Game Thread: Twins (Maeda) v Royals (Greinke), 7/4/23 @ 1:10 CT

[wsnydes]

Edited July 4, 2023 by wsnydes
Added Royals lineup.

[wsnydes]

Happy 4th of July, game threaders!  Have a enjoyable and safe holiday!

Let's keep the bats rolling, fellas!

[Vanimal46]

Happy 4th of July! Hopefully the game concludes before the thunderstorms start rolling through town. 

[ziggy]

I live 70 miles west of Target Field and it is raining now, 9:00AM, so hopefully the game will be on time.

[CRF]

Decent sized area of rain heading east, so it could be a factor today. Hope everyone has a nice, safe 4th and the Twins win another one. 

[Craig Arko]

Total non-sequitur, but I laughed.

[Vanimal46]

I was considering heading to the game today but the clouds look really dark off to the west. Maybe the storms are arriving earlier than expected. 

[CRF]

1 hour ago, Craig Arko said:

Total non-sequitur, but I laughed.

Here's a wild tangent for you guys, and this means absolutely nothing. Many years ago, Dale Berra and I went to the same high school in Montclair NJ. He was a year ahead of me and the superstar on our baseball team. I was the scrubbini nobody on the same team, Anyway, we kind of looked alike, and I used to get mistaken for him a lot. Kind of funny at the time. Here's a pic of me, more of less at the same time. I used to wear a tux all the time too!

[Craig Arko]

Heavy rain now.

[Mortimerkenny21]

[Schmoeman5]

6 minutes ago, Mortimerkenny21 said:

Don't pass on the Temps. I Wish it would rain.

[stringer bell]

Interesting lineup considering that Grienke has pretty standard L-R splits (better against RH hitters, worse against LH hitters). At this stage Grienke is all about tricking hitters and messing with their timing, so maybe keeping Julien out for that reason. Don't know why Vázquez is catching back-to-back unless Jeffers is sick or injured or maybe Maeda prefers throwing to him.

[Mike Sixel]

Maeda clearly doesn't want Jeffers. I would prefer Julien play nearly every day.... Sunny and hot here in Portland today. Pretty sure I should take my walk ASAP.....

[stringer bell]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Maeda clearly doesn't want Jeffers. I would prefer Julien play nearly every day.... Sunny and hot here in Portland today. Pretty sure I should take my walk ASAP.....

ESPN provides batter vs. pitcher numbers and Vázquez is 4-5 vs. Grienke. Maybe that has something to do with it.

[Dave Borton]

2 hours ago, CRF said:

Here's a pic of me, more of less at the same time. I used to wear a tux all the time too...

When you practiced or just for a game?

[Dave Borton]

2 hours ago, Craig Arko said:

Heavy rain now.

Sky opened up for us here at 10.30a in St Paul. This game will fly per weatherperson and me crystal ball. Headset on.

[Dave Borton]

Remember, all games on MLB TV, free today. Angels (Otani, SP)-Padres at 5.40p, Cleve-Atlanta on at 6.10p.

[stringer bell]

The two veteran pitchers have combined for two victories (2!) in 23 starts so far this year.I expect a battle of bullpens with the Twins probably not wanting to use either of their top two bullpen arms. Jorge López is back and might be called on in a game situation. I'm fearful of bullpen issues, but hey, it is the Royals.

[wsnydes]

Jorge Lopez reinstated, Headrick sent down to AAA.

[insagt1]

I have to really wonder if Miranda is going to make it this season. He isn't at all the same guy we watched 2nd half last year. So far since his recall (small sample size I know) he hasn't looked good. It sure would be nice if he could get it back together though. He could add a lot.

[RickOShea]

So far, so good!

 

[RickOShea]

Just now, insagt1 said:

I have to really wonder if Miranda is going to make it this season. He isn't at all the same guy we watched 2nd half last year. So far since his recall (small sample size I know) he hasn't looked good. It sure would be nice if he could get it back together though. He could add a lot.

I don't think he'll be chilling with Correa, this off season.

[stringer bell]

Nice first for Kenta. However, I'd like to see some ten-pitch innings with the state of the bullpen today for the Twins.

[mrtwinsfan]

10 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Jorge Lopez reinstated, Headrick sent down to AAA.

 Headrick sent down to AAA--- Box score had him with a win and a blown save, whos save did he blow ?? 

[CRF]

If Lopez is back, I'd expect to see him in this game at some point. 

[PDX Twin]

According to the box score, the blown save statistic is just BS.

[stringer bell]

7 minutes ago, mrtwinsfan said:

 Headrick sent down to AAA--- Box score had him with a win and a blown save, whos save did he blow ?? 

Ryan left with a 3-2 lead. It was a save situation for Headrick and any subsequent Twins' pitchers who enter the game in a save situaion.

[PDX Twin]

Good things happen when Max goes the other way.

[Mortimerkenny21]

Alright Kep! He's heated up recently!

[stringer bell]

Hey, hey! Buck, AK and Kep reach and we get a run.