Game Thread: Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 6/12/22 @ 1:10pm CT

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

The Twins have a chance to sw***p the Tampa Bay Rays today, in a matchup that pairs RHP Cole Sands against LHP Jeffrey Springs, with a righty-stacked lineup. More on that matchup is below, but first I wanted to take a moment to remember Chi Chi Gonzalez's tenure as a Twin.

ROSTER MOVE - Ciao to Chi Chi

Gonzalez was designated for assignment this morning, after two starts for the Twins. He pitched 7 innings with an era of 7.71 and a 1.71 WHIP. While it wasn't pretty, the Twins won BOTH Chi Chi starts against tough AL East opponents in Toronto and Tampa Bay. Chi Chi activated an opt-out clause earlier this week that required the Twins to call him up in a few days, or cut him loose. The front office took him up on both parts of that clause by DFA'ing him after calling him up for a spot start. 

 

Tyler Thornburg is replacing Chi Chi on the roster, after pitching for Atlanta earlier in 2022. Thornburg came up with Milwaukee in 2012 and pitched for the Brewers through 2016, as a very solid reliever (2.87 ERA in 219.2 IP, with 220Ks and 91 BBs). He's been fairly ineffective since, missing all of 2017, pitching poorly for Boston and Cincinnati between 2018-2020, and missing all of 2021. 

  

 

Thornburg has an average fastball, but also mixes in a curveball, changeup and a very rare slider. Statcast likes the spin Thornburg gets on his pitches in a small sample. I would expect Thornburg to be a temporary replacement, like the many 2021 veteran bullpen callups (Nick Vincent, Derek Law, Luke Farrell). But you can never know with relievers, and the Twins have plenty of room to allow auditions in the bullpen. 

 

 

THE MATCHUP:

RHP Cole Sands (0-2) 8.49 ERA, 11.2 IP, 13K, 1.97 WHIP vs. LHP Jeffery Springs (2-2) 1.62 ERA, 44.1 IP, 45 K, 0.93 WHIP

The matchup strongly favors the Rays here, as Cole Sands has looked ineffective in his brief MLB tenure. Jeffery Springs has been with the Rays since the beginning of 2021, but only began starting this year (7 Games Started in 15 Appearances). Springs has taken to the starting role and has pitched 5 or more IP in his last four consecutive starts - indicating that he is now built up to be a starting pitcher.

The key for Cole Sands will be throw his breaking pitch effectively. Statcast considers it to be a curveball, but I've heard slider. Either way, hitters have an expected batting average of .166 against his breaking pitch, with a .282 expected slugging percentage. He throw the breaking pitch 27% of the time, compared to 51% of the time with his 92 mph fastball. 

The Lineups: 

The Twins have stacked right-handed against the left-handed Springs. I'm a bit surprised Arraez is getting the start at DH over Gary Sanchez, but the man hit a grand slam yesterday, so let him be a power threat in the middle of the lineup.

Twins fans will be very happy to see both Buxton and Correa are starting today after both had scheduled days off yesterday. They are side-by-side in the lineup at 1 and 2, guaranteeing the most at bats possible. 

RAYS LINEUP:
1. DH Manuel Margot (R)
2. 1B Ji-Man Choi (L)
3. 3B Yandy Diaz (R)
4. LF Randy Arozarena (R)
5. CF Kevin Kiermaier (L)
6. SS Taylor Walls (R)
7. Francisco Mejia (S)
8. RF Brett Phillips (L)

9. 2B Vidal Brujan (S)

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

THE PREDICTION:

The pitching matchup is not favorable for the Twins, and the bullpen fired a lot of bullets yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised to see both Duran and Pagan have days off today. I'm going to be a realist, and say that the Rays take this one, 7-2. 

 

[USAFChief]

Feels like we need runs today to have a chance. 13 should suffice. Let's start by getting 7 or 8 in the 1st. Maybe a Jeffers 3 run jack to cap off bottom 1.

 

That's all I ask.

 

 

[USAFChief]

And nice job TwerkTwonkTwins!

Another great game thread intro.

[PDX Twin]

I have to miss most of this one. Today is the belated graduation ceremony for our 2020 seniors. Maybe more fun for them to get back together after 2 years than another event just 2 days after finals. Well over half have returned from around the world to participate. Least I can do to show up and support them! Many good friends in the group.

Get those Twins going. Maybe Sands has a break-out game? Good luck!

[CRF]

Sands sure doesn't inspire confidence, but if we can put enough runs on the board...who knows? I'm hoping for the best. I thought Arraez would be "scheduled" for a day off today, so it's a pleasant surprise that he's playing. I like him much better at the 1 spot, but at least he's in there. Best of luck to our guys today...I'd love to break out the broom! 

[USAFChief]

11 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

 Today is the belated graduation ceremony for our 2020 seniors. 

Take 'em to Dennys. 15% off for seniors!

[USAFChief]

[ashbury]

I know nothing about Jeffrey Springs except his stats, but this looks like a tough challenge.  His career is not long, but in 500+ plate appearances he hasn't exactly been bowled over by right handed batters.  In seven starts this year he's thrown no clunkers and has had several very strong outings.  Our hitters have their work cut out for them!

[Jerr]

So it's "Bhi-Bhi" to "Chi-Chi" ?

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

Just now, ashbury said:

I know nothing about Jeffrey Springs except his stats, but this looks like a tough challenge.  His career is not long, but in 500+ plate appearances he hasn't exactly been bowled over by right handed batters.  In seven starts this year he's thrown no clunkers and has had several very strong outings.  Our hitters have their work cut out for them!

Springs is very good - although his expected ERA is higher than his actual (2.97 xERA vs 1.62 ERA). But that's still amazing. 

The silver lining is that the offense has handled Gausman, Cole, Cortes, Taillon, and Baz in the last week. 

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

Feels like we need runs today to have a chance. 13 should suffice. Let's start by getting 7 or 8 in the 1st. Maybe a Jeffers 3 run jack to cap off bottom 1.

 

That's all I ask.

 

 

Sounds like a solid plan.  In gratitude, I offer this solid plan in return:

[rwilfong86]

Does Sands go 5 innings today?

[Rosterman]

I'm sure Thornburg will pitch right away today. Question is: after or before Tyler Duffey. I vote AFTER!

[ashbury]

COLE SANDS WITH A CLEAN FIRST INNING ... IM SO CONFUSED WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!!

[ashbury]

BTW I think I drove through Jeffrey Springs while on the way to the Arizona Fall League last year.  Wasn't too impressed.

[bighat]

The real Cole Sands appears to have shown up, finally. Yeesh.

[rwilfong86]

I don't have much confidence in Sands.

[Mill1634]

A little late as I was out working the grill, but appears Sands is off to a pretty good start.

[Mill1634]

In other news, Michael Kopech left the game in the 1st inning of his start against the Rangers. They are due to get Lance Lynn back Tuesday, but now could be without another one of their starters. 

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

Ah, Sands just got BABIP'd. He's looked fairly good so far, IMO. Just bad luck on that play. 

[Mill1634]

Sigh. If Sands doesn't put his glove down, that's an easy 6-3 putout. Hard to blame him as it's natural instinct, but not a play you can make when you are already an AAAA pitcher.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, Mill1634 said:

Sigh. If Sands doesn't put his glove down, that's an easy 6-3 putout. Hard to blame him as it's natural instinct, but not a play you can make when you are already an AAAA pitcher.

Gotta trust the defense behind him there for sure

[USAFChief]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

 Maybe a Jeffers 3 run jack to cap off bottom 1.

 

That's all I ask.

 

 

Or a 1 out bloop single to right in the 3rd. Pretty much the same thing.

[USAFChief]

Buxton had his pitch there. Missed it.

[USAFChief]

10 minutes ago, TwerkTwonkTwins said:

Ah, Sands just got BABIP'd. He's looked fairly good so far, IMO. Just bad luck on that play. 

He has looked decent.  

It wasn't the babip that got him. It was the leadoff walk followed by a WP advance to second.

[USAFChief]

Bones McCoy: that toe is infected bad, Jim. I'm going to have to amputate.

Kirk: can you transplant another one?

Bones: all I have are breath mints Jim. I can, but it'll be a... tic tac toe.

[rwilfong86]

The free base runners are not ideal ?

[mnfireman]

How close does Arozarena stand to the plate?? Did he try to get out of the way either time??

[Mill1634]

Sands breaking stuff has been pretty good, but the fastball has been jumping all over the place

[Mill1634]

Sands biggest issue today has been his own fielding.