Game Thread: Twins v Royals, 9/9 @ 11:10am PT (1:10pm CT)

[Blake]

Good morning, Twins fans! (game time is late morning where I live. And, since I'm your humble host for this particular thread, good morning it is!)

 

I'm dispensing with my usual video and snark, due to time constraints. Believe it or not, it takes time to hunt down video and then come up with snark.

 

Today features two teams who are featuring players the teams are trying to get to know at the MLB level. Neither team is close to featuring a winning season, so, might as well find out if they have players that can help next year.

 

Last night, and it pains me to admit it, I was rooting for Lopez because I've never seen a perfect game. Lopez was three outs from getting the perfecto. Cool to watch though it was against my favorite team.

 

Lest anyone thinks Lopez's efforts last night were harbingers of a bright future, let me toss a name out there for you: Philip Humber. Lopez may have a future as an MLB pitcher but ace material? Too soon to tell.

 

It was nice to see Mr. Berrios go 6 innings after the string of 5 dismal starts.

 

Not much to say about the rest of the team, simply because 24 outs without a hit or base runner leaves little to be discussed, though Mr. Froemming makes a valiant effort. 

 

Random observations about last night:

 

1. Lopez tossed a gem and got some great fielding behind him.

2. It was interesting to hear Smalley talk about how players behind the pitcher tighten as a no-hit game progresses. Sounds like the pressure is intense.

3. Hopefully, Berrios took a step toward righting the pitching ship.

4. Is it too early to think perhaps Berrios/Gibson might be the Blyleven/Viola combination of next year's Twins?

5. Play ball!

 

Pitching for the Twins:

 

Chase De Jong. 

 

Pitching for KC:

 

Ian Kennedy.

[Blake]

I don't believe I'll be back in time to post lineups.

 

Have a good one, people! Be safe out there!

[ashbury]

I'm dispensing with my usual video and snark, due to time constraints. Believe it or not, it takes time to hunt down video and then come up with snark.

 

"Whatevs."

[Nine of twelve]

Royals
Ian Kennedy ®

1. Whit Merrifield ® DH
2. Adalberto Mondesi (S) SS
3. Alex Gordon (L) LF
4. Hunter Dozier ® 3B
5. Ryan O'Hearn (L) 1B
6. Jorge Bonifacio ® RF
7. Brian Goodwin (L) CF
8. Rosell Herrera (S) 2B
9. Cam Gallagher ® C

 

Twins
Chase De Jong ®

1. Jorge Polanco (S) SS
2. Eddie Rosario (L) DH
3. Logan Forsythe ® 2B
4. Robbie Grossman (S) LF
5. Jake Cave (L) CF
6. Ehire Adrianza (S) 3B
7. Max Kepler (L) RF
8. Willians Astudillo ® C
9. Chris Gimenez ® 1B

[Blake]

This is my first look at Astudillo behind the plate and I like what I see so far.

 

Anyone else have anything other than, "not Mitch Garver?"

[Circus Boy]

Ian Kennedy's star certainly has fallen, no?

 

Still, Twins bats can't touch him.

 

EDIT: Then Grossman socked a double. Good!

[ashbury]

This is my first look at Astudillo behind the plate and I like what I see so far.

 

Anyone else have anything other than, "not Mitch Garver?"

I've described him before as "quiet" behind the plate, which I take to be a very good trait, although by itself not sufficient for anything.

[ashbury]

I keep hearing about Kepler taking consistently good at bats, but that one in the second inning wasn't too good at all.

[wavedog]

I am trying to understand why we are playing Gimenez at first but I just can't. 

[Blake]

 

I've described him before as "quiet" behind the plate, which I take to be a very good trait, although by itself not sufficient for anything.

Quiet and he seems to be able to catch that high fastball that seems to get by Garver at times.

 

Kid is built like a nose tackle, though.

 

Sort of along the lines of the Rodriguez brothers.

[Blake]

 

I am trying to understand why we are playing Gimenez at first but I just can't. 

Well, I'm trying to understand why the Twins have Gimenez at all. 

[ashbury]

It's early, but so far I'm enjoying watching our starting pitcher, Chase DeFourseamer.

[ashbury]

Well, I'm trying to understand why the Twins have Gimenez at all. 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was a late-August trade.

[Winston Smith]

 

I am trying to understand why we are playing Gimenez at first but I just can't. 

There are some mysteries in the universe that will never be answered.

[Blake]

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was a late-August trade.

And therein lies another mystery: why was Giminez even traded for?

[Circus Boy]

 

It's early, but so far I'm enjoying watching our starting pitcher, Chase DeFourseamer.

Prior to his arrival in the Twin Cities, he was a little rough in the diamond.

[glunn]

 

And therein lies another mystery: why was Giminez even traded for?

Because it was a lost season and he is a good teacher and role model?

[ashbury]

It's uncertain whether major league talent evaluators really believe Astudillo looks like a catcher when he's behind the plate, but he certainly does when running down the first base line legging out a grounder.

[ashbury]

And therein lies another mystery: why was Giminez even traded for?

I can answer any question. "I don't know" is an answer.

[ashbury]

That blast by Mondesi off of Littell didn't leave enough doubt to suit me.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

1 run wasn't going to stand up?

 

But i had such high hopes...

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Ian Kennedy's star certainly has fallen, no?

 

Still, Twins bats can't touch him.

 

EDIT: Then Grossman socked a double. Good!

He was amongst the names in amid all the Santana speculation once upon a time, wasn't he?

 

(Kennedy... not Grossman)

[Blake]

 

Because it was a lost season and he is a good teacher and role model?

and "battles his tail off..."

[snotboogie]

Gorgeous afternoon at the ballyard. Not quite enough to make up for the uninspiring lineup.

[Blake]

 

That blast by Mondesi off of Littell didn't leave enough doubt to suit me.

Queue musical response:

[USAFChief]

Spoiler alert: Vikings...season opener was today.

[snotboogie]

Looks like Eddie is phoning it in today.

[Blake]

 

Spoiler alert: Vikings...season opener was today.

And this is important how?   (gave up on the Vikings and the NFL in general years ago)

[Circus Boy]

 

Looks like Eddie is phoning it in today.

No one's picking up.

[snotboogie]

Just got inspired by our little fireplug.