Twins 9, Astros 6: Twins Top Astros Thanks to 3-Run Homers

[glunn]

I like Farmer's approach to the plate and his swing.  I hope that they keep him in the lineup after Polanco comes back.

[h2oface]

8 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

It happened multiple times last year. He faced the number 3 hitter a third time in most starts and some he gave up more than 4 runs.

There was a Yankee game he only made it 19 batters but he had thrown 90 pitches. His first start of the season after the shortened spring was 19 batters and lower pitch count. The same for his first start following his absence for COVID. there was an Angel game in his second to last start where he threw only 69 pitches in 4 innings of three run ball. That might be your best example but at this point the Twins were out of contention and had a bigger pen.

This persistent narrative about Baldelli and third time through isn’t supported by his use of Ryan last year. It isn’t supported by Gray either when you look at his shorts starts clustered around his three IL trips and the start of the season. You could argue that he should have had more confidence in Smeltzer, Archer and Bundy.

..... and, one might even propose, with only 81 pitches, and Ryan breezing through the 6th, he was pulled too early, still!

Ryan had just induced a fly out to Alvarez, and then struck out Abreu and Tucker on 7 pitches in the 6th. Seems pretty cruising to me. And he was going to face 6-7-8, Pena-Hensley-Meyers, Pena who had struck out looking twice, Hensley who had struck out swinging twice, and Meyers, who had flown out and lined out to left. And with only 81 pitches thrown so far.  <They all struck out in the 7th anyway 😇 > You push Lopez and Jax to the 8th and 9th. 

It is a one run game at the time, though....... and you like your pen. And Ryan had the one shakey inning.... 3 innings ago...

It all worked out fine except for having to use Duran, as it happened. Fun to think about for a post. 6 innings is still 6 innings.

6-2 sure looks good, and especially with at least a series win against Houston.

[Doctor Gast]

The way that Correa has been hitting, I think we could move him down the line up. Maybe 5th or 6th so he he can get more looks at the pitcher. Just an idea, maybe that'll wake up his bat.

[Riverbrian]

I know it's a small sample size... however... now that I've seen all 4 in action. I don't think it's too soon to declare that I like the "Twin Cities" jersey the best.  

[Dave Borton]

1 hour ago, h2oface said:

..... and, one might even propose, with only 81 pitches, and Ryan breezing through the 6th, he was pulled too early, still!

 

I am hypercritical of Baldelli for his early hooks. But this early in the pitching year? 80+ is sufficient, particularly if Baldelli is conferring with his catcher and pitcher. Note: I said, "IF."

[Doctor Wu]

Seeing the starters going deeper into the games without getting the hook is very nice to see. Maybe it's a combination of Rocco being much more confident with this rotation, plus we actually had a spring training of normal length this year. These pitchers seemed like they were prepared to tackle heavier loads even in early April. 

[jmlease1]

10 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

This persistent narrative about Baldelli and third time through isn’t supported by his use of Ryan last year. It isn’t supported by Gray either when you look at his shorts starts clustered around his three IL trips and the start of the season. You could argue that he should have had more confidence in Smeltzer, Archer and Bundy.

He should have had more confidence in three pitchers who performed poorly enough that none of them have MLB jobs this season? Only one of whom is pitching at all right now? No thank you.

[Peter]

After giving up grand slam I thought twins were toast, but the home runs by farmer and Buxton were huge and the difference in winning/this is huge win taking two from good Astro team. Let’s keep it going and get sweep 🧹 this afternoon.

[Dave The Dastardly]

14 hours ago, darwin22 said:

Hope that is not the case, but with ANOTHER day game on Monday, I doubt Baldelli uses Duran as threw 19 pitches Friday and then had to reload in the pen as Moran was unraveling in the 9th. 

Assuming Mahle can go 5+ (hopefully more) tomorrow, I can envision Baldelli going to Alcala first followed by Thielbar.  If that can get us into the 8th, then a combo of Jax (25 pitches) and Lopez (22 pitches last two games, but only 8 today) to finish what is hopefully another W.

Huh? Duran threw 3 pitches yesterday and for that he gets an automatic Buxton Rest Day? How fragile are these guys?

[wabene]

15 minutes ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

Huh? Duran threw 3 pitches yesterday and for that he gets an automatic Buxton Rest Day? How fragile are these guys?

Duran actually got through the season healthy last year after pitching 16 innings the year before and battling injuries every year. I'd vote for letting those in charge handle him again this year. They seemed to have gotten it right, eh? 

[Whitey333]

Very nice game.  I was going to go Sunday but seeing the predictably b lineup playing today I'm staying home.  I hope they win though.  Shortly after the win yesterday we all knew that Baldelli would put in his b lineup for another throwaway game.  He's done that a lot.  He already won the series so sunday's game doesn't matter to him.  Btw where is the great 33 million dollar man Correa?  So far he's been awful and hasn't contributed much of anything to the Twins record of 6-2.

[Trov]

Outside of the 1 inning Ryan was dominate.  So far our starting pitching has been great.  All looking very good.  Ryan just missed bad on that grand slam, and really was 1 foot from being most likely a long single coming off the limestone. Overall liking what I am seeing from pitching and hitting.  

[Squirrel]

8 hours ago, glunn said:

I like Farmer's approach to the plate and his swing.  I hope that they keep him in the lineup after Polanco comes back.

Farmer worked on his swing during ST. I recall an interview where he was very appreciative of all the technology the Twins had to help analyze his swing and he then was working on using his hips more. Perhaps too soon to say he figured out something,  SSS and all, but his work certainly seems to be paying dividends

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, Whitey333 said:

Very nice game.  I was going to go Sunday but seeing the predictably b lineup playing today I'm staying home.  I hope they win though.  Shortly after the win yesterday we all knew that Baldelli would put in his b lineup for another throwaway game.  He's done that a lot.  He already won the series so sunday's game doesn't matter to him.  Btw where is the great 33 million dollar man Correa?  So far he's been awful and hasn't contributed much of anything to the Twins record of 6-2.

It appears that Correa needs a day. Gallo is nicked up. Jeffers has started every third game (and hit very well), so this is a "B" lineup, throwaway game? You go with what you have and this is the best the Twins can do today. The alternates this year are pretty good players. I'm not delighted they are playing as much as they are, but injuries happen. 

I don't want to make this personal, it isn't, but there's honest criticism and there's falling back on wildly stretched narratives. No manager goes out and tries to lose a game. No manager goes solely on printouts and spread sheets, etc. 

It's really hard to beat a good team three times in a row and the Astros are a good team. I hope a couple of guys can do damage against Hunter Brown, whoever he is. Mahle needs to pitch deep and well.

[BsuNemo]

Really like Larnach - can see Cuddy in him. Would've been interesting to see him stay healthy last year. If he can stay disciplined at the plate I could see .280 20hr maybe pushing 100 rbi. Good to see him and Miranda give us good plate appearances. Now if we can get AK healthy and he hits like he did before the injury and Lewis comes back strong we become a much different offensive team. 

[Dave The Dastardly]

3 hours ago, wabene said:

Duran actually got through the season healthy last year after pitching 16 innings the year before and battling injuries every year. I'd vote for letting those in charge handle him again this year. They seemed to have gotten it right, eh? 

I'm not in favor of overworking players, nor am I in favor of underworking players. Injuries are unpredictable. You could give a player a week off and he could throw his arm out on the first pitch back. Now if that same player goes up to the coach and says, "Boss, my arm feels a little tired. I could pitch an inning if you really need me but I'd prefer to take a breather if I can," that's a different story. And maybe that's what happened, but given Rocco's predilection for scheduling rest days whether or not they're needed I have to remain skeptical.

[JD-TWINS]

18 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Another game tomorrow. Jax, JLópez and Duran have all pitched two straight days. If it’s close and late, do others get the ball? 

Thielbar - Pagan, early or late if big lead - Alcala - I doubt Duran - maybe López? Can Mahle get through 6?

[Squirrel]

4 hours ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

whether or not they're needed

This is my dilemma, though. I don’t know what’s needed or not. We don’t know what questions and conversations are being had. I get as a fan it gets frustrating and easy to project our own ‘reasonable’ hypotheses on every situation, but in the end, we don’t know. Doesn’t mean we have to be happy about it, and second guessing the decisions is part of the fan prerogative, still, we really don’t have any answers.