Game Thread: Twins vs. Cleveland 8/1/20 @ 6:10PM CT

[twinssporto]

 

Welcome back to another exciting Twins Daily game thread extravaganza! The match up tonight between the Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians should be another drama filled match up. I can't believe it's already August 1st. The whole calendar this year seems to be off...My college kids (all three) have been home since March and thankfully, so far they are still set to head back to school over the next few weeks.  It's actually been nice to have them home this long but I think its time they leave the nest for awhile.  I think they are ready to fly the coop too. 

 

I don't know if anyone else is in the same situation with college kids but my wallet could use a break as well. Forget how expensive tuition is, these kids drink all my beer and booze and its becoming expensive! What does this have to do with baseball you might ask? Not a lot, just seems weird to have my kids home this long and for the Twins to have only played 7 games through August 1st. 

 

I didn't realize how much I missed baseball until the season started a week or so ago. It's still weird not seeing any fans in the stands but I guess this is the way it will be for awhile. With no spectators in the stands it got me thinking about what MLB could do to generate more television interest and drama during the game. I dislike the fake fan noise and lame cheers they play in the background. I'd much prefer it if they put a mic on a few of the players during the entire game. I'd also prefer they pump loud music over the PA system during the entire inning. It would be fun to see how that experiment played out (this is a bad idea if they play music I don't like). The card board cutouts are kind of lame too. Maybe they should use mannequins instead...Don't be shy, it's only a game thread! Throw out some suggestions you would like to see MLB implement with no fans in the stands. Curious to see if anyone has better ideas.

 

I don't have much time to add to this game thread intro as I have to go dodge Covid 19 at a graduation party soon. Wish me luck!

 

Go Twins!

 

Tonights Lineups:

 

Minnesota Twins:

 

1. Max Kepler (RF)

2. Jorge Polanco (SS)

3. Nelson Cruz (DH)

4. Eddie Rosario (LF)

5. Mitch Garver ©

6. Luis Arraez (2B)

7. Miguel Sano (1B)

8. M. Gonzalez (3B)

9. Byron Buxton (CF)

Kenta Maeda (P) 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA

 

Cleveland Indians:

 

1. C. Hernandez (2B)

2. Jose Ramirez (3B)

3. F. Lindor (SS)

4. C. Santana (1B)

5. F. Reyes (DH)

6. B. Zimmer (CF)

7. D. Santana (RF)

8. Sandy Leon ©

9. D. Johnson (LF)

Carlos Carrasco (P) 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA

 

15% of rain and 76 degrees, 7mph wind

[FlauerPauer]

Go Twins! Pick up another big time win tonight! Maeda doesn't pitch great, but good enough to keep the boys in the game. Cruz hits a late home run to give the good guys the victory.

[stringer bell]

Gonzalez takes over at third, with Sanó at first. I'd do it that way too. I hope the well-paid Mr. Donaldson can be at the hot corner sooner rather than later.

[twinssporto]

My pick to click tonight is Mitch Garver. 3-4 (two doubles and a HR) 4 RBI's. Just sayin'.

[yarnivek1972]

This might be the only time in their brief history as teammates that Max Kepler has had more strikeouts and fewer walks than Eddie Rosario.

[Nine of twelve]

I think the biggest impact of the COVID epidemic on the Cleveland team is that Terry Francona can't snarf sunflower seeds for nine innings like he is accustomed to doing.

[Nine of twelve]

 

 I hope the well-paid Mr. Donaldson can be at the hot corner sooner rather than later.

Me too, although it's looking more all the time like there will be no later.

[Nine of twelve]

No matter how many baseball games you have watched something new will happen in almost every game if you look hard enough. I have not seen a batter question the batter's box before.

[Nine of twelve]

Dickbremerism: popup to center field. That is what he calls a medium-deep fly ball hit by the opposition.

IMHO there is no such thing as a popup to the outfield.

[70charger]

I still want us to beat him, but I'm happy to see Carrasco back from leukemia.

[yarnivek1972]

No matter how many baseball games you have watched something new will happen in almost every game if you look hard enough. I have not seen a batter question the batter's box before.

I don’t know if it would count as questioning the batter’s box, but Matt Lawton routinely “erased” it so he could stand in a spot that was likely behind the back line. I seem to recall at least one team complained about it once.

[Nine of twelve]

 

I don’t know if it would count as questioning the batter’s box, but Matt Lawton routinely “erased” it so he could stand in a spot that was likely behind the back line. I seem to recall at least one team complained about it once.

Tony O used to do that all the time. Since he almost always batted third there was no back line after the first inning.

[Nine of twelve]

What we are seeing so far from Maeda is how pitch-to-contact works when properly done.

[Nine of twelve]

 

What we are seeing so far from Maeda is how pitch-to-contact works when properly done.

From Carrasco as well.

[yarnivek1972]

What we are seeing so far from Maeda is how pitch-to-contact works when properly done.

Of course, that strategy will fail if you are allowing HARD contact or if you have a poor defense.

[Danchat]

 

What we are seeing so far from Maeda is how pitch-to-contact works when properly done.

...and then Maeda strikes out the side!

[Sielk]

And now, after all the pitch to contact we see three strikeouts. I like how Kenta looks so far.

[Nine of twelve]

 

Of course, that strategy will fail if you are allowing HARD contact 

Like that!

[LVTwinsfan]

Sano!!!

[Squirrel]

And here he comes .............. SANOOOOOOOO!

[Diesel]

That was a Sano missile

[operation mindcrime]

Well that's one way to break out of a slump!!!!!

[LVTwinsfan]

Throwing fastballs to Sano, bet he doesn’t see another one tonight

[operation mindcrime]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[operation mindcrime]

Nice hit Marwin!

[70charger]

Let it Sano!

[Nine of twelve]

When the bringer of rain is unavailable it's good to make it Sano.

[Nine of twelve]

Dick just says that what he called a popup in the first inning was a deep fly ball.

[Linus]

Loved that Miggy was running hard out of the box on the homer.

[70charger]

Boom! Rosie!