Game Thread: Twins @ Royals, 9/21/22, 7:10PM CDT (5:10PM PDT)

[PDX Twin]

The Twins’ “post-season” continues tonight in Kansas City. This isn’t to be confused with the official name that MLB gives to what the rest of us call the playoffs. It’s the “playing out the string” part of the schedule that happens after the season of serious contention for the World Series has ended. The Royals’ season effectively ended a month ago (or maybe they didn’t really even have a season), but the Twins kept some hope alive until the Great Guardian Collapse left only smoldering embers to see us through the last two weeks. The Twins really are in misery, as well as in Missouri.

One thing that provides some interest for Twins’ fans is watching some of the young players continue their development at the highest level. Towering Bailey Ober (6’9”) was surprisingly effective over the last half of 2021 and was off to a good start in 2022 before joining most of his teammates on the injured list. This will be only his 9th start of 2022 and just his second since the first day of June, when the Twins were cruising along on top of the division and the “season” was most definitely still on. His numbers look very good with a 3.49 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and nearly five times as many strikeouts as walks. He figures to have three more starts (including today) to solidify his claim to a 2023 rotation spot. On the Royals' side, Ober is one of the few pitchers to whom his 6’6” opponent Daniel Lynch must look up. Lefty Lynch has been a Royals’ rotation regular in 2022, but with somewhat less success than his taller rival: a 4-11 record, 5.15 ERA, and 1.59 WHIP.

Lineups are below:

The Twins' magic number for clinching third place is now 1. Let's get it done tonight!

[Parfigliano]

37 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

The Twins’ “post-season” continues tonight in Kansas City. This isn’t to be confused with the official name that MLB gives to what the rest of us call the playoffs. It’s the “playing out the string” part of the schedule that happens after the season of serious contention for the World Series has ended. The Royals’ season effectively ended a month ago (or maybe they didn’t really even have a season), but the Twins kept some hope alive until the Great Guardian Collapse left only smoldering embers to see us through the last two weeks. The Twins really are in misery, as well as in Missouri.

One thing that provides some interest for Twins’ fans is watching some of the young players continue their development at the highest level. Towering Bailey Ober (6’9”) was surprisingly effective over the last half of 2021 and was off to a good start in 2022 before joining most of his teammates on the injured list. This will be only his 9th start of 2022 and just his second since the first day of June, when the Twins were cruising along on top of the division and the “season” was most definitely still on. His numbers look very good with a 3.49 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and nearly five times as many strikeouts as walks. He figures to have three more starts (including today) to solidify his claim to a 2023 rotation spot. On the Royals' side, Ober is one of the few pitchers to whom his 6’6” opponent Daniel Lynch must look up. Lefty Lynch has been a Royals’ rotation regular in 2022, but with somewhat less success than his taller rival: a 4-11 record, 5.15 ERA, and 1.59 WHIP.

Lineups are below:

The Twins' magic number for clinching third place is now 1. Let's get it done tonight!

Well done intro.  Im going to watch KC tv again.  Extend the Bremer break.

[RpR]

Palacios at second and Gordon in left ; pretty much proves Baldelli just throws the bones.

[Nine of twelve]

[CRF]

I guess Celestino is back in Baldelli's good graces again. That little bit of discipline didn't last long. 

[PDX Twin]

Ah, yes. The scenic land of the giant parking lot! Brings back memories of Metropolitan Stadium!

[tony&rodney]

Go Twins.

Line drives all night.

[SwainZag]

45 minutes ago, RpR said:

Palacios at second and Gordon in left ; pretty much proves Baldelli just throws the bones.

With Arraez sitting against the lefty, Polanco on the IL the options are pretty limited.  Cave/Contreras in LF and Gordon at 2nd was about the only other way it could have worked with who is on the roster right now.

[Nine of twelve]

21 minutes ago, CRF said:

I guess Celestino is back in Baldelli's good graces again. That little bit of discipline didn't last long. 

It was probably more like having nobody even close to being as good at playing center field. Besides, a short pointed discussion with the manager should be all that is required to deal with a problem.

[howeda7]

Games like this are why God invented gambling.

[CRF]

35 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

It was probably more like having nobody even close to being as good at playing center field. Besides, a short pointed discussion with the manager should be all that is required to deal with a problem.

I'm not sure Baldelli is capable of doing that, but in any event...Celestino is back in CF. Whoopee!

[Dave The Dastardly]

52 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Games like this are why God invented gambling.

I thought it was drinking.

[Winston Smith]

1 minute ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

I thought it was drinking.

Why not both?

[AussieG]

1 hour ago, SwainZag said:

With Arraez sitting against the lefty, Polanco on the IL the options are pretty limited.  Cave/Contreras in LF and Gordon at 2nd was about the only other way it could have worked with who is on the roster right now.

Is Arraez  injured or just worse than Palacios at facing the LHP? Or are they just cherry picking who he faces to increase his  batting title chances? 

[Dave The Dastardly]

6' 9" vs. 6' 6". Who will measure up? Baseball is climbing to new heights.

[Dave The Dastardly]

2 minutes ago, Winston Smith said:

Why not both?

In my experience... the two don't go well together. Came home with a horse once... Not sure how.

[SwainZag]

9 minutes ago, AussieG said:

Is Arraez  injured or just worse than Palacios at facing the LHP? Or are they just cherry picking who he faces to increase his  batting title chances? 

Seemed healthy last night. Getting Palaxios some ABs isn't a bad thing,  probably has earned them.  Luis has often not started vs left handed pitching, it's not a new thing to help with the batting title.... though I'm sure it doesn't hurt his chances. 

[Nine of twelve]

Actual post coming 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

15 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

1 hour ago, howeda7 said:

Games like this are why God invented gambling.

I thought it was drinking.

Cease and desist. Patent is pending...

 

 

[Nine of twelve]

[sampleSizeOfOne]

2 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

 

Perty!

[Dave The Dastardly]

3 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Larger crowd than I thought for a Royals v. Twins game.

[AussieG]

25 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Broadcast just said chance of rain, how's it looking?

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, PDX Twin said:

Ah, yes. The scenic land of the giant parking lot! Brings back memories of Metropolitan Stadium!

1sr game I went to

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Did we just get Buxtoned?

[AussieG]

3 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Did we just get Buxtoned?

What does that mean? 

[Parfigliano]

2 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Did we just get Buxtoned?

Way things going really suprised Wallner didnt shred his knee there

[CRF]

Just now, Parfigliano said:

Way things going really suprised Wallner didnt shred his knee there

You're right. Clumsy effort, but he could have gotten hurt when he slipped.

[Beast]

I don’t know how anyone can look at how this team has played down the stretch and not want everyone fired.

This is an absolute embarrassment.  Zero competence.  Zero effort.

[CRF]

This game might be Ober already.