We're approaching the halfway point of Rocco Baldelli's first season as Twins manager. It's not controversial to say it's going well. With the best offense in the majors and a sizable lead atop the AL Central, the Twins are near-locks to make the postseason and the definitive favorite to win the division.
If there's a problem though, it's been the bullpen. The Twins have used 16 relief-only pitchers this season. If you ignore Tyler Duffey and Trevor May's combined two spot-starts last season, then 16 is the number of relief-only pitchers they used in 2019 as well. (I'm leaving out the four position players who pitched.) As a whole, the bullpen has been mediocre to bad in most measurements of overall performance.
May 28, 2019
This Is the Best Twins Offense Ever
I don't need to tell you that the Twins' offense is good this year. They're first in baseball homers, first in runs, second in batting average, fourth in on-base percentage, first in slugging, and at or near the top in most catch-all offensive statistics, like wOBA. Minnesota is mashing. If anyone in the majors has a better offense, it's Houston – the only other team in the American League with 36 wins going into Tuesday.
This is not news. It's still worth contextualizing, however.
This is not news. It's still worth contextualizing, however.
April 10, 2019
2019 Southwest Basketball Tournament
Monday night, Texas Tech finished runners-up to Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. It was a crushing end to an otherwise exhilarating and historic season for the Tech program.
I propose that we give the Red Raiders another chance at hardware.
After last year's NCAA Tournament, I put together the field for a hypothetical college basketball tournament featuring teams from the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. I had some fun putting it together, and you may have some fun going back to read the post.
I had so much fun that I'm doing a second edition of the Southwest Basketball Tournament. What follows is said second edition.
I propose that we give the Red Raiders another chance at hardware.
After last year's NCAA Tournament, I put together the field for a hypothetical college basketball tournament featuring teams from the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. I had some fun putting it together, and you may have some fun going back to read the post.
I had so much fun that I'm doing a second edition of the Southwest Basketball Tournament. What follows is said second edition.
April 02, 2019
Shiny Stadium Amenities Distract from What We Love about Sports
Chandler originally submitted the following piece for a journalism class. He shamefully recycles it here, with minimal modification, as content for his blog. The format and style may be a little different from that of the usual content published in this forum, but hopefully it is no less enjoyable to read. One disclaimer: Being written for a class that happened a year ago, the piece contains references to things that happened a year ago as if they were happening today.
More and more, it seems stadium experiences are losing the "stadium" part. And the "experience" part.
Suites were always a way to detach oneself from the action, but watching the game from seven stories up and behind glass might be more intimate than using some of the features of the modern sports venue.
More and more, it seems stadium experiences are losing the "stadium" part. And the "experience" part.
Suites were always a way to detach oneself from the action, but watching the game from seven stories up and behind glass might be more intimate than using some of the features of the modern sports venue.
December 27, 2018
Is Max Kepler Figuring Out Lefties?
The Twins' rebuild began with the disastrous 2011 season, and it has yet to truly produce a contender. Long-term improvement and short-term overperformance have taken the team to winning records in two of the last four seasons, as well as a Wild Card berth in 2017, but the Twins haven't surpassed averageness.
A significant reason the Twins have failed to break out thus far has been a struggling group of young players. Eddie Rosario and José Berríos overcame initial difficulties to become the team's most valuable hitter and pitcher, respectively, but the Twins are still waiting on a few others to find their ways.
Byron Buxton was MLB.com's top overall prospect in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Though he plays center fielder like a Gold Glover, Buxton has struck out too much and repeatedly hit the Disabled List.
Miguel Sanó, ranked seventh on the 2014 list and third the year before, has phenomenal power and takes plenty of walks. But he's been unable to make contact consistently, reported to spring training overweight, missed time due to injuries, and was accused of assault last winter.
Jorge Polanco has had moderate success since becoming the starting shortstop in late 2016, but a PED suspension kept him off the field for half of 2018.
And then there's Max Kepler. The German has provided excellent defense in right field and shown enough flashes of offensive prowess to be a decent regular, but one thing held him back in his first couple of seasons.
A significant reason the Twins have failed to break out thus far has been a struggling group of young players. Eddie Rosario and José Berríos overcame initial difficulties to become the team's most valuable hitter and pitcher, respectively, but the Twins are still waiting on a few others to find their ways.
Byron Buxton was MLB.com's top overall prospect in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Though he plays center fielder like a Gold Glover, Buxton has struck out too much and repeatedly hit the Disabled List.
Miguel Sanó, ranked seventh on the 2014 list and third the year before, has phenomenal power and takes plenty of walks. But he's been unable to make contact consistently, reported to spring training overweight, missed time due to injuries, and was accused of assault last winter.
Jorge Polanco has had moderate success since becoming the starting shortstop in late 2016, but a PED suspension kept him off the field for half of 2018.
And then there's Max Kepler. The German has provided excellent defense in right field and shown enough flashes of offensive prowess to be a decent regular, but one thing held him back in his first couple of seasons.
August 31, 2018
2018 College Football Preview: Predictions
College football's annually grueling hiatus is almost over. To celebrate, Ski-U-Blog previews and predicts the 2018 season, going conference-by-conference across the country.
After all the conference previews, we wrap up with the usual preseason features: a Heisman watch list, a top 25, bowl projections, and Playoff predictions.
After all the conference previews, we wrap up with the usual preseason features: a Heisman watch list, a top 25, bowl projections, and Playoff predictions.
Heisman Watch List
1. Khalil Tate, Arizona QB
2. Bryce Love, Stanford RB
2. Bryce Love, Stanford RB
3. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin RB
4. Trace McSorley, Penn State QB
5. Jake Browning, Washington QB
August 30, 2018
2018 College Football Preview: Big Ten
College football's annually grueling hiatus is almost over. To celebrate, Ski-U-Blog previews and predicts the 2018 season, going conference-by-conference across the country.
We've finally reached the last conference in FBS: The Big Ten.
We've finally reached the last conference in FBS: The Big Ten.
Big Ten Conference
West
Predicted standings:
1. Wisconsin
2. Northwestern
3. Iowa
4. Purdue
5. Nebraska
6. Minnesota
7. Illinois
August 25, 2018
2018 College Football Preview: Southeastern Conference
College football's annually grueling hiatus is almost over. To celebrate, Ski-U-Blog previews and predicts the 2018 season, going conference-by-conference across the country.
Today, we cover the SEC.
Today, we cover the SEC.
Southeastern Conference
West
Predicted standings:
1. Alabama (conference champions)
2. Auburn
3. Mississippi State
4. LSU
5. Texas A&M
6. Mississippi
7. Arkansas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)