GAMES THREAD 9/4/2020: Twins vs. Tigers 1:10 PM CDT, Twins @ Tigers (@ Target Field) 4:10 CDT

[Brock Beauchamp]

Dick mentioned Carlos Silva--is Dobnak the 2020 version of Silva?

Dobnak is better because he’s considerably better at keeping the ball on the ground.

 

Silva had a 48% GB rate, Dobnak has a 58% GB rate.

[Mill1634]

Donaldson with one of the best catches I have seen in a while

[Brock Beauchamp]

Damn, Donaldson. That catch is so hard to make.

[stringer bell]

Outstanding catch by Donaldson!

[twinbythebay]

Sano's performance vs. lefties this season has been downright baffling. His career OPS vs. lefties is about 40 points higher than vs. righties. This season, his OPS vs. lefties is 300 points lower than vs. righties.

[stringer bell]

 

Dobnak is better because he’s considerably better at keeping the ball on the ground.

Silva got tons of ground balls too. I think one year he set a record for ground ball DPs in a season.

[TFRazor]

 

HBP

Don’t see that debut at-bat too often..

Technically, he hasn't debuted yet. I don't think that counts as an AB. Could be my brain doing me dirty though.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Silva got tons of ground balls too. I think one year he set a record for ground ball DPs in a season.

I edited my post, maybe you missed it.

 

Silva, 48% groundball rate.

 

Dobnak, 58% groundball rate.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Technically, he hasn't debuted yet. I don't think that counts as an AB. Could be my brain doing me dirty though.

It qualifies as a plate appearance, not an at bat.

[TFRazor]

There's buck

[TFRazor]

 

 

It qualifies as a plate appearance, not an at bat.

Typical. Brain telling me lies

[TFRazor]

Jeez, Donaldson looks gooooooood at 3rd.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Jeez, Donaldson looks gooooooood at 3rd.

So good.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Dobnak is dealing.

[TFRazor]

 

Dobnak is dealing.

Definitely doesn't seem to be having the issues from his last start. That last pitch to romine was dirty.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

 

Where is Buxton?  With Boyd on the mound, where is he?

 

We are going to need a Kremlinologist to crack Baldelli's code when it comes to why he is not playing certain guys.

 

At least Buck is not on the 10 day.

 

The starters for the second game haven't been announced officially, but maybe the teams are aware of who's starting, and Detroit has another lefty slated? That would at least somewhat justify not playing every RH hitter in the first game, especially if they're still treating Buxton's playing time cautiously.

[TFRazor]

3 Up. 3 Down.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Definitely doesn't seem to be having the issues from his last start.

Groundball guys just profile that way. From time to time, contact on the ground will stack up against a pitcher, with a bunch of consecutive balls finding open grass.

 

I’m pretty bullish on Dobnak now. He’s not a guy you really want out there to win ONE game because he allows so much contact, but he can have immense value going out there every fifth day over a full season.

[TFRazor]

 

 

The starters for the second game haven't been announced officially, but maybe the teams are aware of who's starting, and Detroit has another lefty slated? That would at least somewhat justify not playing every RH hitter in the first game, especially if they're still treating Buxton's playing time cautiously.

Buck was subbed into center this half inning. I guess they didn't want him playing 14 innings today. 2-3 this game and all 7 the next.

[TFRazor]

 

 

Groundball guys just profile that way. From time to time, contact on the ground will stack up against a pitcher, with a bunch of consecutive balls finding open grass.

I’m pretty bullish on Dobnak now. He’s not a guy you really want out there to win ONE game because he allows contact, but he can have immense value going out there every fifth day over a full season.

I don't know, he keeps pitching like this I might just say screw it and trot him out there lol.

[Diesel]

I know it hasn't been a pretty outing so far (despite giving up zero runs), but Dobnak has a chance to finish this game, doesn't he?

[Brock Beauchamp]

I don't know, he keeps pitching like this I might just say screw it and trot him out there lol.

It will be hard to keep him out if he ends the season with an ERA well below 3.00.

[Squirrel]

Bread baking day ... so this is a drive by .. GO TWINS!

[Brock Beauchamp]

I know it hasn't been a pretty outing so far (despite giving up zero runs), but Dobnak has a chance to finish this game, doesn't he?

I think it depends on the score. If the Twins build a larger lead, let it rip. If it’s close, play for the win and give the Tigers a different look.

[mikelink45]

Why is Rooker out?  I missed something.  And why not let Dobnak go another inning.  Do we really always need to have innings from the BP?

 

[twinbythebay]

 

Buck was subbed into center this half inning. I guess they didn't want him playing 14 innings today. 2-3 this game and all 7 the next.

Yep. I believe Rocco said before the game that Donaldson would only start in one game today, so I'm guessing they wanted to make sure they had at least one of them starting in each game since both are against LHP.

[FlauerPauer]

Why take Dobnak out? Rocco has sure made some stupid decisions lately with bullpen usage... 61 pitches!!

[twinbythebay]

 

Why is Rooker out?  I missed something.  And why not let Dobnak go another inning.  Do we really always need to have 4 innings from the BP?

It's a 7-inning game, so it'll only be 2 innings (hopefully!)

[twinbythebay]

 

Why take Dobnak out? Rocco has sure made some stupid decisions lately with bullpen usage... 61 pitches!!

The options were to either let a pitch-to-contact guy go out and face the lineup for a third time, or turn to our deep bullpen that has been mostly dominant this season to get six outs. I know which one I'd choose.

[Mill1634]

Duffey...good