Game Thread, Twins vs. Rays, Tuesday 3/28/2017 AD 12:05 CDT

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Sorry if i hog the spot light, but 20 minutes to first pitch, i figure if someone else was doing it, they'd a done it? Anyhow...

 

Spring cleaning.

 

1. I might get distracted from the game. I decided today was a good day to do some tidying up, where the term tidying, as usual, might be an understatement.

 

2. Twins seem to be on the same page. Joe Mauer is cleaning up today. Not sure which is more common, this observation or the last.

 

3. Monty Python made 3 movies. And the number of movies shall be 3. I personally like the Crimson Permanent Assurance.

 

4. The other team. Are they any good? I hope they prove a worthy challenge, so as we improve by playing them. So no knocks on them.

 

5. Who's there? Us vicarious folk sure do appreciate the value added experience available thorugh your first hand postings, but obviously don't let us deter ya from taking it all in. Plenty of time after the fact to tell us about.

 

Rays

Chris Archer ( R)

 

1. Mallex Smith (L) LF

2. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF

3. Derek Norris ( R) C

4. Brad Miller (L) 2B

5. Logan Morrison (L) 1B

6. Rickie Weeks Jr. ( R) DH

7. Daniel Robertson ( R) SS

8. Shane Peterson (L) RF

9. Kevin Padlo (R ) 3B

 

Twins

Nick Tepesch (R )

 

1. Brian Dozier ( R) 2B

2. Max Kepler (L) RF

3. Byron Buxton ( R) CF

4. Joe Mauer (L) 1B

5. Miguel Sano ( R) 3B

6. Eddie Rosario (L) LF

7. ByungHo Park ( R) DH

8. Jorge Polanco (S) SS

9. John Ryan Murphy (R ) C

 

Gametime Forecast: 84°F • Clear • 0% PoP

[bluechipper]

Looks like Byron Buxton is getting comfortable hitting in that #3 spot.

[Mike Sixel]

Sure looks like the everyday lineup vs LHP.....or on a day Castro needs a break. 

 

Does Tepesch have a shot at this roster? It's hard for me to understand why he'd still be pitching in parts of games that matter. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Looks like Byron Buxton is getting comfortable hitting in that #3 spot.

I can't complain about a double.

 

Too bad Mauer didn't get him home.

 

But i suppose bases are technicly clear following the third out.

[70charger]

Great hitting lineup; I'm just not that interested in watching this pitcher. Maybe some interesting bullpen options will show up in a bit.

[USAFChief]

At the game...freaking hot.

 

Archer throws hard...Tepesch not so much.

 

Buxton turned a routine line drive single to left into a stand up double.

[70charger]

Good rip by Mauer there. I'd like to see a lot more of that this season.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

 

Buxton turned a routine line drive single to left into a stand up double.

Thanks. Had wondered what kind of double it was. Then i also considered the old adage about third base/out, and was satisfied with 2.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

After 5, we have scored 5 times as many runs as them. And yet we are not leading...

[Respy]

 

Great hitting lineup; I'm just not that interested in watching this pitcher. Maybe some interesting bullpen options will show up in a bit.

 

Haley.  Thriller.  At least they're throwing zeroes on the board.

[Mike Sixel]

 

After 5, we have scored 5 times as many runs as them. And yet we are not leading...

 

I think I got this.....we have, um, infinity? 

[70charger]

You know, both Sano and Polanco have looked pretty good on the more difficult side of the infield, at least to my admittedly-non-expert eyes. I'm willing to listen to the stats if they prove that it isn't working, but I'm also willing to give that infield configuration a fair shot.

[TwinsCD]

First time I've been able to check in on this team in a week or so and it's nice to see they're in midseason form already -- not being able to score.  Dick said that they've scored something like 5 runs in their last 5 games?  Real encouraging.

[Halsey Hall]

Grossman started in left and is batting 2nd every inning for Rochester down below, and facing a guy we never should of traded, Hu.  Flew out to warning track 1st time up and nubbed one down the 1st base line the next time which was called fair. 

[TwinsCD]

All that money spent paying off!  Park parks it!!

[gocgo]

Park!  1-0.  

[70charger]

Park goes oppo. Twins on the board! Woo!

[HitInAPinch]

I like this lineup configuration.  Almost looks like something a sabermetric type guy would create. 

[Respy]

MLB re-did its website layout.  Brain is broken.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

Sure looks like the everyday lineup vs LHP.....or on a day Castro needs a break.  

If Mauer is batting clean-up against LH pitchers Molitor should be fired by tax day.

[Squirrel]

Sure looks like the everyday lineup vs LHP.....or on a day Castro needs a break. 

 

Does Tepesch have a shot at this roster? It's hard for me to understand why he was ever pitching in parts of games that matter.

 

Ftfy.

[Squirrel]

He was safe in that bunt.

[zenser]

 

MLB re-did its website layout.  Brain is broken.

I noticed that too this morning.  Not a fan of it!

[Mike Sixel]

 

If Mauer is batting clean-up against LH pitchers Molitor should be fired by tax day.

 

good point, can I say RH, on a day Castro needs a rest instead?

[TwinsCD]

Watching these last 2 Buxton ABs (both Ks) and it looks like he hasn't changed at all from last year -- still swinging at bad balls and incredibly easy to get on off-speed stuff.  I wouldn't throw him or Sano a fastball ever.

[70charger]

Something about chicken?

[USAFChief]

WINNAH!!

 

I expect to type that 87 times this season.

 

You heard it here first.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I noticed that too this morning. Not a fan of it!

Rereading a favorite book, and this seemed strangely apt...

 

"All new things are sorrow. Sit in my place, and eat sorrow."

 

Meh, i too could be better at adapting. I imagine gameday won't let me use the classic view any more?

[Danchat]

With his 5th HR of Spring Training, I think Park has unquestionably won the DH job back. Hopefully he can carry this success into the regular season.

[Blake]

The Twins won a 1-0 game? Spring Training or not, that surprises me.