A week ago, the Minnesota Twins' season was at a key inflection point. But seven straight wins later, they are above .500 and right back in the race for the AL Central. David and Dan discuss the sweep of the Los Angeles Angels and all that went right, namely the play of Carlos Santana, Willi Castro and the rest of the position players who are not named Manuel Margot. With all this production, they wonder whose place Carlos Correa will take this week when he likely returns. They also praise the savvy play of Ryan Jeffers, who was one of the many beneficiaries of the Angels' poor play in the field. Dan is glad to have an anti-infield-in ally in the Twins TV booth, while David points out the improved plate discipline we saw from the Twins all series. Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

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Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

There's nothing like a series with the Chicago White Sox to get a team off a losing streak, and the Minnesota Twins took advantage of the opportunity with a four-game sweep at Target Field. David and Dan leave the series still wondering, though: Are the Twins really better now? Or are the White Sox just that bad? They look at the standout performances by Max Kepler, Eddy Julien and Trevor Larnach, as well as the fine pitching performance by Chris Paddack and most of the bullpen. With Carlos Correa and Jhoan Duran back soon, dare we hope the Twins can get back over .500?
Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins lose two of three to the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. David and Dan are both frustrated with the poor defensive fielding demonstrated in the series, and Dan's frustration boils over in Rocco's rewind because of Rocco's pinch hitting decisions. Dan wants to know if Max Kepler will feel pressure to save the team upon his return from injury, and David is curious if the Twins are regretting their decision to send Alcala down to the minors. The guys check-in on beloved ex-Twin Miguel Sano and once again Ohtani finds himself in Herbie's Headlines. Thanks for listening, and as always, go Twins!

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

Facing the juggernaut that is the Baltimore Orioles, the Minnesota Twins fall flat as they are swept in a three-game series for the first time this season. David and Dan discuss the struggles of Louis Varland, Chris Paddack and much of the lineup and pitching staff in clutch situations, while David particularly wonders whether someone should be keeping careful track of Rocco Baldelli's brain. They are encouraged by the play of Jose Miranda and that of Byron Buxton, though Dan expresses his fears of watching Buxton go anywhere near an outfield wall. They look ahead to a crucial 16-game stretch against middling to poor teams, wondering whether the Twins can work their way back to .500 by early May. They also ask whether it would be better to have Carlos Correa or Royce Lewis back in the lineup. Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins squander a chance to take 3 of 4 from the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park and instead leave with a series split. Andrew "Hoges" Hoganson fills in for Dan and has a lot to get off his chest about the start to this season for the Twins. David wants to find a way to get Simeon Woods-Richardson another start at the major league level, while Hoges wants to know what Rocco could do different to turn around the Twins consistent early season offensive struggles. The guys disagree about who is the main cause of the game 4 melt down in the bottom of the 8th inning, and Hoges finally gets a chance to give his thoughts on Dan's new series grading rubric. David shares some funny news from around baseball and Hoges is concerned about the future of the sport due to the infiltration of sports betting becoming more and more pronounced. Thanks so much for listening, and as always, go Twins!

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins end a disappointing homestand with one victory, at least, in a series loss to the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers. David and Dan discuss the missed opportunities for the Twins in Game 1 and Game 2 as well as the highlights from by far their best performance of the series in a Game 3 victory. Both David and Dan have their theories about the up and down showing at the plate by Eddy Julien, though they are universal in their praise for Carlos Correa, who looks to be the player they thought they were signing before last year's injury-hobbled season from the star shortstop. They also discuss Byron Buxton's spectacular catch, Matt Wallner's apparently lengthy thighs and the staying power of a quartet of candidates for third base (until Royce Lewis is back) and the extra outfield spot (until Max Kepler returns). Finally, they've made some tweaks to the Puckett's Picks system to add some intrigue. Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins hosted their first home series of the season against the Cleveland Guardians. The three-game series was shortened to two due to weather and the boys are confused why the Twins didn't find a way to use the extra day that was built into the schedule for just such an occasion. The Guardians walk away winning both games primarily due to the Twins offensive struggles, which went 0-23 w/RISP. Dan wonders if the calls for Popkins' firing ought to be started up again, and also would prefer to see more aggressiveness on the base paths during these poor offensive outings. David can't decide whether he wants Rocco to use pinch hitters for lefties facing lefties on the mound, and also is curious how soon we'll see Jose Miranda back up in the big leagues. The guys discuss the MLBPA's contention that the pitch clock is causing a rise in pitchers getting injured, and a listener offers his thoughts on Dan's constantly changing grading rubric. Thanks for listening, and as always, go Twins.

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

The Minnesota Twins crossed the border for a quick two-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers and came away with a series split. The boys discuss the Twins inability to product clutch hitting with runners in scoring position, and Louie Varland's lackluster first start of 2024. Dan feels Rocco is too quick to pull Eddie Julien out of games, and questions Rocco's decision to have Margot bunt in game two with 2 outs and the bases loaded. David wants to know if the bullpen can continue their dominance while they wait for Duran, Thielbar, and Topa to return from the IL, and he's curious how willing Rocco will be to have his current set of high leverage relievers pitch more than one inning. Dan reveals his new rating system and the guys breakdown Byron Buxton's close call with a sausage. Thanks for listening, and as always, go Twins!

Support the Show.

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter: @MNfortheWin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website: https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

+0.5 Point Bonus if Winning Player is Top Team Scorer

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series