GAME THREAD: 8/4/20 Minnesota Twins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 1:10 CDT

[bighat]

John Ryan Murphy somehow hanging on in MLB. He's batting BEHIND Jerrod Dyson, if that says anything.

[Aggies7]

so glad someone else said it, far from a so-called ace, needs to prove that before he earns that distinction

I gave up on the ace distinction a while back, I’d settle for slightly above average at this point. Guy seems to get handed fantastic run support (outside of his last start of course), had an average of 6 runs last year in his starts, but just labors and labors. And this pirates lineup, eek.

[Don Walcott]

Avila needs to do better framing that outside pitch.

[Aggies7]

Gets out of it but probably cost himself 2 innings in the process

[Mill1634]

That was the ugliest striking out of a side I have ever seen

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Murphy at the bat.

 

Well... not any more.

 

Berrios escapes.

[Don Walcott]

Five Ks in 2 innings. I hereby proclaim Berrios a so-called Ace.

[LVTwinsfan]

At this rate our “ace” will be spent after 4 innings

[Don Walcott]

 

 

That was the ugliest striking out of a side I have ever seen

Apparently, you never saw Mitch Williams pitch.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

John Ryan Murphy somehow hanging on in MLB. He's batting BEHIND Jerrod Dyson, if that says anything.

That makes sense. They don't want him to slow Dyson down...

[Dman]

Man 45 pitches through two innings I thought this was our ace.  Looks more like a number 5 right now.  Lucky to go 4 innings at this rate, 5 max.  Hope the bullpen is ready.

[Vanimal46]

The Twins have improved in so many areas in a short amount of time. Still missing that ace though.

[MVP Nick Punto]

what happens when a batter changes his stance

I'm not 100% on the rules, so someone correct me, but isn't it supposed to be between your knees and elbows as you stand straight with your arms hanging? Regardless, just standardize it and tell the player "Here's your strike zone. Change your stance all you want, but your strike zone doesn't change."

[HawksNest]

Twins will sign Trevor Bauer this off season. The Falvey connection from their Indians days playing an important factor.

 

Not sure if Bauer is an "ace" either in the traditional sense but either way, that's my prediction.

 

Bauer has the attitude needed to be a bulldog leader of a rotation. Berrios doesn't seem to.

 

[snotboogie]

 

Cardinals' Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong are two of the names who have tested positive for Covid-19. Interesting that the team's catcher had the virus but didn't spread it to any of the Twins batters. Noted.

I'll feel a lot better about the Twins in about a week or so, given the incubation time.

[Aggies7]

The Twins have improved in so many areas in a short amount of time. Still missing that ace though.

Wondering if there will be a trade made before the deadline. Our starters are already dropping like flies and quite honestly, even with the offense and bullpen, I wouldn’t trust this staff in the playoffs

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Buxton!

[LVTwinsfan]

Buxton with his .067 ba would bat clean up on the Pirates

[BrianBuchanan]

Don't really understand all the Berrios bashing in the thread.  He's not going to be a guy consistently going into the 7th inning, but that doesn't mean he's a "5" for FFS 

[LVTwinsfan]

He can run though

[Don Walcott]

Speed kills.

[LVTwinsfan]

Don't really understand all the Berrios bashing in the thread. He's not going to be a guy consistently going into the 7th inning, but that doesn't mean he's a "5" for FFS

maybe it’s all the hype, I’ll give him a #3 starter, but he’s the worst of all Twins starters so far this year

[LVTwinsfan]

I'm not 100% on the rules, so someone correct me, but isn't it supposed to be between your knees and elbows as you stand straight with your arms hanging? Regardless, just standardize it and tell the player "Here's your strike zone. Change your stance all you want, but your strike zone doesn't change."

I believe it based on a hitters batting stance

[Dman]

Ump is not giving that low strike like yesterday to either side.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I'm not 100% on the rules, so someone correct me, but isn't it supposed to be between your knees and elbows as you stand straight with your arms hanging? Regardless, just standardize it and tell the player "Here's your strike zone. Change your stance all you want, but your strike zone doesn't change."

Yeah, i'm pretty sure you are right.

 

So yeah, if they do make it happen, part of pregame rituals will be strike zone calibration in the shoes they will wear for the game...

[LVTwinsfan]

Twins will sign Trevor Bauer this off season. The Falvey connection from their Indians days playing an important factor.

 

Not sure if Bauer is an "ace" either in the traditional sense but either way, that's my prediction.

 

Bauer has the attitude needed to be a bulldog leader of a rotation. Berrios doesn't seem to.

just keep the drones away from him and he’d be a great addition

[bighat]

Looks like the Twins are going to get into the Pirates bullpen early today. Good news for the Pirates' next opponent - oh wait, that's the Twins!

[BrianBuchanan]

Nelson Cruz... bases juiced... Probably not what Musgrove was going for here.

[bighat]

 

 

I gave up on the ace distinction a while back, I’d settle for slightly above average at this point. Guy seems to get handed fantastic run support (outside of his last start of course), had an average of 6 runs last year in his starts, but just labors and labors. And this pirates lineup, eek.

He's got all the talent in the world. But you're right, in situations where he gets handed a big lead it's almost like he struggles in those situations, oddly.

[Mill1634]

Nelson Cruz, Professional hitter