This entire year has turned into a narrative that I thought would never be true... Nelson Cruz is the exception as he, once again, has been fantastic.. But the rest is 'upside down' from what I thought it would be this year.
Pitching is CARRYING the Twins, right now... Offensively, we have found ways to win games but nothing super impressive..... Mitch Garver struggled and then an injury has made him a non-factor this year.. Josh Donaldson has recently shown a few good outings but injuries have limited him... Max Kepler has struggled, even when he wasn't injured.. Miguel Sano can hit the ball a mile when he connects but strikes out so often.. Byron Buxton beat out that ground ball for the win last night but we need him in the lineup for defense, if nothing else. Luis Arraez had struggled at the plate before his injury. Rosario is a free swinger but he has been up and down at the plate, as well. But Rosario can run and is a PLUS OUTFIELDER with a good arm. Polanco is a smart hitter but is limited in range, defensively.. He is there because he makes the routine plays and swings the bat well.. Jake Cave, Marwin Gonzalez, Ehire Adrianza are all good utility guys that can play all over but are light hitting. Some of the young guys like Brent Rooker and Jeffers(the catcher) look to have some promise, down the road.
BUT THE TWINS HAVE HAD CLOSE TO HALF THEIR GAMES WHERE THEY HAVE GIVEN UP 3 RUNS OR LESS... That is impressive.. Maedo has pitched well and Dobnak got things straightened out after a couple of shaky outings. Odrizzi has not pitched much because of injury and Berrios has had his ups and downs. I like the Wisler kid, as a starter. Hill went on the injured list but he struggled.. I dont even know why we have Homer Bailey. Pineda would be nice to get back and give us some innings...The bullpen has been shaky at times but given some good outings in middle relief with Clippard, Alcala, May, Romo, etc.. I am still not sold on Rogers as the closer.
I understand the caveat is that Minnesota has not seen the best offenses in baseball, outside of the White Sox.... The Royals have done a number on the Twins this year but we wont see them again, this year, thankfully...
But the rest of the schedule could get interesting as we see contenders the next couple weeks...The Twins go to St Louis for 2, then come home for the Indians..... Then go out to Chicago for last away series' with both the White Sox and the Cubs(first place team). Then home with Detroit and Cincinnati
Pitching is CARRYING the Twins, right now... Offensively, we have found ways to win games but nothing super impressive..... Mitch Garver struggled and then an injury has made him a non-factor this year.. Josh Donaldson has recently shown a few good outings but injuries have limited him... Max Kepler has struggled, even when he wasn't injured.. Miguel Sano can hit the ball a mile when he connects but strikes out so often.. Byron Buxton beat out that ground ball for the win last night but we need him in the lineup for defense, if nothing else. Luis Arraez had struggled at the plate before his injury. Rosario is a free swinger but he has been up and down at the plate, as well. But Rosario can run and is a PLUS OUTFIELDER with a good arm. Polanco is a smart hitter but is limited in range, defensively.. He is there because he makes the routine plays and swings the bat well.. Jake Cave, Marwin Gonzalez, Ehire Adrianza are all good utility guys that can play all over but are light hitting. Some of the young guys like Brent Rooker and Jeffers(the catcher) look to have some promise, down the road.
BUT THE TWINS HAVE HAD CLOSE TO HALF THEIR GAMES WHERE THEY HAVE GIVEN UP 3 RUNS OR LESS... That is impressive.. Maedo has pitched well and Dobnak got things straightened out after a couple of shaky outings. Odrizzi has not pitched much because of injury and Berrios has had his ups and downs. I like the Wisler kid, as a starter. Hill went on the injured list but he struggled.. I dont even know why we have Homer Bailey. Pineda would be nice to get back and give us some innings...The bullpen has been shaky at times but given some good outings in middle relief with Clippard, Alcala, May, Romo, etc.. I am still not sold on Rogers as the closer.
I understand the caveat is that Minnesota has not seen the best offenses in baseball, outside of the White Sox.... The Royals have done a number on the Twins this year but we wont see them again, this year, thankfully...
But the rest of the schedule could get interesting as we see contenders the next couple weeks...The Twins go to St Louis for 2, then come home for the Indians..... Then go out to Chicago for last away series' with both the White Sox and the Cubs(first place team). Then home with Detroit and Cincinnati
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