Game Thread: Twins vs. Royals 6/10/15 7:10 PM

[stringer bell]

Third thread in three days--hoo boy! I have to give Brian a lot of credit for being able to provide topics every day. There are some talkers going on with the Twins, so I will bring them up along with my own observation.

 

1)  I just heard that Mauer is hitting second tonight.  I have no problem with this except that there really isn't a legit #3 hitter. Molitor is going with Plouffe at #3, not my preference, but I guess shaking it up is a good idea. Joe hit like a #3 hitter for about three weeks IMHO. His slump has been longer, but not as deep as Plouffe's.

 

2) Polanco is in the lineup, batting ninth. I wasn't in favor of him assuming the shortstop position and I'm still not convinced he is a true shortstop. He is a more of a sure thing as a hitter and I doubt he will be overmatched offensively.

 

3) Iron man Kurt Suzuki is catching again. I have seen more balls get by Zuke in the past couple weeks than he permitted last year. At least two of May's wild pitches (and maybe all three) should have been blocked IMHO. He isn't doing much offensively either. Of all the positions on the team, I believe upgrading the catcher position is the most troubling. The Twins don't have a prospect at catcher that projects as a satisfactory hitter and a good defender behind the plate. If the Twins stay in the race, I think they should consider trading for a catcher (I have been beating the drum for Jonathan Lucroy).

 

4) Gibson on the mound.  Molitor (I don't call a grown man "Molly") moved Gibson in front of Milone, in part because of his success against the Royals. I came away much impressed with his outing last Friday. He allowed three homers for five runs in the first three innings, then completely shut down the Brew Crew, retiring the last 13 hitters, with only one ball leaving the infield.

 

5) The Royals. Another thread is pointing out the better talent among the position players and the absolute superiority of the Royals' bullpen. True, oh so true. Bullpens come and go, but KC has depth in the 'pen, so even if somebody flames out, the Royals figure to have probably the best bullpen in the majors. I would like to point out where the Twins have really improved--their starters have the fourth-best ERA in the AL. There have been a lot more innings pitched by the starters, protecting the Twins suspect bullpen. Their numbers are far better than the Royals. BTW, the Twins and Royals have scored approximately the same number of runs, so while KC might have the better position players, it hasn't translated like that on offense.

 

I predicted a Twins win both on Monday and Tuesday. No prediction today. Time for some bats to break loose. Here are the lineups:

 

Kansas City

 

Escobar   ss

Moustakas   3b

Cain     cf

Hosmer     1b

Morales    dh

Gordon     lf

Rios     rf

Perez    c

Infante    2b

 

Volquez   p  (4-4  3.26 ERA)

 

 

Minnesota

 

Dozier   2b

Mauer   1b

Plouffe   3b

Hunter   rf

Suzuki   c

Vargas   dh

Robinson   lf

Hicks    cf

Polanco    ss

 

Gibson   p  (4-3    3.00 ERA)

[Craig Arko]

Did we all get sent down to the minors?

[formerly33]

What a pity! I even read it. I think you mentioned that Mauer may be in a slump, but Plouffe is worse so he shouldn't be in the 3-hole. And you said that you wouldn't call a grown man Molly.

 

EDIT: You put it under the Minors thread.

 

[Squirrel]

You put it in the minor league forum … I'll fix this for you.

[Squirrel]

There … moved the original from the minors to the majors and pinned it; then moved all the posts to this thread; and, finally, deleted the 2nd one.

 

Let's go Twins! Play ball!

[stringer bell]

 

There … pinned the original, moved all the posts to the original, deleted the 2nd one.

 

Let's go Twins! Play ball!

Thanks ChiTown. Don't know how it happened. I guess CRArko's comment makes sense now.

[Squirrel]

You were likely in the wrong forum when you posted it. It happens.

 

But I'm not sure what you meant by seeing it in articles?

[Craig Arko]

Thanks ChiTown. Don't know how it happened. I guess CRArko's comment makes sense now.

First. Time. Ever.

[mikecgrimes]

Glad to see Polonco in the lineup, I know he can probably hit for the cycle and unless we see another injury he's going right back down but I'd love to see him make the decision difficult.

[Blake]

bwahahahah.....I now have fodder for another gameday thread....bwahahaha....

 

 

ummm...ooopps..uhhh...no, not volunteering, I've done my time, I swear that I have no desire to thrust myself once more unto the breach...

[JB_Iowa]

Time to WIN!!!

[amjgt]

Regarding catcher... I either want an offense first catcher who isn't going to lose you games behind the plate, or just a defensive wizard back there who hits 9th and probably flirts with the Mendoza line.

 

We are in this squishy below average, to downright bad, middle ground (with no real path out) that is pretty infuriating.

[drock2190]

Lucroy will probably cost someone like Sano so that's not going to happen

[amjgt]

sorry... Double post

[Bark's Lounge]

My gut tells me that Vargas and Hicks go yard tonight and Plouffe goes 3-4 and the Twins salvage this series with a 4-2 victory.

 

That is my optimistic quote for today.

[Blake]

While I'm not pleased that the home town team lost, these are the kinds of losses that show promise for the future.

 

Starting pitchers are keeping the Twins in the game against some very good teams.

 

Definitely a step in the right direction.

 

I was getting tired of seeing the bullpen crank up in the second/third/fourth inning.

[USAFChief]

Thanks for doing all the games this series, Stringer...great job!

 

Much appreciated.

 

For the rest of ya's...see the "vol" thread to pick your opportunity(s)!

[Platoon]

Definitely a different thought process by the manager. I was sure Polanco was going to ride the pine, or fiberglass, or aluminum. And he would have last year, especially after they just re-annointed double E as the SS. There's a new sheriff in town!

[USAFChief]

If the Twins were playing the shift normally, instead of at DP depth, that's a ground ball out.  

[stringer bell]

Tough luck for Gibson compounded by the walk. Two grounders that found the right spot.

[stringer bell]

Way too many pitches.

[howeda7]

Come on Gibby. Pull yourself together!

[JB_Iowa]

 

[USAFChief]

You think maybe Gordon was sitting change up there?

 

That's partially on Suzuki.  You can't get into patterns, and you absolutely can't throw a change up belt high, middle of the late.  Rios up next, if you miss on that pitch, start over against the RH hitter up next.  

 

 

[stringer bell]

Ouch.

[drock2190]

Can the Twins score 5 plus runs tonight?

 

Lol a sweep it is

[glunn]

This inning reminds me of last year.  Let's hope that the Twins can pick up Gibby with some runs.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Regarding catcher... I either want an offense first catcher who isn't going to lose you games behind the plate, or just a defensive wizard back there who hits 9th and probably flirts with the Mendoza line.

We are in this squishy below average, to downright bad, middle ground (with no real path out) that is pretty infuriating.

you mean a starting catcher who is 33rd out of 33 in the AL by ESPN WAR? It's not squishy, he's terrible. Hermann is 18

[David HK]

Geez, look what happened while I was busy watching hockey.  Can't miss the Anthem, ye know--  but Gibby- (Twins Gibby)- what's up wid dat?

[USAFChief]

The entire KC team is way too cocksure of themselves.  Time to put one of em on their backside, or plant one in their ribs, IMO.  Waaaay too comfortable up there.