Article: Game Thread: Twins v Cardinals, 5/15 @ 7:10pm CT

[twinssporto]

 

I don't know if any of you buy into this, but I wonder if there is a non-statistical explanation for at least some of Lance Lynn's poor performance. I am as pro-analytics as anybody, but even I cannot ignore the possibility of emotional or psychological factors that could impact a player's performance (something that statistics would have a hard time quantifying)

 

At this point, the short spring training is becoming a far less believable excuse. We thought he may be on the right track after the White Sox game, but then he went right back to the previous Lance Lynn in the Angels game. Lynn has now started 7 games for the Twins. The "late signing/short spring training" excuse is reaching the end of its life span. 

 

Could he just simply be disinterested? In his recent interview with Brandon Warne, Lynn basically said he "[only had one offer, so kinda had to take it.]" This could be interpreted in many different ways, but it certainly isn't out of the question that Minnesota wasn't his preference. Furthermore, rumor was during the offseason that he was unhappy with the Twins' original offer, so maybe he didn't started on the right foot with the organization?

 

I could understand how the lack of demand in free agency would be frustrating for a pitcher who has been successful for most of his career, but ideally, one would like for that frustration to not be taken out on the field. Lynn didn't get the money or years that he expected, and maybe, psychology, that is hurting his outlook and performance.

 

DISCLAIMER: I am not saying that this IS the case for Lance Lynn. However, I am simply pointing out that it COULD be a possible explanation that we will never find by digging through data. I hope this is not the case, but given that his performance through 7 starts is staggeringly worse than his career numbers, it has to at least be a worthy theory. I hope to see him get a few more starts, and he absolutely will, and see him start to pitch more like the "real" Lance Lynn. But if he can't figure it out soon, he had better be worried considering both the emergence of Fernando Romero and the return of Ervin Santana.

He's overthrowing.  He knows he's got a one year contract and wants to be lights out in order to get a 4/80 contract next year in free agency.  He'll settle down soon.  

[Nine of twelve]

Hey look!

Playing first, batting first!

Batting second, playing second.

But i don't know about this 3rd 4th thing...

Cuddyer is the most recent Twin to fulfill the true scorecard triple crown. Batting 5, wearing #5, playing position 5.

[drock2190]

Rosario way too aggressive 

[Mike Sixel]

Rosario way too aggressive

Do you have an auto fill for this line? You probably should.. .

[tbhysgb]

I don't buy into Lynn not giving a crap. The guy has to settle in and pitch well or he'll be lucky to get a 1/couple mill deal.

 

He's probably just trying to hard or just getting creamed by AL hitting.

[Nine of twelve]

BTW I am live and in person at tonight's contest. There could not be a more perfect night for a baseball game.

[drock2190]

 

Do you have an auto fill for this line? You probably should.. .

 

It's frustrating. Like he should know to wait for his pitch instead of swinging away without purpose.

 

Btw I'm liking these Cards announcers so far.

[Riverbrian]

Sorry I'm late everyone but I had to stop a moment and write the Kolten Wong Song. 

 

Here it is... Sung to the Tune of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". 

 

When are you gonna perform?
When will your stats expand?
There’s prospects down on the farm to replace me for just six hundred grand.

I know I can’t stay here forever.
Hitting one ninety two.
Can’t keep my stride from flying open.
And swinging right out of… my Shu-oo-oes.
Ahh Ah-Ah Ah Ah.  Ahh Ah 
Ahh Ah-Ah Ahhh.

 

So Goodbye to Kolten Wong
The Kolten Wong Gone Song.
I’ve spent my years in the dog house.
Metheny has made me move on.
Tossed in the scrap heat of players no good.
Who stayed in the game way too long.

Oh they tell me it’s over my future died.

The end of the Kolten Wong Saw-onn-ong. Ahh Ah-Ah Ah Ah.

 

I haven't copyrighted this yet so I'll have to trust everyone here that they won't steal it and make a million. 

[drock2190]

Cards pitcher releases the ball a foot lower then most pitchers. Interesting...

 

Buxton swinging better, just needs some luck.

[ashbury]

I haven't copyrighted this yet so I'll have to trust everyone here that they won't steal it and make a million. 

In this regard I think your faith is well placed.

[Riverbrian]

 

In this regard I think your faith is well placed.

 

That song is a hit. 

[ashbury]

Heck of a pickoff move by Flaherty. Baserunners beware.

[drock2190]

Doesn't matter if Adrianza gets a rare hit, he will just get out on the bases.

[Don Walcott]

Sorry I'm late everyone but I had to stop a moment and write the Kolten Wong Song.

 

Here it is... Sung to the Tune of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".

 

When are you gonna perform?

When will your stats expand?

There’s prospects down on the farm to replace me for just six hundred grand.

I know I can’t stay here forever.

Hitting one ninety two.

Can’t keep my stride from flying open.

And swinging right out of… my Shu-oo-oes.

Ahh Ah-Ah Ah Ah. Ahh Ah

Ahh Ah-Ah Ahhh.

 

So Goodbye to Kolten Wong

The Kolten Wong Gone Song.

I’ve spent my years in the dog house.

Metheny has made me move on.

Tossed in the scrap heat of players no good.

Who stayed in the game way too long.

Oh they tell me it’s over my future died.

The end of the Kolten Wong Saw-onn-ong. Ahh Ah-Ah Ah Ah.

 

I haven't copyrighted this yet so I'll have to trust everyone here that they won't steal it and make a million.

The latest from Weird Al Yankapitch!

[Blake]

Time for Molitor to throw a bunch of bats into the shower.

[Don Walcott]

Everybody Wong Chung tonight?

[Blake]

 

I shall try to remember not to audition if they ever bring back Name That Tune.

 

OTOH now I have a nifty idea for a song called Roll Your 99 Beer Barrels.

 

Roll, roll, roll your barrels

Gently, don't spill the beer.

You take one down,

And pass it around,

'Cause the gang's all here!

(repeat ad nauseam...)

The singing or the drinking part?

[Blake]

 

The spouse/date dessert nibbler should have been a Seinfeld episode.  I mean, he broke up with a girl because she ate her peas one at a time.  "What is the deal with people who don't order dessert, and then take bites off of yours?  What. Is.  The Deal?"

Said every husband every where....

[Blake]

 

That's how often she takes me out. 

Better out than the cleaners.

[Riverbrian]

The Berrios big breaking pitch is back. 

[drock2190]

Twins should just bunt through the order 1 time a game. 

 

Wouldn't have much to lose at this point.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Kepler injuring people down the right field line with bullet foul balls... Wait on one buddy!

 

 

* I don't really like people being injured

 

 

*** edit. Ugh just missed

Edited May 16, 2018 by Hosken Bombo Disco

[Don Walcott]

One of my favorite Seinfeld bits was when Kramer asks him how often he cuts his toenails. “I’d say, every 3 to 8 weeks.”

[David HK]

Morning everyone!  Wow, it's a busy day, today, but got a chance to take a quick glance at the.....

 

highlights.

 

Black.   

The "highlights" are nothing but a black square box. 

Metaphor?  Or, is that all there is?

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

That at bat ends in a home run 3 out of 4 times

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Morning everyone! Wow, it's a busy day, today, but got a chance to take a quick glance at the.....

 

highlights.

 

Black.

The "highlights" are nothing but a black square box.

Metaphor? Or, is that all there is?

I think that black box is supposed to be a picture of Adrianza packing his bags for Rochester with the lights out Edited May 16, 2018 by Hosken Bombo Disco

[Mike Sixel]

I think that black box is supposed to be a picture of Adrianza packing his bags for Rochester with the lights out

It's good to have dreams...

[drock2190]

As someone who went to bed before the Angels/Twins games finished/comeback last week....can't really remember the last time the Twins scored 1 or multiple runs.

[Don Walcott]

I think that black box is supposed to be a picture of Adrianza packing his bags for Rochester with the lights out

You can call him Ehire. You doesn’t have to call him Adrianza.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Don Walcott

[Don Walcott]

Everybody, Wong swung tonight.