Game Thread: Twins (Varland) @ Astros (Brown), 5/31/23 @ 7:10 CT

[stringer bell]

Dick has jinxed any chance of a complete game for Varland.

[Craig Arko]

Julien back in St. Paul tomorrow?

[Montdak]

Two non hit hits or Louie pitch count even bettering.

[twinssporto]

Just now, Brock Beauchamp said:

Julien missing the ball happens but not turning to cover second base afterward and just trotting away... ugh.

Totally agree. Look how it affected Varland. Momentum killer.

 

[tony&rodney]

Tough at bat here.

[Squirrel]

Yes! He works out of it!

[ashbury]

1 minute ago, Craig Arko said:

Julien back in St. Paul tomorrow?

He's got worse than Little League instincts sometimes.  That game where he got thrown out rounding second was of a similar caliber to this defensive "gem."

[mrtwinsfan]

2 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Julien missing the ball happens but not turning to cover second base afterward and just trotting away... ugh.

Any Polanco news ??

 

[stringer bell]

Edouard has had a tough series.

BTW, let Pagán pitch against the Astros and let him take the next four days off (vs. Cleveland).

[tony&rodney]

Julien fields that ball, Pena still beats it out.

Varland is a bulldog competitor.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I didn't expect much out of Varland as an MLB pitcher, frankly. I'm very glad to look wrong about that.

[wabene]

Louie, "4-5 outs, no problem" 

[stringer bell]

Just now, mrtwinsfan said:

Any Polanco news ??

 

He is due back any day. It wouldn't be a surprise if he was activated tomorrow.

[twinssporto]

I would like to see a 6 pitch 7th inning from Varland. Let's see a Complete g*&%...not saying it...

[mrtwinsfan]

1 minute ago, stringer bell said:

Edouard has had a tough series.

BTW, let Pagán pitch against the Astros and let him take the next four days off (vs. Cleveland).

Great idea, 

[wabene]

Just now, stringer bell said:

He is due back any day. It wouldn't be a surprise if he was activated tomorrow.

I hope he remembers his bat this time

[tony&rodney]

Just now, ashbury said:

He's got worse than Little League instincts sometimes.  That game where he got thrown out rounding second was of a similar caliber to this defensive "gem."

... or did he expect Gallo could still run?

I'm not happy with Julien's at bats recently but he has been fine in the field and is just a guy who looks awkward making plays.

[Squirrel]

1 minute ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I didn't expect much out of Varland as an MLB pitcher, frankly. I'm very glad to look wrong about that.

I hope you keep looking wrong about it, too, so we can rub it in your face 🙂

[stringer bell]

The Twins are doing the Angels a favor by taking out the only lefty in the Astros bullpen.

[Montdak]

Yeah Julien maybe needs to go get his confidence back across the river.  I think he can be good..  Too bad..  Just before one blunder he was tearing the cover off pretty much and not making errors.

[wsnydes]

9 minutes ago, UpstateNewYorker said:

For the month of May, Gallo is 13-75 (.173) with 34 Ks, 16 walks, and one doink.

That's a tad below what I would consider to be stellar.

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

He is due back any day. It wouldn't be a surprise if he was activated tomorrow.

Polanco, healthy and ready to play all out, is a big addition to the Twins.

[gil4]

1 minute ago, Craig Arko said:

Julien back in St. Paul tomorrow?

I vote no (because they are in Buffalo tomorrow,)

[Craig Arko]

It will be difficult for Maeda to force Varland out of the rotation. This is not a bad thing, for both the rotation and the bullpen.

[ashbury]

2 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I didn't expect much out of Varland as an MLB pitcher, frankly. I'm very glad to look wrong about that.

I know.  We were treated to the phrase "pitching pipeline" when Falvey and Levine came onboard, and until now I've been skeptical.  But if they have some magic sauce to take a 15th round pick from a small college and add 5 MPH to the fastball while teaching command of the strike zone plus the evident ability to disguise pitches, well, sign me up for that and keep 'em coming.

[stringer bell]

1 minute ago, tony&rodney said:

... or did he expect Gallo could still run?

I'm not happy with Julien's at bats recently but he has been fine in the field and is just a guy who looks awkward making plays.

Okay, call it awkward, but he's also thrown a couple of changeups on routine groundouts.

[ashbury]

7 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

... or did he expect Gallo could still run?

There is a nice gentleman standing in foul territory near third base who can provide him some confirmation, if he looks.

As for seeming awkward on defense, I think it's a little worse than merely that. There's been a bit of everything, as Stringer alluded, the common theme being plays not made.

(I agree that that one grounder this past inning would have been very tough to convert.)

[wabene]

Man of the hour, David Popkins? 

[Craig Arko]

Who are these guys?

[ashbury]

And like a good neighbor, Taylor is there!  (for the insurance.)