Game Thread: Twins v Braves, 7/26 @ 7:10 CT

[Danchat]

Game Thread: Braves @ Twins, 7/26 @ 7:10 CT

Probable Starters: Lucas Harrell (1-2, 4.24 ERA) vs Ervin Santana (3-8, 3.93 ERA)

 

1: Ervin Santana and the Trade Deadline
The trade deadline is in just 6 days (it’s August 1st this year) and there’s a chance that this could be Santana’s last start with the Twins. I don’t think they’re going to trade him within the next 5 days, and I’m also skeptical if the Twins would be willing to let him go. He’s been their best starting pitcher this year – with a solid 3.93 ERA & 4.02 FIP. So unless another team wows them, it’s likely the Twins will hold onto Santana and let him start next season.
Meanwhile, Santana pitches against his former team today. He’s got a 2.03 ERA in his last 6 starts, and hopefully he shouldn’t have too much trouble against a listless Braves lineup.

 

2: The Braves and the Worst Teams of All Time
Let’s stack up the Braves current record against some of the worst teams of the modern era.
2016 Braves 33-66 (.333)
2003 Tigers 43-119 (.265)
1962 Mets 40-120 (.250)

 

So the Braves aren’t likely going to be one of the worst of all time (there’s a good 30 more teams between them and the Mets), but they’re on pace to be one of the worst since the 60s.
Thankfully for the Twins, they have a 4.5 game lead on the Braves, so no matter what happens here, the Braves can’t pass us.

 

3: Lineup Analysis

 

Braves
Lucas Harrell ®

1. Jace Peterson (L) LF
2. Gordon Beckham ® 2B
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Nick Markakis (L) DH
5. Adonis Garcia ® 3B
6. Ender Inciarte (L) CF
7. Jeff Francoeur ® RF
8. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
9. Erick Aybar (S) SS

 

Twins
Ervin Santana ®

 

1. Eduardo Nunez ® SS
2. Joe Mauer (L) 1B
3. Miguel Sano ® 3B
4. Brian Dozier ® 2B
5. Max Kepler (L) RF
6. Kennys Vargas (S) DH
7. Eddie Rosario (L) LF
8. Kurt Suzuki ® C
9. Byron Buxton ® CF

 

I don't have a lot to add here... the Twins are at their optimal lineup right, in my opinion. Though it's been interesting to see Rosario and Grossman switching off in left. I wonder if Rosario will start taking the job back full time, or if a platoon is in play?

 

Also, we get to see AJ Pierzynski again! This might be the last series we ever get to see him play - he's getting old and his bat has faded, so it could be his last season.

 

4: Tomorrow’s Game
I will be in attendance at tomorrow’s game – actually, it’ll be my first Twins game of the year. My seats are in left field in the second row – so I’m hoping to catch a home run or at least have a few get hit near me. So you might just see me if there’s a ball hit into the left field bleachers.
Also, here’s one more completely random note. Tomorrow they’re giving out Twins 1991 Championship Beer Steins to the first 10,000 people there… but you have to be 21 or older. The thing is… I’m 20 and I turn 21 in a week. So no beer stein for me. 

 

OK, Twins, let’s beat the worst team in baseball! Let’s not be humiliated by probably the worst baseball team in the last decade…

[Winston Smith]

Yep having the worst record in the AL isn't nearly as bad as the worst record in both leagues. We are sooooo much better than them!

[HitInAPinch]

If Santana puts in a good start tonight, I'm thinking the Rangers might bite.  I also wouldn't worry too much about passing him [ or anyone else ] through waivers.

[jimmer]

 

Yep having the worst record in the AL isn't nearly as bad as the worst record in both leagues. We are sooooo much better than them!

When you consider how often teams in division play each other, one has to look at the talent in each division and wonder which team is really worse :-)

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

I suddenly have the urge to watch one of my childhood treasures. Anybody else have this?

 

http://img0101.psstatic.com/159130102_vhs-tape-1991-world-series-minnesota-twins-atlanta-.jpg

[Halsey Hall]

I guess this series will tell us where we stand with the Braves, small sample size be damned.

[USAFChief]

I suddenly have the urge to watch one of my childhood treasures. Anybody else have this?

 

http://img0101.psstatic.com/159130102_vhs-tape-1991-world-series-minnesota-twins-atlanta-.jpg

Not only have it, I was at games 1 and 2, thanks to Mrs Chief.

 

I married up.

[USAFChief]

I could really use game thread vols for 3, 4, and 6 Aug.

 

You know what to do!

[Dozier's Glorious Hair]

Morris. Tapani. Erickson.

 

Remember when the Twins had starting pitching?

[HitInAPinch]

Anyone listening to the pregame show on FSN? 

 

If I heard correctly, Jack Morris said that he and Chili Davis came to the Twins with a plan:  Morris working with the pitchers and Davis working with the hitters.  Interesting.  If I heard correctly.

[HitInAPinch]

... and we're off  

[Aggies7]

I suddenly have the urge to watch one of my childhood treasures. Anybody else have this?

 

http://img0101.psstatic.com/159130102_vhs-tape-1991-world-series-minnesota-twins-atlanta-.jpg

I think I must have passed that video about 100 times in my numerous trips to blockbuster as a kid. My mom would never rent it for me!

[HitInAPinch]

Nunezzzzzzzzzz...........

[Aggies7]

I suddenly have the urge to watch one of my childhood treasures. Anybody else have this?

 

http://img0101.psstatic.com/159130102_vhs-tape-1991-world-series-minnesota-twins-atlanta-.jpg

PS: all those games can be found in their entirety on YouTube. Same with the 87 series and both ALCS

[sampleSizeOfOne]

One moment...

 

Finding gameday, and distracted by food...

[HitInAPinch]

Santana:  grrrrrrrr.....

[HitInAPinch]

.....and just like that,  inning over.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

We are down 1-0 already?

 

Not to worry. The Boston series has spoiled me.

[HitInAPinch]

Looks like Suzuki finally got that new shipment of Axe bats.

[Platoon]

Reusse today did not insinuate, he flat out said that Sano is currently only interested in hitting, wants to be a mega star, and does not consider defense a part of that goal. Currently they have had little luck changing that situation. Reusse also contends, and I tend to agree that Sano is the most impactful player they have had in ten years, since M&M. And that for this team to ever have success Sano needs to understand the importance of work, and defense.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Looks like Suzuki finally got that new shipment of Axe bats.

Good to hear.

 

Does he remember how to use them?

[HitInAPinch]

 

Good to hear.

Does he remember how to use them?

hacking away!  

[Aggies7]

If it's trade value you're looking for re: Santana...this isn't helping

[sampleSizeOfOne]

There is something familiar about their catcher...

[spinowner]

 

Not only have it, I was at games 1 and 2, thanks to Mrs Chief.

I married up.

My wife and I had our first date on June 23, 1990. We saw David West throw 6 hitless innings on the way to beating the Royals 5-1. Our wedding date: September 28, 1991. We missed the ALCS games on account of honeymooning on St. Thomas, USVI. We attended all 4 WS games. Can't have a much better start to a marriage than that. Oh, and I also married up. In my case it would have been difficult not to have done so, but it would also have been true for a much better man than I.

[HitInAPinch]

Foul ball calls are not reviewable?   Me no understand....

[sampleSizeOfOne]

hacking away!

Ah, to bring home the lumber.

 

I bet he will get another crack at that...

 

Hope his chin is doing okay.

[USAFChief]

I continue to believe we're going to learn at some point that Dozier is nursing an arm issue. Every throw is a rainbow of one degree or another.

[HitInAPinch]

Oh, Buxton passed on 2 sliders and 1 fastball away.   1 [inside] strike later, walks on another outside pitch.

 

Progress.....

[HitInAPinch]

Twins base runners do lot of silly stuff.  Why didn't Buxton just dive back in head first???