Twins playing games that matter: Regular season

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

After another win last night, our club is now just 2 1/2 games out of the wild card...and nobody in town is talking about it! Yes, we seem to be doing it with mirrors, but frankly none of the teams we are chasing are very good...only the Dodgers and Astros look like complete teams to me this year.

But what a bizarre wild card run this is! We now have a 37-year-old closer with a lifetime ERA of 4.30 and 7 career saves. Last night we started a lineup with .284 as the highest batting average, and slugging averages of .376, .377 and .410 in the 2-4 holes, and won despite making 3 errors in the first three innings. And how about a morbidly obese 44-year-old pitcher in the rotation? We look more like a bar-sponsored softball team than a post-season contender!

But the negative run disparity that Q points out in the previous post might actually be a plus rather than a negative. We talk here about the Wolves' team 4 years ago that had a terrific points spread, but couldn't make the playoffs. The difference is that this Twins team has character and that Wolves team didn't. This team is led by Brian Dozier, that team was led by Kevin Love. Character counts in pro sports, and character often wins. Character produces a resiliency that doesn't allow a team to quit, and this team has it. I still see it as a long-shot that the Twins make the playoffs, but I also see no reason to give up. 2 1/2 out, baby!

[Monster]

After another win last night, our club is now just 2 1/2 games out of the wild card...and nobody in town is talking about it! Yes, we seem to be doing it with mirrors, but frankly none of the teams we are chasing are very good...only the Dodgers and Astros look like complete teams to me this year.

But what a bizarre wild card run this is! We now have a 37-year-old closer with a lifetime ERA of 4.30 and 7 career saves. Last night we started a lineup with .284 as the highest batting average, and slugging averages of .376, .377 and .410 in the 2-4 holes, and won despite making 3 errors in the first three innings. And how about a morbidly obese 44-year-old pitcher in the rotation? We look more like a bar-sponsored softball team than a post-season contender!

But the negative run disparity that Q points out in the previous post might actually be a plus rather than a negative. We talk here about the Wolves' team 4 years ago that had a terrific points spread, but couldn't make the playoffs. The difference is that this Twins team has character and that Wolves team didn't. This team is led by Brian Dozier, that team was led by Kevin Love. Character counts in pro sports, and character often wins. Character produces a resiliency that doesn't allow a team to quit, and this team has it. I still see it as a long-shot that the Twins make the playoffs, but I also see no reason to give up. 2 1/2 out, baby!

Buxton must be a little rusty. I doubt we see him flub around like that again though.

Polonco seems to be showing signs of being able to hit. It would be a nice boast if he could get back on track to some extent.

The Twins have gone on this little run without Sano in the lineup but it sounds like he will be available soon. Maybe a little break will help get him on a roll.

Wetmore has pointed out numerous times that while we traded away Kintzler it wasn't that long ago he was the guy that stepped up out of nowhere and became the closer after a committee approach. Could we have that happen this year? Maybe. A lot of the Twins current relievers have been much better the last few weeks especially Belisle. If Gee could be a solid long guy and they can avoid any more disasters like guys that are gone and the guys that are in the pen now they could be decent enough to give the team a chance most nights. We will see but there is a little bit of reason for optimism.

Colon could end up being a legit 4/5 guy the rest of the way and that would be a pretty big deal for this team. There was no weakness bigger than starting pitching and Colon has given them a chance to some extent each outing. The Twins aren't exactly stocked with high level starters but their options are looking a bit less pathetic with Colon showing he may not be done and Gibson showing some signs of life. Maybe Santiago comes back healthy and ends up being the pitcher he has been most of his career. That would be nice.

The Twins are in a much more adventagous spot than a few days ago when it comes to the wildcard they have a legit shot with 50 games left. The division isn't out of reach either. The play 6 games against Cleveland and 7 against KC. If they could take those series while making a decent run it's POSSIBLE that they could get up in the standings. They have to win games though and it remains to be seen if they can do that but regardless I am enjoying the ride. They haven't folded.

[Monster]

What an outburst by the Twins last night. I hope Mejia is alright (headed to the DL) but Gee had a pretty good performance. Who should get that starting spot vacated by Mejia? Is Hector healthy yet? I'd kinda like to see what Gee could do as a starter. The Twins are still in the mix with a bunch of teams for the wildcard but the gap is much more manageable. This team just keeps fighting.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

What an outburst by the Twins last night. I hope Mejia is alright (headed to the DL) but Gee had a pretty good performance. Who should get that starting spot vacated by Mejia? Is Hector healthy yet? I'd kinda like to see what Gee could do as a starter. The Twins are still in the mix with a bunch of teams for the wildcard but the gap is much more manageable. This team just keeps fighting.

I scoreboard watched last night as the Twins blew out a pretty good Brewers team and EVERY team we are chasing in the wild card race lost...a perfect night! (edit: I guess the Mariners actually came back to win, but I'm not too worried about them). There continues to be little reason this team stays in the race, except for their doggedness and the ineptness of the teams ahead of us. My favorite prospect Stephen Gonsalves has been promoted to Rochester and Sept 1 is only three weeks away, so who knows...he may end up being in the rotation the rest of the year. And the kid is good...great stats at every level he has been at.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Buxton has become a passable hitter now, true? He had a miserable first month but it seems like he's been OK-sh ever since.

[Jester1534]

Buxton has become a passable hitter now, true? He had a miserable first month but it seems like he's been OK-sh ever since.

Since mid June he's batting .255 with OBP .331 basically doing enough at the plate for a elite defensive centerfield. Idk if he ever will be .300 hitter that everyone thought he would be but man I love watching him play centerfield and I can deal with a .250 hitter what I can't take is someone who batting below the Mendoza line.

[Jester1534]

Thought I put this up here but out there remaining 51 games 26 of them are against teams with under .500 record and of the other 25 games 13 of them are against cleveland and the Royals. TBH the ball is in our court with that schedule nobody to blame but ourselves if we don't stay in this thing.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Buxton has become a passable hitter now, true? He had a miserable first month but it seems like he's been OK-sh ever since.

Since mid June he's batting .255 with OBP .331 basically doing enough at the plate for a elite defensive centerfield. Idk if he ever will be .300 hitter that everyone thought he would be but man I love watching him play centerfield and I can deal with a .250 hitter what I can't take is someone who batting below the Mendoza line.

What age or age range do MLB hitters typically peak in terms of things like OBP and OPS?

I know that for NBA players, they tend to hit their peak offensive production in their mid-20s, some not until their late 20s (Jimmy Butler and Mike Conley are two good examples). They typically need at least three or four years in the NBA before hitting their peak output years. I'm curious if it's similar for MLB players.

At age 23 and playing really his first "full-time" season, it feels like there is still a lot of room for growth as a hitter, no?

[Jester1534]

Buxton has become a passable hitter now, true? He had a miserable first month but it seems like he's been OK-sh ever since.

Since mid June he's batting .255 with OBP .331 basically doing enough at the plate for a elite defensive centerfield. Idk if he ever will be .300 hitter that everyone thought he would be but man I love watching him play centerfield and I can deal with a .250 hitter what I can't take is someone who batting below the Mendoza line.

What age or age range do MLB hitters typically peak in terms of things like OBP and OPS?

I know that for NBA players, they tend to hit their peak offensive production in their mid-20s, some not until their late 20s (Jimmy Butler and Mike Conley are two good examples). They typically need at least three or four years in the NBA before hitting their peak output years. I'm curious if it's similar for MLB players.

At age 23 and playing really his first "full-time" season, it feels like there is still a lot of room for growth as a hitter, no?

It around 1,000 to 2,000 at bats. Hes at like 750 ABs right now. He's a little different case cause like you said this is first true season if he still a .250 hitter when he's 25 that's probably what he's always gonna be but with his defense he can always be a 2.0+ War guy. Guys usually pick around 26-32 years of age.

[Monster]

Buxton has become a passable hitter now, true? He had a miserable first month but it seems like he's been OK-sh ever since.

Since mid June he's batting .255 with OBP .331 basically doing enough at the plate for a elite defensive centerfield. Idk if he ever will be .300 hitter that everyone thought he would be but man I love watching him play centerfield and I can deal with a .250 hitter what I can't take is someone who batting below the Mendoza line.

What age or age range do MLB hitters typically peak in terms of things like OBP and OPS?

I know that for NBA players, they tend to hit their peak offensive production in their mid-20s, some not until their late 20s (Jimmy Butler and Mike Conley are two good examples). They typically need at least three or four years in the NBA before hitting their peak output years. I'm curious if it's similar for MLB players.

At age 23 and playing really his first "full-time" season, it feels like there is still a lot of room for growth as a hitter, no?

It around 1,000 to 2,000 at bats. Hes at like 750 ABs right now. He's a little different case cause like you said this is first true season if he still a .250 hitter when he's 25 that's probably what he's always gonna be but with his defense he can always be a 2.0+ War guy. Guys usually pick around 26-32 years of age.

I can see Buxton developing some pretty decent powe and for a top flight defensive CF that could be pretty valuable.