Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 28, 2021 11:32:25 GMT -5
Minnesota Twins (22-11) @ Toronto Blue Jays (16-18)
MIN: Jonathan Russack (2-2, 3.54)
TOR: Adonis Medina (1-2, 5.34)
Twins 5 Key Stats:
1.9: Gilberto Celestino’s WAR this season. The outfielder is hitting .356 with nine home runs and five steals. The former World Series MVP is off to a huge start, and is the main offensive reason for the Twins’ surprise success thus far.
12: Nihat Ecevit’s Saves this year. Ecevit, acquired in the Wessel Russchen deal, leads the AL in Saves with 12 in 14 chances. The rookie hits the upper 90s with good deception and downward movement to fuel his success. Importantly, the lefty has allowed a single extra base hit to righties thus far.
10: Home Runs hit by Andy Fleck. Fleck has been a nice surprise as a power hitter. The 24-year-old was acquired in the Nate Sprague deal and was expected to be more of a doubles guy. Instead, he leads the team in home runs and RBIs.
0: Home Runs hit by Jody Magnone. The Twins have often had First Baseman who were light on power in their history, topped off by Phil Plechaty’s two home runs in 2026. Magnone is cut from a similar cloth. He has a quick swing, but not much lift or power with it. As a result, he attacks the count early and often, slapping singles here and there. He has 10 doubles to compliment a .297 average to get the most out of a weird profile.
.139: Akil Baddoo’s Average. The 2023 All-Star’s ascent that year catapulted the Twins to a World Championship, but he’s declined each year since 2024. He doesn’t have a homer and has been merely adequate in Center Field. Bad Dude needs to turn things around if he wants a major league contract next year.
Blue Jays 5 Key Stats:
5.34: Adonis Medina’s ERA this year: Medina has only once been worth above 1.9 WAR, but has never had an ERA as high as 5.34 before. He’s being paid replacement level rates, but is also producing replacement level production.
101: Career strikeouts for Eric Drouet. Rattlesnake has over 2000 Plate Appearances in his career making his ability to make contact extraordinary. He’s been nicked up a lot in his career, but an intercostal strain that plagued him in Spring Training has healed up and he’s hitting over .300.
.284: Jahmai Jones’ Average. The .284 mark is Jones’ highest since the Blue Jays took home a title in 2024. Jones is also running again with 10 steals. If Jones is back to being an All-Star caliber player, the Blue Jays can return to title contention.
51: Toronto’s Home Runs hit this year. The Blue Jays are third in the league in homers, with nine hitters clubbing at least three long balls so far. Gary Sanchez leads the troupe with eight in just 20 games, but Kole Enright has been a nice surprise with seven after just 10 last year.
3-0: Tristan Casas’ record. The two-way player has pitched well, but was moved out of the rotation to play Third Base. He’s clubbed three doubles and a pair of homers in 10 games, but his ultimate endpoint is up in the air. Starter, reliever, First Baseman, Third Baseman, Designated Hitter—so many paths are open for where Casas will land this year.
Questions for the GMs:
For Josh Peterson, your team has certainly defied expectations. Are you rebuilding, or would you try to add pieces to make a run at the postseason?
Akil Baddoo has really struggled this year. How long of a leash do you give him?
Alex Kirilloff has a herniated disk. Who will take his place on the roster and in the lineup?
For Ben Smaller, Tristan Casas has played both corners and pitched this year. What role would you like him to seize?
Your club is 12th in starting pitching ERA. Are you trying to add pitching or are you comfortable with your five so far?
Eric Drouet has been a decent Shortstop over his career, but you moved him to Right Field last week, a position he’s essentially never played. Why the move?
TRIVIA 1: Who is the only Twins Primary First Baseman to hit at least 30 Home Runs in a season?
TRIVIA 2: Who led the National League in runs scored in 2026?
MIN: Jonathan Russack (2-2, 3.54)
TOR: Adonis Medina (1-2, 5.34)
Twins 5 Key Stats:
1.9: Gilberto Celestino’s WAR this season. The outfielder is hitting .356 with nine home runs and five steals. The former World Series MVP is off to a huge start, and is the main offensive reason for the Twins’ surprise success thus far.
12: Nihat Ecevit’s Saves this year. Ecevit, acquired in the Wessel Russchen deal, leads the AL in Saves with 12 in 14 chances. The rookie hits the upper 90s with good deception and downward movement to fuel his success. Importantly, the lefty has allowed a single extra base hit to righties thus far.
10: Home Runs hit by Andy Fleck. Fleck has been a nice surprise as a power hitter. The 24-year-old was acquired in the Nate Sprague deal and was expected to be more of a doubles guy. Instead, he leads the team in home runs and RBIs.
0: Home Runs hit by Jody Magnone. The Twins have often had First Baseman who were light on power in their history, topped off by Phil Plechaty’s two home runs in 2026. Magnone is cut from a similar cloth. He has a quick swing, but not much lift or power with it. As a result, he attacks the count early and often, slapping singles here and there. He has 10 doubles to compliment a .297 average to get the most out of a weird profile.
.139: Akil Baddoo’s Average. The 2023 All-Star’s ascent that year catapulted the Twins to a World Championship, but he’s declined each year since 2024. He doesn’t have a homer and has been merely adequate in Center Field. Bad Dude needs to turn things around if he wants a major league contract next year.
Blue Jays 5 Key Stats:
5.34: Adonis Medina’s ERA this year: Medina has only once been worth above 1.9 WAR, but has never had an ERA as high as 5.34 before. He’s being paid replacement level rates, but is also producing replacement level production.
101: Career strikeouts for Eric Drouet. Rattlesnake has over 2000 Plate Appearances in his career making his ability to make contact extraordinary. He’s been nicked up a lot in his career, but an intercostal strain that plagued him in Spring Training has healed up and he’s hitting over .300.
.284: Jahmai Jones’ Average. The .284 mark is Jones’ highest since the Blue Jays took home a title in 2024. Jones is also running again with 10 steals. If Jones is back to being an All-Star caliber player, the Blue Jays can return to title contention.
51: Toronto’s Home Runs hit this year. The Blue Jays are third in the league in homers, with nine hitters clubbing at least three long balls so far. Gary Sanchez leads the troupe with eight in just 20 games, but Kole Enright has been a nice surprise with seven after just 10 last year.
3-0: Tristan Casas’ record. The two-way player has pitched well, but was moved out of the rotation to play Third Base. He’s clubbed three doubles and a pair of homers in 10 games, but his ultimate endpoint is up in the air. Starter, reliever, First Baseman, Third Baseman, Designated Hitter—so many paths are open for where Casas will land this year.
Questions for the GMs:
For Josh Peterson, your team has certainly defied expectations. Are you rebuilding, or would you try to add pieces to make a run at the postseason?
Akil Baddoo has really struggled this year. How long of a leash do you give him?
Alex Kirilloff has a herniated disk. Who will take his place on the roster and in the lineup?
For Ben Smaller, Tristan Casas has played both corners and pitched this year. What role would you like him to seize?
Your club is 12th in starting pitching ERA. Are you trying to add pitching or are you comfortable with your five so far?
Eric Drouet has been a decent Shortstop over his career, but you moved him to Right Field last week, a position he’s essentially never played. Why the move?
TRIVIA 1: Who is the only Twins Primary First Baseman to hit at least 30 Home Runs in a season?
TRIVIA 2: Who led the National League in runs scored in 2026?