My hopeful prediction came true last week. The Cleveland Indians lost five of seven games in New York, splitting four with the Yankees and being swept in three by the Mets. As a result, the Twins — despite losing two of three at home to the White Sox and losing the opener (also at home) to the Tigers — are still leading the American League Central by 3.5 games (as of Monday afternoon).
The Detroit series was especially satisfying for me because Jake Cave did so well.
Though viewed by many as merely a “replacement” for Byron Buxton when the Twins ace center fielder is injured (which happens frequently), Cave had a hot bat and made several stellar catches in those three games versus the Tigers. Jake hit two home runs in Friday night’s loss, got the Twins started with a fifth-inning double in Minnesota’s 8-5 win Saturday night —before clinching things with his third home run in two games (a towering blast over the center-field fence in the eighth). He made a spectacular catch to end Detroit’s eighth on Sunday.
Cave was on base seven straight times Friday and Saturday (three walks, a double and three home runs). Since his last call up from Triple A Rochester (New York), Cave is batting well above .400 (he was at .403 before his double and home run Saturday night) and has raised his season average from .198 to around .270. I hope they don’t send him back down now that Buxton has returned?
How about the performance of Kirk Cousins on Saturday? The 84 million dollar wonder was 3-of-13 passing for 35 yards! Throw in a pair of sacks and he was close to negative yardage on those 15 plays before the backups took over and led the Vikings to another pre-season victory.
Kyle Sloter has been impressive — again — in these “exhibition” games, but I doubt that he will get serious consideration to even earn the backup role when the regular season gets underway. Coach Mike Zimmer has repeatedly pointed out that Sloter’s impressive stat line is being done against second and third stringers. Well, he’s also playing with the Vikings second or third stringers.
Why not give Sloter a chance to start in this upcoming last pre-season game and see what he can do when playing — even if briefly — with at least some of the Viking first teamers?
That’s enough about the pros … although it has been fun following the Twins, who continue to impress me with their exceptional balance. I love how Rocco Baldelli rotates his players and changes the batting order every night. He certainly is doing what he can to enhance team depth and overall player camaraderie.
Look how well guys like Cave and Jonathan Schoop perform when given the chance? Schoop’s attitude since often being replaced (rightly so) by Luis Arraez has been most admirable. So has Eddie Rosario who has been happily waving his “lucky stuffed squirrel” after recent team victories.
Those are a few of the reasons why I think the Twins will not fold.
The new high school fall sports season is underway and the action will be exciting and competitive as always. Enjoy the current nice weather, which will change frequently as fall unfolds and winter approaches.
Next week, I aim to look back at a time in the 1970s when Slayton and Fulda each had very good boys cross country teams and each represented Region 2 in one of the last years of the large one-class state meet. The Raiders had the Reith brothers and Slayton was in the early stages of building a dynasty.
A few years later, in the early 1980s, Adrian — led by John Lutmer — became a district and regional power and had several teams advance to the Class A state meet. That was long before the Dragons ran off their string of four straight girls’ team championships (2005-2008) and added a fifth in 2010.
I plan to have more about those topics, and others, in the coming weeks. As always, I am open to your input and ideas. You can reach me at 507-822-2053 or at lknutson5169@gmail.com — keep in touch!
