Game Thread: Rays@Twins 7/19 6:10PM

[stringer bell]

Even more if you use playing cards.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

There's a pretty stark difference in quality of play between The Rockies and The Rays, no?

[ashbury]

Two strikeouts by Twins pitchers in the last 16 innings, Smells like wins.

 

Smells like... something, yeah.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

http://media.zenfs.com/en/person/Ysports/kevin-correia-baseball-headshot-photo.jpg

 

 

/thread jacked

"Game thread" becomes "sore subject thread/feud"

[ashbury]

There's a pretty stark difference in quality of play between The Rockies and The Rays, no?

 

I didn't get around to saying this before the series, but I found this one an intriguing matchup: two last place teams in their respective divisions who still claimed to have ideas of contending for a wildcard. Likely one of these teams will exit the series no longer believing that, and being in absolute Seller mode heading into the deadline. Here in the 8th inning the odds are pretty high we've identified which team is which.

 

And thank goodness, sez I.

[GCTF]

Smells like... something, yeah.

 

One of them was the first out of the game yesterday, so it's like 1 K in the last 21.2 innings. Cherry, picked.

[ashbury]

"Game thread" becomes "sore subject thread/feud"

 

Don't make Snepp go all Infraction on ya.

[snepp]

Moderation is a sore subject, no? Looks like he's on-topic to me.

[Winston Smith]

K's are overrated just let them hit it our stellar defense will do the rest.

[stringer bell]

I agree with Smalley. The Rays are short on bats. They've looked great for two games, but they aren't that good.

[Winston Smith]

I agree with Smalley. The Rays are short on bats. They've looked great for two games, but they aren't that good.

 

Then what are we?

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I didn't get around to saying this before the series, but I found this one an intriguing matchup: two last place teams in their respective divisions who still claimed to have ideas of contending for a wildcard. Likely one of these teams will exit the series no longer believing that, and being in absolute Seller mode heading into the deadline. Here in the 8th inning the odds are pretty high we've identified which team is which.

 

And thank goodness, sez I.

It's true we've identified which team has the lower odds of a comeback, but I don't see TR selling off assets. He's still selling hope, and with the ASG in the rear view mirror what else is there but the players?

[stringer bell]

K's are overrated just let them hit it our stellar defense will do the rest.

 

I know there is snark there, but it just shows the number of errors is immaterial. Dozier's bobble (not an error) cost one or two runs.

[stringer bell]

Then what are we?

Inconsistent.

[JB_Iowa]

It's true we've identified which team has the lower odds of a comeback, but I don't see TR selling off assets. He's still selling hope, and with the ASG in the rear view mirror what else is there but the players?

 

And that's what churns my stomach. We've mostly sat on our hands at the trade deadline for 3 years.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Then what are we?

Short on bats and pitching

[snepp]

Inconsistent.

 

Consistently.

[JB_Iowa]

Short on bats and pitching

 

and chutzpah.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Short on bats and pitching

 

So... We're just short.

 

And platform shoes or high heels won't help, i imagine.

 

I'm hoping for a growth spurt.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

And that's what churns my stomach. We've mostly sat on our hands at the trade deadline for 3 years.

I hear ya, we've been waiting for the prospects for years.

[Winston Smith]

If the winner was only the team with the most double plays we'd be golden.

[ashbury]

RE: Santana's catch in the ninth, my favorite TK quote from a spring training (because I have so few): "Let's keep the 360s to a minimum, OK?"

[Guest USAFChief]

He wasn't the only one talking to himself. You should have heard the conversation I just had with, well, me.

Pretty sure I did...in Tucson. You (briefly) woke me from my nap.

[JB_Iowa]

I think the Twins need a Rally Hippo tonight. I don't think either the Rhino or the bunny will do it.

[WLFINN]

Well now that Price is outta the way.......

[ashbury]

If the winner was only the team with the most double plays we'd be golden.

 

Funny thing: the team giving up the most runs per game over a season often has an above average number of The Pitcher's Best Friend too. I am struggling to come up with an explanation for why this could be.

[ashbury]

Well now that Price is outta the way.......

 

That's the value of patience at the plate, wear the other team's starter down.

[WLFINN]

Too many friends????

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Is it just me, or has this Twins team been HBP an inordinate number of times?

[Winston Smith]

Funny thing: the team giving up the most runs per game over a season often has an above average number of The Pitcher's Best Friend too. I am struggling to come up with an explanation for why this could be.

 

Lots of base runners.