Game Thread: Rays @ Twins 1:10 8/15/2021

[Danchat]

Hey all, it's been a while since I've covered a game thread. Today the Twins will face the Rays in a rubber match for another series win. While some fans may have expected the Twins to flirt with 100+ losses this season, they've inexplicably gone 7-5 since the trade deadline against some of MLB's best teams. Baseball can be weird sometimes.

I've got 3 topics on the docket today:

#1: Rays starter Luis Patino

Acquired in the Blake Snell trade (which may go down as a highway robbery the way it's looking), Patino was pitching in AA at the ripe age of 19. The Colombian native joined the Padres' roster in 2020 and even pitched in 3 playoff games at the age of 20. He's having a middling year in Tampa Bay, but he clearly has a ton of potential, having a strong MILB career at such a young age. 

Meanwhile, the other MLB piece of the Snell trade, Francisco Mejia is starting to live up to the hype as a top-tier catching prospect. Meanwhile, they also got two more prospects - pitcher Cole Wilcox (dominating at level A), and another catching prospect in Blake Hunt (a former 2nd round pick who is doing OK). 
MLB teams - stop trading for MLB players from the Rays! It isn't going to work most the time... just stop it!

#2: Twins Relievers Sporcle Quiz

The Twins have had a vast array of relievers, mostly mediocre ones, pitch for us over the past decade. Just for the heck of it, I've put together a quiz on Sporcle to see how many of the relievers you can guess have pitched at least 10 innings with the Twins in a season. It is quite the daunting test! Let me know what your % is - and don't feel bad, the higher the score, the more you should reconsider your life choices and perhaps find a new hobby.

Quiz Link Here

#3: September Call-Ups

We don't have a thread on this, but I wanted to highlight some minor leaguers who are worth considering for a September call up. Yes, I know the rules have changed to allow only 2 extra roster spots, but we have plenty of veterans we could DFA at a moment's notice. Here are some candidates:

3B Jose Miranda (.345/.409/.594 1.003 OPS)

CF Jimmy Kerrigan (.259/.355/.514 .869 OPS)

LF/RF Mark Contreras (.254/.330/.528 .858 OPS)

C Ben Rortvedt (.286/.329/.506 .836 OPS)

RP Jovani Moran (2.33 ERA / 0.67 WHIP / 4.14 K/BB)

RP Ian Hamilton (3.07 ERA / 1.29 WHIP / 2.14 K/BB)

And a longshot:

AA OF B.J. Boyd (.311/.375/.533 .908 OPS)

 

Lineups:

Luis Patino (R)

1. Randy Arozarena (R) RF

2. Nelson Cruz (R) DH

3. Austin Meadows (L) LF

4. Wander Franco (S) SS

5. Manuel Margot (R) CF

6. Jordan Luplow (R) 1B

7. Mike Zunino (R) C

8. Mike Brosseau (R) 2B

9. Joey Wendle (L) 3B

 

Charlie Barnes (L)

 

1. Max Kepler (L) RF

2. Jorge Polanco (S) SS

3. Josh Donaldson (R) DH

4. Luis Arraez (L) 2B

5. Mitch Garver (R) C

6. Trevor Larnach (L) LF

7. Miguel Sano (R) 1B

8. Jake Cave (L) CF

9. Willians Astudillo (R) 3B

 

Thoughts?

[Nine of twelve]

Someone I know told me that a crew from the TV game show "The Bachelorette" will be at Target Field today documenting a date between the prize for finishing first and one of the contestants. Gee, do you suppose the show's producers will arrange to have the couple on Kiss Cam? I am so glad I'm not going.

[RickOShea]

41 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Someone I know told me that a crew from the TV game show "The Bachelorette" will be at Target Field today documenting a date between the prize for finishing first and one of the contestants. Gee, do you suppose the show's producers will arrange to have the couple on Kiss Cam? I am so glad I'm not going.

Can I have your ticket?  I'm not interested in 'the bachelorette' or kiss cam.  I just love to see some live baseball, especially the way the Twins have been playing.

41 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Someone I know told me that a crew from the TV game show "The Bachelorette" will be at Target Field today documenting a date between the prize for finishing first and one of the contestants. Gee, do you suppose the show's producers will arrange to have the couple on Kiss Cam? I am so glad I'm not going.

 

[joefish]

Why no Rooker today? The hottest he has ever been and Rocco sits him. 

Why?

[RickOShea]

No Rooker in line-up?  Baldelli would fail Management 101 with some of his decisions.  You notice how the heat from the fans on Baldelli has quelled?  The Twins are playing better ball, while Baldelli I don't see as managing better.

[Mike Sixel]

22 minutes ago, RickOShea said:

No Rooker in line-up?  Baldelli would fail Management 101 with some of his decisions.  You notice how the heat from the fans on Baldelli has quelled?  The Twins are playing better ball, while Baldelli I don't see as managing better.

Showing how unimportant managers really are day to day. 

[Danchat]

Well, well - a strong start for Barnes so far. I'm glad he's getting a chance.

[big dog]

Second and third, nobody out for the Rays, and we're out of the inning still up 2-0. Nice escape act!

[Danchat]

Great AB there for Donaldson, and in a RISP spot! Where was this earlier this year?

[Aggies7]

A 2 out RBI with RISP for Donaldson. I’m dead

[Danchat]

Oh boy, Duffey looks about ready to let this lead go...

[Aggies7]

Why can’t the duffman throw strikes anymore 

[Aggies7]

Now for Nellie to put the dagger in

[Danchat]

Arraez played that dribbler well, but Arozarena had that beat out no matter what. Simmons needed to make that last play.

Cruz was 5/6 in bases loaded situations for us? Dang. Thankfully Duffey saved his best pitches for last.

[h2oface]

3 inherited runners. Yikes.

[Aggies7]

All things considered, that could have been a lot worse

[Danchat]

Man, I am just done with Cave. He's hitting just .208/.281 since returning and he's hit 1 HR all year. I'd really rather see Jimmy Kerrigan or Mark Contreras get a shot after having strong years in AAA. 

[Aggies7]

Lead off double plus error. What are the odds we get this in

[Aggies7]

WINNER

[LVTwinsfan]

Arguably the best 10 game stretch by the Twins this season

[Aggies7]

Kepler almost boner’d that one

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Arguably the best 10 game strychnine by the Twins this season

So, the twins are winning by poisoning the opposition?

[Longdistancetwins]

Walk-off sacrifice fly; nice way to commemorate the 1991 team.

[Longdistancetwins]

3 minutes ago, Aggies7 said:

Kepler almost boner’d that one

Yeah, that was amazing to see on the replay.

[LVTwinsfan]

5 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

So, the twins are winning by poisoning the opposition?

Auto correct was incorrect

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Auto correct was incorrect

It often is!  

At least this time was humorous.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

And there was much rejoicing!

Caught some on the radio with Taylor Rogers in the booth.

[Brock Beauchamp]

1 hour ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Arguably the best 10 game stretch by the Twins this season

There’s no arguing about it. Three consecutive series against division leaders, three series wins.