Twins 2, Royals 0: Twins and Pablo Lopez Celebrate the First Win of the Season!

[rv78]

9 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

That's not how decisions work.....you make them based on process and likelihood, not second guesses.

I understand that. However that doesn't change the fact that the same decision can end up being a mistake as well. They scored 1 run due to it. If KC would have scored 3 runs and they needed the lefties in the lineup for better matchups to make a comeback, it would have been the wrong decision. Maybe Rocco got lucky.

[USAFChief]

11 hours ago, stringer bell said:

It worked out and the trend is for managers to pinch hit in the middle innings to break open a game. I don't like using up half of the bench with a small lead, especially when not improving the defense. It could be argued that Farmer/Solano is as good or better than Gordon/Gallo, but having Farmer and Solano face a tough righty in the 8th or 9th in a tie game is the scenario I fear. 

As far as Lopez' usage, it sure appears to be a midline for Opening Day starters. While Pablo may or may not be the best pitcher for the Twins, he currently doesn't rate among the elite of Opening Day starters, who might be allowed an extra inning or dozen pitches.

I don't understand the reluctance. Waiting, You'd be denying yourself the platoon advantage on the chance you need it later.

PH: guaranteed platoon advantage at least once. Possible disadvantage later.

Don't PH: guaranteed disadvantage at least once. Possible advantage later.

Seems like a no brainer. You're only guaranteed the advantage by PHing at the first opportunity. 

[flpmagikat]

16 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Yeah, I'm still getting used to these new caps. I think I'll eventually end up liking them, but for now every time I glimpse one of those hats I think: Marlins. 

same

[ashbury]

17 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Yeah, I'm still getting used to these new caps. I think I'll eventually end up liking them, but for now every time I glimpse one of those hats I think: Marlins. 

Wait until you see Luis Arraez wearing a real Marlins cap - you won't be sure he isn't back with us, but that would involve wearing the crazy Twins cap that looks like a Marlins cap, but maybe that means he's with the Marlins after all, and so on, and so on, into an infinite regression.

 

[VivaBomboRivera!]

14 hours ago, Squirrel said:

There was quite a lot of disagreement with the trade when it happened. It wasn’t the majority, but there was quite a few loud voices proclaiming it was an awful trade, so I get the bitter. But maybe the better word for it should have been bittersweet … sorry to see Arraez go, but welcoming of the pitching.

We'll get a look at him early next week and see how severely we feel the loss.  So far the spark plug is 3 for 7 with a two-bagger and a walk, 1.071 OPS.