Game Thread: Twins @ White Sox, 8/28, 7:10 PM CT

[Mill1634]

The Twins are still up three and a half games on the Cleveland Indians, and for that fact alone you should be ecstatic. They are the second quickest team in franchise history to get to eighty wins, and that should also make you ecstatic. This team has a shot at the world series, and it isn't really that remote of a possibility, either. Sure, they aren't favorites, but nobody was expecting them to be favorites. Where they are now is ahead of expectations, so just sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

 

 

 

The Pitchers:

Jake Odorizzi (13-6, 3.57 ERA, 137 K's) vs Ross Detwiler (2-3, 5.51 ERA, 35 K's)

 

Jake took the bump against the White Sox on the hill his last time out, and the results weren't exactly pretty. He was facing Lucas Giolito, so that made things appear worse than they really were. He gave up 3 ER in 5 innings, but gave up five base hits. He did get six strikeouts, and only walked one. However, I never like a pitcher facing the same team in back-to-back starts, no matter who the starter or opposing team is (See Giolito last night). I am hoping Odo makes the adjustments needed to have better success this time out. Detwiler has split time between being a reliever and a starter for the White Sox, and while neither have been pretty, he has been better as a starter. He recorded a career high eight strikeouts his last time out against the Rangers in a victory, but I expect the Twins to be able to hit the White Sox southpaw around pretty easily. 

 

 

The Lineups:

 

Twins 

 

C Mitch Garver R
SS J. Polanco S
DH Nelson Cruz R
LF E. Rosario L
3B Miguel Sano R
CF Max Kepler L
1B C.J. Cron R
RF E. Adrianza S
2B J. Schoop R

 

White Sox

 

CF Leury Garcia S
RF Ryan Goins L
1B Jose Abreu R
3B Yoan Moncada S
SS Tim Anderson R
LF Eloy Jimenez R
DH Matt Skole L
C W. Castillo R
2B Y. Sanchez S

 

The Twins are rolling with their prototypical lineup against left handed pitchers, with Garver in the leadoff spot followed by Polanco and Cruz. I think it is interesting that Rosario still finds himself in that four hole, but it is probably splitting hairs at this point. It is good to see Ehire get a start in the outfield, and I do think it is sort of odd that Rocco hasn't used him much the past few weeks. Schoop gets his second start for the second straight day after homering last night, and that is a good sign for both him and the Twins. The Twins are going to need Schoop to hit lefties hard down the stretch and in the playoffs. He hasn't been great for the Twins, but he certainly hasn't been a total negative like many fans have made him out to be. Cruz is hitting .714 off Ross with 3 homers in his career. Both Kepler and Sano have also homered off the lefty starter. No White Sox hitter has a homer off of Odo in their career. 

 

Mill's Moments

1. Trade Eddie

I know it is a little early to start talking about the offseason moves, but I think this needs to be said right now. I know Eddie is always a player that is super streaky, and looks really really good when things are going well. However, when things are going bad they are going really really bad. Last night when the Twins had runners on the corners and Eddie chased a pitch above his hands that he popped up to third base. That play is not good baseball and something the Twins cannot afford to do in the playoffs. I think Eddie Rosario has trade value, and there are teams out their that would give up a good starting pitcher for him. I hope the Twins pursue that avenue this off-season. We have plenty of corner outfield depth waiting in the wings. 

2. Backend Bada$$es

The backend of the Minnesota Twins bullpen gives me a ton of confidence late in games now, and that is not something that I have said in a long time. Sure, they are going to give up runs, or get in jams, but I am more confident than not in them protecting a one or two run lead if the starter has gotten through five innings. Sam Dyson is good, just like we all thought. Sure he had a bad first two games, but the man is good. Tyler Duffey and Trevor May are both legit middle relievers. Sergio Romo is a very good veteran who is pitching much better than I expected, and Taylor Rogers is Taylor Rogers. That is as legit of a backend of a bullpen as we could've expected coming into the year. Add in Brusdar or Alcala, and it is icing on the cake.

 

This Day In History: 2014 - Yusmeiro Petit, best known for losing his bid for a perfect game against Arizona with two outs and two strikes last September, sets a major league record when he retires his 46th consecutive batter, fanning Charlie Culberson in the third inning of San Francisco's 4-1 victory over Colorado at AT&T Park. The Giants right-hander, both as a starter and reliever, breaks the 2009 mark established by Mark Buehrle, who made 45 batters in a row make an out while pitching for the White Sox.

 

Pick to Click: Boomstick goes boom

 

 

[FlauerPauer]

Another big game tonight! Go Twins!

[bighat]

Trade Eddie because he didn't come through last night? Ummm, did you forget the at bat where Eddie Rosario drove in a huge insurance run in the 8th? That was absolutely clutch! Why do you remember his pop-out, but not his game-sealing base rap?

 

Eddie Rosario stats: .282 batting average, 27 HR, 86 RBI. Eddie bats .336 with runners in scoring position, and that goes up to .339 with RISP with 2 outs. Assuming Larnach is an improvement isn't a stretch, it's a leap.

 

Trevor Bauer, Robbie Ray, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, Jake Arrieta, Marcus Stroman, Jose Quintana will all be on the market. Here's hoping the Twins can sign a big name without having to trade away a cornerstone of their offense.

[yarnivek1972]

There is no team that is going to give up a quality, controllable starting MLB pitcher straight up for Eddie Rosario. Starting pitchers are far more valuable.

 

Might get a pitching prospect or possibly a reliever.

[Don Walcott]

Looking forward to seeing some right-handed power tonight from Garver, Cruz, Sano, Cron and/or Schoop against the lefty. Should be some bombas from that group.

[Bomba2026]

If our hitting coach was working with Sano, why can't he work with Eddie? I like Eddie and I would lock his contract down before he starts playing better maybe...Any of these guys that have 1 year contracts I would re-negotiate now before we go to the World Series....Is Arraez hurt? And finally, get the Squirrel ready to go as JO is pitching!hehe

[yarnivek1972]

If our hitting coach was working with Sano, why can't he work with Eddie? I like Eddie and I would lock his contract down before he starts playing better maybe...Any of these guys that have 1 year contracts I would re-negotiate now before we go to the World Series....Is Arraez hurt? And finally, get the Squirrel ready to go as JO is pitching!hehe

Maybe Sano has been more receptive to coaching.

 

Or maybe Sano had a fixable problem with his swing. Rosario’s problem is a lack of pitch recognition and selectivity. That’s not something you can coach. That’s a skill you need to learn.

[ScrapTheNickname]

mlb.com has Cave playing CF and batting ninth. Kepler out.

[bighat]

 

Maybe Sano has been more receptive to coaching.

Or maybe Sano had a fixable problem with his swing. Rosario’s problem is a lack of pitch recognition and selectivity. That’s not something you can coach. That’s a skill you need to learn.

 

Again: .286 and on pace for a 30-HR, 100 RBI season.

.336 with RISP.

.339 with RISP and 2 outs.

 

Huge clutch hit last night in late innings to seal the victory. Twins are on pace to win 100 games.

 

I'm pretty happy with Eddie's numbers and output this year. I get that watching some ABs can be frustrating, but I'm bamboozled that anyone thinks the Twins would be better without him.

[bighat]

 

 

mlb.com has Cave playing CF and batting ninth. Kepler out.

 

Yikes. CBS Sports reporting Kepler a "late scratch" and "reasons unclear".

 

[Blake]

Excellent opener. Has baseball n stuff in it too!

 

Eddie is Eddie.

 

Much like Vlad Guerero, Eddie swings when he swings and he's able to put lumber on the ball, for the most part. Not always pretty and I'd like Eddie to have better at bats, but, he's been a good to very good player these last few years.

 

Amazingly enough, Eddie has consistently been Eddie. No more, no less. Plus, it's hard to be down on a player that sits in the dugout with a rally squirrel.

 

 

[Blake]

 

Yikes. CBS Sports reporting Kepler a "late scratch" and "reasons unclear".

Traded!

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

 

Trade Eddie because he didn't come through last night? Ummm, did you forget the at bat where Eddie Rosario drove in a huge insurance run in the 8th? That was absolutely clutch! Why do you remember his pop-out, but not his game-sealing base rap?

 

Eddie Rosario stats: .282 batting average, 27 HR, 86 RBI. Eddie bats .336 with runners in scoring position, and that goes up to .339 with RISP with 2 outs. Assuming Larnach is an improvement isn't a stretch, it's a leap.

 

Trevor Bauer, Robbie Ray, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, Jake Arrieta, Marcus Stroman, Jose Quintana will all be on the market. Here's hoping the Twins can sign a big name without having to trade away a cornerstone of their offense.

I agree that he should be traded potentially while his value is high. His OBP is .306 (career .311). He walk rate is 3.8%, which ranks 274th in mlb this year. I don't think it was just yesterday's plate appearance. Of course I'm rooting for him! I ain't no "hater." Just think a trade should be seriously considered in the off-season. I'm sure others disagree, but I've never quite been on the same wavelength as those who consider him indispensable.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

 

Traded!

No, no, no ... That's like shouting "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater.

[Blake]

 

No, no, no ... That's like shouting "Fire!" in a crowded movie theater.

And?

[Blake]

Rocco going to get manager of the year if the Twins make it past the first round of the playoffs?

[yarnivek1972]

Again: .286 and on pace for a 30-HR, 100 RBI season.

.336 with RISP.

.339 with RISP and 2 outs.

 

Huge clutch hit last night in late innings to seal the victory. Twins are on pace to win 100 games.

 

I'm pretty happy with Eddie's numbers and output this year. I get that watching some ABs can be frustrating, but I'm bamboozled that anyone thinks the Twins would be better without him.

Realistically, the Twins aren’t going to be able to keep “everyone” and stay within budget. They need pitching more than Rosario.

 

So, ask yourself if the Twins are better with Eddie Rosario and Stephen Gonsalves (for example) in the rotation or with Rooker (for example) in LF and a solid veteran in the rotation.

[bighat]

Garver 4K's so far in this series, looking bad up there in the leadoff spot.

[bighat]

 

 

I agree that he should be traded potentially while his value is high. His OBP is .306 (career .311). He walk rate is 3.8%, which ranks 274th in mlb this year. I don't think it was just yesterday's plate appearance. Of course I'm rooting for him! I ain't no "hater." Just think a trade should be seriously considered in the off-season. I'm sure others disagree, but I've never quite been on the same wavelength as those who consider him indispensable.

 

Fair enough, I see your point.

[operation mindcrime]

I'm predicting 8 Bombas for the good guys tonight! I will settle for 5 though! Go Twins!!!!! \m/

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Garver 4K's so far in this series, looking bad up there in the leadoff spot.

Now hitting .204 since All Star Break.

(OPS is .820 though!)

[USAFChief]

 

Garver 4K's so far in this series, looking bad up there in the leadoff spot.

last 7 days: OPS .523 (coming into tonight)

last 14 days: .617

last 28 days: .705

 

 

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

last 7 days: OPS .523 (coming into tonight)

last 14 days: .617

last 28 days: .705

... and tag on .820 since All Star Break and you can see the trajectory even more clearly.

[mrtwinsfan]

Yanks r on the twins tail,  probably both break record

[USAFChief]

Dismal start.

 

How does Ross Detweiler pitch a 1-2-3 top of the first, with 2 K's?

 

 

[bighat]

Ugly start for Odo. Dude's working slower than Gibby right now and not looking too good so far.

[mrtwinsfan]

Geez -gonna be a double digit drink night tonight,  C,mon Jake

[bighat]

Jake taking 2 minutes between pitches. Unwatchable.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

And?

aaaaaaannndd... we don’t shout “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater?

[USAFChief]

 

aaaaaaannndd... we don’t shout “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater?

Nor in a nearly empty movie theater, for that matter.