Post by budgrant1 on Oct 1, 2020 6:42:50 GMT -6
I didn't get a chance to watch the game as I was working on something important.
I can see from the box score that all 3 of the 'Stros runs came on solo HR's. 1 against Berrios who, despite only giving up 1 other hit and with a PC of only 75 yet got pulled by Baldeli with the score was tied after 5 which was a stupid managerial decision. Stashak comes in and in his 2nd inning of relief gave up a tie breaking HR. Then Rogers, who has been erratic all season, gives up the last HR clinching the game.
Twins bats went on "radio silence" only getting a measly 3 hits (being content to settle for 5 BB's) in the game of their life. I didn't see the 'Stros starter who, from the box score, looked like he struggled. Their BP however pitched magnificently and to add insult to injury Pressly, who the Twins traded to get Alcala (who has a bright future based on what I've seen), got the save.
Baldeli mis-handled the pitchers (starters and BP alike) all season long. He made many other questionable decisions going against "the book" (e.g. prematurely having the infield in to protect a 1 run lead early in ball games leading to hits that would otherwise have been caught "stealing defeat from the jaws of victory"). His 3rd base coach (Diaz) should be fired for the way he has cost Twins runs on the base paths.
This team, to paraphrase a famous line delivered by Marlon Brando in the movie, "On the Waterfront", "coulda been a contender" for a WS crown but for Baldeli and his coaching staff. To be sure, the players didn't perform as hoped partly because many of them lack the "clutch" gene. No real leader in the clubhouse that I could tell other than maybe Cruz with his "robe" that was passed around to whoever hit a HR.
On the bright side, we have a lot of players with promising futures along with potential future stars still in the minors. The Twins WILL be contenders for years to come. Management needs to tweak the roster a bit but it needs to start with re-evaluation of Baldeli and his coaches. They're not true leaders of men needed to get to the "promised land". New coaches with the ability to inspire players like Billy Martin, when he coached here in the early 70's before moving on to the Yanks, is what this team needs IMO.
With that said, it's on to next season. At least the Twins got to the PO's,, unlike the Vikes who look like crap thru the 1st 3 games and won't catch a sniff of gettking that far who also need a change in leadership starting with RS first and foremost, then Zim, the rest of the coaching staff. and getting rid of Cousins who is not a leader of men. The Vikes need a QB with "fire in his belly" like Tark, Joe Kapp, TD Tommy Kramer to build around as it looks like with an aging defense that the Vikes will likely be in "rebuild" mode for the next few years.
For those who belatedly starting posting in this forum (I've been here from Day 1), I hope you follow and root, Root, ROOT for the 1 Minnesota franchise that has realistic championship chances. The Twins. A team I've followed ever since I was a young boy living in Minneapolis. Even though I haven't been in Minnesota for nearly 60 years (other than a couple of business trips), I will remain loyal to the Twins and the Vikes until the day I die.
Cliff notes for ya
Astros 4th Tucker singled to shallow left center, Brantley scored, Bregman to third. 1 0
Twins
5th Cruz doubled to deep left, Gonzalez scored, Arraez thrown out at home. 1 1
Astros
7th Correa homered to center (430 feet). 2 1
Astros
9th Tucker singled to right, Brantley scored, Bregman to second.
3 1 astros