Game Thread Twins @ Rangers 8/16/19 7:10 PM CDT

[stringer bell]

Game 2 of the four game series between the Twins and Rangers in Arlington. Today it will be Minor versus Odorizzi, a matchup of surprise All-Stars. Runs should be hard to come by at least while the starters are on the mound.Minor had a lousy July (20 earned runs in 27.1 innings), but has thrown fifteen shutout innings so far in August. Odorizzi has similarly bounced back from a tough patch and has won his last two decisions and pitched effectively in his last three starts.

 

Both bullpens have had issues since the All-Star break. The Twins' pen will be rested because Pineda and Smeltzer combined to pitch all nine innings yesterday. There probably will be an additional arm in the bullpen for the Twins, since Devon Smeltzer was optioned back to Rochester after his four-inning appearance last night. While Minor's splits vs. left and right handers are pretty inconsequential, it figures the Twins will load up with right handed bats against the Ranger lefty.

 

Yesterday's play did not affect the pennant race. Both Minnesota and Cleveland won. Minnesota still holds a half game lead going into play today. The Tribe faces New York at Yankee Stadium again tonight. You might detect a halfhearted "go Yankees" from me, but I'll try to keep that on the down-low.

 

Picks to sit and picks to click: Polanco has struggled some offensively, particularly against LH pitching, if I'm managing the Twins, I rest Jorge against the tough left hander. Arraez has a .320 slugging percentage versus lefties--all of his hits vs. same-side pitchers are singles--and with the Texas heat, every possible player should get a break, so Schoop (.861 OPS vs. LH) for the rookie. Mitch Garver had raked against southpaws all year. I expect a couple hits including at least one extra-base hit. Marwin Gonzalez has been raking, especially from the right side and I expect his late-season surge to continue.

 

Go Twins!!

 

Twins

 

Garver c

Arraez LF

Polanco DH

Sanó 3B

Kepler cf

Cron 1B

Gonzalez RF

Schoop 2B

Adrianza SS

 

Odorizzi p

 

Rangers

 

Choo DH

Santana 1B

Andrus SS

Calhoun LF

Mazara TD

Odor 2B

DeShields cf

Kiner-Falefa 3B

Mathis c

 

Minor p

[Utah Twins Fan]

Only if we had 3 healthy RH bats Buxton Cruz and Turtle man that would be a heck of a lineup

[USAFChief]

Chief, Mrs Chief, three Chief offspring, plus grandchildren too numerous to list will be in attendance tonight.

 

We'll wave.

[twinbythebay]

What's a Kiner-Falefa?

[bighat]

Rosario with a breather tonight.

 

Cruz, get well soon. In the meantime, Sano keep doing what you're doing to pick up the slack.

[ashbury]

Chief, Mrs Chief, three Chief offspring, plus grandchildren too numerous to list will be in attendance tonight.

 

We'll wave.

There's enough of you, you probably could.

 

[big dog]

 

What's a Kiner-Falefa?

It's a fruity Pinot Grigio.  Doesn't need to breathe very much, good for picnics and outdoor concerts.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Chief, Mrs Chief, three Chief offspring, plus grandchildren too numerous to list will be in attendance tonight.

We'll wave.

 

You're going to do the wave? Huh.

 

edit: ninja'd. I should, you know, read the thread....

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Chief, Mrs Chief, three Chief offspring, plus grandchildren too numerous to list will be in attendance tonight.

 

We'll wave.

We'll particle...

 

Er, party. Cool?

[PDX Twin]

Blue v. Blue tonight.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Cmon Miguel! Base knock!

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Walk works

[PDX Twin]

Lots of Twins shirts in the seats right behind home plate. But overall pretty empty. Are they sure they need a new stadium?

[Dman]

That was a fantastic at bat for Miguel.  I will take that walk over a strike out any day of the week and twice on Sunday.  Fantastic eye there.  Really happy to see him making good decisions up there.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Did we win yet?

 

Come on! Hit the ball to Chief.

Or to his progeny.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Blue v. Blue tonight.

Will shades help?

[Dman]

Is Arraez in left a subtle dig at Rosie about plate discipline or just giving him a day off or both?

[PDX Twin]

 

Is Arraez in left a subtle dig at Rosie about plate discipline or just giving him a day off or both?

 

Richard says he has a terrible record against Minor.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

 

 

Is Arraez in left a subtle dig at Rosie about plate discipline or just giving him a day off or both?

Richard says he has a terrible record against Minor.

So... No.

[bighat]

Nice hit Gonzalez....stay at first next time. Yeesh.

[ashbury]

Chief, Mrs Chief, three Chief offspring, plus grandchildren too numerous to list will be in attendance tonight.

 

We'll wave.

 

We'll particle...

 

Er, party. Cool?

[stringer bell]

A little more work for Odo in the second. 

[twinsnorth49]

Just like they drew it up....

[yarnivek1972]

Two hands

 

Edit: I guess he actually used two.

 

And that’s for yesterday’s HBP...

[ashbury]

Whole lot of pitching. Not a lot of offense.

 

So far.

[MVP Nick Punto]

Apparently, Torii Hunter on the radio caused that drop.

[MVP Nick Punto]

Kep33

[bighat]

We'll take that! Boom! Kepler! Error on Sano pop-up! Extra run! YEAH!

 

Make 'em pay!

[VATwinsFan]

Der Schlagmeister!!!

[Diesel]

MAX!