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Game Thread: Twins @ Houston Astros 8/24/2022 - 7:10 PM CT

TwerkTwonkTwins

By TwerkTwonkTwins
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TwerkTwonkTwins First Round Pick

TwerkTwonkTwins

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It's August 24th, but the urgency to end the current four-game skid makes it feel like September 24th. Cleveland keeps winning (and are on their way to another victory today), and the injured Twins are lifeless. The only silver lining is that the White Sox are in the doldrums as well. 

Upon checking FanGraphs this afternoon, both the short term chance of a victory tonight and overall playoff odds appear bleak. Not impossible.... but bleak.

FanGraphs Probabilities:
Twins Win: 31%
Astros Win: 69%

Twins Playoff Odds: 28.6% 

A series against the Astros in Houston is never an easy feat, but the timing could not have been worse. Injuries are racking up, as the Twins announced that Cole Sands will be heading to the 15 day IL in the latest transaction, with Devin Smeltzer taking his spot on the active roster. 

The Matchup:

Dylan Bundy (7-5, 4.60 ERA, 77K, 1.1 fWAR) vs Framber Valdez (12-4, 2.72 ERA, 3.0 fWAR)

This is the reason why the Twins are heavy underdogs tonight. Valdez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, and he's a lefty. The Twins have forgotten to hit left-handed pitching entirely, and one of their best right-handed bats in Byron Buxton is on the injured list. 

Bundy has been durable as a back-end starter, but I hate his chances of avoiding hard contact against a supreme Houston offense. If the Twins win this, it'll be because of a battle of the bullpens. 

The Lineups:

The Twins are only including two lefties in the lineup today, as Tim Beckham is getting a rare start in the outfield. Honestly, this is the best they can do with the current roster against a tough lefty. No major news quite yet on Nick Gordon, who was removed from the game yesterday.

Twins:

  1. Jorge Polanco - 2B (S)
  2. Carlos Correa - SS (R)
  3. Jose Miranda - 1B (R)
  4. Gio Urshela - 3B (R)
  5. Luis Arraez - DH (L)
  6. Gilberto Celestino - CF (R)
  7.  Tim Beckham - LF (R)
  8.  Max Kepler - RF (L)
  9.  Sandy Leon - C (S)

Astros:

  1. Jose Altuve - 2B (R)
  2. Yuli Gurriel - 1B (R)
  3. Yordan Alvarez - DH (L)
  4. Alex Bregman - 3B (R)
  5. Kyle Tucker - RF (L)
  6. Trey Mancini - LF (R)
  7.  Jeremy Pena - SS (R)
  8.  Chas McCormick - CF (L)
  9.  Martin Maldonado - C (R)
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Winston Smith FCL Twins

Winston Smith

Verified Member
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8 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Looks like a small midwest town HS lineup against a CWS Tournament team.  Glad I cant watch.

Wish I couldn't watch but it's like a car wreck and I can't look away.

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
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9 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Looks like a small midwest town HS lineup against a CWS Tournament team.  Glad I cant watch.

That is why this is probably one game they will win.

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
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5 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Our luck does seem somewhat like the beginning of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead...

 

Heads.

I saw that movie....

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Beckham in the outfield, maybe he can throw a runner out at home and get it canceld by umpires again.

PDX Twin Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

PDX Twin

Verified Member
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Posted

Had to look up to see where this ballpark is in Houston.

I lived there for ~10 years, but back then the team played in the National League and in the Astrodome, a monstrosity of different dimensions. Looking at Google Maps brought back memories ... even a few fond ones, like being there at the opening night of the lovely new opera hall. (Aida with Domingo and Freni = bliss!) Mostly, though, Portland >>>> Houston in almost every dimension. We haven't been back in the 34 years since we left.

LVTwinsfan FCL Twins

LVTwinsfan

Verified Member
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Posted
15 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

I don't like Altuve

Too arrogant for me, the way he carried on about getting hit by a pitch in the thigh was just too much. He’s a much smaller man than he thinks he is

KirbyDome89 Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

KirbyDome89

Verified Member
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Posted

I'll take the run but you'd hope for a little better with 2nd and 3rd + no outs.

It looked like Valdez just flipped a switch, said f*** it, and started attacking after that Polanco double. The results? Sac fly, K, K....

 

Richie the Rally Goat St Paul Saints

Richie the Rally Goat

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted
42 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Had to look up to see where this ballpark is in Houston.

I lived there for ~10 years, but back then the team played in the National League and in the Astrodome, a monstrosity of different dimensions. Looking at Google Maps brought back memories ... even a few fond ones, like being there at the opening night of the lovely new opera hall. (Aida with Domingo and Freni = bliss!) Mostly, though, Portland >>>> Houston in almost every dimension. We haven't been back in the 34 years since we left.

I have never lived in either city, but visited both for several weeks per year for business. I like Portland better than Houston too

LVTwinsfan FCL Twins

LVTwinsfan

Verified Member
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Posted
4 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

As a result of viewing commercials broadcast between innings I have decided that I will never, ever buy a Kinetico water treatment system.

And every time you see that commercial in the future will confirm this decision

USAFChief GOAT

USAFChief

Twins Daily Contributor
Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

As a result of viewing commercials broadcast between innings I have decided that I will never, ever buy a Kinetico water treatment system.

Leasing?

RpR Cedar Rapids Kernels

RpR

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, LVTwinsfan said:

I don’t like a review system for balls and strikes

DITTO, DOTTO,

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