GAME THREAD: 9/11/20 Minnesota Twins VS Cleveland Indians, 7:10 CDT

[Mill1634]

The Twins return to action Friday after taking a very much needed 2 day break from baseball because of the doubleheader played Tuesday, which was originally a normal 2 day series. However, things start to heat up in intensity as the Cleveland Indians, who are behind the Twins by half a game in the division, who are a game behind Chicago, come to town. This is as important of a series as you can have in a 60 game season.

 

The Pitchers: RHP Shane Bieber (7-0, 57.2 IP, 1.25 ERA, 94 K's) vs RHP Kenta Maeda (4-1, 48.2 IP, 2.77 ERA, 56 K's)

 

Shane Bieber has easily been the best pitcher in the entire America League, and the entirety of MLB this season. The right hander averaged over 14 K's per 9 innings, which is elite for a reliever, but for a starter is practically unheard of. Bieber has been worse the last three games, and still has an ERA of 1.59 in those outings. This is the third time the Twins have faced him, so maybe we see some guys pick on stuff a bit sooner. As for Maeda, he has been exceptional this season since coming over from the Dodgers. This is also the third time Kenta is tasked with shutting down Clevelands hitters, and he has done so thus far. He has 13 K's and only one run in 11 innings. Expect this one to be a low scoring affair (Vegas has the over/under at 6.5!! A typical game is 8.5 or 9.5).

 

 

The Lineups:

 

Twins

 

SS J. Polanco S

3B J. Donaldson R
LF E. Rosario L
DH Nelson Cruz R
1B Miguel Sano R
RF Jake Cave L
CF Byron Buxton R
2B M. Gonzalez S
C Ryan Jeffers R

 

 

Indians

 

SS F. Lindor S
2B C. Hernandez S
3B Jose Ramirez S
1B C. Santana S
DH F. Reyes R
RF Tyler Naquin L
LF Josh Naylor L
C R. Perez R
CF D. DeShields R

 

Luis Arraez was placed on the 10 day IL today, so we will still get to see Marwin in this lineup a lot, and take that however you would like. Polanco leads off once again, and Donaldson is back for the third game in a row after playing B2B games on Tuesday. Rosario slides up to the 3 slot, which I can't quite figure out. Buxton is once again roaming Center Field, which is always a good sign. Cleveland rolls out 4 switch hitters to start the ballgame, and then the lineup drops off pretty quickly after that. Reyes is having a very good year, hitting over .300, but has a lot of swing and miss in his game. Josh Naylor is a new addition to the squad since they traded Clevinger, and is okay, but should be Eloy Jiminez level in left field.

 

This Day in History - 2001: In the wake of terrorist attacks on New York City's World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Major League Baseball cancels all games for security reasons and for the deep mourning of the senseless loss of lives. The evacuation of Yankee Stadium also takes place as a precautionary measure.

 

PS - Watch the weather in this one, I think it may be called due to rain, which is not a good thing for the Twins having to face Bieber in a 7 inning game.

 

PSS - Remember all of the lives that were lost 19 years ago today.

 

Pick to Click - Boomstick goes Boom

 

Go Twins!!!

 

 

[stringer bell]

Eyes on the sky for this one. There shouldn't be much scoring and weather may end this before it starts. 

[stringer bell]

According to ESPN , Cleveland is favored both tonight and tomorrow despite the Twins better record and playing at home. That probably has a lot to do with the projected starting pitchers, but still a bit of a slap in the face of the reigning division champs.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Rain delay.

 

Not that they are delaying the rain.

 

Rain is going on undisturbed.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Oh yeah.

 

We go Donaldson and Buxton.

 

Uns

 

top

 

able.

[Nine of twelve]

Based on the starting pitching they could probably play around the rain and still complete a 1-0 9-inning game in about 1:45.

[Old Twins Cap]

No info on the weather?

 

By all rights, looking at the radar, they should play.  Sprinkles are possible later.

 

Jeezums, can we get beyond the risk averse world of "it ain't perfect out" and just play a normal 9 inning game, with some wetness?

 

You would think with no fans that they would be more adventurous, but actually, it's been the opposite:  just postpone and play fewer innings.  Works for everyone.

[Sielk]

No info on the weather?

 

By all rights, looking at the radar, they should play. Sprinkles are possible later.

 

Jeezums, can we get beyond the risk averse world of "it ain't perfect out" and just play a normal 9 inning game, with some wetness?

 

You would think with no fans that they would be more adventurous, but actually, it's been the opposite: just postpone and play fewer innings. Works for everyone.

They'll start now.

[LVTwinsfan]

Go Twins, go Tigers

[USAFChief]

Good evening all.

 

I'm reminded of the last thing my dad said to me before he passed. 
 

"Son," he said, "don't ever go cheap on speakers. I like JBL's, but whatever, don't skimp on the speakers."

 

Sound advice.

[LVTwinsfan]

Let’s get two quick runs,play 5 innings and pray for rain

[Nine of twelve]

I haven't said this for a while so I'll annoy everyone by repeating it. I accept that the red jerseys are not ugly but the Twins do not look like the Twins in red. And we simply do not need to go back to the '70's with the powder blue abominations. Can't we please just have one home uni and one road uni? Home should be cream pinstripes but with the modern logo instead of the bugly script from the '60's. And hire a good designer to come up with some handsome road grays that do not look like Cleveland or Atlanta.

That is all.

[LVTwinsfan]

Good AB by Rosario

[adorduan]

well, we have a baserunner...

 

[USAFChief]

 

I haven't said this for a while so I'll annoy everyone by repeating it. I accept that the red jerseys are not ugly but the Twins do not look like the Twins in red. And we simply do not need to go back to the '70's with the powder blue abominations. Can't we please just have one home uni and one road uni? Home should be cream pinstripes but with the modern logo instead of the bugly script from the '60's. And hire a good designer to come up with some handsome road grays that do not look like Cleveland or Atlanta.

That is all.

I'm in general agreement, even though I don't hate the red uni's. However, neither of us will get our wish. Why have one uniform, when you can sell multiple versions? 

[LVTwinsfan]

I haven't said this for a while so I'll annoy everyone by repeating it. I accept that the red jerseys are not ugly but the Twins do not look like the Twins in red. And we simply do not need to go back to the '70's with the powder blue abominations. Can't we please just have one home uni and one road uni? Home should be cream pinstripes but with the modern logo instead of the bugly script from the '60's. And hire a good designer to come up with some handsome road grays that do not look like Cleveland or Atlanta.

That is all.

I don’t like the cream colored pinstripes, they look like pajamas. White pinstripe are fine

[Nine of twelve]

On the topic of unis, I remember 20 or so years ago the Twins and the A's played a throwback uniform game. It was disappointing that Art Howe didn't wear a dapper suit like Connie Mack sported when he managed the A's.

[Mill1634]

Thought Miggy got that one at first

[USAFChief]

 

On the topic of unis, I remember 20 or so years ago the Twins and the A's played a throwback uniform game. It was disappointing that Art Howe didn't wear a dapper suit like Conniack sported when he managed the A's.

http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/wp-content/uploads/satevepost/2017-03-27-connie-mack-dugout.jpg

 

Obviously watching the in-dugout video. Pre scandal days.

[shortround81]

I'm surprised they're still playing. It looks like it's coming down.

[Nine of twelve]

OK guys, here's our chance to score the only run of the game.

[Nine of twelve]

Or maybe the only two runs of the game.

[Mill1634]

BUXTON BOMB

[LVTwinsfan]

Nice atta Buck

[Danchat]

BUXTON!!!!!!!!!!

[stringer bell]

Surprised they’re playing. Good job Cave & Buck!

[USAFChief]

BUXTON!!1!

[USAFChief]

I went to the VA this afternoon for a checkup, I have been feeling...off. Different. Odd.

 

The doc ran a plethora of tests, and finally called me into his office. "I have some results," he said. "Your DNA, it's...backwards."

 

I looked at him and replied with the first thing that came to mind.

 

"And?"

[LVTwinsfan]

I think the Division winners should get the top three seeds and the other five teams should be seeded by best record. Why should 2nd place in a five team division warrant any special consideration?

[USAFChief]

That Maeda trade isn't working out well so far, at all. The guy rarely if ever K's the side.