Game Thread (8/9): Twins at Cleveland, 12:10 PM CT

[Tom Froemming]

Twins | 53-60 overall, 20-36 on the road, 5-5 last 10

Jose Berrios, RHP | 3.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 4.11 K:BB in 146.0 IP

 

Cleveland | 63-50 overall, 36-23 at home, 7-3 last 10

Corey Kluber, RHP | 2.63 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 7.30 K:BB in 154.0 IP

 

Lineups:

https://twitter.com/LaVelleNeal/status/1027567379931439104?s=19

Additional notes:

The Twins could really use some length out of Berrios today. Both Trevor Hildenberger and Taylor Rogers have pitched each of the past two nights. Trevor May also pitched last night, and I’m not sure he’s ready to pitch consecutive games, let alone a day game after a night game. Kluber’s always tough to beat, but he’s especially good during the day (2.81 ERA over 455 1/3 innings) and at home (2.66 ERA over 664 1/3 innings). Joe Mauer is a career .296/.377/.537 hitter against Kluber.

[Tom Froemming]

Of course Joe Mauer would be on the bench today.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Of course Joe Mauer would be on the bench today.

Due to day game following night game? Or pitching match up? Or to make sure us fans are paying attention?

 

I prefer to think Sano is seeing more time as a reward for tying the game yesterday.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Due to day game following night game? Or pitching match up? Or to make sure us fans are paying attention?

I prefer to think Sano is seeing more time as a reward for tying the game yesterday.

I'm sure it's a day game after a night game thing, but I would think they'd rather play Mauer today against a great pitcher he handles very well and then give him tomorrow off against the Tigers.

[Squirrel]

I'm sure it's a day game after a night game thing, but I would think they'd rather play Mauer today against a great pitcher he handles very well and then give him tomorrow off against the Tigers.

‘They’ might actually prefer it, but Molitor makes out the lineups.

 

Our lineup is really sad.

[jkcarew]

 

I'm sure it's a day game after a night game thing, but I would think they'd rather play Mauer today against a great pitcher he handles very well and then give him tomorrow off against the Tigers.

I can't believe Joe hasn't gone to the manager and demanded to play today.  Shocked.

[jkcarew]

Jose Berrios, RHP | 3.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 4.11 K:BB in 146.0 IP

 

Tom, thanks for not throwing Berrios's 'away' stat line in there.  Gives us more hope.

[Aggies7]

It took the twins about 30some pitches to not score in the second, and the Indians needed 2 to score in their half #sigh

[Aggies7]

Facepalm

[USAFChief]

 

‘They’ might actually prefer it, but Molitor makes out the lineups.

Our lineup is really sad.

I seriously doubt Molitor keeps Mauer out of the lineup without some input from Mauer himself.

 

Not that it matters in terms of why the Twins need more from their first baseman, and why they need to look for a better option in 2019.

 

 

[Krusington]

Due up for the Twins in the top half of the third: Field, Wilson, Forsythe.............................

[sampleSizeOfOne]

It took the twins about 30some pitches to not score in the second, and the Indians needed 2 to score in their half #sigh

Pitches must be important or something.

 

3 runs, eh?

 

We can score that in our sleep!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Pitches must be important or something.

3 runs, eh?

We can score that in our sleep!

Dreaming, again?

[Tom Froemming]

Berrios seems a little shell shocked ever since that Alonso homer. He's thrown less than 50 percent of his pitches for strikes today.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Thanks, Tom. The stat line doesn't look good. I am betting he has lost his edge -- understandable given the past couple weeks. I hope he rallies at some point in 2018 and finishes strong.

[Mike Sixel]

Free facebook bonus game today....if you want to multi task...

[mickeymental]

maybe they're saving mauer to pitch the eighth.

[Tom Froemming]

 

Thanks, Tom. The stat line doesn't look good. I am betting he has lost his edge -- understandable given the past couple weeks. I hope he rallies at some point in 2018 and finishes strong.

Could be a lot of things. Maybe he just doesn't have it today. Maybe he's putting a little too much pressure on himself considering who he's facing off against. I'd imagine when you're facing Kluber and you give up the first run of the game that's a bit of a "gulp" moment. But he just got Alonso swinging here in the third, so maybe that'll put him back on track.

[Squirrel]

 

I seriously doubt Molitor keeps Mauer out of the lineup without some input from Mauer himself.

 

Not that it matters in terms of why the Twins need more from their first baseman, and why they need to look for a better option in 2019.

Then Molitor needs to put his foot down. This isn't Joe's call ... same with Dozier and Mauer insisting to be at the top of the lineup. It's not their call, it's the managers.

 

#MolitorNeedsToGo

[Squirrel]

Meh, and just saw the score. Who cares.

[USAFChief]

 

Meh, and just saw the score. Who cares.

I care.

[wsnydes]

I just got done with a meeting and flip on the radio to hear Field strike out.  My timing has been really, really poor lately.

[wsnydes]

Berrios must not have anything today?  6 walks?

[gocgo]

I'd like to see some predictions for September call ups.  I see we are giving Johnny Field a look now.  Jake Cave for a while now.  Who else gets a look in September?  Tyler Austin?  Pineda...I hope.

[Winston Smith]

 

I care.

We all feel your pain!

[D. Hocking]

 

I care.

 

It has often been said on this board you are a sensitive soul who cares too much.

[jkcarew]

 

Jose Berrios, RHP | 3.51 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 4.11 K:BB in 146.0 IP

 

Tom, thanks for not throwing Berrios's 'away' stat line in there.  Gives us more hope.

OK...since nobody bit...here's the updated 2018 line for away starts...

 

4.59 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 2.38 K:BB in 64.2 IP  (average start of 5.2 IP)

 

It's not like these starts have been disproportionally against fierce offensive opponents.  Apparently, it's his next hurdle on his way to becoming a true ace/stopper.

[VATwinsFan]

 

I'd like to see some predictions for September call ups.  I see we are giving Johnny Field a look now.  Jake Cave for a while now.  Who else gets a look in September?  Tyler Austin?  Pineda...I hope.

 

Gonsalves, Romero (again), Austin is too obvious which means he won't be up, Wade, and for the heck of it, why not Lewis?

[mendozaline]

Polanco!!

[VATwinsFan]

Polanco-mania!!!