Notebook 9/16: Flip the Switch in the Windy City

[David Youngs]

After two frustrating games against the White Sox the Twins find themselves three games back from the South-Siders in the AL Central race. The good news? The Twins’ bats have been hot against Chicago ace Lucas Giolito, who takes the bump tonight.Yesteday's Game Recap

CHW 6, MIN 2: White Hot-White Sox

 

TODAY

Twins (30-20) @ White Sox (32-16), 7:10 pm CDT

 

Twins Starter: Jake Odorizzi, RHP 8.10 ERA

 

Rocco Baldelli announced Tuesday night that Odorizzi will return from the 10-day IL to start Wednesday night’s game against Chicago. Odorizzi was placed on the IL after taking a liner off the chest on August 21 against the Royals. It’s been a year of injuries for ‘Odo,’ as he missed the entire month of July with a back injury and has only made three starts all season.

 

All of Odorizzi's starts have come against the Royals, who split the season series with the Twins at five a piece. Odorizzi has a clean slate against the Sox this year and hopefully tonight;s game will provide an opportunity for him to find some sort of rhythm for the first time this year. Last year Odorizzi posted a 2-2 record against the Sox in four starts.

 

White Sox Starter: Lucas Giolito RHP 3.43 ERA

Giolito has played an integral role to the success story of baseball across the Windy City this summer. Not only did Giolito record his first no-hitter on August 25, he did it in dominant fashion, striking out 13 and only walking one batter against the Pirates. That performance combined with Alec Mills’ no-no on August 13 for the Cubs marked the first time both Chicago teams have recorded a no-hitter in the same season.

 

While Giolito has posted a 4-2 record on the season his two starts against Minnesota have been rocky. In the season opener the Twins shelled Giolito as he exited the game after just 3.2 innings, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits and 2 homers. And even though the Twins lost their August 31 matchup to the Sox they were able to post 4 runs on 4 hits in Giolito’s five innings on the mound.

Twins Starting Lineup:

 

White Sox Starting Lineup:

 

What to Watch for:

• Max Kepler has a career .364 average against Giolito in 22 at-bats. Nelson Cruz has a .353 average in 17 at-bats, including three home runs. Expect these two sluggers to carry the heavyweight for the Twins offense against the White Sox ace.

• Byron Buxton is faster than Jimmy John’s delivery service. He proved that last night, banking his third career inside the park home run on a line drive he clubbed to left center field. Buxton has batted .304 in his last seven games and will need to find ways to get on base for the Twins to find success.

• Jake Odorizzi hasn’t made it past 4 innings yet this year. And after a game where the Twins’ bullpen was heavily utilized they will need him to put up a quality start.

Other News:

• In addition to Odorizzi, the Twins have activated Alex Avila from the Injured List. As a result, the team has optioned Travis Blankenhorn and Randy Dobnak to the team's alternative site in St. Paul.

 

Around the AL Central

Chicago White Sox 32-16

Minnesota Twins 30-20 (3 GB)

Cleveland Indians 26-22 (6 GB)

Detroit Tigers 21-26 (10.5 GB)

Kansas City Royals 20-29 (12.5 GB)

 

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[sampleSizeOfOne]

Not only did Giolito record his first no-hitter on August 25, he did it in dominant fashion, striking out 13 and only walking one batter against the Pirates.

"His first no-hitter?"

 

I hope we don't give that distinction significance anytime soon.

 

Go Twins!

[T_J]

I just... just really really hate the White Sox...

 

Buxton should have had back to back games with inside the park homers. I wonder how often that's happened?

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Buxton should have had back to back games with inside the park homers. I wonder how often that's happened?

Greg Gagne had two in one game (in consecutive plate appearances, no less):

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198610040.shtml

 

Why yes, it was at the Metrodome:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I76wIWY1Tyc

[Road trip]

Dobnak sent down? Seriously? I know he has had a couple of rough starts in a row, but this is a surprise to me.  Fifteen days ago he was considered our 2nd most reliable starter.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Dobnak sent down? Seriously? I know he has had a couple of rough starts in a row, but this is a surprise to me.  Fifteen days ago he was considered our 2nd most reliable starter.

I had't realized it, but I guess it makes sense to send out Dobnak now, unless you want to go to a 6-man rotation or put Dobnak in the pen. We could perhaps use a long reliever out there, although I don't know if Dobnak would be suited for the role. (Odorizzi and/or Hill could work in that role for the postseason.)

[h2oface]

Seriously, Dobnak is toast. Burnt toast. The smoke and mirrors is over. I am glad they Twins took action. One game too, late, but pretty quick, all in all. Let the apologist's scream.... or flip ..........  be thankful for what we got but don't be fooled that he is a starter to bank on. Middle of the game innings eater..... even perhaps close games.... but small doses for not too long if he is needed.

[twinbythebay]

The Dobber is down! I didn't see that coming, but considering Odo is back and Dobnak is the only starter with options left, not to mention his recent performance, it makes sense. I was hoping they'd keep Blankenhorn up and option Astudillo instead, but I'm guessing they're still wary of Avila's back and want another guy on the roster who can (sorta) catch.

[USAFChief]

Did Dobnak take an Uber to St Paul?

[ashbury]

Fifteen days ago he was considered our 2nd most reliable starter.

Considered by whom? Not by Rocco, surely. Dobnak had a very short leash, in terms of innings (he completed 6 just one time) and in terms of pitch count (reached the 90s twice), despite starting the season with a string of five very nice games. I think our manager was handling him like a ticking time bomb.

 

That last may be overstating it. It could be that Dobnak carves out a nice career in the lower part of a rotation for a few years.

 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Seriously, Dobnak is toast. Burnt toast.

Is there any amount of jelly that will make him edible again?

[Otto von Ballpark]

Did Dobnak take an Uber to St Paul?

Would seem fitting if Dobnak is now on the “taxi squad.”

[Minny505]

Are there rules to how you can call up and send down guys from the alt site this year? It may just be to bide time with the bullpen and then send down Astudillo when Dobby's next start rolls around, similar to what the Dodgers are notorious for doing.

 

Dobnak probably never throws a pitch in game action at the alt site.

[blindeke]

Dobnak really had some bad luck last night. Lots of ground ball squibbers through holes. Of course, there were some laser beams too.

[blindeke]

 

Greg Gagne had two in one game (in consecutive plate appearances, no less):

 

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198610040.shtml

 

Why yes, it was at the Metrodome:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I76wIWY1Tyc

 

wow, again with the White Sox bad outfield defense too!

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Are there rules to how you can call up and send down guys from the alt site this year? It may just be to bide time with the bullpen and then send down Astudillo when Dobby's next start rolls around, similar to what the Dodgers are notorious for doing.

 

Dobnak probably never throws a pitch in game action at the alt site.

Option rules are pretty much the same. Dobnak will have to spend at least 10 days off the roster before he can come back, unless someone goes on the IL or there's a doubleheader.

 

But with Odorizzi back, there was no scheduled "next start" for Dobnak anyway. The Twins have 5 SP on the roster now without him, plus 2 off days next week and no doubleheaders (for now).

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

wow, again with the White Sox bad outfield defense too!

That outfielder was Daryl Boston -- the current White Sox first base coach!

 

I wonder if he looks back on that game now, and thinks he should have tried throwing his arms in the air to signal a ground rule double...

[DocBauer]

Someone had to go down. Dobnak has options and Odorizzi has to be looked at. I have no problem with this, even though it stinks. You still have to play the roster game.

 

I think Blankenhorn has a future, but it's not NOW.

 

Oddo pitching or not, it's time for the team to get angry and determined and make a statement the next 2 games.

 

 

[mikelink45]

I do not know why, but I really feel bad about Dobnak.

 

and do I really want Avila?  No. 

[TwinsFan268]

 

I do not know why, but I really feel bad about Dobnak.

 

and do I really want Avila?  No. 

Leave Avila at the alternate site and bring back Dobnak. Avila is basically an automatic out.

[USAFChief]

Leave Avila at the alternate site and bring back Dobnak. Avila is basically an automatic out.

Can Dobnak catch?

 

Personally I'm OK if I never watch Tortuga catch again for the Twins. I'm glad Avila is back to spell Jeffers.