Game Thread, Twins @ Indians, 8/9 @12:10 pm CT

[BK432]

LINEUPS:

 

Twins

2B Brian Dozier

CF Aaron Hicks

DH Joe Mauer

3B Miguel Sano

1B Trevor Plouffe

RF Eddie Rosario

SS Eduardo Escobar

C   Chris Hermann

LF Shane Robinson (Cy Young)

 

Indians

2B Jose Ramirez

SS Francisco Lindor

LF Michael Brantley

DH Carlos Santana

C   Yan Gomes

CF Abraham Almonte

RF Jerry Sands

1B Chris Johnson

3B Giovanny Urshela

 

Ahem.

 

Well, I got the 4 runs right. If you read yesterday's thread, I predicted a 4-1 Twins win. Missed that by a tad.

 

This Indians lineup isn't a very good one. But yesterday, they were able to take advantage of subpar pitching performances from Ervin Santana as well as the bullpen, especially Ryan O'Rourke and AJ Achter. And they crushed the Twins 17-4.

 

Luckily, none of that matters today. Today is a new game. Let's have some fun in more of the standard "Riverbrian's 5 Things" format today. Because I'm feeling a bit over statistical analysis for the weekend, and we're facing Corey Kluber anyway, which has the chance to make all else moot.

 

1. BK432: 0-4 on the week. Yes, your least favorite game-thread starter has written 4 game threads this week, and they've all been losers. Today is #5 - please, Twins, please get me a win. I'm going to start to get a complex! The powers that be will never let me write again.

 

2. Shane Robinson: Throwing mostly what pitch data categorized as ~80 MPH "changeups", Robinson walked one guy and then retired the next 3 batters in order, including Jerry Sands on what was the weirdest, loopiest knuckleball one will ever see. 2 of the runners he inherited from AJ Achter scored, but still, his official line goes down as 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K. Better than most of the Twins' relief pitchers yesterday. Is he playing the wrong position? Okay, perhaps 80 MPH "changeups" wouldn't provide a lot of promise in Robinson sustaining a big league career in a bullpen role, but as these things go, it was mildly entertaining to watch.

 

3. Staying To The End: I had a friend who went to the game last night in Cleveland. He's a Twins fan, and man, what a tough draw. But, he was tweeting and sharing pictures all the way to the end. How many Twins fans watched all the way to the end, either in person or on TV? It's one of the toughest things to do as a fan. If I'm in person, I'm more apt to stick around and enjoy the park and the people. But on TV? Way to easy to find something else. I admire all those who watched to the very bitter end last night.

 

4. Hughes vs. Kluber: It gets no easier today, with Kluber on the mound for the noon game. He's not that different a pitcher this year versus last - K rate slightly down, but all in all very good. He has however been worse with his strand rate - %LOB is significantly up versus last year, and his run support hasn't been very good. As a result, his W-L has suffered and nationally the perception is that he is a lot worse this year. He's not. Still very good, and the Twins will have to work every at bat to find enough opportunities to score runs today.

 

5. Get Away: Finally time for a day off tomorrow before starting a homestand on Tuesday. I would guess these Twins need to get home about as bad as any other time during this season. It's been a very tough road trip.

 

Hopefully they can get to Kluber early and Hughes has his 'A' stuff, and the Twins can end this miserable voyage away from home with a win. Get ready to cheer them on!

[David HK]

You have a very brave friend, my friend.  What a trouper, staying to the end of that mess...  

[JB_Iowa]

I have always believed that good pitching begets good pitching.  And that, unfortunately, bad pitching often begets bad pitching.

 

It's up to you to STOP THIS MESS, MR. HUGHES.  Earn a little of that extension.  You need to come through with a good performance today.

 

Looking forward to it, PJH.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

1. BK432: 0-4 on the week. Yes, your least favorite game-thread starter has written 4 game threads this week, and they've all been losers. Today is #5 - please, Twins, please get me a win. I'm going to start to get a complex! The powers that be will never let me write again.

Yer doin' fine! I even am a fan of the self-deprecation.

 

That said, let's all pull together, and win a game thread for the BK432!

 

(I'm never clear on the win lose nature of game threads, i just know some particular posts are labeled winners...)

 

Anyway, almost time to see Sano in the field! Sad i missed out on yesterday's action...

[USAFChief]

great job BK!

 

for the rest a' ya's, remaining August game threads are wide open.  Check the "game thread vols" thread, pick a game or three, and PM me!

[Kwak]

"...staying to the end."  C'mon RB, that Bremer-Morris duo is dynamic!

[Gibby]

 

  Sorry I missed that gem last night, I was being social.

[DaveW]

Skol Vikings!

[Kwak]

Bremer compared the two rotations-- "CLE has 4 strike-out pitchers, while the Twins are still a 'pitch-to-contact' staff."  Since Bremer only speaks "the party line", we may infer that not much change has happened in the Twins pitching philosophy--still PtoC.

[Jerr]

How about some Twins start hitting?

And again we have to come back...Hughes does not have it.

GEESH!!!!! Down by 3 already                   

 

[USAFChief]

Robinson has to catch that.

 

Him being on this roster continues to be a thorn in my side.

 

 

[Riverbrian]

 

"...staying to the end."  C'mon RB, that Bremer-Morris duo is dynamic!

 

Yesterday...

 

I bailed!!! 

 

 

The Good Ship Twins Baseball was sinking and I was a-bailin. 

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Sorry I missed that gem last night, I was being social.

Better excuse than mine.

 

(which is why i haven't given it...)

[Riverbrian]

 

Robinson has to catch that.

 

Him being on this roster continues to be a thorn in my side.

 

Here's a chance to be Androcles. Pull the thorn out and Chief will be your friend. 

[Riverbrian]

The Bullpen is 9 thorns for me. 

[USAFChief]

I see now, following the i-watch, someone has come out with a belt that has a watch on it.

 

I don't like either, personally.  I guess I can understand the i-watch thing, but a watch on your belt?  

 

I think that's just a waist of time.

[jimmer]

 

Bremer compared the two rotations-- "CLE has 4 strike-out pitchers, while the Twins are still a 'pitch-to-contact' staff."  Since Bremer only speaks "the party line", we may infer that not much change has happened in the Twins pitching philosophy--still PtoC.

We have a semi-permanent spot in the 'least amount of strikeouts by a pitching staff in baseball' home (Cleveland has the most in baseball, 300+ more than ours). Bright side is, we are only 28th in BAA.(but last in the AL)

[Riverbrian]

 

I see now, following the i-watch, someone has come out with a belt that has a watch on it.

 

I don't like either, personally.  I guess I can understand the i-watch thing, but a watch on your belt?  

 

I think that's just a waist of time.

 

It will give Women... A Legitimate reason to look at your belt? 

[Riverbrian]

I have to do some grocery shopping today... I have to do Laundry... I want to watch the Vikings for at least a couple of possessions while the starters are in. 

 

The Twins are going to have to work harder to keep me planted today. 

[Riverbrian]

OK... 

 

Either the Indians are hitting the ball better than any team in the past decade. 

 

Or... The Twins pitching staff has collectively turned into the worst pitching staff in the past decade. 

[Jerr]

 

It will give Women... A Legitimate reason to look at your belt? 

Then you got bigger problems, oops... I meant      smaller problems

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Bremer compared the two rotations-- "CLE has 4 strike-out pitchers, while the Twins are still a 'pitch-to-contact' staff."  Since Bremer only speaks "the party line", we may infer that not much change has happened in the Twins pitching philosophy--still PtoC.

But the Cleveland pitching staff does lead the AL in the number of strikeouts.

And the Twins do come in last in that category.

So whether "pitching to contact" is intentional or not, it is what the Twins pitchers are doing.

[USAFChief]

Hughes looks bored with the entire thing.

[JB_Iowa]

 

I have always believed that good pitching begets good pitching.  And that, unfortunately, bad pitching often begets bad pitching.

 

It's up to you to STOP THIS MESS, MR. HUGHES.  Earn a little of that extension.  You need to come through with a good performance today.

 

Looking forward to it, PJH.

 

 

I guess Phil wasn't listening.

[Danchat]

Wow. The meltdown continues.

 

I'd complain about something here, but I can't even think of anything worthwhile to say.

[Riverbrian]

OK... I guess I should go grab a shopping cart and start pushing it around and try to decide if I should buy the 15% whatever hamburger or the 5%.

[ScrapTheNickname]

I'm just watching the game so I can watch Sano bat. I wonder: is it worth wading through pig slop and duck manure and a weird greasy substance (oh, it's just called terrible pitching) to get back to Sano at bat!?

[Jerr]

Wow, I can't believe how they have played since the break!!! Assssss weeee goooo down 7 ziiiiipppppp!!!

[jimmer]

 

OK... 

 

Either the Indians are hitting the ball better than any team in the past decade. 

 

Or... The Twins pitching staff has collectively turned into the worst pitching staff in the past decade. 

smoke and mirrors only last so long.  In the end, it's about stuff, and our pitchers don't have it.  And they haven't for the last 4+ seasons. Last in the AL in Ks and BAA is bound to get you.

[USAFChief]

wow

 

7 runs, 7 outs.  that's an ERA of 1, right?  I'm a little fuzzy on the math.