Game Thread Astros @ Twins 4/30/19 6:40 PM CDT

[stringer bell]

Game 2 of the four-game series features Michael Pineda versus Gerrit Cole. The Twins currently have the second-best record in MLB while the Astros are percentage points ahead in the AL West. Pineda has been inconsistent so far, while Cole has been disappointing. It would figure that many more runs will be scored tonight in cold, wet Target Field. 

 

Today marks the end of April and the Twins, in addition to their 17-9 record, have some good stats going for them. They lead in homers per game, OPS, and are in the top quadrant for runs per game. Pitching is middle-of-the-pack. They have out-homered their opponents by a 50-29 count. Even in good years, the Twins haven't outhomered their opponents often. This year's club is constructed differently, for sure.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Keep up the pressure. We have the advantage and momentum after last night.

[yarnivek1972]

Tom Kelly always said “Momentum, in baseball, is tomorrow’s starting pitcher.”

[Nine of twelve]

 

Tom Kelly always said “Momentum, in baseball, is tomorrow’s starting pitcher.”

One of TK's many great baseball observations.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Tom Kelly always said “Momentum, in baseball, is tomorrow’s starting pitcher.”

A solid statement. But there is something to be said for confidence, attitude, swagger. Winning breeds more winning, but only if you feel and act like a winner. Some, heck many of the past good Twins teams to me lacked those traits. And I am a huge homer.

[stringer bell]

Lineups:

 

Astros
LINEUP AB H RBI HR AVG
1 G. Springer RF 112 30 22 8 .268
2 J. Altuve 2B 109 27 20 9 .248
3 A. Bregman 3B 91 25 13 4 .275
4 M. Brantley LF 113 36 18 5 .319
5 C. Correa SS 101 29 15 6 .287
6 J. Reddick DH 86 29 6 3 .337
7 A. Diaz 1B 35 8 8 2 .229
8 R. Chirinos C 66 18 12 3 .273
9 J. Marisnick CF 41 11 3 1 .268

 

Twins
LINEUP AB H RBI HR AVG
1 M. Kepler RF 87 23 16 7 .264
2 J. Polanco SS 98 32 10 5 .327
3 N. Cruz DH 75 23 15 5 .307
4 E. Rosario LF 101 25 24 11 .248
5 C. Cron 1B 78 19 14 5 .244
6 J. Schoop 2B 86 23 11 4 .267
7 E. Adrianza 3B 32 6 2 1 .188
8 J. Castro C 28 6 4 2 .214
9 B. Buxton CF 77 20 10 1 .260

 

Michael Pineda 2-1 5.63 vs. Gerrit Cole 1-4 4.71

[PseudoSABR]

[h2oface]

 

 

 

Unbelieveable!

[PDX Twin]

 

Unbelieveable!

 

And the next sentence is "and he's out for another two months"?????

[h2oface]

Finally sitting Gonzalez, who is o-fer Houston (0-14) in 4 games with 4 Ks and a walk. I was hoping things would change after that homer against Baltimore. Maybe this will help, and he comes back on Berrios day with a 4-4 against his old team and finishes the series in style.

[gil4]

 

And the next sentence is "and he's out for another two months"?????

They wouldn't do that to us. He'll be listed as day-to-day for two months.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Finally sitting Gonzalez, who is o-fer Houston (0-14) in 4 games with 4 Ks and a walk.

Sleeper agent—anyone coulda known that

[Mill1634]

Let's go Twins!!!!

[gil4]

 

And the next sentence is "and he's out for another two months"?????

 

The good news is there is no sub in the box score and he walked in his second appearance. OBP and OPS both at 1.000.

[Mill1634]

Have yourself a series, Ehire!

[IndianaTwin]

I’m telling ya’. He’s worried about keeping his job when Sano is back!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The good news is there is no sub in the box score and he walked in his second appearance. OBP and OPS both at 1.000.

That 1.000 OPS might be good, but is it good enough to crack the Twins lineup??

[gocgo]

And the next sentence is "and he's out for another two months"?????

Hit in the leg?

[PDX Twin]

Looks like another terrible attendance tonight. It reminds me of the Portland Beaver days (as the Twins' AAA franchise) when we could sit on the first-base side and hear every word being said by the other people attending, who were on the third-base side.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

If the Twins keep winning, they will more than make up for the attendance deficit later this summer.

 

...also where did spring go

[PDX Twin]

 

...also where did spring go

 

It came to Portland! 70+ and sunny today.

[strumdatjaguar]

I’m at this sparsely attended game. Big Mike looking very good so far

You can dress for cold. You can’t dress for 95 degrees with 90% humidity.

[Mill1634]

That egg in the first inning may haunt us

[ScrapTheNickname]

I’m at this sparsely attended game. Big Mike looking very good so far

You can dress for cold. You can’t dress for 95 degrees with 90% humidity.

How many people do you think are there?

[PDX Twin]

WE had him on the ropes in the first inning and let him off the hook. Missed our chance I'm afraid.

[ScrapTheNickname]

How many people do you think are there?

How many crickets do you think are there?

[Mill1634]

Gerrit Cole is a free agent next year. He would look fantastic in a Twins uniform. 

[twinsbaby]

Buxton looks like 2018 version in this series. Very uncomfortable swing.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

WE had him on the ropes in the first inning and let him off the hook. Missed our chance I'm afraid.

i can’t watch/listen right now. Is this tongue in cheek? Curious how this is possible while being no-hit

[FlauerPauer]

Sano - 0-1 with a BB and HBP.

 

Out was a first pitch popup to third.