Game Thread: Twins @ Orioles, 6:05 CDT

[stringer bell]

You're mixing your stats, Dave. As I said above, even in his off-year last year, Suzuki had a .320 OBP against lefties. That was far better than Nuñez or Santana last year and better than Escobar or Hunter, to name two examples.

[DaveW]

 

I'd have hit for Suzuki, but part of the problem is there aren't good bench options.

I mean don't get me started on Nunez, keeping him around when you have Santana as a super Util guy makes no sense.

But.....Santana had a real nice rookie year for the Twins, he sucked last year but tore it up in ST this year, (he also hit well in AAA last year) this is ultimately a make or break year for Santana on this club, why on earth don't you give him the at bat there?

 

Plus Britton owned Suzuki last night, it's not like Suzuki had some great track record against him or something...

[DaveW]

 

You're mixing your stats, Dave. As I said above, even in his off-year last year, Suzuki had a .320 OBP against lefties. That was far better than Nuñez or Santana last year and better than Escobar or Hunter, to name two examples.

But Santana in 2014 had a .352 OBP and a .340 OBP against LHP.  He also tore it up in ST this year and AAA last year. Yes his 2015 was a disaster, but if you are going to give Suzuki the benefit of the doubt on his (off year), which by the way his OPS was in line with what he did in 2012 and 2013, so I'd argue that Suzukis 2015 was his "norm" at this stage of his career, then why do you dismiss Santana during his "off year"?

 

Santana is a better hitter than Suzuki, against LHP and against RHP. He also has speed and has a better shot at getting on base in 2016 then Suzuki.

[DiscGolfer]

What the hell is going on here, I'm agreeing with Dave wayy too much so far.  

[Platoon]

Yes it's early in the year, and there are gonna be a lot of nights like this. That's the life of an offense first team, there will be a lot of 10-4 games, and stat padding. But when it slumps, it's going to slump big. In any sport offense is always the least reliable phase of the game. As for PH'ing? The Twins don't really PH often, they have been in the lower part of the league. Being a bench player there means getaway day games generally.

[DaveW]

 

 As for PH'ing? The Twins don't really PH often, they have been in the lower part of the league.

At some point when you haven't made the playoffs in several years, perhaps you should be open to change in approach in some aspects?

I mean, Suzuki is the worst hitter in the lineup, if you aren't going to PH him in that situation, why even have 4 guys on the bench? Might as well just go with 13 pitchers.

[Kwak]

Who'd a thunk the Twins machine would have sand thrown in the gears by the awesome Orioles' staff?  Unlucky.  But as many have stated it's only two games--there's plenty of time to get on track.

[stringer bell]

I expect that all the bench players will get some starts with this roster, with the possible exception of Nuñez who is more of a known commodity as a bench player than the other three guys. Ryan is the backup catcher, he'll get more starts than Fryer/Herrmann, but unless there's a discernible difference between him and Zuke, Suzuki will get more starts. Santana will start at least one game before the Twins get home and I think Arcia might get a shot if Park keeps striking out.

 

Arcia might be a good choice to PH if they need a long ball, but not against Britton.  BTW, Suzuki had a good spring, too. I just don't think Spring Training numbers matter that much.

[DaveW]

 

I expect that all the bench players will get some starts with this roster, with the possible exception of Nuñez who is more of a known commodity as a bench player than the other three guys. Ryan is the backup catcher, he'll get more starts than Fryer/Herrmann, but unless there's a discernible difference between him and Zuke, Suzuki will get more starts. Santana will start at least one game before the Twins get home and I think Arcia might get a shot if Park keeps striking out.

 

Arcia might be a good choice to PH if they need a long ball, but not against Britton.

If there isn't a discernible difference between Murphy and Suzuki then our catcher position is in even worse than I thought.

Suzuki is a .600 OPS guy at this stage of his career, and he can't throw out ANYONE at this stage, I mean for the love of Rocketpig, Trumbo stole a base on him!

[USAFChief]

I expect that all the bench players will get some starts with this roster, with the possible exception of Nuñez who is more of a known commodity as a bench player than the other three guys. Ryan is the backup catcher, he'll get more starts than Fryer/Herrmann, but unless there's a discernible difference between him and Zuke, Suzuki will get more starts. Santana will start at least one game before the Twins get home and I think Arcia might get a shot if Park keeps striking out.

 

Arcia might be a good choice to PH if they need a long ball, but not against Britton.  BTW, Suzuki had a good spring, too. I just don't think Spring Training numbers matter that much.

I still pinch hit for Suzuki.

[twinsnorth49]

Still got a shot to beat that 1-5 start after the first 2 series last season.  They'll turn it around.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I still pinch hit for Suzuki.

Don't you need to be on the roster to do that?

 

But yeah, you'd tattoo it!

 

Sorry again i miss out on all the excitement. One of these days, i'll be the one to spot the brown creeper. Do they come in other colors too?

[David HK]

 

 and the next thing you know, he's a Nishi-riffic utility infielder again.

Wow, I gotta give you total props for inventing that term!

 

[Platoon]

At some point when you haven't made the playoffs in several years, perhaps you should be open to change in approach in some aspects?

I mean, Suzuki is the worst hitter in the lineup, if you aren't going to PH him in that situation, why even have 4 guys on the bench? Might as well just go with 13 pitchers.

It was the basis of my comment. The Twins are generally slow on the take, and pretty institulionalized. They finally went to power bats, having missed the steroid era by only 10 years. They were very late to defensive shifts, metrics are only used when they play Toronto, and have talked about power arms for what? 5 years, and STILL have not installed one in the staff. May could end up one, but is still not a high 90's guy. It's a very slow process, and I cannot see anyway it changes.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Watching the game now.

 

I don't care what anyone says, that Sano dive was a thing of hilarious beauty.

[sane16]

Los-ah, Los-ah I'm no booze-ah!

[Mike Sixel]

 

BREAKING: As I walked to the restroom, what do I see in the gym? Well, my friends, it appears to be a yoga class with a group of 10+ young professional aged women. I may be reaching here, but this class may be ending in the next 10 minutes. If they walk by the pool, we may be cooking with fire!

 

There are many good reasons to take up yoga.

[Vanimal46]

 

There are many good reasons to take up yoga.

I could think of 10+ reasons last night....