Twins outlook

**Bader** · 08-26-2009, 11:34 AM

Yea, why Breslow and not Crain was put on waivers earlier this year is beyond me.

Speaking of awful Twins bullpen, I cannot describe how good it felt to watch the Bassmaster blow it again last night, but finally in favor of the Twins!

**Dryburn** · 08-26-2009, 12:06 PM

I'm not sure what to think about Liriano. His stuff is good, but he is not consistent. Supposedly, the second year back after Tommy John surgery is when most pitchers are fully recovered. That should have been sometime this year for him, but it didn't seem to happen. Too many walks, and he just doesn't seem to locate his pitches any more. He has even hit 6 batters this year and he had only hit 1 in each of the last 2 seasons. He seems to do fine, then just blows up in one inning. Almost like he loses focus mentally. I also think losing Santana was bad for him. Santana was something of a mentor for him. Liriano's future may be as a set-up man or even a closer, although his fastball is not really dominant enough for a closer I don't think.

What concerns me too is the way the pitchers who come up from AAA don't seem to pitch the "Twins way" anymore. Throw strikes, and let the defense take care of the rest. I mean last night, the first 2 pitchers had 7 walks between them in less than 4 innings. Not good.

Perkins is a head case. I think he can be traded, although I hate to seem them trade a left-hander, but..... Baker just needs to learn to be consistent and avoid the big inning. If this makes sense, the strikes he throws are too good. He grooves them too much. He needs to figure out a way to get that 3rd strike instead of the batters just fouling it off. Not sure if he needs another pitch or what, but he needs to do something.

Not sure what is wrong with Blackburn. He was so good in the first half, but so inconsistent since. Maybe he just needs to adjust more like batters do.

Getting Neshek back next year will be huge, provided he is healthy and able to pitch like he did before. I wsh they had not let Breslow and Reyes go, although neither of them have been too spectacular with their new teams this year. But Reyes was good last year. Guess he just wanted more than the Twins would pay or something. (But then they gave Punto 8 mil for 2 years.....go figure).

Next year should be interesting, as should the rest of this season. I just find myself crossing my fingers every time a Twins starter takes the mound.

**jdoggivjc** · 08-26-2009, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dryburn

Not sure what is wrong with Blackburn. He was so good in the first half, but so inconsistent since. Maybe he just needs to adjust more like batters do.

I'm convinced something's messed up in his delivery to the plate. I'll admit I'm no pitcher, but what I've observed in watching pitchers is they use the step towards home to generate the velocity in their pitches, and their foot hits the ground as they're getting ready to really put the force into the ball. To me Blackburn isn't doing that. From what I see it's like he's taking the step and then coming forward with the ball. His delivery just looks so wrong right now.

**mj4cy** · 08-26-2009, 04:13 PM

detriot is down 4 to 2...if they lose today it'll be 4 games back for the Twins. Win tonight and down to 3.5....i'll take my chances with that.

**Iastfan112** · 08-26-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

I'm convinced something's messed up in his delivery to the plate. I'll admit I'm no pitcher, but what I've observed in watching pitchers is they use the step towards home to generate the velocity in their pitches, and their foot hits the ground as they're getting ready to really put the force into the ball. To me Blackburn isn't doing that. From what I see it's like he's taking the step and then coming forward with the ball. His delivery just looks so wrong right now.

I disagree, a lot of Blackburn's regression stems from 2 issues: luck and a deterioration of the infield defense. Back when he was sitting with a high 2's/ low 3's era Blackburn allowed way too many hits and flyballs to be doing that well(stat I roughly talking about is xFIP) also while Cabrera has been a decent addition for the offense, his defense is pretty lousy combine that with less Joe Crede and more Harris(another mediocre fielder) and you have a recipe for a somewhat increased ERA. Longterm I think this is the kind of pitcher Blackburn is, someone capable of a wide variety of games running from good to bad depending upon luck and how his sinker is working.