Game Thread: A's@Twins 4/7 3:10PM

[Riverbrian]

Gametime weather forecast: Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-15 m.p.h. Temperature around 55.

 

A's:

SP, Kazmir

 

Fuld CF

Lowrie SS

Donaldson 3B

Moss 1B

Cespedes LF

Callaspo DH

Reddick RF

Norris C

Sogard 2B

 

Twins:

SP, Correia

 

Dozier 2B

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Colabello RF

Pinto DH

Kubel LF

Suzuki C

Hicks CF

Florimon SS

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. The Home Opener -- The Twins have a record of 30-23 in home openers dating back to 1961. They last won a home opener April 8th, 2011... Beating these same Oakland A's 2 to 1. Carl Pavano outdueled Brett Anderson in that game.

 

2. RBI's -- Some will tell you that RBI is a meaningless stat... I won't get into that argument because today I want to trumpet the fact that Chris Colabello is leading the American League in RBI's with 11. Trevor Plouffe is tied for 3rd with 7... Drive in those runs... Keep doing it... Don't let anybody tell you it's meaningless.

 

3. Chris Herrmann -- Welcome back to the show... With injuries to Hammer and Arcia... All of a sudden a position of depth has become a position of need. Chris Herrmann has been called up from Rochester to help shore up the OF Corners.

 

4. Jason Bartlett -- It wasn't a stunning OF debut for Jason Bartlett... I will tell you that I loved the effort made by Jason. I will also tell you that Willingham probably would not have gotten to any of those first 3 balls hit Bartlett's way.

 

However... I will say that Jason showed absolutely no OF defense instincts on those 3 balls. Willingham would have most likely limited the extra bases by playing the wall correctly or cutting off the ball before it got past him. Will Jason improve as an OF??? I believe he will... but should he be playing OF and potentially CF until he does actually improve?

 

5. Home Opener -- 2 years ago on the Home Opener... I decided to leave my front door open with a sign that said "Home Opener". All that stopped by for my Home Opener was a squirrel being chased by a Cooper Hawk right through the front door. The Cooper Hawk watched the game with me while it waited for the squirrel to come out from under the couch. Nick Blackburn was pitching and getting rocked by the Angels. The Cooper Hawk couldn't take anymore and he left.

[Craig Arko]

Sounds like CCrakes is in right field today.

[Winston Smith]

Think about 62 k's in 6 games and also drawn 29 walks. 29 walks (5 a game) makes me think we've seen some bad pitching, how many k's will we have against good pitching.

[Chance]

Do we know who got put on the disabled list yet?

[Craig Arko]

Do we know who got put on the disabled list yet?

 

Just announced: Bartlett, with an ankle injury. Herrmann activated, so we may see Pinto DH today.

[Kyle Gibson]

Interesting stat: A's have beat the Twins 6 straight and 11 of last 13.

 

A's love to play the Twins. If that's not bad enough, Scott Kazmir, last season while with the Indians, was 3-0 with a 1.45era and striking out 31 batters.

[Riverbrian]

Think about 62 k's in 6 games and also drawn 29 walks. 29 walks (5 a game) makes me think we've seen some bad pitching, how many k's will we have against good pitching.

 

Winston!!!

 

You must post a 6. In front of that thought so we can stay organized.

[Squirrel]

Thanks for the lead-in Brian ... and yes, lineups are sweaty ... an hour with a personal trainer followed by an hour of cardio tennis ... no shower, straight home to get those lineups posted! Yay Twins ... go go go! (And time for me to hit the showers ... I don't want to continue to sweat over my keyboard.)

[big dog]

Kubes and Cobes in the corners. Wind blowing out. Maybe we should give up a middle infielder and go with four outfielders?

[Chance]

Almost the exact lineup I suggested yesterday on the Herrmann thread (Kubel and Pinto switch). Let's just hope they hit the ball at people. Does that leave our bench with Escobar and Herrmann?

[Winston Smith]

Winston!!!

 

You must post a 6. In front of that thought so we can stay organized.

 

6. ......

[Winston Smith]

Thanks for the lead-in Brian ... and yes, lineups are sweaty ... an hour with a personal trainer followed by an hour of cardio tennis ... no shower, straight home to get those lineups posted! Yay Twins ... go go go! (And time for me to hit the showers ... I don't want to continue to sweat over my keyboard.)

 

Talk about dedication!!

[Tibs]

Can't wait! Go Twins!

[Halsey Hall]

Temp around 55! That's getting tempting. But 225 miles north of there things could be much different. 4 feet on the level in my yard 3 days ago leaves me thinking the asphalt highway can wait awhile. Game day will have to do for the Twins game.

 

Let's see over .500 once.

[mikeee]

Beautiful day for some baseball!!!

[Craig Arko]

Nice hand for Nick Punto.

[mikeee]

And a cold beer.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Did they really boo Kubel in the intros? no booing today - it's the home opener!!!

[Tibs]

I have to confess that Nick Punto used to be my favorite player. Along with Torii Hunter

[LimestoneBaggy]

I have to confess that Nick Punto used to be my favorite player. Along with Torii Hunter

 

LNP is the working man hero of every no-size, all-hustle sports enthusiast. He made us believe that hard work can make a MLB player, and head first slides, don't forget the head first slides.

[Squirrel]

Hahahaha ... being out of market, hadn't seen that commercial with Hrbek throwing TC off 1st base.

[glunn]

Another great setup. Let's hope that the Twins can win this one.

[Danchat]

Do the Twins have anybody healthy on the bench?

[Craig Arko]

Hahahaha ... being out of market, hadn't seen that commercial with Hrbek throwing TC off 1st base.

 

I wonder if someone will break it to them that Michaelangelo was a sculptor. He only took the painting gig because of the incentive laden contract.

[Gibby]

Man! I should have gone.

[Gibby]

I wonder if someone will break it to them that Michaelangelo was a sculptor. He only took the painting gig because of the incentive laden contract.

 

My visit to the Sistine Chapel a few weeks ago says otherwise.

[James]

Game time!!!

[SweetOne69]

Do the Twins have anybody healthy on the bench?

 

Herrmann and Escobar

[Halsey Hall]

Hahahaha ... being out of market, hadn't seen that commercial with Hrbek throwing TC off 1st base.

 

I sat and watched them film that, and Mauer and Dozier, for a good hour and a half. It was hot, and I don't know how TC lived thru it. TC and Herbie were in the sun most all the time, while Joe and Brian were shaded. They must have had 50 retakes. It was funny.

[D. Hocking]

I sat and watched them film that, and Mauer and Dozier, for a good hour and a half. It was hot, and I don't know how TC lived thru it. TC and Herbie were in the sun most all the time, while Joe and Brian were shaded. They must have had 50 retakes. It was funny.

 

That makes sense, finally nuanced acting performances like Mauer's sometimes take a bit of time.