Pitching coach Neil Allen

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I know it's early, but I like what I see from the new Twins pitching coach. I like the fact that he wants to change the 1-inning mindset...you know, the mindset that relievers need to be a 1-inning 7th inning guy, or 8th inning guy, or closer. If the "7th-iniinng" guy is locked in, I want him to come out for the 8th, and it seems like Allen is of the same mind.

But more important is his emphasis on the change-up for our starters. He thinks it is the most effective pitch in baseball, and as a guy who has waved at more than my share of change ups in the dirt, I agree with him. Milone already had an effective change, but so far it seems like Allen is working wonders with Pelfrey and May...two guys who seemed destined for the junkpile. May unfortunately is going to miss a start or two after taking a liner off his elbow last night, but early returns show Pelfrey and May could be effective 4th and 5th starters if they continue to change speeds like they have been doing, Hughes started slowly last year too, and I think he will be fine. So will Milone and Gibson. Who knows about Nolasco, but let's not forget he was lights out at the end of the 2013 season for the Dodgers. Then, when Santana comes back, we have the makings of a decent starting pitching staff.

[Monster]

I remember seeing on Twitter from a couple people that guys were going to be able to go longer like you mentioned. It would be nice for the pitching staff to be improved this year there is potential for that.

[TheFuture]

I haven't watched the Twins for 2 years now. I'll begin to watch when management pulls their heads out of their ass and puts a team on the field that is deserving of that new stadium like they promised. I thought the Nolasco signing was terrible from the beginning. But my real issue is with their lack of judgment about bringing some of the #1 farm system players up. Let them play ball with the big boys, and if they are special, they will prove it there. Holding guy's in the minors until they are 22-25 is a waste in my opinion. It probably bugs those talented players as much as it bugs me, especially when they see us fielding 90 loss teams. We may get an extra year or whatever on their initial contract, but I think it works against us when trying to get that second contract. Buxton, Sano, Berrios, Meyer, Rosario, Polanco, Stewart should all be called up immediately. No more playing positions as a platoon like we do, let these guys take their position and keep them or lose them.

[Monster]

Who is this Pelfrey guy? I like him. Lol

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Who is this Pelfrey guy? I like him. Lol

Man, he looked good last night. His 2-seamer is scary when it darts inside, and although it wasn't as sharp last night (left a couple up), his splitter is an effective strikeout pitch. Both he and May have been effective, so it is going to be an interesting decision for Molly/Allen when they put Nolasco back in the rotation. 6-man rotation, perhaps? Good thing they're all pitching well, because Meyer is crappping the bed down in AAA.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Pelfrey's been nothing short of solid this season to date. I was worried when Santana got suspended because it meant Pel's reemergence into the rotation, but he's been splendid. Sub-3.00 ERA after tonight's 7 IP 1 ER outing. In line for the win. Good stuff.

With a win, our Twins would be just one game behind the Royals for division lead. Absurd!

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Pelfrey's been nothing short of solid this season to date. I was worried when Santana got suspended because it meant Pel's reemergence into the rotation, but he's been splendid. Sub-3.00 ERA after tonight's 7 IP 1 ER outing. In line for the win. Good stuff.

With a win, our Twins would be just one game behind the Royals for division lead. Absurd!

Yeah, and to all of our relief, he's not the Human Rain Delay on the mound anymore...his pace is about twice as fast as it used to be.

I'm liking what I'm seeing, and I give most of the credit to the new brain trust...Molitor, Allen and Guardado, plus the addition of Torii Hunter. The players are pretty much the same as last year, but they are playing so much better. Molly has them playing loose and aggressive, Allen has them throwing more off speed stuff than Anderson ever allowed (Gibson threw about 3 changeups last year, and this year he throws it a lot), Guardado has a patchwork bullpen relaxed and believing in themselves, and Hunter makes sure that there is a lot of smoke, lights and dancing in the clubhouse after wins. It's a fun team to cheer for.

In six weeks they get Santana back, and Tommy Milone is putting up absurd numbers at Rochester (.48 ERA with 46 K's and 2 BBs). I know injuries are inevitable, but if they're all healthy, that's seven starters not including a couple other guys in the minors who will be ready soon (Berrios, Hu) if they aren't already. I wouldn't be surprised if Ryan doesn't package a couple of pitchers or other prospects for one big bat that can really fill out this lineup.

One downer though. It hasn't been mentioned much in the media, but someone within the Twins organization told me that even though Santana's suspension was described as 80 days, it's actually 80 days plus post-season. Shitty deal...as great as our pitching staff has been, Santana should be the guy we turn to in the playoffs.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Yep. Substance abuse has a direct no playoffs penalty that goes with it. Gibson's gonna be the guy. Already having a terrific year.

Edit: I said substance abuse, but I meant performance enhancers aka drugs that appear on the MLB's banned substances list. My apologies. I think you understood what I meant, but I wanted to clarify.

This rule was invoked on Jhonny Peralta and Nelson Cruz within recent years.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Yep. Substance abuse has a direct no playoffs penalty that goes with it. Gibson's gonna be the guy. Already having a terrific year.

I didn't know that...it must be a new rule in the past 2 years. When Melky Cabrera sat out his substance suspension 2 years ago, he was eligible for postseason but the Giants said they preferred to go with the guys they had gotten there with.

Anyway, Gibson looks like an ace...sure hope he can keep it up.

[Monster]

Who saw this coming? Wait who cares?! Lol Cam even praising Pelfrey its a miracle! :)