Game Thread: Twins @ Mets 4:10 PM PT (6:10 PM CT) 4/9/2019

[Blake]

Good morning from the not so sunny and rather windy Central Valley of CA. I am your host today and we've got a good one scheduled for your viewing and snarking pleasure.

 

The Twins are in the Big Apple, playing the Mets, who have managed to assemble a starting staff that looks to be formidable. 

 

However, tossing aside the first game in Philly, the Twins played solid baseball the second two games against the Phillies. Yes, the third game resulted in a loss, but, the Twins hung in there.

 

Hopefully, Mr. Gibson recovers from his horrendous first start and shows us that he's able to shake off a bad performance. And, he'll need to, because DeGrom is a tall order. 

 

This is a great road trip, though, because I think it will give fans a decent idea of the character of the 2019 version of the Twins. The Twins need to find out how they stack up against the good teams and this is a good test.

 

Pitching for the Twins:

Kyle Gibson.

 

Pitching for the Mets:

 

Jacob DeGrom

 

Play ball!

[Blake]

Disclaimer: Your host is in now way shape or form receiving any sort of financial remuneration for his efforts. Any product placement during this broadcast is purely coincidental.

 

 

Oh, and management thanks you for not smoking.

 

 

[Don Walcott]

I'm looking forward to seeing how Tortuga does against DeGrom. Tortuga has to start, right?

[stringer bell]

While the numbers look bad from Gibson’s first start, he pitched pretty well until the fifth and at least two plays not made accounted for most of the damage. I wonder if Rocco will have a quicker hook in the middle innings given what happened in Gibson’s last start.

[Mike Sixel]

Not so sunny in Portland either.... But it will feel that way after a Twins' win.

[ashbury]

Am on Amtrak right now heading into the city for the game. Hope to chime in once or twice during the action.

[bighat]

Frightened that de Grom will shred this lineup. Not saying I don't think we have a chance....but if we lose, it's going to be a frustrating evening for those of us watching.

[bighat]

Big Erv has given up 5 runs in 3 innings so far in his White Sox debut. I always liked him as a player, here's hoping he turns it around (but of course we don't want to see him to TOO well).

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Disclaimer: Your host is in now way shape or form receiving any sort of financial remuneration for his efforts. Any product placement during this broadcast is purely coincidental.

 

 

Oh, and management thanks you for not smoking.

 

 

Pictured:

 

Rocco Baldelli’s workstation at Target Field, after Falvey told him to sit Nelson Cruz’s bat for five straight interleague games.

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Just have to win one out of these next two to make me satisfied. Tough matchups for us. Can Kepler get another tonight?

[KidBro]

Astud batting 3rd and playing 1st.  Garver catching.... Baldelli throwing defensive caution to the wind, and putting our best offensive (sans Cruz) lineup out there.   

[USAFChief]

 

Disclaimer: Your host is in now way shape or form receiving any sort of financial remuneration for his efforts. Any product placement during this broadcast is purely coincidental.

 

 

Oh, and management thanks you for not smoking.

 

Menthols??

[USAFChief]

Speaking of which...I remember my first visit to the doctor, about a week or so after I'd gotten out of basic training.

 

The doctor did a complete physical exam, and as part of his questioning, asked me the last time I had sex.

 

"1955," I told him. 

 

"Wow, airman, it's been quite a while then."

 

"Indeed," I replied. "It's already 0745 the next day!"

[nicksaviking]

 

Astud batting 3rd and playing 1st.  Garver catching.... Baldelli throwing defensive caution to the wind, and putting our best offensive (sans Cruz) lineup out there.   

 

Strikeouts cure all kinds of defensive problems.

 

Go get 'em Kyle.

[Mike Sixel]

I was told Astudillo was too short for 1B........I like the thinking here. Try it.

[Blake]

 

Speaking of which...I remember my first visit to the doctor, about a week or so after I'd gotten out of basic training.

 

The doctor did a complete physical exam, and as part of his questioning, asked me the last time I had sex.

 

"1955," I told him. 

 

"Wow, airman, it's been quite a while then."

 

"Indeed," I replied. "It's already 0745 the next day!"

I'm impressed! I can barely remember yesterday yet you can remember a doctor appointment from that long ago?

[Blake]

 

Menthols??

I was afraid to look that closely. The disgusting managed to ooze through the picture.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Menthols??

Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of Menthols...

 

Management??

[yarnivek1972]

Astud batting 3rd and playing 1st. Garver catching.... Baldelli throwing defensive caution to the wind, and putting our best offensive (sans Cruz) lineup out there.

I think I would have done that the other way around. A 5’9” first baseman is simply not a good idea. Gibson still gets a fair share of groundouts.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

And please pardon my general lack of posting this fine evening.

 

I am driving.

[Blake]

 

And please pardon my general lack of posting this fine evening.

I am driving.

3 wood?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

3 wood?

Alas no, a Honda.

 

(Is there some joke that would go yes, 4!)

[stringer bell]

Here's that lineup:

 

Twins  5-3

 

Kepler   rf

Polanco   ss

Astudillo   1b

Rosario   lf

Garner   c

Gonzalez   3b

Schoop   2b

Buxton   cf

Gibson   p

 

New York Mets   6-3

 

Nimmo   cf

Alonzo   1b

Cano   2b

Conforto   rf

Davis   3b

McNeil   lf

Rosario   ss

d'Arnaud   c

deGrom   p

[Channing1964]

Disclaimer: Your host is in now way shape or form receiving any sort of financial remuneration for his efforts. Any product placement during this broadcast is purely coincidental.

 

 

Oh, and management thanks you for not smoking.YEEEEEAAAH I LOVE IT!! LETS GET IT ON METROPOLITANS!!

 

[wallyrichards]

 

Am on Amtrak right now heading into the city for the game. Hope to chime in once or twice during the action.

 

I'm jealous. 

 

[wallyrichards]

All these days off really suck! I hope it doesn't screw them like it did last year. Can't get enough of this team right now. I'd be happy with a split in this short series. Win Twins!

[ashbury]

Just starting to remove the tarp.

 

[bighat]

Since ole' "Riverboat Rocco" is such a gambler tonight, I'd have loved him to go ALL IN and put Cruz in right field while he was at it. Oh well, I'll take A-Stud in the lineup any day of the week. He's the new super-sub!

[bighat]

Game delayed until 6:35pm central, rats.

[DocBauer]

Here's that lineup:

 

Twins 5-3

 

Kepler rf

Polanco ss

Astudillo 1b

Rosario lf

Garner c

Gonzalez 3b

Schoop 2b

Buxton cf

Gibson p

 

New York Mets 6-3

 

Nimmo cf

Alonzo 1b

Cano 2b

Conforto rf

Davis 3b

McNeil lf

Rosario ss

d'Arnaud c

deGrom p

I don't know...I think I would have moved Polanco to #3 and hit Astudillo in the 2 hole.

 

Anyone?