Game Thread: Twins vs. Braves, 7/27 @ 7:10pm CT

[AlwaysinModeration]

Game Thread: Braves (34-66) @ Twins (37-62)

 

Wednesday, July 27, 7:10 CT

 

Probable Starters: Tyler Duffey (5-7, 5.71 ERA) vs Mike Foltynewicz (3-4, 3.79 ERA)

 

First 10,000 fans get a 1991 World Championship Stein.  First 10.000 posters on this game thread get a....like?

 

Today’s game is Game #100 of the 2016 season for the Minnesota Baseball Club.  The Twins have won 37.4% of their games this season, and after tonight, will have just 62 games left.  A recent run of success means that the Twins only have to go a mere 26-37 down the stretch (41%) to avoid losing 100 games this year.  Which brings me to the first of my five questions for today:

 

1. At this point in a lost season, should Twins fans root for losses? 

There was a lengthy discussion thread on “tanking” recently…not a new discussion, as it has been brought up every year since at least 2012.  Some posters are indignant about the notion of rooting against the hometown nine.  Others are pragmatic about it, viewing it as a reasonable approach for the short-term in order to make it possible to win in the long-term.  My personal view is a little combination of both.  I not going to root for the team to lose, and I want players trying their hardest not to do so.  (They just aren’t as good as the other team, for the most part.) But when the losses occur, I don’t totally mind…knowing that’s another loss towards a stronger draft and international signing.  For example, I wanted Brandon Kintzler to pull a rabbit out of the hat the other night, clinging to a one-run lead, loading the bases with no outs.  Gibson had pitched well and deserved the win.  It was quite the Houdini act to preserve the win.  But if he had, say, given up a couple of medium deep fly balls and they lost, it wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world. 

 

Both approaches are fine, imho.  Both are rooting for the Twins...some rooting for them to win this year, some rooting for them to win in later year.

 

Losing today’s game to the Braves, the only team in the league with a worse record than the Twins this year…again, wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen.  However, my undefeated streak of gamethreads  (1-0) is on the line, too.

 

2. Did Jack Goin make another recent stealth appearance on the TD discussion boards? 

Yes, yes he did.  He dropped into the “Fangraphs on the Twins” thread not once, but several times, defending the analytic department’s honor, commenting on the size of other teams’ departments, falling on his sword for the Nolasco signing (making a good case for it, too), and other insightful comments.  Kudos to Jack for stopping in on TD, as he has done before. The dry "some of those might not have helped" was particularly nicely done.

 

3. Does the hiring of an outside firm bode well for the Twins GM search, or does it matter?

I think this move is an interesting departure from the regular Twins Way.  When Ryan left before, no search firm, and Bill Smith was promoted from within.  When Gardy was let go, Molitor was promoted from within.  I think this is a positive next step in addressing the “total system failure.”  I also think Rob Antony’s chances of removing the interim tag have dropped considerably with this move.

 

4. What will the Twins roster look like on August 2? 

That is a good question, which we are all interested to find out the answer to.   If I were to guess, I am going to guess a high number of moves, compared to the Ryan era.  I will guess that Nunez, Suzuki, Abad and Milone are not Twins after the deadline.  Indications are strong that Santana will stay.   Dozier getting moved would be a real longshot.  Plouffe I just don’t see, given the injury and Sano’s defensive struggles at third.  Kintzler might go instead of Abad, but either would net minimal return, I imagine.  Hopefully there are some decent returns.  Antony has said pitching is a priority.  For me, getting a catching prospect back is the biggest priority.  I’ll keep banging the drum for the Twins to target the Dodger’s AAA catcher, who is blocked in the majors and who has raked in the minors, but not much in brief stints with the big league team.  But really, any long-term solution at the catcher position would be fine with me.  It cannot be overstated what a yuuuuge advantage the Twins had on the league  for years by having such an outstanding hitter playing catcher.  (Remember those three batting titles?)  The Twins’ fortunes have declined in tandem with Mauer’s post-concussion production.

 

5. With the political conventions in full swing last week and this week, a random thought occurred to me.…are there any Muslims in baseball?

A quick google search seems to indicate that the answer is no.  There was a player named Sam Khalifa back in the 1980s, but none since then.  It’s sort of surprising.  Even the "Million Dollar Arm"  gambit made by the Pirates in recruiting cricket players…apparently didn’t result in any cricket players. Makes you wonder if there are any scouts in the Middle East, or Northern Africa?  Could Muslims be the next untapped moneyball area to explore?

 

Go Twins! Go game threaders!  We can surpass 100 posts for this thread, surely....

 

Lineups TBD

 

[USAFChief]

Nice job.

 

But don't call us Shirley.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I forgot to put the date on the gamethread title.  Can you do that, Chief?

[Halsey Hall]

Can Santana pitch again tonight? you know, just to up his trade value?

[Dr. Evil]

Did you hear Gladden in the post game last night talking about Mauer's approach at the plate in his last at bat? Apparently Mauer started the at bat threatening a bunt and then took several pitches. Gladden said, ya know it's a 2 run ball game and you got 30 rbi's almost 100 games in to the season...how about a less passive approach at the plate.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Lineups:

 

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

 

P Mike Foltynewicz, RHP (say that one three times quick)

 

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

 

P Tyler Duffey, RHP

 

LIneup comments...Kepler with a night off against a RHP?  Buxton out of the lineup with a four-game hitting streak going?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Did you hear Gladden in the post game last night talking about Mauer's approach at the plate in his last at bat? Apparently Mauer started the at bat threatening a bunt and then took several pitches. Gladden said, ya know it's a 2 run ball game and you got 30 rbi's almost 100 games in to the season...how about a less passive approach at the plate.

 

Mauer is almost in the self parody camp sometimes now.....how could he show bunt there?

[wsnydes]

Great to see Dan San get his ABs tonight and see Buxton sitting again after a decent night at the plate...

 

Note heavy use of extreme sarcasm.

 

How's a guy supposed to build on anything and get in a groove if he sits the next day everytime he has a decent day at the plate?!?!?!?! Four game hit streak? You must be exhausted, time for a rest.

 

We wouldn't want the guy to gain too much confidence too quickly...

[wavedog]

Hey, let's score some runs tonight!    Nice opening thread AM!   Some random responses - Who needs to tank when you can lose on your own merit.  Can't root for the Twins to lose - goes against my nature but improving or solidifying their draft position it is a nice consolation when they do.    Hiring an Outside search firm is a positive in my opinion in that they will look at a wide range of options.   I have a feeling the Twins Roster on August 2nd will look almost identical to what it does now, hopefully I am wrong. Berrios should be called up at least.   

[Squirrel]

 

Nice job.

But don't call us Shirley.

No, not us ... just Chief.

[Squirrel]

 

I forgot to put the date on the gamethread title.  Can you do that, Chief?

I got it. It's during Chief's naptime.

[Danchat]

Let's hope the Twins don't get swept by the worst team in baseball. As I said yesterday, I'll be cheering the Twins on from left field. So if you see a home run hit in that direction, look for me. I'll be the one with glasses, Twins hat/blonde hair, and probably wearing a glove.

[Vanimal46]

 

I got it. It's during Chief's naptime.

I thought he played bingo in the afternoon?

[Vanimal46]

Hey Buxton has a 4 game hitting streak! Certainly he's going to be in the lineup today... 

*reads the name D Santana in CF*

http://reactiongif.org/wp-content/uploads/GIF/2014/08/GIF-bothered-disturbed-facepalm-frustrated-Louie-CK-upset-GIF.gif

[jimmer]

 

Let's hope the Twins don't get swept by the worst team in baseball. As I said yesterday, I'll be cheering the Twins on from left field. So if you see a home run hit in that direction, look for me. I'll be the one with glasses, Twins hat/blonde hair, and probably wearing a glove.

Again, not sure the Braves are the worst team in baseball, based on the divisions we play in, we could very well be.

[Danchat]

Just saw this on MLB Trade Rumors.

 

 

The Braves have traded right-hander Lucas Harrell, according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports that the Rangers will acquire Harrell, though further details on the swap remain unclear just yet. Left-hander Dario Alvarez is also headed to Texas in the deal, according to O’Brien and Bowman. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that second base prospect Travis Demeritte will head to the Braves in the swap.

 

The guy who just shut us out just got traded to the Rangers. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Hey Buxton has a 4 game hitting streak! Certainly he's going to be in the lineup today... 

*reads the name D Santana in CF*

http://reactiongif.org/wp-content/uploads/GIF/2014/08/GIF-bothered-disturbed-facepalm-frustrated-Louie-CK-upset-GIF.gif

 

Rosario in CF....but ya....

[Mike Sixel]

 

Just saw this on MLB Trade Rumors.

 

 

The guy who just shut us out just got traded to the Rangers. 

 

Gonna make it hard to send any Twin pitcher there.....

[Danchat]

 

Gonna make it hard to send any Twin pitcher there.....

Yeah, I don't think they're going to trade for Santana. Plus I don't think the Twins even want to trade him, so...

[Vanimal46]

 

Rosario in CF....but ya....

My bad. My blood starts to boil any time I read the name D Santana in the lineup no matter where he's playing. 

[jimmer]

Is Kepler hurt?  I ask cause his OPS is like 140 points higher against righties and the Braves pitcher, a righty, clearly does worse against lefties.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Again, not sure the Braves are the worst team in baseball, based on the divisions we play in, we could very well be.

The Braves got on a nice hot streak before the All Star Game.

 

Speaking of the Braves, what would it take to get Teheran?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Just saw this on MLB Trade Rumors.

 

 

The guy who just shut us out just got traded to the Rangers. 

I can see it now. Rangers scout in Target Field last night, scouting Ervin Santana. Called Atlanta about Lucas Harrell instead. 

 

...and they all lived happily ever after (except for the Twins fans)

[jimmer]

 

The Braves got on a nice hot streak before the All Star Game.

Speaking of the Braves, what would it take to get Teheran?

more than we would ever give up.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

The Braves got on a nice hot streak before the All Star Game.

Speaking of the Braves, what would it take to get Teheran?

Is even that allowed? For the Twins to trade for a prospect?

[jimmer]

 

Is even that allowed? For the Twins to trade for a prospect?

well, yeah, but not allowed to trade prospects for proven MLB players. :-)

 

Which is what a trade for Teheran would be.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

well, yeah, but not allowed to trade prospects for proven MLB players. :-)

 

Which is what a trade for Teheran would be.

Another rule I hate is that all the other teams can make trades whenever they want, but the Twins are only allowed to make trades on the day of the deadline. I hate that.

[Vanimal46]

 

I can see it now. Rangers scout in Target Field last night, scouting Ervin Santana. Called Atlanta about Lucas Harrell instead. 

 

...and they all lived happily ever after (except for the Twins fans)

Or maybe the Rangers called the Twins and Rob Antony let it go to voice mail.... 

EDIT: We've all screened calls, right? Perhaps Antony screened this call... 

*RA's phone buzzes*

RA: "Hmmm, Texas zip code. I don't know anyone from Texas! They left a voice mail too?" 

*Deletes voice mail before listening to it*

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Or maybe the Rangers called the Twins and Rob Antony let it go to voice mail.... 

EDIT: We've all screened calls, right? Perhaps Antony screened this call... 

*RA's phone buzzes*

RA: "Hmmm, Texas zip code. I don't know anyone from Texas! They left a voice mail too?" 

*Deletes voice mail before listening to it*

Rob Antony's voice mail greeting:

 

"Leave me an offer, if it blows me away I will call you back."

 

 

 

* everybody realizes we are just having fun, I hope

[John Kelsey]

Grossman and Santana should NEVER be in the outfield together. What the hell is Paul thinking here? Max is better against righties and Buxton is finally getting something going. 

 

I may also be upset because I'm going to the game tonight but come on man.