Game Thread: Angels vs Twins, 4/17 @ 1:10 CT

[Mr. Brooks]

You have very high expectations for Sano.

Unless what he did in the minors and last year was some kind of fluke, I don't know who could even compare behind Killabrew, of course, assuming no career altering injury.

I guess the only possible guy would be Morneau, who was a great hitter, but I don't think he had near the pure power that Sano has.

[Squirrel]

 

Just a reminder, we won today and swept the Angels.

I guess it can't be said enough ...

 

http://blog.dormify.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/allisoncase_p090218_02v.jpg

[D. Hocking]

 

Just a reminder, we won today and swept the Angels.

 

As expected.

[Squirrel]

 

As expected.

Well, I expected it ... because I knew.

[Brock Beauchamp]

3 game winning streak and next up, the Brewers for four games.

 

Maybe this season isn't sunk in mid-April.

[Mr. Brooks]

How many times has Sano been pulled out where it's almost 100 percent chance he would come up again?

At least twice already this year he has.

[Mr. Brooks]

Brooks, your celebrating needs work.

Sorry, I don't get too high after a win or too low after a loss, baseball has too many games for that.

I'm more concerned with development right now.

Speaking of which, shouldn't Kepler be getting at bats somewhere, anywhere right now? What are they doing with him? Makes zero sense.

[Squirrel]

 

At least twice already this year he has.

What I don't get is, at the time Buxton pinch ran for him in the 8th, how was it, at the moment, 100% sure Sano would have come up to bat again? As it happened, going into extra innings, yes ... but you don't know that at the time this substitution was made. And the substitution was made at that time hoping to win it.

[ashbury]

Do you use GrubHub ever? The text updates they send reference the crystal ball.

I rely on the analog version.

 

http://www.achildskingdom.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/full/8ball55e893dbb15d1.200x200.2667b.jpg

[Foghorn Leghorn]

 

Sorry, I don't get too high after a win or too low after a loss, baseball has too many games for that.
I'm more concerned with development right now.
Speaking of which, shouldn't Kepler be getting at bats somewhere, anywhere right now? What are they doing with him? Makes zero sense.

I am with you about being critical to the staff, but after a win you gotta soak it in a little at least.

[Squirrel]

 

I rely on the analog version.

 

http://www.achildskingdom.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/full/8ball55e893dbb15d1.200x200.2667b.jpg

Reply hazy, try again.

[Brock Beauchamp]

What I don't get is, at the time Buxton pinch ran for him in the 8th, how was it, at the moment, 100% sure Sano would have come up to bat again? As it happened, going into extra innings, yes ... but you don't know that at the time this substitution was made. And the substitution was made at that time hoping to win it.

It'd be nice to see Kepler get some playing time but it's also nice to see Arcia start mashing.

 

I suspect Rosario's leash is tightening so there's a good chance we see more Kepler in the near future.

[SwainZag]

Is there any update on Plouffe?

[Mr. Brooks]

What I don't get is, at the time Buxton pinch ran for him in the 8th, how was it, at the moment, 100% sure Sano would have come up to bat again? As it happened, going into extra innings, yes ... but you don't know that at the time this substitution was made. And the substitution was made at that time hoping to win it.

I didn't say 100 percent, I said near 100 percent.

His spot came up in the 9th inning, and that's even after a double play in the 8th, nevermind that it was likely to go into extra innings the moment Sano hit that single in the 8th.

 

My point was that is different than pulling a guy for a defensive replacement with a 2 or 3 run lead going into the 9th, at that point it likely won't matter.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Is there any update on Plouffe?

First name Trevor, bats right handed, plays third base. 29 years old.

[jimmer]

 

First name Trevor, bats right handed, plays third base. 29 years old.

Sometimes he plays CF for the Angels....

[Pardon My Dinger]

Scrappy young group starts our 0-9, wins World Series. The 30 for 30 is going to positively shred.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sometimes he plays CF for the Angels....

Hah, right. That was weird.

[70charger]

Is there any update on Plouffe?

Per ESPN, a strained intercostal. Day to day.

[Craig Arko]

Is there any update on Plouffe?

Strained intercostal. Day to day.

 

Ninja turtled.

[Squirrel]

 

Ninja turtled.

Yeah, that cost you a super delegate.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

It'd be nice to see Kepler get some playing time but it's also nice to see Arcia start mashing.

I suspect Rosario's leash is tightening so there's a good chance we see more Kepler in the near future.

Kepler is going back to Rochester. Arcia's insurgence is a death knell for Buxton or Rosario. I hope it is not true, but I have made my peace with that scenario.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Feels important to note: Twins haven't lost since I saw that video of Bonnes doing the Snoopy dance at the Turf.

[mnfireman]

2015:

Alex Gordon removed for PR 8 times

Jose Bautista removed for PR 15 times

David Ortiz removed for PR or DEF 33 times

Albert Pujols removed for PR or DEF 20 times

 

These are just a few sluggers I decided to look up, so what is being done with Sano is not as uncommon as TD posters think.

[spinowner]

 

3 game winning streak and next up, the Brewers for four games.

Maybe this season isn't sunk in mid-April.

7-9, here we come!

[jimmer]

 

2015:

Alex Gordon removed for PR 8 times

Jose Bautista removed for PR 15 times

David Ortiz removed for PR or DEF 33 times

Albert Pujols removed for PR or DEF 20 times

 

These are just a few sluggers I decided to look up, so what is being done with Sano is not as uncommon as TD posters think.

I don't think anywhere near the majority of TD posters think that, but good info.

[Platoon]

It's not just the inning you pull someone, it's the outs, the score, who's up next? Power? Contact? Do you need a steal? Is he better in the field? And for the record, the odds on Sano, especially right now in his hitting doldrums, of butchering a ball in right, and getting a big hit, might be even, at best!

[USAFChief]

Yeah, for me, in general, I leave Sano in the game.

 

But each situation is unique, and one-size--fits-all is rarely good strategy.

 

I think today it can be defended.

[Mr. Brooks]

2015:

Alex Gordon removed for PR 8 times

Jose Bautista removed for PR 15 times

David Ortiz removed for PR or DEF 33 times

Albert Pujols removed for PR or DEF 20 times

 

These are just a few sluggers I decided to look up, so what is being done with Sano is not as uncommon as TD posters think.

None of those numbers tell me how many of those times the players spot in the lineup came back up with the game on the line.

I've already said I don't care of Sano is pulled for a defensive replacement going into a save situation, the game is all but over 90 plus percent of the time with all but the worst closer in that situation.

[Halsey Hall]

Took awhile to read all these posts, but I'll say this, watching the game I thought Mollie made all the right moves. And all moves worked out. Great job by the pen, great recovery by Gibson, and the guys hung it there and pulled it out. What's really encouraging is guys going with the pitch once in awhile.