Game Thread Twins vs Red Socks 12:10pm cdt 4/15/2021 ad

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Arraez was in the opening day lineup too, albeit in LF.

Dear quibbler, I was going with "in the position" they were at on opening day! (I just wanted to use the word quibbler, don't think I ever have.)

[ScrapTheNickname]

I see that ESPN still ranks 5th in their "MLB Power Rankings." I did not expect that.

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/31248865/mlb-power-rankings-week-2-which-hot-starts-led-big-move-our-list

[USAFChief]

Woof.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Eh, Kepler has been fine. Not the Kep of 2019, but pretty much the mirror image of 2017, 18, & 20. 

This is who he is. Expecting more is to be disappointed when he hasn't really shown that outside of one career year...and there's a reason it's colloquially known as a career year. 

 

The big difference for Kepler in 2019 was he pulled the ball 53.4% of the time (no other season comes in higher than 44.3%).  He also made a career high amount of hard contact (42.4%, not other season higher than 37.1%).  As a result, his HR/FB rate was also a career high at 18% (no other season higher than 15.2%.  I'm not super sure 2021 Kepler is 2017/2018/2020 Kepler though; yes, it's early, but he is walking less, striking out more, and hitting more ground balls.  If that continues, Kepler will have very little value, and 2023 will undoubtedly be his last season in MN (if he makes it that far).

[Mill1634]

That's gotta be an out

[wsnydes]

Interesting ruling. Why would that be an out? It was ruled a HBP, which makes the ball dead.

[KFEY93]

You kids ready for another snooze fest loss filled with no situational/clutch hitting and patented Twins BP implosion? I know I am. 

[MMMordabito]

Was it a knobber?

 

(watching gameday)

[wsnydes]

 

Was it a knobber?

 

(watching gameday)

Yup.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Astudillo is really crowding the plate--I have to think so long as pitches are kept on the inner third, he's gonna get jammed and pop up a lot--like he just did.

[wavedog]

Popup-Dillo

[MMMordabito]

Two-true-outcomes Sano

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Sano with a walk!

 

[Diesel]

Sano is safe but I doubt there is enough to overturn

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Rocco making an impact early in this game

[Diesel]

Rocco making an impact early in this game

That was all Sano

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Every time announcers say Dalbec i think Dobnak...

[MNT1996]

The only thing that makes me hopeful about Sano is the walks he's taken this year

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Was it a knobber?

 

(watching gameday)

A knobber and a nubber.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Two-true-outcomes Sano

 

I'm actually optimistic about Sano, after looking closer.  His OBP is .285, despite a .105 babip--that can't possible stay that low.  If the babip hits even .200, and Sano maintains his current approach (only swinging at 25.5% of pitches out of the zone, while making close to career average contact), he should normalize to a useful hitter, although probably not a true middle of the order one.

[IndianaTwin]

Gladden, talking about the RISPy slump: "I've got them at 3 for 42." 

 

Yeah, right, Dano, like you've been keeping track. That came straight from the media notes.  

[TouchEmAllGuy]

I'm listening on the radio. Could Diaz have sent the big fella?

[KFEY93]

Time for a basses loaded killing double play! 

[KFEY93]

 

I'm listening on the radio. Could Diaz have sent the big fella?

No. He would have been hosed. Ball was hit too hard

[Cap'n Piranha]

Bases loaded, they've got us right where they want us.

[nicksaviking]

Is it too early to pinch hit for your shortstop?

[MNT1996]

 

I'm listening on the radio. Could Diaz have sent the big fella?

 

Let's not get carried away now. He's not the speedster like Cruz is.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Is it too early to pinch hit for your shortstop?

 

No, but now it is too late for a couple of innings.

[MMMordabito]

Looks like the challenge situation broke Gameday.

 

[Cap'n Piranha]

Luis is due.