Notebook 7/25: Dobnak to the Rescue as Hill’s Start Gets Pushed Back

[Tom Froemming]

Rich Hill was supposed to make his Minnesota Twins debut this afternoon, but the Twins decided to give him a few extra days and slot him into the fifth starter spot. Randy Dobnak will be tasked with picking up his teammates, a familiar role for the right-hander.LAST NIGHT’S GAME RECAP

MIN 10, CHW 5: Kepler Blasts 2 Bombas, Twins Outlast White Sox

 

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you like the cardboard cutouts in the stands, or would you rather they just be completely empty?

 

TODAY

Twins at White Sox, 1:10 pm CT

Betting Lines: MIN -1.5, -118, 9.5 O/U

 

Twins: Randy Dobnak, RHP

Dobnak basically gained instant notoriety due to both his performance and incredible back story. It’s amazing to think he’s developed such an identity across Twins Territory despite logging just 30 1/3 innings with the Twins (including the postseason).

 

Dobnak faced the White Sox in his second MLB game. He gave up two unearned runs on five hits over three innings out of the bullpen. With Odorizzi on the IL and now Hill being pushed back, the team’s rotation depth is already being tested. Good thing this club has as good of backup options.

 

Here’s an update on Odorizzi and Hill from Dan Hayes of The Athletic:

 

, Dobnak may be a better matchup against the White Sox anyway. There are a lot of dangerous right-handed bats in that lineup, and Hill is a lefty.

 

Opponent: Dallas Keuchel, LHP

Download attachment: DallasKeuchel.png

Info above via Baseball Savant.

 

Keuchel will be making his debut for the White Sox after signing a three-year, $55.5 million contract. The 2015 AL Cy Young winner, Keuchel had a 3.75 ERA in 19 starts with Atlanta last year, though his FIP was a more robust 4.72.

 

The Twins destroyed left-handed pitching to the tune of a .285/.351/.521 batting line (.872 OPS) last season. Nelson Cruz has five bombas off Keuchel in 53 career plate appearances.

 

LINEUP

 

NEWS & NOTES

History was made when Shohei Ohtani became the first "bonus" runner to start an extra inning at second base. He actually ran himself into an out and the Angels failed to score in the top of the 10th inning. Ohtani attempted to advance to third on a ground ball to first base and was eventually tagged out in a rundown.

 

Oakland's Matt Olsen ended the game with a walk-off grand slam.

AROUND THE AL CENTRAL

CLE 2, KCR 0

CIN 7, DET 1

 

Is it too early to scoreboard watch? Yes. On the other hand, it is almost August …

1. MIN 1-0

1. CLE 1-0

3. CHW 0-1

3. DET 0-1

3. KCR 0-1

SEE ALSO

MLB Provides Refreshment and Peculiarity in Return

Looking for the Best: Twins Hitters and 60-game Stretches

20 Twins Predictions for the 2020 Season

Swinging Sixty: Minnesota Twins 2020 Season Preview

The Next Minnesota Twins - 2020

 

Click here to view the article

[mrtwinsfan]

And no Buxton again today--  w.t.f. is with this kid ?

[Trov]

To answer the question of the day, I do not care either way about the cutouts.  People paid money to have them.  The money goes to charity and not ownership so I am fine with it.  

 

On another note, that Sox line up looks like they will put up some good runs.  Their defense and pitching is what will hold them back. 

[woolywoolhouse]

 

I want this. And then - after the animals are quarantined for 10 days - they can be donated to a children's hospital. 

[Danchat]

 

And no Buxton again today--  w.t.f. is with this kid ?

It was mentioned yesterday that he likely wouldn't play this weekend... his statement that he "thought he could play Friday" was too hopeful.

[Danchat]

 

 

I want this. And then - after the animals are quarantined for 10 days - they can be donated to a children's hospital. 

I am 100% down for this. 

[cHawk]

Hopefully Dobby has a good day, unlike Berrios yesterday.

[bighat]

I don't mind the cutouts. In fact, I kinda like them better than the empty seats, just from a TV perspective. I think if I were a pitcher it would bother me. For example, if one of the pictures was getting under your skin, it's just gonna stay there and look at you with those empty eyes the whole game....

 

No Buxton again, disappointing. I saw a quote a few days ago where he said he was "feeling more confident", which you can translate to mean: He'll be back in 1.5 weeks. The Twins are so careful with this guy, if they keep winning they might not put him in until mid August.

 

Disappointed to see Arraez on the bench but there is a lefty on the mound. And Adrianza, despite being the team's ultimate "B Squad" player, has often dazzled in these situations.

 

Would like to see a couple big hits from Donaldson/Sano today. Get off the schnide.

 

 

 

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

...Oakland's Matt Olsen ended the game with a walk-off grand slam.

 

But only three of the runs were earned, because of the new rule!

[Squirrel]

Don't forget to join us for in game talk and banter! The game thread is waiting ... just a few minutes to game time!

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/39238-game-thread-725-minnesota-twins-1-0-chicago-white-sox-0-1-110pmct/

[insagt1]

Even with the season starting in late July, Buxton still can't stay healthy. This I fear is his legacy. The guy just can't stay in or even get in the lineup. How much longer will they stick with him?

[joefish]

Cutouts are a good idea. Have fun with them. Submit fan comments to go with them. Read the comments on air by announcers. Circle me Bert. Yes.

But pitch, hit, and win too.

[AceWrigley]

 

 

I want this. And then - after the animals are quarantined for 10 days - they can be donated to a children's hospital. 

I find this picture somehow disturbing. At least Sponge Bob looks like he's having a good time.