***Official 2022 Minnesota Twins season thread***

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by dashcol

Twins we’re guaranteed in 1987 or 1991.

In 1987 they only won their division by 2 games.

In 1991 they went from last place to World Champions, pretty sure this was the only time that has happened in history.

In the opposite side, in 2019 the Twins were 101-61, their first 100 win season since the 60s. They decisively won the AL Central that year by 8 games, and they were 28 games up on third place! This was the fourth best record in baseball.

What happened that year? That’s right, swept in the first round.

I will take the underdog Twins every time who fought all year for what they have and are proving to the world they are the best, over the Twins who dominated the season and get big heads and get proven they are not as good as they think.

Hard work and determination every time. It builds confidence and strength.

I mean the twins in 2020 fought until the end and stole the division title at the last second….

Then they got swept in 2 games by the Astros

So it’s not like the twins fighting to get in is automatically a good outcome for them

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

That makes sense, I was just making sure the Mariners/Orioles wasn’t just a blanket statement because they have been bad in the last couple of years. Especially this Orioles team, I’m certainly glad the twins are done playing them right now

And yeah the division games in September are really the only thing that matters. Really none of the 3 of MN, Cle, CWS have any chance to really run away with the division in august through early September. Only way that would happen is if one of them got insanely hot and went something like 16-4/17-3 which having watched all 3 of these teams a lot this year, is basically impossible

One luxury the twins have is their schedule gets a lot easier coming up.

The way these whole schedules broke down, when the all star break ended, if the twins were still in first/held a share of first/within a game of first come Friday August 12, that would be labeled as a win. Because when the twins schedule was tough, the WS schedule was easy and the guardians schedule was middle of the road.

The WS have closed the gap but that is what they were supposed to do. They had a 19 game stretch (5 to go, 14 down) in which every team they played was below .500. And so far they’re 8-6. They certainly could finish strong but if they sputter to the end here, they would have missed an excellent opportunity to take the division lead.

And from now until the end of august, Twins have the easiest schedule, Guardians and WS have tougher roads ahead. Guardians 18 of their next 24 games are against teams with records above 500, WS have 13 of their next 24 against above 500 record teams and the twins only have 7 of their next 24 versus teams above 500

Agreed on all points. The Twins having the easier schedule does make it a little hopeful that we will regain the lead when we inevitably lose it soon.

I’m also not concerned with the WS at all honestly. Looking at their schedule, I don’t see them making up that much ground. Could happen, but not going to.

I also don’t see any of these teams winning 16-17 out of the next 24. That is a lot to win from teams who struggle to put a string together like that. Again, it could happen, but not going to. If I’m wrong though, let it be the Twins who do it!

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by HOFAutoRookies

That means absolutely nothing.

The underdog Twins who haven't won a playoff series in 20 years? Yeah, no. The Twins have been basically underdogs all throughout their playoff appearances the last 20 years, hasn't really done anything for us being an underdog.

Fine, I'll change my narrative to how about we get out of the 1st round for once.

I’ll take that! If the Twins make it out of the first round (not wild card if that’s where we fall), then I will take this season as a huge win, and really look forward to next year with a healthy team!

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

I mean the twins in 2020 fought until the end and stole the division title at the last second….

Then they got swept in 2 games by the Astros

So it’s not like the twins fighting to get in is automatically a good outcome for them

Very true. I left it out, because, well, 2020. I don’t count anything that happened for any team in 2020.

[forest]

What’s the deal, does Buxton just not play in the field anymore or what?

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by forest

What’s the deal, does Buxton just not play in the field anymore or what?

While anyone should be able to admit, Buxton is probably the best defensive center fielder in the game, it comes at a huge price. He is very injury prone and does not think about injury, just goes 150% all the time.

His bat has been great recently, and he is still a huge threat on the bases, that’s where we need him, so he DHs.

Cave, Celestino, and Kepler can hold down the out field, especially with Gordon to platoon them.

[mnvikingstwins]

Pathetic that Celestino is our best bench option and that he's chasing ball 4 costing a run

[mnvikingstwins]

Originally Posted by dashcol

While anyone should be able to admit, Buxton is probably the best defensive center fielder in the game, it comes at a huge price. He is very injury prone and does not think about injury, just goes 150% all the time.

His bat has been great recently, and he is still a huge threat on the bases, that’s where we need him, so he DHs.

Cave, Celestino, and Kepler can hold down the out field, especially with Gordon to platoon them.

Buxton is too stupid to realize he can give up a double and not go kamikaze into the wall

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by mnvikingstwins

Pathetic that Celestino is our best bench option and that he's chasing ball 4 costing a run

With the strike zone tonight, that 3-1 pitch is called a strike all day. That outside fastball has been getting called a strike

[EBCollectibles]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

With the strike zone tonight, that 3-1 pitch is called a strike all day. That outside fastball has been getting called a strike

Here we go. Just admit this teams sucks.. I called this sinking titanic all season.

[CollectKep26]

Originally Posted by EBCollectibles

Here we go. Just admit this teams sucks.. I called this sinking titanic all season.

I wish we had a block function here...

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by CollectKep26

I wish we had a block function here...

We do, and as long as others don’t quote him, no one ever has to know he even exists…

There’s an ignore function.

[Eckstein197]

Detroit is of zero use to anyone

At least the Royals fight, the tigers are just bad

[Chris Lyle]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

Detroit is of zero use to anyone

At least the Royals fight, the tigers are just bad

Have to disagree with you there. They could have rolled over today and didn't. They keep playing. 1 game where they came back and tied the game. Once Bieber was out of the game they scored 2 that would have tied the game if not for a 3 run 8th and a 3-2 game in game 2. That's called fight. Not calling them good but they keep playing Guardian announcers were talking about it several times during the series

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by Chris Lyle

Have to disagree with you there. They could have rolled over today and didn't. They keep playing. 1 game where they came back and tied the game. Once Bieber was out of the game they scored 2 that would have tied the game if not for a 3 run 8th and a 3-2 game in game 2. That's called fight. Not calling them good but they keep playing Guardian announcers were talking about it several times during the series

Sorry let me rephrase the

Royals fight and can actually win a game, Detroit can fight a little but never enough to actually win

[Chris Lyle]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

Sorry let me rephrase the

Royals fight and can actually win a game, Detroit can fight a little but never enough to actually win

Well they sure had me scared a couple of times, but I guess I get what you mean

[fireballmike]

I want to be optimistic, but with Celestino, Cave, and Beckham at the bottom of the lineup recently, and Kepler totally lost, and Buxton now seemingly only playing every other day...this does not look good at all.

[EBCollectibles]

Originally Posted by CollectKep26

I wish we had a block function here...

The team is a circus. Look how they play against elite teams. Simple!! They stink.

[Eckstein197]

Big fan of Tyler Mahle

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by Eckstein197

Big fan of Tyler Mahle

Yep! Him, Fulmer, Duran and Lopez make an awesome group on the mound. It is such a nice change to see pitching actually performing the way it should.

[EBCollectibles]

This team is the Titanic. It is going down fast.

[Athey49]

Originally Posted by EBCollectibles

This team is the Titanic. It is going down fast.

I really enjoy this offense, I just can't for the life of me figure out why this FO thought it would be a good idea to run out a starting rotation consisting of pitchers who never make it past 5 innings. The newly acquired Mahle is the only pitcher we can expect to give us 6 innings. You can have the best bullpen in the world, but they're going to fall apart eventually if you're constantly giving them 4 innings every night.

Still holding out hope, but now I think it's more likely we only win the division if Cleveland or Chicago tanks, not by our rotation succeeding. We have no ace and we're neck and neck with 2 teams that have multiple aces..godspeed Mr. Archer and Mr. Bundy

[EBCollectibles]

Originally Posted by Athey49

I really enjoy this offense, I just can't for the life of me figure out why this FO thought it would be a good idea to run out a starting rotation consisting of pitchers who never make it past 5 innings. The newly acquired Mahle is the only pitcher we can expect to give us 6 innings. You can have the best bullpen in the world, but they're going to fall apart eventually if you're constantly giving them 4 innings every night.

Still holding out hope, but now I think it's more likely we only win the division if Cleveland or Chicago tanks, not by our rotation succeeding. We have no ace and we're neck and neck with 2 teams that have multiple aces..godspeed Mr. Archer and Mr. Bundy

Well there is always 2023 cause 2022 is all but gone.

[Eckstein197]

Still a lot of baseball left in the season. Season is far from over when you’re only 2.5 back with 8 more still to play versus division leader

Saturday hurt real bad. Especially when today happens. Go from going into Sunday looking for the sweep to all of a sudden losing the series

Need to come back strong versus the Royals. Rotation sets up great, Joe, Sonny, Mahle in order. If the twins can find it, a sweep would do wonders for recapturing some energy

Cleveland has 4 versus Detroit, WS 4 versus Houston. And then a weekend series of white Sox versus guardians


In specific player news, Kepler needs to go back on the IL. The toe is crushing him and he’s crushing this lineup being in there. Really wish Larnach was further along in his recovery. Him coming back would be a good spark plug. But alas he’s still a few weeks away

[Eckstein197]

Originally Posted by Athey49

I really enjoy this offense, I just can't for the life of me figure out why this FO thought it would be a good idea to run out a starting rotation consisting of pitchers who never make it past 5 innings. The newly acquired Mahle is the only pitcher we can expect to give us 6 innings. You can have the best bullpen in the world, but they're going to fall apart eventually if you're constantly giving them 4 innings every night.

Still holding out hope, but now I think it's more likely we only win the division if Cleveland or Chicago tanks, not by our rotation succeeding. We have no ace and we're neck and neck with 2 teams that have multiple aces..godspeed Mr. Archer and Mr. Bundy

Who’s Chicago’s other ace? Cease is an ace but I don’t see another one on that team. Unless your standards for ace includes Kopech which feels like a huge stretch