Game Thread: Twins @ Astros, 7/16 @ 1:10 CT

[Danchat]

Game Thread: Twins @ Astros, 7/16 @ 1:10 CT

 

Probable Starters: Kyle Gibson (5-7, 6.31 ERA) vs Mike Fiers (5-4, 3.84 ERA)

 

-5 Thoughts-

 

1. An Interesting Flashblack
I had a game thread with the Astros in August last year and I wrote this:
“As I’ve been casually observing the Astros this season, I must say that they’ve had an odd year. They swept the American League by storm and nearly took the AL West. It seemed this team that had been in a complete rebuild was on the way up. But then they began 2016 tripping up and falling on their faces – though they were outdone by the Twins’ early failures. Similarly to the Twins, they had a torrid June and July, and Houston was back in range of making the playoffs. However, they’ve lost the last 9 of 11 games and they’re tumbling out of control. Most of their bats have gone cold with many starters failing to hit over .220. Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel hasn’t been himself, and the other starters are average to mediocre.
They’re in an odd position. They should be only getting better, but it’s not happening this season. Who knows where they might end up next year…”

 

Well, the Astros ended up in a pretty nice position. All of their batters have turned into MVPs and their pitching staff has improved, even if their ace is hurt. It’s no given the Astros stay World Series caliber, as we’ve seen many teams over the years fade in August and into September. I’m interested to see where this franchise is headed.

 

2. Lineups
(insert here when they’re available)

 

3. MN/HOU Bullpen Examination
I noticed something interesting when I was recording info for the Strat-O-Matic game. Have a look:

 

Relievers Strikeouts per 9 innings
Houston
James Hoyt 14.5
Chris Devenski 12.5
Michael Feliz 12.3
Luke Gregerson 11.1
Ken Giles 10.5
Will Harris 10.1

 

Minnesota
Ryan Pressly 10.0
Tyler Duffey 8.8
Matt Belisle 6.9
Taylor Rogers 6.7
Phil Hughes 5.6
Craig Breslow 5.6
Brandon Kintzler 5.5

 

Wow, look at those Houston numbers! I find it interesting that our best relievers, Rogers and Kintzler, have had a hard time striking out guys. Meanwhile the Astros bullpen is out of this world in the strikeout department. I think it would behoove the Twins to cut some of the chaff (Belisle and Breslow) and search for guys who can get some more Ks. However, strikeouts aren’t everything as Houston’s best guy in that category, Hoyt, isn’t doing so great and ours, Pressly, has been a dumpster fire on a stick (to put it nicely).

 

4. Strat-O-Matic Baseball Explanation

During today’s baseball game, I will be simulating the same game using the Strat-O-Matic Baseball Board Game! You can’t purchase this year’s set of players until the year is over and they’ve been made, but that won’t stop me. Years ago I developed a way to play the game without the need of buying more sets of cards. All I need are the players’ current stats and I can simulate the game with maintained accuracy. Using Baseball Reference, I’ve compiled all of the players’ stats in order to make the simulation as realistic as possible.

During today’s thread, I will be reporting what happens in the board game. After each inning’s over, I’ll tell you guys what has happened. Let’s see if the Twins can win

 

5. I am out of ideas and time… so…
Thanks for reading! Let’s win Twins!

 

Alright Twins, time to win a series against the best team in the American league!

[big dog]

Hmmm...Houston after a loss...Kyle Gibson...

 

Bet the over.

 

Bank it.

[Joe A. Preusser]

I must be insane, but I actually think Gibby will do OK today. Not great, but OK.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Hmmm...Houston after a loss...Kyle Gibson...

 

Bet the over.

 

Bank it.

Are you referring to the baseball game? Or the Strat-O-Matic one?

 

I wonder if Strat-O-Matic has unwritten rules...

[Blake]

 

I must be insane, but I actually think Gibby will do OK today. Not great, but OK.

Seems like an open ended comment. Okay for whom? The Twins? Astros?

[USAFChief]

Great job, Danchat!

[Mike Sixel]

Great intro

[Danchat]

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B

2. Robbie Grossman (S) LF

3. Miguel Sano ® DH

4. Max Kepler (L) RF

5. Kennys Vargas (S) 1B

6. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B

7. Eddie Rosario (L) CF

8. Chris Gimenez ® C

9. Ehire Adrianza (S) SS

 

 

1. George Springer ® DH

2. Jose Altuve ® 2B

3. Josh Reddick (L) RF

4. Brian McCann (L) C

5. Yuli Gurriel ® 1B

6. Marwin Gonzalez (S) SS

7. Alex Bregman ® 3B

8. Norichika Aoki (L) LF

9. Jake Marisnick ® CF

 

Here is an attempt to post the lineups from my cell phone. Polanco getting a much needed day off, Mauer looked a bit rusty yesterday, so seeing most the bench in this game is OK.

[USAFChief]

Speaking of great intros, we still need game thread vols for July 19, 22, and 23.

 

Do the right thing! PM Chief and Chitown.

[USAFChief]

I guess Mauer needs a day off.

[Danchat]

I guess Mauer needs a day off.

Probably cause he struck out 3 times yesterday.

[amjgt]

Good infield defense, worse outfield defense

[Halsey Hall]

Good to see Polanco sitting.  Also Granite, it might take a bunch of runs to win this game.

[Mike Sixel]

Good luck with that defense....

[jimmer]

Did y'all see the trade today between Nats and As?

[mikecgrimes]

I predict a lead off Homerun 3rd pitch

[Mike Sixel]

Did y'all see the trade today between Nats and As?

Seems like this team should be doing that kind of trade. But I doubt it happens.

[Mill1634]

Sano..that was right over the heart of the plate. Unload on that

[Danchat]

Strat-O-Matic Report

 

Dozier lines out to first.

Grossman strikes out swinging.

Sano grounds out to short.

 

Nothing exciting yet...

[Danchat]

Strat-O-Matic Report
Bottom of the 1st

 

Springer singles to center.
Altuve grounds into double play.
Reddick strikes out looking.

[mickeymental]

 

Strat-O-Matic Report

 

Dozier lines out to first.

Grossman strikes out swinging.

Sano grounds out to short.

 

Nothing exciting yet...

lined out to FIRST? has that ever happened with dozier? just wondering ...

[Mill1634]

KENNYS!!!!!!!!!!

[Riverbrian]

VARGAS

[wavedog]

Wow - Vargas killed that one!

[70charger]

VARGAS!

[Riverbrian]

 

Did y'all see the trade today between Nats and As?

 

I did

 

In my opinion... The Twins could have matched that offer with very little pain suffered. 

 

Of course... that's easy to say from my living room couch. 

[Danchat]

Strat-O-Matic Report
Top of the 2nd

 

Kepler strikes out looking.
Vargas flies out to right.
Escobar strikes out swinging.

[notoriousgod71]

Dick, Judge strikes out 1/3 of the time.

[Riverbrian]

I believe that Molitor has given Vargas plenty of chances this year and Vargas hasn't taken advantage. 

 

Last year... I was upset with Molitor taking chances away from Vargas when Vargas was swinging well in July. I can't say that this year. 

 

Considering everything... I still believe Vargas can be a value to us or someone else and I remain in his corner. 

 

He has great plate coverage (that ball was outer half) and he can hit the ball a long way (that ball was outer half and he pulled it deep) and he isn't horrible in the field. 

 

All I can do is sit here and pray that he figures out the plate discipline side of things because when he does... I think he will be the perfect guy to protect Sano. 

 

 

[Jerr]

 

Strat-O-Matic Report
Top of the 2nd

 

Kepler strikes out looking.
Vargas flies out to right.
Escobar strikes out swinging.

Maybe it meant, Vargas flies it out to a fan in the stands