Game Thread: Twins (Keuchel) v Rays (Bradley), 9/13/23 @ 12:10 CT

[IaBeanCounter]

4 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

Funderburk has pitched 6 innings in the majors.  Keuchel has pitched 1600.  I disagree that Funderburk is more experienced at pitching with men on base, as I don't think there is any difference between pitching with men on base because someone else put them there, as opposed to you.

I am glad they gave DK a chance.   However, in his career he has come into relief 12 times, and has only had 5 inherited runners and all of those occurred in 2013.  Funderburk is a reliever an DK is a starter.  We just have to agree to disagree.

[mrtwinsfan]

Ball 5 for Polo

[Jocko87]

Just now, Cap'n Piranha said:

The you didn't really consider the play.  The runner blocked the fielder, causing him to miss the the ball.  Is it an error?  Also, the idea that a ball hitting a glove makes it an error is a silly one.  You're saying that if Kepler had completely whiffed on getting his glove on that ball, you would no longer consider it an error?

Correct. Kepler getting the glove on that specific ball makes it an error.  Just touching the ball with the glove does not make an error, like a diving play or something.  A base runner cannot, by rules definition, cause an error.  That's called interference.

From MLB.com

Definition

A fielder is given an error if, in the judgment of the official scorer, he fails to convert an out on a play that an average fielder should have made. Fielders can also be given errors if they make a poor play that allows one or more runners to advance on the bases. A batter does not necessarily need to reach base for a fielder to be given an error. If he drops a foul ball that extends an at-bat, that fielder can also be assessed an error.

[SwainZag]

Gotta do something with this opportunity here!

[Brock Beauchamp]

Julien needs rest ASAP.

[Jocko87]

4 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Julien should be running

He shoulda been sliding.

[USAFChief]

Godawful decision and swing, Lewis.

[SwainZag]

Ugh, not what we needed from Lewis

[Azviking101]

Very excited for the future for these young guys but they just swing at everything. That was not a pitch to hit, Lewis. Just cause it’s in the zone doesn’t mean you have to swing if there’s 0 or 1 strike.

[mrtwinsfan]

Blooper here Kep

[SwainZag]

MAX!

[Brock Beauchamp]

LOL, baseball is a silly game.

[Parfigliano]

Alert the media.  They scored without a HR.

[mrtwinsfan]

Just now, mrtwinsfan said:

Blooper here Kep

Even Better Maxy

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Nicely done Max!

[Cap'n Piranha]

2 minutes ago, IaBeanCounter said:

I am glad they gave DK a chance.   However, in his career he has come into relief 12 times, and has only had 5 inherited runners and all of those occurred in 2013.  Funderburk is a reliever an DK is a starter.  We just have to agree to disagree.

Those are meaningless labels in this context though.  You're assuming that just because someone is a reliever, they are constantly appearing in situtations where runners are already on base.  You're further asserting (with no proof whatsoever) that it's somehow different to pitch with runners on base if they are inherited, as opposed to uninherited.  I ask again, why are inherited runners any different than non-inherited runners (of which Keuchel has had almost 2300 of during his career)?

[Aggies7]

Certainly showing some fight as of late 

[USAFChief]

2 out RBI. 

The key to baseball. 

[mrtwinsfan]

How is A.K. EVER GONNA LEARN,   Dumb move Rocco,  

[insagt1]

so nice to see Kepler so excited again. Twins needed a real clutch hit after missing so many opportunities today. Now its up to the bullpen to hold the fort. (scoreboard watchers throw their popcorn in the air!!)

[wsnydes]

It's nice to see Kepler resurrect himself this second half.  

And this team really needed it.

[mrtwinsfan]

2 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

Those are meaningless labels in this context though.  You're assuming that just because someone is a reliever, they are constantly appearing in situtations where runners are already on base.  You're further asserting (with no proof whatsoever) that it's somehow different to pitch with runners on base if they are inherited, as opposed to uninherited.  I ask again, why are inherited runners any different than non-inherited runners (of which Keuchel has had almost 2300 of during his career)?

Get a Room Fellers

[Cap'n Piranha]

6 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

Correct. Kepler getting the glove on that specific ball makes it an error.  Just touching the ball with the glove does not make an error, like a diving play or something.  A base runner cannot, by rules definition, cause an error.  That's called interference.

From MLB.com

Definition

A fielder is given an error if, in the judgment of the official scorer, he fails to convert an out on a play that an average fielder should have made. Fielders can also be given errors if they make a poor play that allows one or more runners to advance on the bases. A batter does not necessarily need to reach base for a fielder to be given an error. If he drops a foul ball that extends an at-bat, that fielder can also be assessed an error.

Again, you are ignoring the situation.  The runner does not touch the ball.  He does not touch the fielder.  He merely passes in front of the shortstop, blocking his view of the ball at a critical moment, causing the shortstop to lose sight of the ball, and not make the play.  There is no action on the ball.  There is no glove on the ball.  An otherwise routine play was not made, but through no fault of the fielder, but rather circumstances outside oh the fielder's control.  Is it still an error, since in your own words, there is no pass for conditions?

On the Kepler play, you also ignored what I said.  If the play had been exactly the same, other than the ball missed Kepler's glove by 2 inches, would you then say it's not an error, since the ball didn't touch his glove?

[SwainZag]

After watching the Kepler triple, why does anyone try to come inside with heat to Max?  He thrives on pulling those inner zone fastballs.

[tony&rodney]

Max Kepler is a different player in the second half. He looked so unhappy the last several years and in the first half. Something changed and it is impossible (for me) to know. What is pretty clear is that the current version of Max Kepler is a terrific player.

[GusGus11]

Kepler 100% coming back next year. Man has he been huge.

Absolutely mental developmental strategy though for our young lefties. Kirilloff is 26. We gonna platoon him and every other lefty their whole lives?

5th inning with many ABs left in the game. Up 7.5 games in the division and we dont let him face a lefty?

Insane 

[GusGus11]

1 minute ago, SwainZag said:

After watching the Kepler triple, why does anyone try to come inside with heat to Max?  He thrives on pulling those inner zone fastballs.

Yup, hes always been a pull hitter only going oppo occaisionally. Not sure why a lefty is coming in on him like that.

Oh well, their problem. Max was all over him on two pitches

[SwainZag]

3 minutes ago, mrtwinsfan said:

How is A.K. EVER GONNA LEARN,   Dumb move Rocco,  

AK just might never be an above average hitter against lefties.   .206/.285/.346 for his career and .114/.220/.250 for the season against them.  Rocco saw a chance to grab the lead as having Solano up there gave them a much better chance in bringing the run home.

[Parfigliano]

1 minute ago, GusGus11 said:

Kepler 100% coming back next year. Man has he been huge.

Absolutely mental developmental strategy though for our young lefties. Kirilloff is 26. We gonna platoon him and every other lefty their whole lives?

5th inning with many ABs left in the game. Up 7.5 games in the division and we dont let him face a lefty?

Insane 

Wholeheartedly agree.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Are we there yet?