Game Thread: Twins @ Royals, 4/10 - 7:10pm

[ashbury]

This would be a good inning for the Twins to score at least three runs.

 

ftfy in light of Francoeur.

[snepp]

and we don't even have Delmon out there.

 

Thank *deity of choice* for small miracles.

[Alex]

94 is not a high pitch count.

 

I should have added "relative to the twins. For 5 innings early in the season it is. Twins don't go much over 100, especially with young pitchers.

 

*3rd highest pitch count of the season for a Twins pitcher this season.

[LaBombo]

Mauer's career swinging strike rate: 4.1%.

 

2013 rate: 8.6%.

 

Even though swings that miss pitches in the zone seem much more frequent, there's only about a 2% increase from last year.

 

It's the swings at pitches outside the zone that are killing him. He's only swinging at them about 3% more often, but missing them half again as often - 50% contact rate outside the zone this year vs. about 75% career.

 

That seems like a huge fluke, and his numbers will improve as it evens out.

[GCTF]

At least the Duens can get the lefties out.

[Alex]

Mauer's career swinging strike rate: 4.1%.

 

2013 rate: 8.6%.

 

Even though swings that miss pitches in the zone seem much more frequent, there's only about a 2% increase from last year.

 

It's the swings at pitches outside the zone that are killing him. He's only swinging at them about 3% more often, but missing them half again as often - 50% contact rate outside the zone this year vs. about 75% career.

 

That seems like a huge fluke, and his numbers will improve as it evens out.

 

Great info. Thanks.

[Riverbrian]

 

If you put an infinite number of monkeys in front of an infinite number of typewriters for an infinite amount of time, all pecking away randomly, they'll eventually produce the works of Shakespeare.

 

I tried this in my garage. The closest I got was "neither a burro nor a mmmmmmm".

 

There were also a couple of unforeseen problems.

 

1. They produce a lot of data. It takes a lot of people to comb thru it.

2. They eat a lot of food. It's cost prohibitive when you are dealing infinite.

3. They go to the bathroom and the bathroom is pretty much right where they are.

4. They are stronger than they look. One of them ripped my cat in two.

[Aaron Cross]

Any particular reason for gardy to start emptying the bullpen? Could have just as well let roenicke finish the game. If he's a long man use him like a long man's supposed to be used.

[Ultima Ratio]

Why, oh why, would you groove a third-in-a-row fastball on an 0-2 count...why?

[ashbury]

This would be a good inning for the Twins to score at least four runs.

 

ftfy again, and counting

[notoriousgod71]

Any particular reason for gardy to start emptying the bullpen? Could have just as well let roenicke finish the game. If he's a long man use him like a long man's supposed to be used.

 

We must use five pitchers at minimum each game.

[Riverbrian]

I was out yelling at some young ballplayers... Heard Gladden say that KC escaped the bases loaded with no one out.

 

Tell me that's not true.

[LaBombo]

Great info. Thanks.

 

Not as learned regarding teh cyberzmetric as many other TD posters, but figured it couldn't hurt to throw it out there.

 

More fun with small samples: Mauer's ground ball rate is just 2% above his career rate, but his flyball rate is about 10% lower this year, while his line drive rate is about 10% higher.

 

Don't know what that means, other than that like the swing/miss outside the zone thing, it's early in the season and it will even out eventually.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Any particular reason for gardy to start emptying the bullpen? Could have just as well let roenicke finish the game. If he's a long man use him like a long man's supposed to be used.

 

Trying to keep it close? Not willing to write this game off yet?

[Alex]

Chen needs to give up a run here so he shows he just knows how to win.

[LaBombo]

3. They go to the bathroom and the bathroom is pretty much right where they are.

And don't get me started about the flinging. Also, being a dog person, my hunch is that the cat started it, but my condolences anyway.

[Riverbrian]

Runner on third... One out... K... Is the game you all have been watching?

[Alex]

Guess he doesn't. Incidentally, that sets up Mauer to be the last out of the game.

[Ultima Ratio]

That's pathetic. No other, kinder way to say it.

[ashbury]

Any particular reason for gardy to start emptying the bullpen?

 

Well it's a day off tomorrow, right? And after reading all the TD comments yesterday, I expect he feels quite chastened and has vowed to not let the game slip away due to his inaction.

[edavis0308]

This whole series has been pathetic. Looking in the direction of the offense.

[IdahoPilgrim]

Well it's a day off tomorrow, right? And after reading all the TD comments yesterday, I expect he feels quite chastened and has vowed to not let the game slip away due to his inaction.

 

I would hope the last thing either Gardenhire or Ryan do is make a baseball decision based on a fan forum. If they do, they should be fired.

[notoriousgod71]

That fan poll made this game worth watching.

[ashbury]

I would hope the last thing either Gardenhire or Ryan do is make a baseball decision based on a fan forum. If they do, they should be fired.

 

Let's take a vote on that and submit it to Ryan.

[glunn]

Tonight I am glad that I have been holding on to my low expectations for this season. And I hope that there is a team meeting before they board the plane tonight.

 

If you were Gardy, what would you say to the team after tonight's game?

[LaBombo]

Why, oh why, would you groove a third-in-a-row fastball on an 0-2 count...why?

Pitch-to-contact?

[ashbury]

All right, Twins batters, Rally Avatar is now up. Win this one.

[ashbury]

If you were Gardy, what would you say to the team after tonight's game?

 

Bad series, get 'em Friday, don't miss the effing team plane.

[LaBombo]

Let's take a vote on that and submit it to Ryan.

Too subtle the first time. Welcome back, tanline!

[glunn]

All right, Twins batters, Rally Avatar is now up. Win this one.

 

That is still the best avatar ever.