Game Thread: Twins @ Royals 4/9 7:15PM

[SwainZag]

We are back!  I know we are 4 games in, but it’s my 1st game thread, so welcome back everyone.  Welp…..not how we all wanted the season start, but here we are winless.  A day short of a year ago, the winless Twins sent Tommy Milone to the mound looking for win #1.  What they got was 7.2 shutout innings and an offense that “erupted” for 6 runs on the way to a win.  This year’s winless Twins will send the same Tommy Milone looking for win #1 and offensive breakout.  Sound familiar?

 

The 2016 Twins haven’t had it as rough as last year’s bunch though.  A year ago’s Twins were absolutely pounded in their 1st series of the season to the tune of 22-1 by the Tigers.  This year’s Twins have played in four tight games, dropping 2 one-run games and 2 two-run games.   While the pitching has been better giving up just less than 4 per  game, the offense has been…well…offensive.  It’s hard to win baseball games when your runs per game are: 2, 2, 2, and 3.

 

Outside of Escobar and Mauer the Twins bats have struggled mightily.  The rest of the offense outside of Joe and Esco have struck out 43 times in just 101 AB’s.  That’s 43% of the time.  Ugly.  Beyond Ugly. On the opposite spectrum the Twins don’t really like walks.  Sano, Mauer and Dozier have combined for 10 walks in 4 games.  The rest of the team?  4.  Yep.  Something has to give soon, will it be tonight?

 

There has been a lot of discussion about Coach Molitor’s late game decisions and a lot of blame placed on the bullpen.   I think looking at the numbers of 3 players can perfectly reflect on the Twins 0-4 start.  Our young trio of stars.  Sano, Buxton and Rosario.  The trio has combined to 6-40 with 23 K’s.   A line of .150 with 1 RBI.  They basically have the combined line of a National League starting pitcher and that’s 1/3 of the starting lineup. Ouch.  Once these three starting hitting the wins will follow, but it’s be a very rough start.

 

ON a positive note, we got to say a big Hello to our Korean slugger Byung-ho Park last night when he launched an estimated 441 foot HR into the wind at Kaufman Stadium last night.  It was the 2nd longest HR hit in the MLB this season.  It was majestic and there was no bat flip.

 

 

Tonight the Twins will face the defending World Series champions the Kansas City Royals who will throw Ian Kennedy tonight.  Kennedy is making his Royals debut after being signed to a 5-year $70M dollar contract this past off-season.  Last year with Padres Kennedy went 9-15 with an ERA of 4.32 while surrendering a career high 31 HR’s.  We can only hope this trend of giving up the long ball will continue when the Twins step in the batter’s box tonight.

 

--------------------
Lineups: TBA

 

TWINS

 

SP Tommy Milone

 

ROYALS

 

SP Ian Kennedy

[Brock Beauchamp]

Disclaimer: game threads are meant to be light and fun enjoyment of the game. If you're going to complain about every move made by Molitor, Ryan, or even TC the Bear, do not be surprised if a moderator asks you to tone it down and/or leave the thread if you keep it up.

 

We all make fun of the team and/or complain but if that's all you're going to do, reconsider why you're posting in the thread at all.

 

This is entirely at moderator discretion and consistency will be applied when and where we feel like it.

[USAFChief]

Nice job, SwainZag!

[Seth Stohs]

Dozier 2B

Santana CF

Mauer 1B 

Plouffe 3B

Arcia RF

Park DH

Escobar SS

Rosario LF

Suzuki C

 

Tommy Milone SP

[SwainZag]

 

Nice job, SwainZag!

 

Thanks Chief.  Hopefully I can be a good luck charm and help them to a W.  

 

Buxton and Sano out of the lineup.  Think Molly is sending an early message?

[Brock Beauchamp]

I FOUND WALDO

[jimmer]

 

  

 

Buxton and Sano out of the lineup.  Think Molly is sending an early message?

Our prized prospects are both out.  That's interesting.

[SwainZag]

 

Our prized prospects are both out.  That's interesting.

 

The combined 4-27 with with 16 K's is also interesting.

[bluechipper]

Going up against a very homer prone pitcher...Better get Sano out of the lineup.

 

Also going up against a very good contact hitting team...Better put our best defensive outfielder on the bench.

[Winston Smith]

Nice intro not sure what you said that deserved a warning.

[Mr. Brooks]

There were many who thought this lineup would be our biggest asset.

While that might very well be true at some point this season, I have to say that a lineup with possibly the worst hitter in all of baseball last year as it's every day number 2 hitter is not going to intimidate anyone.

[jimmer]

 

Nice intro not sure what you said that deserved a warning.

It's the same warning given in yesterday's thread.

[bluechipper]

 

There were many who thought this lineup would be our biggest asset.
While that might very well be true at some point this season, I have to say that a lineup with possibly the worst hitter in all of baseball last year as it's every day number 2 hitter is not going to intimidate anyone.

I still think it will be a very good lineup. One key, of course, is Brian Dozier having more ABs like he did yesterday, especially the taking more walks part.

[jimmer]

 

There were many who thought this lineup would be our biggest asset.
While that might very well be true at some point this season, I have to say that a lineup with possibly the worst hitter in all of baseball last year as it's every day number 2 hitter is not going to intimidate anyone.

This team has no leadoff guy and 3 regulars who should bat 9th (4 if Danny is playing).  We were last in OBP and 13th in OPS last year.  The idea that our offense would have been a bright point was, IMO, overly pushed.

[twinsfanstreif]

I think the game's at 6:15, not 7:15.

 

Why are we still trying Santana in the #2 spot? doesn't make sense to me

[jimmer]

 

I think the game's at 6:15, not 7:15.

 

Why are we still trying Santana in the #2 spot? doesn't make sense to me

Because, um, speed?  yeah, I got nothing valid.

[Danchat]

Does Molitor have a thing for Danny Santana? He gave Santana waaay too much rope at SS last season, and now he's our #2 hitter? I don't get this.

 

It's good to see Arcia in the lineup. It's been too long since he's last started for the Twins.

 

 

or even TC the Bear

 

Aha! We should have been directing our hate towards the real reason why the Twins have stunk so far! (starts a Anything > TC Bear thread)

[Old Twins Cap]

Lol, Pelfrey gets shelled by the Yanks in Detroit.   Learn to enjoy it boys.

[SwainZag]

I think the game's at 6:15, not 7:15.

 

Why are we still trying Santana in the #2 spot? doesn't make sense to me

 

 

Oops, I am Mountain time, so I converted to Eastern Time for some reason.

[bluechipper]

 

This team has no leadoff guy and 3 regulars who should bat 9th (4 if Danny is playing).  We were last in OBP and 13th in OPS last year.  The idea that our offense would have been a bright point was, IMO, overly pushed.

Every team, including the Jays, will have 2 or 3 guys who should probably bat 9th.

[jimmer]

 

Every team, including the Jays, will have 2 or 3 guys who should probably bat 9th.

Yeah, that's not true.  Last years, Jay had one regular with an OBP below .317.  Our regular 6th batter this season had an OBP under .290 last year.

[bluechipper]

 

Yeah, that's not true.  Last years, Jay had one regular with an OBP below .318.  Our regular 6th batter  this season had an OBP under .290 last year.

It could be argued that Pillar, Goins, and Saunders are all best suited in the 8 or 9 hole.

 

Rosario also had a 99 OPS+ with that obp last year too.

[SwainZag]

At this point, why not hit Joe 2nd and Escobar 3rd?  The team obviously doesn't have a leadoff hitter, but might as well stack the hot hitters together, at least IMO.  

[sampleSizeOfOne]

The combined 4-27 with with 16 K's is also interesting.

Purely coincidence then , that they are out?

 

But now they are pinch hitting options, eh? You never know when they could come to bat.

 

I like that. Like Molitor is keeping an ace up his sleave.

[jimmer]

 

It could be argued that Pillar, Goins, and Saunders are all best suited in the 8 or 9 hole.

 

Rosario also had a 99 OPS+ with that obp last year too.

That could be argued, but now you've said 8th hole. Goins was the only starter on last year's team who OPS in the .600s last year.

 

Yeah say 99 OPS+ like it's a good thing for a corner OF.  His wRC+ was 20th and he had a well above average BABIP that helped drive that.  He has no plate discipline at all.  

 

[USAFChief]

Won't make much, if any of tonight's thread.

 

I know you are all HUGE fans of my, uh, "jokes."

 

So as not to let you down...What would you call Batman skipping Church?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Every team, including the Jays, will have 2 or 3 guys who should probably bat 9th.

Also called a bench?

 

Would that everyone could get playing time...

 

Anyway, looking forward to seeing how Mr. Arcia does in his first chance to play.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Won't make much, if any of tonight's thread.

 

I know you are all HUGE fans of my, uh, "jokes."

 

So as not to let you down...What would you call Batman skipping Church?

Sounds like a toughy...

 

An es-caped crusador?

[bluechipper]

 

Also called a bench?

Would that everyone could get playing time...

Anyway, looking forward to seeing how Mr. Arcia does in his first chance to play.

I meant regular starters who would ideally bat 9th.

[bluechipper]

 

That could be argued, but now you've said 8th hole. Goins was the only starter on last year's team who OPS in the .600s last year.

 

Yeah say 99 OPS+ like it's a good thing for a corner OF.  His wRC+ was 20th and he had a well above average BABIP that helped drive that.  He has no plate discipline at all.  

Michael Saunders' career OPS is .683, and he's started every game so far in a corner outfield spot for the best offense in baseball.