Game Thread: Twins vs Indians, 6/1 @ 7:10 PM CT

[Mill1634]

June is finally here and the Twins are off to a not so hot start. However, they did play one of their most exciting games, once again against Cleveland. Let's hope they start June off on the right foot and get a win. A few days ago the offense couldn't help the pitching staff at all. Now the pitching staff has been terrible, and can't contain  the opposing offenses. 

 

GAMETIME WEATHER: 77 degrees farenhite, sunny. 0% chance of rain. Wind east at 12 MPH. A beautiful night for a Twins victory

 

PITCHING MATCHUP: Carlos Carassco (6-3,3.98 ERA) vs Jose Berrios (5-5, 3.67 ERA)

- Berrios pitched a gem against Cleveland in the 16 inning marathon down in Puerto Rico. Hopefully he can provide another solid outing. It would be huge if the offense can get a 4 or 5 run lead, and Berrios pitches late into the game. Reed and Pressly would both benefit from some extended time off.

 

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Mill's Milling Moments

 

1. Dozier's Home Hitting

It has been well documented how bad of a hitter Dozier is during the first half of the season, but a less documented issue at this point in the season is how bad of a hitter Dozier has been at home. He is hitting .189 with an OPS of .537 coming into last nights game at Target Field. That is atrocious. He has also yet to homer. On the road he is a much better player, posting an average of .273 with eight homers. I don't know what, if anything this means. It could be pressure. It could be Dozier not liking Target field. It could just be coincidence. However, whatever is happening, Dozier must fix. 

 

2. Give Sleegers a spot

I understand why Sleegers was sent down last night. Yes, it makes sense, and I totally understand it from the front office perspective. However, it is terrible that Aaron goes out and saves the bullpen last night and his reward is a trip back to Rochester. Yes, I also understand he can't come up for 10 days. However, after those 10 days he should be up. I don't think he should start, because there is just no room right now. However, he should replace Duffey in 9 days, and be here until he shows he shouldn't as a long man. 

 

3. Take control of Eddie Rosario

Molitor has to have a talk with Eddie Rosario (which I am sure he has) about his baserunning. We have seen Rosario's stunts work resulting in a balk, but they have also cost him two chances on the bases. Last series in KC he was thrown out taking a long and unnecessary loop around first, and last night he was picked up by the catcher resulting in an inning ending double play early in the game. Rosario can not be running the bases so recklessly. If he wants to be recognized as one of the best Twins, then he needs to focus on improving this small, but pivotal area of his game. However, he is still more aware of the game situation than J.R Smith. 

[yarnivek1972]

2. I’m kinda surprised a move wasn’t made today with Duffey going back down for Curtiss perhaps. Duffey, Reed and Rogers all have to be considered unavailable IMO.

[ashbury]

2. Aaron Sleegers would prefer you refer to him by the name on his birth certificate, Slegers. Aaron Sledgers and Aaron Slaygars would also make this request.

 

On the other hand A. A. Ron Slegers represents a different category.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd7FixvoKBw

[Squirrel]

Lineups:

 

CLEVELAND

1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS

2. Michael Brantley (L) LF

3. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B

4. Edwin Encarnacion (R ) DH

5. Yonder Alonso (L) 1B

6. Melky Cabrera (S) RF

7. Jason Kipnis (L) 2B

8. Yan Gomes ( R) C

9. Greg Allen (S) CF

 

TWINS

1. Brian Dozier ( R) 2B

2. Eddie Rosario (L) LF

3. Miguel Sano ( R) 3B

4. Logan Morrison (L) 1B

5. Eduardo Escobar (S) SS

6. Max Kepler (L) RF

7. Robbie Grossman (S) DH

8. Ryan LaMarre ( R) CF

9. Bobby Wilson ( R) C

[Platoon]

Is there another pressure Dozier is dealing with? The contract year one? First off FA's value slumped last year, so I imagine he sees the possibility of millions flying out the window. Secondly trying to do too much to make sure he gets a payday, likely his last chance for the big one. Something's wrong, he's even starting to miss his high FB mistakes.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Did we win yet?

[Platoon]

Did we win yet?

It's just a matter of time.

[Winston Smith]

 

Is there another pressure Dozier is dealing with? The contract year one? First off FA's value slumped last year, so I imagine he sees the possibility of millions flying out the window. Secondly trying to do too much to make sure he gets a payday, likely his last chance for the big one. Something's wrong, he's even starting to miss his high FB mistakes.

IMO he needs to be dropped down in the lineup. He isn't a leadoff hitter anyway and right now it just doesn't make any sense. Drop him down to 5 or 6 maybe less pressure.

[jimmer]

It's perfect baseball weather. Feels so nice sitting here at Target Field! Nice breeze, neither too warm nor too cold.

[Squirrel]

 

It's perfect baseball weather. Feels so nice sitting here at Target Field! Nice breeze, neither too warm nor too cold.

But you said it was going to rain???

[Don Walcott]

I’m at Fort Marcy Ballpark to watch the Santa Fe Fuegos play the Garden City Wind. Beautiful evening for it, and for my daughter’s sixth birthday party (she did this last year and asked to do it again this year!!). Hope to catch the end of the game, but it’s unlikely.

 

Go Twins!!

[ashbury]

I’m at Fort Marcy Ballpark to watch the Santa Fe Fuegos play the Garden City Wind.

Circus Boy will expect demand score updates.

[jimmer]

But you said it was going to rain???

that was for tomorrow, which predicted a 100% chance of thunderstorms, and Sunday. Now Sunday is predicted mostly clear but tomorrow is still predicted thunderstorm.

[OTPS300]

Good to see Wilson catching tonight. Last night Garver didn't handle a throw home that he should have. In my opinion)

[Danchat]

 

Is there another pressure Dozier is dealing with? The contract year one? First off FA's value slumped last year, so I imagine he sees the possibility of millions flying out the window. Secondly trying to do too much to make sure he gets a payday, likely his last chance for the big one. Something's wrong, he's even starting to miss his high FB mistakes.

Nah, it's not pressure, these bad stretches are actually common for him. 

 

Check out his career OPS by month:

March/April: .688

May: .727

June: .854

July: .719

August .886

Sept-Oct .767

 

Career Batting Average

March-May: .232

June - Oct: .259

 

[OTPS300]

 

that was for tomorrow, which predicted a 100% chance of thunderstorms, and Sunday. Now Sunday is predicted mostly clear but tomorrow is still predicted thunderstorm.

Local weather man just said rain tapering off towards evening tomorrow. Hopefully he is right.

[jimmer]

Local weather man just said rain tapering off towards evening tomorrow. Hopefully he is right.

me too...but the game is at 3pm

[OTPS300]

 

me too...but the game is at 3pm

Oops.

[Squirrel]

me too...but the game is at 3pm

Well, maybe they’ll move back the start time to 6:10 or something.

[Platoon]

Well, maybe they’ll move back the start time to 6:10 or something.

I don't think the weatherman can actually move the start time of the rain. As far as I know it's just an educated guess.

[OTPS300]

 

Well, maybe they’ll move back the start time to 6:10 or something.

It is possible they could delay it for several hours. Target field has the best drainage system that there is, so they say.

[LaBombo]

 

Did we win yet?

 

Yes. The Twins emerged from Dozier's team meeting this afternoon without a single broken nose or missing tooth. Any good that comes from the actual game is just gravy on top of that.

 

 

[OTPS300]

 

I don't think the weatherman can actually move the start time of the rain. As far as I know it's just an educated guess.

The team has a weather person that can advise the teams and umpires of the possibility of getting the game in. 

[jimmer]

Well, maybe they’ll move back the start time to 6:10 or something.

I'm sure they will get in all three games

[OTPS300]

Bert saying it's nice to see Brian go the other way. He says that every time Dozier doesn't pull the ball. Geeze

[LaBombo]

 

Bert saying it's nice to see Brian go the other way. He says that every time Dozier doesn't pull the ball. Geeze

 

So did you catch both of the other times he said it this season?

[Squirrel]

Lets go, Esco! Clap clap clapclapclap!

[Squirrel]

Aha! I did it!

[VATwinsFan]

ESCO-BOMB!!!

[LaBombo]

Not sure how Escobar can get enough extension to even get the bat on the ball when it's that low and away, let alone pull it with enough power to reach the fence. It's kind of like his shoulders unhinge like snakes that can swallow huge stuff by detaching their upper and lower jaws.

 

He might be more fun to watch than any other Twins player in the past few years who is not one of the team's stars.