Front Page: ALDS Game 3 Preview: Twins vs. Yankees

[Ted Schwerzler]

Despite being the record setting club on the road during the 2019 season, Rocco Baldelli’s Minnesota Twins dropped the first two games to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. Returning home to play a postseason game in Minneapolis for the first time since 2010 the Bomba Squad is going to need some serious resolve. Jake Odorizzi has come through in some big spots this season, and this collection is counting on him to do that once again.ALDS Game 3

New York Yankees (103-59) @ Minnesota Twins (101-61)

Series: 2-0 Yankees

Start Time: 8:40 PM ET / 7:40 PM CT

Forecast: 60 degrees and sunny

Pitching Matchup: RHP Luis Severino vs RHP Jake Odorizzi

 

Lineups:

Download attachment: Lineups1007.png

 

Jake Odorizzi posted a sub-2.00 ERA through his first 13 starts for the Twins this season, and he was below 3.00 until the month of July. For the first half of the season Odorizzi established himself as the go-to arm behind Jose Berrios and earned a trip to his first All-Star Game because of it. July was not kind as the former Rays righty posted a 7.43 ERA in five turns and desperately needed to get back on track. Making nine more starts the rest of the way he rebounded with a 3.04 ERA .647 OPS against and 65/16 K/BB. As a fly ball pitcher it always made sense to turn Odorizzi loose in Target Field, but it was actually in New York that Jake fared significantly better than this outfit. His length in a series that has seen Minnesota get just a combined 6.0 IP from starters is a narrative to watch.

 

Yankees Starter

 

Aaron Boone turns to Luis Severino for game three. Had he been healthy in 2019 Severino would’ve likely been the game one choice as a two-time All-Star and Cy Young candidate at age 25. Instead he’s thrown just 12.0 IP this season and he’s yet to be given a leash longer than 80 pitches. Severino is a strikeout pitcher with plenty of velocity, and he’s fanned more than 10 per nine each of the past two seasons. He hasn’t been known to give up the long ball, and command isn’t much of a problem either. Luis does have a 6.26 ERA across 23 postseason IP however, and with the uncertainty of a small runway to get ready for this action, New York may decide to go with a quick hook.

 

Battle Tested Twins

 

There’s no denying that Minnesota is up against it and in a far from enviable position. That being said, this group has veterans sprinkled in that can provide levity during this type of scenario. Baldelli has kept things light and loose for his club all season, and nothing suggests bucking that trend now. Minnesota didn’t suffer a three-game losing streak until their 94th game of the season and surrendered to that fate just twice all season. Including a loss in the final game of the regular season the Twins are riding a three-game skid, but history suggests an ability to put the fire out.

 

All hands will be on deck in an elimination game, and the expectation should be that the usage of Taylor Rogers, Trevor May, and Sergio Romo should be more liberal if the situation presents itself. While pitching has been a downfall, and the management of it, a central focus will be placed on the quality of at-bats and production from the lineup. After breaking records left and right during the regular season, the Twins have been outscored 18-6 in the past 18 innings.

 

Climbing out of a 2-0 hole is hardly an easy task, and looking at it from a big picture view does nothing to minimize the situation. The Twins need to take their opportunities in small chunks at a time and attempt to win each inning on the path to making this a series before it’s over.

 

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[insagt1]

it has literally been decades since Twins beat Yanks 3 straight. What does it mean? Only what anyone wants it to mean. To win 3 you have to win 1....so tonites game is everything. It would be a great thing for the fans to cheer these guys off the field after a win wouldn't it!

 

Lets hope it happens.

[denarded]

The Twins need to take their opportunities in small chunks at a time and attempt to win each inning on the path to making this a series before it’s over.

 

I was thinking the same thing yesterday while watching football. How NFL teams break the season into quarters. This is not going to be easy. I don't think they can do it, but I'm not giving up hope after watching 140 plus games this year. My GF learned to speak Danish while I watched baseball. I need some sort of accomplishment for the almost 500 hours I devoted to this. Bigger fool me

Go Twins

[Thegrin]

I think back to the many wonderful memories the Twins have given us this year and I hope for one more before the season ends. We'll let tomorrow take care of itself. 

[bunt_vs_the_shift]

It's on Rocco to do his best sports psychology bit to get this 15 game losing streak out of their head and it's on the individuals to play with some pride at this point. You've gotta get 1 before you get 3. 

I'm not delusional enough to think we'll just roll off 3 straight, but please don't mail it in! They still have to play the game - make them earn it!  

 

Our happy go lucky approach has been great for 162 games, but at this point for the love of God I'd like to see someone get mad and take this personally! Give me an unacceptably long home run trot... dugout stare down... or how about Jake O moving some feet?... We've looked completely shell shocked for about 15 innings. Show me a little fire and punch back! 

 

 

 

[VATwinsFan]

 

It's on Rocco to do his best sports psychology bit to get this 15 game losing streak out of their head and it's on the individuals to play with some pride at this point. You've gotta get 1 before you get 3. 

I'm not delusional enough to think we'll just roll off 3 straight, but please don't mail it in! They still have to play the game - make them earn it!  

 

Our happy go lucky approach has been great for 162 games, but at this point for the love of God I'd like to see someone get mad and take this personally! Give me an unacceptably long home run trot... dugout stare down... or how about Jake O moving some feet?... We've looked completely shell shocked for about 15 innings. Show me a little fire and punch back! 

I personally liked the time Tori Hunter got hit by a pitch and then picked up the ball and threw it back at the pitcher as hard as he could.

 

Classic.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Come join the game thread here!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

My GF learned to speak Danish while I watched baseball.

You could always learn to eat danishes while watching baseball!

[scottz]

One nit pick:

 

Start Time: 8:40 PM ET / 7:40 PM CT
Forecast: 60 degrees and sunny

 

The sun sets at 6:43 PM CDT. It will not be sunny. Clear, perhaps, but not sunny.

[mikelink45]

I am following this game with hope, but no expectations.  Am I alone in this shell shocked Yankee-Twins world?

[Bomba2026]

I just watched Tampa beat Houston so......Tampa has a good pitching staff and a horrible fan base. I'm happy their fans actually showed up today. I think the Twins will win tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully Sano and Eddie will be mentally present for the game....

[Otto von Ballpark]

I am following this game with hope, but no expectations. Am I alone in this shell shocked Yankee-Twins world?

You are not alone!

 

In fact, the Twins will be taking the field to this song at Target Field tonight:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URyqGD99Owg

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....I do not hear iay fat lady singing.. 

[Battle ur tail off]

Let's score some runs today.

 

Rogers in the 3rd inning if we have to. Have him pitch 2-3 innings if needed. I don't care. Odorizi, May, Duffey, Rogers, Romo. No ones else. . I'm done losing with our worst guys out there. More than one walk or one hit given up in a row, yank em and go to the next guy.

 

Also, Rosario in the 8th or 9th spot. Can't give up so many at bats with guys on base. You just can't swing at every pitch. 

Edited October 7, 2019 by Battle ur tail off

[theBOMisthebomb]

The time for analysis is over and we must lean on cliched rock anthems for inspiration. I heard this Journey song today and feel it appropriate for the three game journey awaiting our beloved Twins, "...Working hard to get my fill

Everybody wants a thrill

Payin' anything to roll the dice

Just one more time

Some will win, some will lose

Some were born to sing the blues

Oh, the movie never ends

It goes on and on and on and on

 

Strangers waiting

Up and down the boulevard

Their shadows searching in the night

Streetlights, people

Living just to find emotion

Hiding somewhere in the night

 

Don't stop believin..."

[VivaBomboRivera!]

27 outs between the Twins and the end of the season:

• Strike first; strike hard; no mercy*
• Leaven aggression with patience
• Scrap for every opportunity; don't relinquish anything without a fight
• Throw hard inside

 

* Sorry, Miyagi-sensei

[insagt1]

 

You could always learn to eat danishes while watching baseball!

post of the night so far!!!

[insagt1]

If the Twins pitchers have to get lit up...so be it. But the walks are totally unacceptable. It shows primarily a real lack of confidence....and you must be confident when facing the Yankees in an elimination game.

[mikelink45]

7:40??  Why?  What a strange time.  Do I want it to be 7:40 or not?  Is this my station or someone elses?  Please give me a good night sleep.

[ewen21]

Come on damnit.  Sorry for being so crochety in the other threads.  I am letting go right now.

About to crack my first Guinness

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Stay classy, and don't let the bastards grind you down!

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E9BiDISzOVU