Game Thread Twins @ Astros, 7:10pm CDT 4/22/2019 ad

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Minnesota: "Houston, we have a problem"

 

Houston: "Oh, you mean you are visiting an Astros team with an undefeated home

record? We don't see that as a problem... No one will think less of you if you

lose. Just look upon it as a challenge!"

 

Minnesota: "Roger that."

 

See? I have done my research. I looked at the extended standings and seen the

home and away records. I also know the entire history of Sam Houston and the

city named after him can be boiled down to a Dr. Doolittle-esc "talks with the

space program", so that's what i did. If you wan't greater in depth, the

internet is your oyster. Dive right in, and feel free to share a pearl or two

with us all!

 

Here are a few things to think about...

 

Twins open with Jake Odorizzi.

 

Houston counters with Brad Peacock.

 

Wait... It's actually the other way around for the pitchers.

 

Tune in later for the rest of the line ups... Or to see what actually happens.

 

We know how to build suspense, don't we?

[Nine of twelve]

If Odorizzi can come close to duplicating his last start we've got a good chance of winning tonight.

[nicksaviking]

I feel much more strongly about Odorizzi getting pulled after the second time through the lineup against the Astros than I do against the Blue Jays.

 

Ugh, on the other hand, I don't really trust any of the long-men either. Is there a way for Odorizzi to get through 7 innings only facing 18 batters?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I feel much more strongly about Odorizzi getting pulled after the second time through the lineup against the Astros than I do against the Blue Jays.

 

Ugh, on the other hand, I don't really trust any of the long-men either. Is there a way for Odorizzi to get through 7 innings only facing 18 batters?

Intentional walk then double play. Once per inning.

[Dantes929]

I wish Verlander was going to face Cleveland rather than us.     The worst case scenario is we get swept by Houston and have the 12-10 record I was expecting and would have been just fine with before the start of the season.    Anything better than that is welcome.

[wsnydes]

 

Intentional walk then double play. Once per inning.

A mathless world is a wonderful world!

 

Thank you game threads!

[MMMordabito]

Garver in the lineup, please.

[MMMordabito]

 

Garver in the lineup, please.

 

Nope ... 

 

TWINS

 

RF Max Kepler L
SS J. Polanco S
DH Nelson Cruz R
LF E. Rosario L
1B C.J. Cron R
3B M. Gonzalez S
2B J. Schoop R
C Jason Castro L
CF Byron Buxton R

 

P Jake Odorizzi R

 

ASTROS

 

CF G. Springer R
2B Jose Altuve R
3B Alex Bregman R
LF M. Brantley L
SS C. Correa R
DH Yuli Gurriel R
RF Josh Reddick L
1B Tyler White R
C R. Chirinos R

 

P Brad Peacock R

[Halsey Hall]

Is the game the 23rd or tonight?

[SwainZag]

Nice to see Kepler back

[woolywoolhouse]

 

Is the game the 23rd or tonight?

 

Tonight. Next off-day is Thursday 4/25.

[Whammy]

 

Intentional walk then double play. Once per inning.

 

I mean technically, throw in some pick offs and caught stealings and he might only have to pitch to 9 batters.

 

Once through the order!!!!!

[nicksaviking]

How long is Kepler going to continue to lead off with both Polanco and Buxton looking good?

 

I understand Castro getting a start when at least one of Garver or Astudillo is manning another position, but when they're both on the bench? Ish, this isn't the Orioles we're playing.

[PDX Twin]

 

I mean technically, throw in some pick offs and caught stealings and he might only have to pitch to 9 batters.

 

Once through the order!!!!!

 

Sure: Intentional walk, pick-off, intentional walk, pick-off, intentional walk, pick-off. Repeat nine times. No-hit shutout with a zero pitch count!

[Channing1964]

This isnt a bad time to just say "let's just win this series" Its our first true test against teams we could very well see in the playoffs. (And No, IMO Cleveland is not one of them) I think we have a good shot. Houston is going to find out that injuries will derail them this year without Marwin. Plus they paid MICHAEL BRANTLEY! LOL. That will go down in history as a monumental blunder. Michael Brantley is no Marwin Gonzalez. This whole American league is ripe for the taking, as long as Toronto doesn't stand in our way. lol.

[SwainZag]

 

How long is Kepler going to continue to lead off with both Polanco and Buxton looking good?

 

I understand Castro getting a start when at least one of Garver or Astudillo is manning another position, but when they're both on the bench? Ish, this isn't the Orioles we're playing.

 

I really like Polanco in the 2 hole.  Ideally I think Bux makes perfect sense leading off, but Kepler is no slouch, has a higher OBP than Buck against RHP.   

 

A lineup of:

 

Buxton

Polanco

Cruz

Rosario

Sano

Kepler

Garver

Cron

Schoop

 

looks pretty insane right now, if and when it ever does happen.

[wabene]

Goodgolly this lineup is getting frightening even with Castro (righty on the mound)! I wonder, is Odo particularly benefited by Castro's admittedly better backstop skills?

[wabene]

Polanco is my choice for number two going forward. The guy is a menace

[wabene]

Aww cripes one more... I'm excited for this series!!

[MMMordabito]

 

This isnt a bad time to just say "let's just win this series" Its our first true test against teams we could very well see in the playoffs. (And No, IMO Cleveland is not one of them) I think we have a good shot. Houston is going to find out that injuries will derail them this year without Marwin. Plus they paid MICHAEL BRANTLEY! LOL. That will go down in history as a monumental blunder. Michael Brantley is no Marwin Gonzalez. This whole American league is ripe for the taking, as long as Toronto doesn't stand in our way. lol.

 

Unless I'm missing some sarcasm somewhere, Michael Brantley appears to be the one loling right now.  Sure he doesn't play all the positions, but he's head and shoulders a tougher out than Marwin ATM. Yuli can play both corners and Bregman can play both spots on the left side.  They go five deep in the OF, so I'm not seeing a lack of depth.

 

Can Houston be beat? Sure, but let's see the Twins do it before calling out their moves.

 

 

[MMMordabito]

 

Goodgolly this lineup is getting frightening even with Castro (righty on the mound)! I wonder, is Odo particularly benefited by Castro's admittedly better backstop skills?

 

With the lefty Miley going tomorrow, this game makes sense for Castro, I guess. 

 

Valdez is the only lefty in the pen, and I'm guessing he will be saved for a high-stakes Eddie PA.  

 

Garver should be in there tomorrow.   

[Channing1964]

I guess I didnt mean to call out their moves. I have never really been much of a Michael Brantley fan and i sure dont think hes worth all the money hes making. It seems like everyone considers him some elite outfielder when really he's never been more than average IMO. Also in my opinion having players around that have won championships are way more important than what their sybermetric stat sheet says. Some players play well in clutch situations (like maybe Lou Pinella) but their career numbers would never place them in the HOF. Houston is definitely a top tier team, my point is(all sarcsm aside) I feel like they took a step backwards this year by what they did and didnt address. Keuchel, Gonzalez going, and the acquisitions of Brantley, and Diaz the latter basically to replace Gonzalez.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Is the game the 23rd or tonight?

Yes.

 

Er... that would be my bad.

 

I was writing it up after midnight so the date had shifted, but i hadn't.

 

Huzzah for low standards and attention to detail.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Little more than half an hour to game time.

 

I hope we win.

[Mr. Brooks]

I guess I didnt mean to call out their moves. I have never really been much of a Michael Brantley fan and i sure dont think hes worth all the money hes making. It seems like everyone considers him some elite outfielder when really he's never been more than average IMO. Also in my opinion having players around that have won championships are way more important than what their sybermetric stat sheet says. Some players play well in clutch situations (like maybe Lou Pinella) but their career numbers would never place them in the HOF. Houston is definitely a top tier team, my point is(all sarcsm aside) I feel like they took a step backwards this year by what they did and didnt address. Keuchel, Gonzalez going, and the acquisitions of Brantley, and Diaz the latter basically to replace Gonzalez.

What do you consider clutch situations?

Because in both late and close situations, and 2 out with RISP, Marwin Gonzalez has been absolutely brutal over his career, while Brantley has excelled.

[h2oface]

Is Baldelli trying to cool Garver off? ( I know, the lefty righty thing..... ) At least Adrianza insn't creating a hole in the order today, so just two right now...... Gonzalez and Castro. I guess they won't be pitching around Castro to get to Buxton.

[Blake]

 

Yes.

Er... that would be my bad.

I was writing it up after midnight so the date had shifted, but i hadn't.

Huzzah for low standards and attention to detail.

Woot! My methods are catching on!

[Nine of twelve]

I just love the "these are the days to remember" commercial with the kid never taking off his glove.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Kepler!

 

(just testing...)

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Woot! My methods are catching on!

 

Is there madness to my methods?

 

I certainly approve of catching!