, striking out, killing rallies. Then he would go a week being Big Papi. Then back to the old David Ortiz. It is extremely unlikely that Sano (or anyone) is going to turn into a Big Papi, but anybody who has been calling to give up on Sano has no business faulting the Twins for letting David Ortiz get away.

Part of Big Papi's issues were with turf, and also the massive difference between the right field walls in MN and BOS.

Not really. The big issues with Big Papi were that he only had one healthy season here. He had a very good season one year.

He got to Boston and stayed healthy and they stopped trying to drill the "go the other way" thing in and let him swing for power. Boston's field played well into his strengths (and the fact that he could occasionally actually hit the ball off the green monster in left helped).

People love to act like Papi had a massive line out the door for his service when he left MN. He was signed to be the 3rd string DH in Boston. I remember reading something that he was talking to Japanese teams about going to play over there because he wasn't getting many offers in MLB.

That said, Sano is 26 and is starting to get things back together. He was an all-star at 24 and has all the ability in the world. If he keeps up with the changes he and Rudy and Rowson have been working on, he'll have a good second half of the season. He'll strike out a lot but he's a decent 3B defensively and offensively he can be one of the most impactful bats in any lineup.
It would be dumb, IMO, to give up on him right now.

[The Rube]

When David Ortiz played for the Twins, he was my kids' favorite player. But, he would go weeks doing nothing, striking out, killing rallies. Then he would go a week being Big Papi. Then back to the old David Ortiz. It is extremely unlikely that Sano (or anyone) is going to turn into a Big Papi, but anybody who has been calling to give up on Sano has no business faulting the Twins for letting David Ortiz get away.

Part of Big Papi's issues were with turf, and also the massive difference between the right field walls in MN and BOS.

Not really. The big issues with Big Papi were that he only had one healthy season here. He had a very good season one year.

He got to Boston and stayed healthy and they stopped trying to drill the "go the other way" thing in and let him swing for power. Boston's field played well into his strengths (and the fact that he could occasionally actually hit the ball off the green monster in left helped).

People love to act like Papi had a massive line out the door for his service when he left MN. He was signed to be the 3rd string DH in Boston. I remember reading something that he was talking to Japanese teams about going to play over there because he wasn't getting many offers in MLB.

That is part of my point.

[maroon_and_gold]

Tough pitch but you gotta get that bunt down. Literally anywhere fair, hell even foul.

[Cowgirl]

The outfielder has a face warmer on. Only in California. It’s 60 degrees out!

[bearpaw28]

When David Ortiz played for the Twins, he was my kids' favorite player. But, he would go weeks doing nothing, striking out, killing rallies. Then he would go a week being Big Papi. Then back to the old David Ortiz. It is extremely unlikely that Sano (or anyone) is going to turn into a Big Papi, but anybody who has been calling to give up on Sano has no business faulting the Twins for letting David Ortiz get away.

Part of Big Papi's issues were with turf, and also the massive difference between the right field walls in MN and BOS.

Not really. The big issues with Big Papi were that he only had one healthy season here. He had a very good season one year.

He got to Boston and stayed healthy and they stopped trying to drill the "go the other way" thing in and let him swing for power

That said, Sano is 26 and is starting to get things back together. He was an all-star at 24 and has all the ability in the world. If he keeps up with the changes he and Rudy and Rowson have been working on, he'll have a good second half of the season. He'll strike out a lot but he's a decent 3B defensively and offensively he can be one of the most impactful bats in any lineup.
It would be dumb, IMO, to give up on him right now.

Agree 100% regarding Sano.

[Karlsson]

Parker blowing it. Again.

[Karlsson]

Parker blowing it. Again.

Well look at that. Manages to pitch around the two walks to leadoff the inning. Sano with a couple nice defensive plays.

[Cowgirl]

How many innings do we get tonight/tomorrow morning?!

[Beauner]

Parker blowing it. Again.

Well look at that. Manages to pitch around the two walks to leadoff the inning. Sano with a couple nice defensive plays.

I so rarely have seen umpires call runners out for being out of the baseline (and it's basically only on guys running to 1B when they run inside the line on bunts/tappers in front of the plate).
I have no idea how they didn't call the runner out of the baseline on that first ball to Sano. I went back and re-watched it and paused it. He's a solid 3 feet into the grass on the infield trying to avoid a tag from Sano. If that isn't out of the baseline, what the hell is?

[Cowgirl]

Ump wasn’t paying attention I guess (or didn’t care) and it’s not a reviewable play per the tv broadcasters.

[Karlsson]

Buxton's speed never ceases to amaze.

[Karlsson]

Come on! Another error.

[Cowgirl]

I really want us to win, I’m almost done with my bottle of wine. It would be a shame if I had to open another one.

[The Rube]

I really want us to win, I’m almost done with my bottle of wine. It would be a shame if I had to open another one.

Lush.

[Handyman]

Still havent lost 3 in a row

[Cowgirl]

Well, that was the best outcome for both the Twins and I.

[Karlsson]

Whew. Nice comeback win. They'll be tired for the next 4 weeks now, though. Even with the all star break.

[Jane Fonda]

The outfielder has a face warmer on. Only in California. It’s 60 degrees out!

f*** pansy

[Jane Fonda]

Twins just outrighted some guy I hadn't heard of. Opening a spot on the 40-man. Speculation is that a trade is imminent.

[Karlsson]

Twins just outrighted some guy I hadn't heard of. Opening a spot on the 40-man. Speculation is that a trade is imminent.

Someone across the bay, perhaps?

[Jane Fonda]

Twins just outrighted some guy I hadn't heard of. Opening a spot on the 40-man. Speculation is that a trade is imminent.

Someone across the bay, perhaps?

It sure would be convenient.

[Beauner]

Twins just outrighted some guy I hadn't heard of. Opening a spot on the 40-man. Speculation is that a trade is imminent.

Andrew Vasquez is the LHP that had people calling for Baldelli's head back in early May when he entered a close game.

[Handyman]

Berrios couldnt get me out right now. He is having all sorts of problems.

[Handyman]

Well he got out of a bases loaded no out jam only giving up a run. Way to battle but he doesnt look super confident right now.

[Cowgirl]

Damn.

[Beauner]

Rough inning for Morin.

[Cowgirl]

We can hit six straight home runs, right?

[bearpaw28]

Rough inning for Morin.

Are Twins done with A’s yet?
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/3652dcad-e ... 6ebb78f94b

[Greyeagle]

Whoa...Arraez has a quick bat.
2-0 Good Guys

[Beauner]

Whoa...Arraez has a quick bat.
2-0 Good Guys

Big fan of that kid. If Schoop goes elsewhere next season he would be a great fit. He sure knows how to hit.

[Cowgirl]

Hitting is contagious. Just like that 6-0!

[Beauner]

6 runs in the second inning! Arraez with a bomba, Schoop with a double, Buxton with a double, Kepler with a single, then Polanco with a bomba.

[Greyeagle]

Polanco! What a twist.

EDIT

[Beauner]

Holy Schoop

[Cowgirl]

Well that escalated quickly.

Edit: the Twins came back quickly with a good answer.

[Beauner]

Here are the bats that they've been missing the last week or so.

[The Rube]

Most importantly, they responded to the bad streak. They rebounded.

[Greyeagle]

Cron to the injured list.

[Karlsson]

Good to see Pineda dealing. He's got that slider working today.

[Greyeagle]

Just another typical Sano stand up triple.

[The Rube]

Seriously, WTF Duffey? Sick of his sh*.

[Beauner]

The Twins now have as many HRs this season as they did all of last year.

[Beauner]

Seriously, WTF Duffey? Sick of his sh*.

Sick of his $h!t?
He'd given up 4 earned runs in his previous 20 IP.
I'll take that.

[frozen4champs]

Props to the Twins game operations. They are very clever with the songs they play after an oppenent strikes out etc. Today they played the Sugarland song with the words" Joey, I'm so sorry" after Joey Gallo strikes out. Well done.

[Butters Stotch]

Laudner is such a dumbass.

[The Rube]

Seriously, WTF Duffey? Sick of his sh*.

Sick of his $h!t?
He'd given up 4 earned runs in his previous 20 IP.
I'll take that.

It just seems he happens to give up runs at the worst time. Honest question....those previous IP....when were those runs given up? 5-0 today was a comfortable lead, but hey, here comes Duffey! And now it's a game.

[Karlsson]

Laudner is such a dumbass.

Yes.

Rogers was awesome. 7 out save. Hope it continues.

[Handyman]

56 wins so far...these guys are just so meh!

[frozen4champs]

56 wins so far...these guys are just so meh!

Fire Rocco.

[Snowcool08]

Seriously, WTF Duffey? Sick of his sh*.

Sick of his $h!t?
He'd given up 4 earned runs in his previous 20 IP.
I'll take that.

It just seems he happens to give up runs at the worst time. Honest question....those previous IP....when were those runs given up? 5-0 today was a comfortable lead, but hey, here comes Duffey! And now it's a game.

So of those previous 20 innings, none of those were considered the worst time? He’s been very solid this year. Not an All-Star, but serviceable for the role he has been put in and much improved from last year. Picking a small sample size of where you remember him sucking isn’t quality analysis.

[Beauner]

Seriously, WTF Duffey? Sick of his sh*.

Sick of his $h!t?
He'd given up 4 earned runs in his previous 20 IP.
I'll take that.

It just seems he happens to give up runs at the worst time. Honest question....those previous IP....when were those runs given up? 5-0 today was a comfortable lead, but hey, here comes Duffey! And now it's a game.

Well Pineda have up a run so it was 5-1 when Duffman came in.
He gave up one last night, 2 against Chicago, and one on June 5. Before that the last earned run he gave up was May 16.

I'm not sure I would have gone with Duffey today after he pitched last night but he's largely been a stud this season.

[Bertogliat]

Serious question, if MLB juiced the ball to increase homeruns, should we still care about PEDs? Are Bonds, Sosa, and McGuire’s number that offensive any more when the MN Twins can jack a years worth of HRs by the All Star Break?


Do we have to put an asterisk on everyone’s HRs now?

[Slap Shot]

Everyone is playing with the same ball and this isn't the first juiced ball era. But all players were not juiced when Bonds, Sosa and McGwire were doing their thing.

[Composer]

There was talk a couple years about juiced balls. MLB hired a physicist to examine an he didn’t find a difference. Another physicist took it upon herself to investigate and found a very subtle difference that caused the change. She discussed her investigation on a Star Talk podcast, link is here. It’s an interesting listen.

[url]/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s ... 699803[url]

[Handyman]

Everyone is playing with the same ball and this isn't the first juiced ball era. But all players were not juiced when Bonds, Sosa and McGwire were doing their thing.

Oh I think way more were juiced than we ever knew about. Plus I guarantee Clemens wasnt the only pitcher juicing either.

Plus Bonds would have been the Hall without Juicing...

The asterisks are useless. Baseball didnt care and a lot of the stuff they were using wasnt even outright banned yet. (Andro wasnt when McGwire was caught with it)

As for the original question...no if the ball is juiced the difference is not why homeruns are way up. That is more on philosophy than anything.

[The Rube]

HRs are up due to teams using analytics. That whole "HR, K, BB" as an acceptable result. Small ball was dying, and it's dying faster in this day and age. You will see more of this unless the pitching strategy/mound height is changed.IMO, more people prefer a 7-6 game than a 1-0 pitcher's duel. Frankly, if that's the way it goes....I don't need to see "arena" baseball.

[Slap Shot]

Everyone is playing with the same ball and this isn't the first juiced ball era. But all players were not juiced when Bonds, Sosa and McGwire were doing their thing.

Oh I think way more were juiced than we ever knew about. Plus I guarantee Clemens wasnt the only pitcher juicing either.

Absolutely there were, but not every player was while all the players this season are playing with the same ball.

[Viking]

HRs are up due to teams using analytics. That whole "HR, K, BB" as an acceptable result. Small ball was dying, and it's dying faster in this day and age. You will see more of this unless the pitching strategy/mound height is changed.IMO, more people prefer a 7-6 game than a 1-0 pitcher's duel. Frankly, if that's the way it goes....I don't need to see "arena" baseball.

I miss small ball.

[The Rube]

HRs are up due to teams using analytics. That whole "HR, K, BB" as an acceptable result. Small ball was dying, and it's dying faster in this day and age. You will see more of this unless the pitching strategy/mound height is changed.IMO, more people prefer a 7-6 game than a 1-0 pitcher's duel. Frankly, if that's the way it goes....I don't need to see "arena" baseball.

I miss small ball.

I do, too. It's strategy, it's chess.

[Bertogliat]

HRs are up due to teams using analytics. That whole "HR, K, BB" as an acceptable result. Small ball was dying, and it's dying faster in this day and age. You will see more of this unless the pitching strategy/mound height is changed.IMO, more people prefer a 7-6 game than a 1-0 pitcher's duel. Frankly, if that's the way it goes....I don't need to see "arena" baseball.

I heard they added the new balls to AAA and HRs are now way up at that level as well.

I don’t buy the analytics theory if that’s true.

[The Rube]

It's some of one, and some of the other. They are scouting players using analytics, AND those juiced balls. A perfect combo.

[J22]

Don't the pitchers use analytics?

[Bertogliat]

Don't the pitchers use analytics?

No. Starters only pitch 6 innings cuz they’re lazy.

[The Rube]

Don't the pitchers use analytics?

They do, but analytics is mostly offensive based. Pitchers use WHIP and such...that's about it. Hitters have WARP, launch angle, exit velocity, GRIT, OPS+ whatever. MLB is trying to turn it into an offensive game, much like the NFL.

[J22]

Don't the pitchers use analytics?

They do, but analytics is mostly offensive based. Pitchers use WHIP and such...that's about it. Hitters have WARP, launch angle, exit velocity, GRIT, OPS+ whatever. MLB is trying to turn it into an offensive game, much like the NFL.

You're talking about statistics