Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Brian Dozier ambushed a 23 year old starter in over his head on Tuesday night in the Bronx. As the first batter of the game, the Minnesota Twins second basemen sent a towering pop up into the left field bleachers. A feat only possible in the Cracker Jack box that is Yankee Stadium, the good guys jumped to an early lead. After an Eddie Rosario homer, the Twins had staked themselves to a three run lead in the first inning, and then the end came.

There's really no point in rehashing what took place in the one-game Wild Card for the Twins. You lived it, I lived it, and we find ourselves here, with another loss to the dreaded Yankees. A recap serves little purpose in this space, but instead, let's take a look at where it all went wrong:

Squandered Opportunity

Following the three-run lead, which was nice enough, Minnesota failed to tack on. After knocking Severino out of the game recording just one out, the Twins left runners on second and third with neither of them scoring. Over the course of the game as a whole, hitting with runners in scoring position was a problem for the Twins. Tacking on runs against a strong Yankees lineup was a must going into the contest, and it was a place the club consistently fell short.

Veteran Presence

In the lead up to the game, I suggested numerous times that Severino was a welcomed foe due to his age. At 23, that was a huge moment, and the Twins capitalized off of that fact. What wasn't anticipated, is that Ervin Santana would crumble as well. Despite being a big league vet, he pitched scared and failed to attack any opposing batters. While his slider was anything but sharp, he nibbled for the entirety of the two innings he gave Minnesota.

Needing to respond to his team's hot start with a zero, Santana promptly coughed up the lead in the bottom half of the inning. Allowing Yankee hitters to take him deep in counts, Santana's first went walk, single, pop out, home run. Across 64 pitches, Santana threw just 35 strikes. There was an unshakeable feeling of a guy on the mound pitching scared. Despite having a lead, Santana refused to attack opposing hitters, and New York had their way with him dictating at bats. It was as bad of a performance as we've seen from Santana in years.

Lineup Black Hole

Over the second half of the season, the Twins have been among the best run scoring teams in baseball. That's true in part because they've consistently had a next man up attitude, and put forth solid at bats to keep the line moving. At the bottom of the lineup, that couldn't have been further from the truth during the Wild Card game.

In their seven combined at bats, both Jason Castro and Robbie Grossman gave the Twins zero competitive offerings. Castro flailed at three strikeout pitches out of the zone, while Grossman whiffed three times on his own. Neither is an offensive juggernaut, but the former should be expected to battle, while the latter's greatest asset is his on-base prowess. Each time they stepped in the box, both Castro and Grossman were nonexistent for Minnesota.

Judge Rises

Before the game, I opined that two things needed to happen for the Twins to win this game. Severino needed to leave with New York trailing, and Aaron Judge could not go deep. Minnesota took care of the first half, but Jose Berrios allowed Judge to make his mark.

While it's maybe not fair to say they lose if Judge homers, the momentum swing that carries with it does Paul Molitor's squad no favors. In reality, the three-run homer was back breaking, but even if it had been a one-run shot in the first, Judge brings out the crazy in that stadium. The crowd definitely rides the wave of each Aaron Judge at bat, and letting them have that moment was never going to be a winning proposition.

There's a few other things to nitpick at. I wasn't a fan of Molitor removing Santana in the 3rd inning. Having settled down some, I would've seen what he could give you, at least until a runner reach, in the next frame. That being said however, the Twins did themselves no favors to keep this game in check. After taking the bull by the horns, they promptly allowed it to walk away.

While veterans like Santana, Castro, and Grossman failed to help the home nine on this night, it was some of the youngsters in the lineup that came up biggest. Going into 2018, this team will continue to turn over to it's rising stars, and continuing to pair them with other big league talent should only pay dividends.

Tuesday night in New York was a sad, but all too often realized, way to end what was a great 2017 season. With the book closed here though, it's time to begin writing a new story.

Sorting Out The Postseason

The Minnesota Twins have made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. While this season doesn't guarantee they play home games at Target Field, this team reversed course on a dismal 103 loss season, to surprise even the most hopeful fans. While they travel to New York to face off against a tough Yankees club, there's more than a handful of good matchups slates for October.

Whether it be in the American or National League, there's no layup among any of the 10 teams involved in postseason baseball this year. The one-game Wild Card is going to eliminate to good teams, and the World Series winner is going to have to navigate quite the gauntlet. Taking a stab at what it all looks like, let's get into it.

American League Wild Card- New York Yankees

There isn't a better situation for Minnesota to be in. Playing with house money, and negating a large weakness in pitching thanks to a one-game scenario, the Yankees should be doing anything but overlooking the AL Central foe. With a 23 year-old Luis Severino on the mound in a big stage game, it'd hardly be surprising if the moment was too large. That being said, I just don't see the Twins doing enough here.

This New York bullpen is very, very good, and unless Minnesota gets to Severino early, Joe Girardi can shorten the game. While the Twins lineup has plenty of run producing capabilities of its own, the Yankees hit the long ball all over the place. Aaron Judge ran away with the 2017 Rookie of the Year, and I'd imagine he'll continue to flash on this stage.

I'd be far from shocked if the Twins win, and feel comfortable enough to bet on them, but think that's a bit more heart than head talking.

National League Wild Card- Colorado Rockies

Going into 2017, I wondered if the Rockies weren't a dark horse team to make a run at the World Series. They have young talent, they have veterans, and for the first time in a while, they have more than just patchwork pitching. It didn't help that the NL West was among the best divisions in baseball this year, but if the Rockies are going to advance, they'll have to earn it.

Zack Greinke is going to take the ball for the Diamondbacks, and while he's definitely one of the game's top pitchers, he's far from a sure thing. I like Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado to get to him early, and that gives Jon Gray an opportunity to settle in. Arizona owns the season series, but the Rockies played just above .500 on the road.

If there's an upset brewing in the Wild Card round, I think it's more likely that the Rockies make it happen.

American League Division Series- Houston Astros & Cleveland Indians

This is where the cream rises to the top. While the two top teams from the AL East are plenty imposing, the best of the American League in 2017 has been the Astros and the Indians. I'm not sure the Red Sox have enough to match up with Houston over the course of a five game series, and the Astros have so many different ways they can beat you. With a powerful lineup, and a one-two punch of Verlander and Kuechel, they should advance here.

For the World Series runner-up from a year ago, Terry Francona's team is simply too battle tested to go out this early. While the Yankees have plenty of young guns at their disposal, it's the Indians that have experience on their side. Jose Ramirez may still be the most underrated player in the game, and that pitching staff is good enough to shut the best lineups in the game down.

With two juggernauts advancing, the ALCS should be a doozy.

National League Division Series- Chicago Cubs & Los Angeles Dodgers

Although the coasted most of the year, there wasn't really ever doubt that it would be the Cubs hoisting the NL Central crown. They had rough patches and went through ups and downs, but Joe Maddon knows how to get the most out of his guys. Coming off a World Series victory, the experience should prove invaluable this season. There's a lot of pressure on the Nationals with the impending free agency of Bryce Harper, and nothing yet to show for Max Scherzer's monster deal. That isn't going to help them stay loose, and a good team can expose that weakness.

Over the full course of the season, there hasn't been a better team in baseball than the Dodgers. They went in a massive funk, and still were able to blindly cruise to both the best record in the game as well as a division title. No matter how good of a story the Rockies may be, expecting them to compete with a rotation that has too many good arms, and a lineup that has zero holes, is just too much to ask.

Like the American League, we'll be treated to one heck of a Championship series in the NL as well.

American League Championship Series- Houston Astros

Right now, there may be no pitcher in baseball going better than Justin Verlander. In a seven game series, he may be capable of getting the Astros three wins on his own. While the Indians have a pitching staff more than capable of going toe-to-toe with Houston, I think it's in the offense that we see separation.

The Astros scored more runs than anybody in baseball, and it wasn't particularly close. They can beat you on the mound or at the plate, and when you have the ability to bat studs like Alex Bregman in the bottom third of the order, it says something about your overall quality. I tend to think this Indians team may be better than the one that went to the World Series a year ago, but their running into a buzzsaw here, and I like Houston to advance.

National League Championship Series- Los Angeles Dodgers

That whole best team in baseball once again rears its head. The Dodgers are just loaded everywhere you look, and while the Cubs put it on cruise control at times this season, they'll need everything to break right for an opening at what's next. Chicago can't match up consistently on the mound and I think that's where the deficiency lies.

Having to face off against Clayton Kershaw, Yu Darvish, Alex Wood, and Rich Hill doesn't bode well for any club on a nightly basis. The Cubs put up more runs the LA during the regular season, but that offense should find it tough sledding to push runs across in bunches against this group. While Cody Bellinger has gotten (and deservedly so) all of the accolades this season, I think there's room for rookie Walker Buehler to shine in the postseason.

World Series- Houston Astros

Seven games pitting the Dodgers and Astros against each other for all the marbles sounds like a baseball fan's dream. This is a series that features everything, and there's plenty of young stars on both sides of the diamond. While neither of these teams have glaring flaws, I think it's the Dodgers that have shown a funk can derail them just a bit more.

The narrative of the Astros bringing a World Series home following Hurricane Harvey would be one for the storybooks, and I'm sure that's already being contemplated. Extra motivation or not, I think this group is just too well assembled and too talented to let this opportunity slip through their grasp. Your 2017 World Series champions are the Houston Astros.

Playoffs And It Feels So Good

In April, no one expected the Minnesota Twins to be here. Even the loftiest of expectations had this club somewhere around 80 wins and simply keeping things interesting. On September 27, 2017 however, the Twins punched their ticket to the Postseason. Reflecting on that, and the season that has been, only invokes a certain level of awe.

Coming off 103 losses, the Twins are the first team ever to go from losing 100 or more games only to make the playoffs the following season. That means, not only did the organization add the number one overall pick in Royce Lewis this year, but they've also played meaningful baseball for the entirety of the schedule. While this group was expected to make waves, the thought was that 2018 looked like the opportune time for the window to open.

Don't tell guys like Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco, or Eddie Rosario that they weren't supposed to be here yet however. That trio had went through ups and downs this year, eventually leading to breakout seasons, and ignited the bats on any given night. Joe Mauer wasn't supposed to flash like his old self, and there were questions as to whether or not Brian Dozier would even be in Minnesota this season. Suggesting everything happens for a reason is about as simplistic as it gets. For now though, it works.

On Tuesday October 3, Paul Molitor will field a playoff team for Minnesota. That will be the first time the Twins organization can say that since October 9, 2010. While they'll have a monumental task ahead of them, knocking off the Yankees on the road, the culmination of all the excitement suggest we've made it. The appointment TV, tense at bats, and champagne popping have all been the highlights of the last month or so in Twins Territory.

Count the Twins out against the mighty Yankees if you must, but I can assure you this group doesn't care about narratives. Youth or veterans, these guys could care less about what the Twins of yesteryear carved out. They'll go into New York with more than a fighting chance, and in a one game scenario, anything is bound to happen.

Predicting The Postseason

With the calendar flipping to October, the season has come to an end for the Minnesota Twins. Unfortunately, the hometown nine haven't played Postseason baseball since 2010 when they first opened Target Field. That reality aside, Postseason baseball presents us with moments we generally remember for quite some time. As a spectator of the field again this season, I'm offering up my thoughts and prediction as to how things shake out.

Shown above is my selections as to who claims the World Series trophy at season end. Entering play, the Cubs are nearly 2/1 favorites to win it all, and ending the drought with this collection of players would be nothing short of expected. They've got easily the best roster in baseball, the best manager, and are trending in the right direction.

If there's a team I think can threaten the Cubs from the American League, it's the Boston Red Sox. Yes, I'm aware I don't have the Red Sox in the World Series. I don't believe in their pitching enough to suggest that they get by the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series. What Boston does have going for them is an offense that has zero holes in it. From Betts to Pedroia, and from Hanley to Papi, that group is going to put runs on the board.

I like the Rangers a lot, and picked them as the World Series runner up heading into the season. Adrian Beltre continues to be underrated and produce, I loved the mid-season acquisition of Carlos Beltran, and Carlos Gomez seems to have settled in at the top of the lineup. The Rangers pitching isn't without questions either, but I think they've been the quiet and steady entrant among this season's playoff teams.

Had things worked out differently, the Indians could've gotten more love here. Having uncertainty around Corey Kluber isn't good. Combine that with Carlos Carrsco being done for the year, and two-fifths of that rotation isn't nearly as good. The Indians can absolutely make waves, but I don't think their pitching will be able to carry them as it was planned.

Over in the National League, it's hard not to get behind the even year run that the San Francisco Giants typically go on. That said, their bullpen is a mess, and even with Madison Bumgarner on the bump, they'll be opposed by the New York Mets and Noah Syndergaad. I fully expect Thor to come out of the pitcher's duel in the NL Wild Card, and the Mets should once again meet up with the Cubs.

Chicago will get their revenge this year however, and they'll be rewarded with a matchup against the Dodgers. I am not sure I like Los Angeles enough to win the series, but the Nationals without Strasburg, and injury concerns surrounding Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper aren't good. Throw in the fact that they just lost Wilson Ramos and you have a series of unfortunate events.

Dave Roberts reaching the National League Championship series this season with the Dodgers would be quite the story, and it;s one I think he's got his club well positioned to accomplish. For everything Los Angeles has gone through this year, it'd be hard not to view advancing at least one round as a success.

It's probably cliche to pick the Cubs given the massive odds in their favor. More than any other year though, I think it's fair to suggest they are just that much better than everyone else. Sure, baseball happens and Joe Maddon's team may not win it all, but betting against them at this point just seems like a fools errand. Give me the best team in baseball all season long, to remain the best team in baseball when the dust settles at the end of October.

Utley And The Slide Heard Round The World

On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers were trailing by a run to the New York Mets. On the verge of going down two games to none in the National League Division series, the Dodgers needed a rally. With Howie Kendrick at the plate, a ground ball was sent up the middle and a double play was almost certain. Until it wasn't.

While this is no doubt a Twins blog first and foremost, it's also important to reflect on the happenings around baseball as a whole. I shared my opinions on Bryce Harper, and now it's time to clear the air on the slide and it's fallout.

As Utley went into second base, his intentions were to break up a double play and get the tying run from third to count. Whether Kendrick was going to beat out the throw or not, Utley's goal was the same as many baserunners before him. The problem was, his execution landed in the grayest of areas.

Sliding into the bag extremely late (arguably even with the base), he went in legs up (and in terrible form to be honest) clipping Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in the shins. The fallout was a broken right fibula for the Mets starter, but the issue was so much deeper than that. While a legal play by baseball's understood standards, Utley's decision teetered somewhere in between dirty and hard nosed, with interpretation being left to our own discretion.

A day after the event took place, Major League Baseball swiftly stepped in. Despite doing nothing for Pirates shortstop Jung Ho-Kang, the Commissioner's office had taken a different stance. With the elevated situation of playoff baseball, the decision should and will now come under more scrutiny.

It can be argued that Kang's injury was caused by a lack of attempting to get out of the way. However, like Utley's slide, Kang was targeted well out of the "normal" area for a slide. In both instances, a baserunner attempted (at all costs) to break up a play. With the rule as is however, the action left a defender in a position to be seriously injured.

Rather than looking into a suspension, baseball and Rob Manfred should be going down a different route. After deciding that an injury to Buster Posey needed to bring forth new ways to attack home plate, a similar situation has now presented itself. It would seem to reason that if you can't plow into a catcher who has full gear on, sliding full force into an unprotected fielder would be counterproductive as well.

Whether Utley's suspension holds or not (it shouldn't, and I would hope the right thing is done through the appeals process), this needs to be an area of concern in the offseason. Right now, baseball can't force the Dodgers without a key player in the playoffs because of a knee-jerk reaction. What they can do is make sure that slides have a purpose over the winter. Establish a true base path and area that a runner must get down, let the contact happen, but control the outcome to remain on the side of health and common sense.

Both the injuries to Kang and Tejada have been a by product of unfortunate events on the base paths, but it's something baseball can and must take a look at.