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

[yarnivek1972]

Will Smeltzer get a 4 inning save?

He should.

[DocBauer]

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

I understand your point and agree. Huge loss, bunting for a hit or stealing a base doesnt seem right. But Cave should do what? Sit there and just let the guy throw and not swing? Just take a BB or SO and do nothing?

[MNT1996]

Rosario show a little hustle out there

[Aggies7]

I understand your point and agree. Huge loss, bunting for a hit or stealing a base doesnt seem right. But Cave should do what? Sit there and just let the guy throw and not swing? Just take a BB or SO and do nothing?

It’s common strategy to take a pitch on a 3-0 count unless it’s a power hitter in a close game. Everyone knows a grooved fastball is coming. That’s what makes it cheap.

[DocBauer]

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.

And you may be right. Kepler and then Rosario would be my choice. I just dont remember him being that bad last season in CF when I watched him. (Shrug)

[Aggies7]

Rosario show a little hustle out there

Seriously, that was terrible.

[wavedog]

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?

No, did not need to be replaced - I voted against it. Half paid by the owners and the other half by Arlington. Sales tax increase.

[MMMordabito]

Trying to think of what my favorite Devin Smeltzer moment was.

[DocBauer]

He should.

Like Dick said, he "saved" the pen if nothing else. Kudos to the kid.

[70charger]

Well that was a fun game.

[wavedog]

Smeltzer is getting a workout and a 4 inning save!

[Aggies7]

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.

It’s an 8 run game in the 9th inning. Everyone knows you’re getting a BP fastball on a 3-0 count. I agree hitting someone, especially someone who had nothing to do with it, is dumb. But there’s a reason 99% of people don’t swing in that situation.

[DocBauer]

It’s common strategy to take a pitch on a 3-0 count unless it’s a power hitter in a close game. Everyone knows a grooved fastball is coming. That’s what makes it cheap.

Again, fair point. Just not a fan of an athlete "not trying". But your point is valid.

 

Hitting someone because you are losing and cant throw strikes bothers me though.

[obtusebanter]

 

Trying to think of what my favorite Devin Smeltzer moment was.

 

Mine was how he kept pitching through that fiasco of a sixth inning, did his job, and finished off the ballgame.  

[Aggies7]

Again, fair point. Just not a fan of an athlete "not trying". But your point is valid.

Hitting someone because you are losing and cant throw strikes bothers me though.

Me too, it’s dumb, and should be on its way out of the game. I can only endorse it if someone hits your guy intentionally. But now it’s a means to solve any number of issues

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Winnah!

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It’s an 8 run game in the 9th inning. Everyone knows you’re getting a BP fastball on a 3-0 count. I agree hitting someone, especially someone who had nothing to do with it, is dumb. But there’s a reason 99% of people don’t swing in that situation.

Swing at the pitches you're given. If the pitcher has a problem with that, be better at pitching.

 

If you want to argue the merits of a runner going hard into a base in a lop-sided game, sure, let's talk about the poor sportsmanship of potentially hurting someone in a game that has already been decided.

 

But swinging at a pitch? Oh, come on. Make a bad pitch, get hammered. That's baseball. Maybe stop making bad pitches instead of taking out the frustration of your own ineptitude on a random batter down the line.

[obtusebanter]

 

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.

 

I hear that. About what you would expect from the 4th outfielder. He suits his role.  

[Aggies7]

Swing at the pitches you're given. If the pitcher has a problem with that, be better at pitching.

 

If you want to argue the merits of a runner going hard into a base in a lop-sided game, sure, let's talk about the poor sportsmanship of potentially hurting someone in a game that has already been decided.

 

But swinging at a pitch? Oh, come on. Make a bad pitch, get hammered. That's baseball. Maybe stop making bad pitches instead of taking out your own ineptitude on a random batter down the line.

The look on cave’s face said it all. He knew it was bush. Maybe he didn’t know the count, but Dick and Roy also immediately recognized the bushiness of it. The following HBP was dumb, yes.

[DocBauer]

Swing at the pitches you're given. If the pitcher has a problem with that, be better at pitching.

 

If you want to argue the merits of a runner going hard into a base in a lop-sided game, sure, let's talk about the poor sportsmanship of potentially hurting someone in a game that has already been decided.

 

But swinging at a pitch? Oh, come on. Make a bad pitch, get hammered. That's baseball. Maybe stop making bad pitches instead of taking out the frustration of your own ineptitude on a random batter down the line.

Just a quick add:

 

I am a HUGE Husker fan!

 

In the BIG RED's heyday, they would PILE on teams. But they did so with 2nd, 3rd and even 4th team players.

 

They wouldn't throw the ball or run trick plays. The baseball equivalent of bunting or a SB. But they wouldn't tell young reserves to just quit. And if they had a chance to score again with a minute left, they would just down the ball.

 

I just don't see asking a ML player to take an "obvious" pitch at 3-0 for a "potential" strike.

 

When that happens, it's usually because the batter is waiting to see if the pitcher will actually throw a strike or walk him.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Short memory?

 

https://www.mlb.com/twins/video/martin-perez-in-play-out-s-to-mike-moustakas

Moderately good memory.