Game Thread: Twins vs. White Sox 7-30 @ 6:10 PM CT

[Twodogs]

 

A lot of the players have had a nice month at the plate.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=30&type=8&season=2016&month=7&season1=2016&ind=0&team=8&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=16,d

 

Look how well Kepler is doing this month...and he has a .209 BABIP this month.

 

Buxton has a wRC+ of only 75 even though he has a BABIP of .343

Wow, 8 homeruns in 100 PA's. That is pretty impressive for a 23 year old.

[jimmer]

 

Wow, 8 homeruns in 100 PA's. That is pretty impressive for a 23 year old.

Pretty impressive for anyone, really.  Now if only he had a strong, accurate throwing arm ;-)

[jimmer]

Lucroy is not in the lineup for today....

[Circus Boy]

 

I'm going to pretend the inflatable tube person is playing 3B today to prevent scratching my head from confusion all afternoon.

 

This is baseball. Scratching is for places that are, uh, lower.

[Danchat]

I'm not surprised Sano is out of the lineup because of that boneheaded decision to go home and get caught out by a mile.

 

But Santana at 3B? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

Anyways, I really enjoyed the OP. Using the used car lot as a metaphor for the trade deadline is genius...

[jud6312]

This lineup is an absolute joke. I really, really hope Pohlad is flexible with that whole "Molitor is our manager in 2017" bit because this is embarrassing.

 

What has Santana done to not only continue seeing the field, but be given yet another position to be below average at? So now he's crappy at 2B, SS, 3B, LF, CF, RF, base running and hitting? They might as well make him the emergency catcher at this point, because as long as Molly is running the joint this talentless hack is going to be around.

 

But then again, obviously, the best way to figure out what defensive position one of your better infield prospect will play in the future is to DH him.

[jimmer]

 

I'm not surprised Sano is out of the lineup because of that boneheaded decision to go home and get caught out by a mile.

 

 

That and the three Ks he had (six in his last two games.)

[jud6312]

I was just looking up good old DanSan on Baseball Reference. Two fun facts for today.

 

1) The Twins have a league leader in 2016 - DanSan's 8 CS are tops according to them.

 

2) DanSan has never played an inning at 3B above A+

 

I'm so glad there's UFC on tonight. Maybe I won't force myself to sit through this train wreck tonight.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Excellent thread intro Vanimal... 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Hey Van... just wanted to know if you had any classic Mauers floating around. I hear those vehicles are pretty expensive, but incredibly reliable.

[Winston Smith]

 

Hey Van... just wanted to know if you had any classic Mauers floating around. I hear those vehicles are pretty expensive, but incredibly reliable.

Reliable? I've heard they are prone to bi-lateral wheel/tire problems.

[Mike Sixel]

Great intro. Beautiful

[Mike Sixel]

Fire Molitor now. He has no idea how to build this team up. Santana at third? Really? I really want Molitor gone.

[USAFChief]

Reliable? I've heard they are prone to bi-lateral wheel/tire problems.

They also rarely get anyone else home.

[Platoon]

They also rarely get anyone else home.

Also a very poor dating car, you seldom get past first base.

[SwainZag]

I won't broach the Santana at 3B topic because I don't get it, but at least Polonco is in the lineup...even if it is at DH.  

[stringer bell]

We have the almost brand new '15 Polanco, which has been put to use down on the farm, but hasn't even been displayed most of the time on the lot. It isn't as high-octane as the Bull Dozier, but it is newer and even the salesmen want to see what she can do. However tonight, it won't pick or throw and we won't get a chance to see its range. Well half a loaf is better than none.

[dgwills]

 

I'm not surprised Sano is out of the lineup because of that boneheaded decision to go home and get caught out by a mile.

 

But Santana at 3B? That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

Anyways, I really enjoyed the OP. Using the used car lot as a metaphor for the trade deadline is genius...

I'd agree that Sano has earned a day off. He's had some bad at bats lately to go with the bonehead base running move.

Maybe I'm giving Molitor too much credit (not my forte), but perhaps they want to see what the back up 3rd base options are on a team without Plouffe. Nunez is gone and there's not much else there. Assuming Polanco doesn't have the arm for 3rd or short. If Santana is on this team in 2017 backing up 3rd and SS is probably going to be his role.

[Platoon]

I imagine Sano is sitting this one out for intentionally ignoring thr sign. Leaves little choice. I imagine DanSan could have DH'ed?

[stringer bell]

I would rather have seen the compact Centeno tonight, with the sturdy and durable Suzuki tomorrow, but it looks like the reverse will be true.

 

I guess who catches who is more important that offensive splits.

[stringer bell]

Versus RH Pitching:

 

Centeno .278 BA, .780 OPS.

Suzuki .277 BA, .734 OPS

 

 

Versus LH Pitching:

 

Centeno .233 BA .525 OPS

Zuke .311 BA .838 OPS

 

Assuming Suzuki starts one day and Centeno the other, doesn't it make sense to maximize the platoon splits. Idunno, maybe Milone likes pitching to Zuke or perhaps Santana likes working with Centeno

[twinssporto]

This is great!  The game hasn't even started yet!

[Monkeypaws]

Don't know if any of you are into disc golf, but there is a major tournament in Minnesota today, the Majestic.

 

Oddly enough, the man currently occupying last place, at +24, is Thomas Malone. Close enough for me, although I'm a fan of Tommy Milone.

[Platoon]

Don't know if any of you are into disc golf, but there is a major tournament in Minnesota today, the Majestic.

 

Oddly enough, the man currently occupying last place, at +24, is Thomas Malone. Close enough for me, although I'm a fan of Tommy Milone.

Thomas Malone probably throws harder?

[King]

Lets go Jorge!

[stringer bell]

Through 2 innings, a lot of balls hit in the air, mostly cans of corn. In the second, six fly ball outs, one putout for each of the outfielders on both teams.

[Monkeypaws]

Just realized Milone in number 33 - never noticed before.

[SwainZag]

Nice play by EE there

[spinowner]

Wheels!

[SwainZag]

Speed kills?