Taking a page from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Twins employed an “opener” strategy on Sunday, in which a series of relievers pitches the game instead of a traditional starting pitcher. The theory behind it is that once the starting reliever or closer has faced the toughest part of the batting order, the “primary pitcher”... Continue Reading »

Pitcher Lance Lynn, the Twins’ $12 million man, took the mound Tuesday and didn’t disappoint. Facing the Baltimore Orioles, Lynn struck out five in three innings, with no hits and one walk. The Twins led 5-4 through  five innings before the bullpen gave up the lead and the team lost, 7-5. “I walked a guy,... Continue Reading »

Former St. Louis Cardinals’ reliever Zach Duke, who signed a one-year deal with the Twins this offseason, said the following to MLB.com reporter Rhett Bollinger last week. “I had a couple offers out there, but after examining rosters, the way teams are put together, atmosphere, and talking to people I knew that had been in... Continue Reading »

What a difference a few months make. It was in July that the Twins sent closer Brandon Kintzler and his 28 saves to the Washington Nationals, which left many Twins fans asking: Why? Some thought, including this blogger, that the Twins had thrown in the towel after a difficult, mid-season stretch of games. Or maybe... Continue Reading »

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised: Twins’ Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey and General Manager Thad Levine continue to show they are going to do things their way, not the old-fashioned Twins way. (And that’s what we want, right? No?) Despite the rumor mill suggesting the next Twins pitching coach to replace Neil Allen was... Continue Reading »

Closer Glen Perkins, a Minnesota native who also has spent his entire major league career with the Twins, is a free agent after the club on Wednesday declined to pick up his option for 2018. Instead, he will receive a $700,000 buyout and be free to sign with any team, according to MLB Trade Rumors.... Continue Reading »

Brian Dozier hit a dramatic three-run home run and the Twins came from behind Tuesday to beat the red-hot Cleveland Indians, 8-6. The Twins have won five straight and improved to 83-74. Every team that was in contention for the second wild card spot in the American League has been eliminated, except for the Los... Continue Reading »

A little momentum helps after all. A win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday carried into Thursday after the Twins came from behind in the top of the ninth to beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-2. The Twins got enough pitching, enough hitting and plenty of defense, with the team turning four double plays... Continue Reading »

Just when you thought it was safe to identify encouraging signs about the Twins during Spring Training, the regular season gets under way and nothing goes as it appears it should. First anthem of the 2016 season. pic.twitter.com/S7IRXRwvL9 — Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) April 4, 2016 That’s because the Twins, who won 19 games in March,... Continue Reading »