Game Thread: Twins @ Texas 5:05 PST (7:05 CDT) 8/15/2019

[obtusebanter]

It's hyperbolic, I know, but watching Arraez smack singles the other way with that inside-out swing reminds me of Tony Gwynn.

[Danchat]

Boy, I just love Arraez. Just a triple shy of the cycle tonight. Folks, we have our starting 2B on the roster!

[bighat]

 

My memory may just be bad about this, but I'm confused about the Ranger's new stadium. I was thinking their current park wasn't that old.

 

Yeah, the stadium looks fine, I remember when it was brand new, seems just like yesterday. Reminds me of how the Braves got a new stadium after their last one, which was built in like 2002. Amazing how some teams go through stadiums like that. Cash grabs by both politicians and privately held local companies alike. Usually at the public's expense.

[stringer bell]

Enjoy the splinters Jonathan. The kid isn't coming out of the lineup.

[yarnivek1972]

Yeah, the stadium looks fine, I remember when it was brand new, seems just like yesterday. Reminds me of how the Braves got a new stadium after their last one, which was built in like 2002. Amazing how some teams go through stadiums like that. Cash grabs by both politicians and privately held local companies alike. Usually at the public's expense.

Braves stadium was built for the 1996 Olympics and used for baseball after that.

[DocBauer]

Back to back solid 1-2-3 IP. That's what I'm talking about. Bad start, good finish. Kid doesn't get rattled.

[jimbo92107]

After Odor's K, Dick may be right - Texas can't wait for this game to end.

[stringer bell]

Smeltzer just needed to get that first easy out.

[wavedog]

This Rangers park opened in 1994 - so it is 25 years old. Still looks great but they wanted a domed stadium for the summer heat.

[yarnivek1972]

This Rangers park opened in 1994 - so it is 25 years old. Still looks great but they wanted a domed stadium for the summer heat.

Because it wasn’t hot in Texas 25 years ago...

[Aggies7]

Cave gonna wear one next game

[DocBauer]

1994 for the Ranger's current park. Not ancient by any means. Thought it was about 10yrs newer than that. Built around the same time as Cleveland's stadium and a couple years after Camden Yards.

 

Really needed to be replaced? Oil money?

[jimbo92107]

So, if you take the strike zone box on TV, move it two inches to the right and an inch up, that's where this idiot umpire thinks the strike zone is. 

[MNT1996]

Alright Kep. Your turn to hit this 3-0 pitch

[Aggies7]

Cave gonna wear one next game

Or kepler is gonna wear one

[obtusebanter]

Cave quietly hitting .400 in August.  

[Aggies7]

So lame to hit a guy that had nothing to do with anything. How’s about we throw some strikes in an 8 run game in the 9th

[Diesel]

I still don’t like HBPs. Hitting someone not involved is not the right move

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Cave quietly hitting .400 in August.  

He was never as bad at the plate as he looked earlier in the season but he's so stretched in center that it makes my brain hurt.

[VATwinsFan]

I don’t quite get the kerfluffle over swinging at a strike when it’s a 3-0 count.

[yarnivek1972]

Poor Kepler at 0 for 5. Someone has to make the outs I guess.

[Aggies7]

I still don’t like HBPs. Hitting someone not involved is not the right move

Everyone yearns for the old days. The things people get hit for these days are absurd

[DocBauer]

Cave gonna wear one next game

Probably. But bush. Especially if Kepler was hit on purpose. Big lead or not, you don't do your job and hit the ball?

 

That's like having a good day and work and telling everyone you aren't going to try any longer.

 

How about, if we get a hit here, Cave just jogs to 3B?

[Aggies7]

I don’t quite get the kerfluffle over swinging at a strike when it’s a 3-0 count.

Cheap way to get a hit in a blowout. Although yeah, start throwing strikes dude

[Aggies7]

Probably. But bush. Especially if Kepler was hit on purpose. Big lead or not, you don't do your job and hit the ball?

That's like having a good day and work and telling everyone you aren't going to try any longer.

How about, if we get a hit here, Cave just jogs to 3B?

Yeah, but by that logic, stealing bases with a big lead would be ok. And we know it isn’t

[yarnivek1972]

Be interesting to see if there is retaliation. Were warnings issued?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Will Smeltzer get a 4 inning save?

[DiscGolfer]

Did the pitcher let it get to 3-0 just so he could plunk kepler?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Yeah, but by that logic, stealing bases with a big lead would be ok. And we know it isn’t

It should be. The game is still being played. 

 

I don't think teams should try to steal in that situation due to injury concerns but it's hardly worth retaliation because MLB games are not sixth grade gym class.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Will Smeltzer get a 4 inning save?

I think he probably will.