Game Thread: Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins, 5/24, 6:40pm CST

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

The Tigers and Twins kick off the second game of a 3-game series tonight, after a walk-off victory to begin the series yesterday. By June 2nd, the Twins will have played the Tigers in 8 out of 12 games. If you aren't sign of the Olde English "D" yet, we all will be. 

The big acquisition news coming out of yesterday is the addition of a Gong to the Twins clubhouse. I guarantee there will be some merch to commemorate this Gong, and I am all for it. Replace the Bomba Siren! 

 

THE MATCHUP:

RHP Sonny Gray (1-1) 3.48 ERA, 20.2 IP, 25K, 1.26 WHIP vs. RHP Beau Brieske (0-3) 5.13 ERA, 26.1 IP, 15 K, 1.33 WHIP

The matchup strongly favors the Twins here, as Sonny Gray has been pretty solid while averaging just over 4 IP per start. Gray went 6 IP in his recent start against his original team of Oakland, and was fairly effective. The bullpen could use a break tonight, after close contests over the last few games. 

For the Tigers, Beau Brieske has struggled in his rookie season, with 0.4 fWAR and an ERA that is lucky considering his FIP (6.68) and xFIP (5.53). He has allowed 2.39 HR/9, with a very poor K/9 (5.13) and BB/9 (3.76). 

The biggest note about Brieske other than his very catchy name is his reverse split. Right-handed hitters are slashing .296/.371/.574 against Brieske, compared to .167/.231/.354 from left-handed hitters. This has resulted in a funky Twins lineup, with only two lefties.

The Lineups: 

TIGERS LINEUP:
1. RF Robbie Grossman (S)
2. 2B Jonathan Scoop (R)
3. DH Miguel Cabrera (R)
4. SS Javier Baez (R)
5. 3B Jeimer Candelario (S)
6. LF Willi Castro (S)
7. 1B Spencer Torkleson (R)
8. C Tucker Barnhart (S)

9. CF Derek Hill (R)

 

TWINS LINEUP:
1. CF Byron Buxton (R)
2. 2B Luis Arraez (L)
3. SS Carlos Correa (R)
4. DH Gary Sanchez (R)
5. RF Max Kepler (L)
6. LF Gilberto Celestino (R)
7. 3B Gio Urshela (R)
8. 1B Jose Miranda (R)
9. C Ryan Jeffers (R)

THE PREDICTION:

Twins come out big and early, with Trevor Megill eating up some innings after Gray departs. Final Score: 9-3

[stringer bell]

Nice intro! Yes, very interesting lineup. I was wondering when Polanco would get a day and today looks like as good a day as any. 

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

22 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Nice intro! Yes, very interesting lineup. I was wondering when Polanco would get a day and today looks like as good a day as any. 

Thanks! Looks like Polanco hasn't had a scheduled day off dating back to 4/21, so it's been quite a while. 

[Drunk_Goose]

I like that lineup. Let's get it done boys!

[Doctor Gast]

Detroit has used a lot of their best BP, I like the match up so I predict a blow out. Go Twins

[USAFChief]

Megill intrigues me. I'm at the game tonight and hope to see him pitch.

 

..

 

 

 

With about a 7 run lead.

[shortround81]

[Diesel]

This team is showing why chemistry is extremely important…. It’s also interesting seeing some of the stats. For example, Kepler is “better” so far this year than 2019, despite lower OPS numbers. Guys like Arraez are that much more important with a dead ball

[Dave The Dastardly]

I'd go Arraez as lead off and Buxton 2nd. Odds are Arraez gets on and Buxton, or Correa, or Sanchez drives him in.

Is that too old-fashioned?

[Mill1634]

Another game that we "have" to win with the pitching matchup and putting out the A lineup. And I think this team comes through once again.

 

Twins 6, Tigers 3

PTC: Correa

[wsnydes]

11 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

I'd go Arraez as lead off and Buxton 2nd. Odds are Arraez gets on and Buxton, or Correa, or Sanchez drives him in.

Is that too old-fashioned?

I wouldn't say old fashioned.  That's not a wrong answer.  

The other way to look at it is Buxton gets on and he's scoring on an Arraez single.

No real wrong choice there if you ask me.

[Winston Smith]

I was sitting in the gym of the school my grandkids attend this morning for a program when the kids in Texas were killed. It's very difficult to think about baseball after spending that time with a gym full of happy kids getting ready for a summer of fun while the lives of so many will never be the same, ever!

[Muppet]

15 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

I'd go Arraez as lead off and Buxton 2nd. Odds are Arraez gets on and Buxton, or Correa, or Sanchez drives him in.

Is that too old-fashioned?

I’d be interested to see them try this for awhile considering almost half of buxton’s hits are homers. But it is also equally as likely that what might end up a Buxton triple ends up with him at first and Arraez at second. 

[Cap'n Piranha]

Watching Buxton go down the line on that swinging bunt, and it is obvious that Buxton is not healthy.  Get him on the IL so he can get better.  Now please.

[Cap'n Piranha]

7 minutes ago, Muppet said:

I’d be interested to see them try this for awhile considering almost half of buxton’s hits are homers. But it is also equally as likely that what might end up a Buxton triple ends up with him at first and Arraez at second. 

70% of Buxton's hits go for XBH--I'd like those hits to have runners on base for them.  I also can't fathom any ball in play that would be a triple with the bases clear, but only a single with an average-speed runner on first.

[wsnydes]

27 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

I'd go Arraez as lead off and Buxton 2nd. Odds are Arraez gets on and Buxton, or Correa, or Sanchez drives him in.

Is that too old-fashioned?

Of course, there's always option C...

 

Buxton grounds out and Arraez flies out.

[twinssporto]

I like this lineup TD fans!

Big night. Huge night!

My pick to click....Buxton (maybe Arreaz) (maybe Gio too)

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

The Tigers have given the Twins soooo many free runs this season. 

[Mill1634]

GIO! No idea what the Tigers LF was doing right there, but I'll take it

[Diesel]

Nice gift from Javy!!

[mrtwinsfan]

Not being mean here , but Baez to me has always been one of the most overated and to me not the brightest bulb in the line-up, was clear there he just figured Max would stop at third ? or why is he yelling 2b with 2 out ???

[mrtwinsfan]

And thats why i like Latroy in the booth, Bremer- Justin hardly ever speak about clear mistakes, thank youn Latroy !!

[Squirrel]

Hve I ever mentioned how much I love Correa? Best SS ever!

[Mill1634]

Anyone else's Bally app keep going to a black screen?

[Brock Beauchamp]

We're seeing in real time why Bally Sports North is worth all that money they get from all of us.

[Brock Beauchamp]

22 minutes ago, mrtwinsfan said:

Not being mean here , but Baez to me has always been one of the most overated and to me not the brightest bulb in the line-up, was clear there he just figured Max would stop at third ? or why is he yelling 2b with 2 out ???

Baez is the premium version of Eddie Rosario. I'm not even saying that in a mean way, that's just who he is, for the all the good and bad that comes with that.

[Mill1634]

Didn't end in a hit, but that's the type of at bat that could get Buxton back on track.

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

Just now, Mill1634 said:

Didn't end in a hit, but that's the type of at bat that could get Buxton back on track.

That was a barrel at 105.7 MPH had an expected batting average of .970,

[Mill1634]

Correa! He has been great since his slow start.

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

That ball died in left field corner. Well played, Mr. Correa!