ALDS Game 1 thread: Twins (Ober) v ASTROS (Verlander), 10/7@3:45pm CT

[Brock Beauchamp]

Just now, Aggies7 said:

7 of our 9 runs scored this postseason by way of the home run 

Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but a team can’t go 2-for-20 with RISP alongside scoring from a bunch of dingers. 

[tony&rodney]

The Twins did plenty of things well today but they will need to be a better tomorrow.

Bailey Ober threw the pitches that were called. I'm thinking fastballs down on Altuve and good luck anytime on Alvarez. Ober has to execute every pitch but I'm not liking some of the pitch calls or the manner in which pitches were received. Ober was ok. 

The early focus on laying off pitches out of the zone on breaking balls was good. I actually wanted Lewis to bunt in the first inning with Bregman playing so far back. That is admittedly controversial. The Twins then started to get away from their patient approach and Verlander took advantage of the hitter's aggression. Wallner had a tough game.

Polanco and Lewis created temporary panic in the Houston crowd but Abreu made a great pitch on Kirilloff. 

Twins couldn't catch a break and the Atros are a good ball team.

Tomorrow will be a real tough test. The Twins need to score runs whenever the opportunities present and force the action when possible.

[h2oface]

4 hours ago, silverslugger said:

I sure would like to see how many strikes outside the zone were given to Houston this game compared to Minnesota.  That data should be available somewhere, right?

I would like to see how many hittable pitches were taken by the our boys both in the zone and very close. With two strikes, it is time to protect the plate and get hits on those way to many hittable pitches. As long as there are umps calling the pitches, you can never rely on them to make the right call. And looking at first pitch meat to make the count 0-1 down the wire? Not a good strategy in the playoffs. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

1 minute ago, h2oface said:

I would like to see how many hittable pitches were taken by the our boys both in the zone and very close. With two strikes, it is time to protect the plate and get hits on those way to many hittable pitches. As long as there are umps calling the pitches, you can never rely on them to make the right calll. And looking at first pitch meat to make the count 0-1 down the wire? Not a good strategy in the playoffs. 

Fair, but how many times were the Twins punched out looking on balls that were out of the zone?  At least three by my count.  

[silverslugger]

3 minutes ago, h2oface said:

I would like to see how many hittable pitches were taken by the our boys both in the zone and very close. With two strikes, it is time to protect the plate and get hits on those way to many hittable pitches. As long as there are umps calling the pitches, you can never rely on them to make the right calll. And looking at first pitch meat to make the count 0-1 down the wire? Not a good strategy in the playoffs. 

I don't disagree.  I just think the strike zone was maybe a bit more generous for the Houston pitchers, which matters.  Overall, I'm not going to complain about the Twins efforts.  There are three rookies in the starting lineup, a couple other second year players, and a second year starter, against a whole bunch of playoff experience on the other side.

[h2oface]

10 minutes ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

Fair, but how many times were the Twins punched out looking on balls that were out of the zone?  At least three by my count.  

Yes. And all were hittable, no? Hoping on the ump to get it right instead of fouling it off or driving it anyway gets today’s result. This is the playoffs. Time fo heroes, not watchers. 

Verlander only had 6 Ks in 6 innings. Our boys struck out 7 of the last 9 outs. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

2 minutes ago, h2oface said:

Yes. And all were hittable, no? Hoping on the ump to get it right instead of fouling it off or driving it anyway gets today’s result. This is the playoffs. Time fo heroes, not watchers. 

Years and years of Yankees and Red Sox players disagree.

[MisstheBomba]

So Houston brings their own umps to the show, fine. Bad decision to start Ober, I would have started Maeda. But once again the Twins can NOT get runners home…. We probably led the league in stranded guys….and my other annoyance is-pinch hitting for Taylor! I’d rather leave him in CF. 

[h2oface]

11 minutes ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

Years and years of Yankees and Red Sox players disagree.

Ha. Probably not this year’s 🥂

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Oh. Welltomorrow is a new game.

 

Gophers noy doing so well either.

[insagt1]

Interesting comment during the game. When a guy comes in as a pinch hitter, he can't take that first pitch down the middle. He has to swing. Its giving the pitcher a free strike and a huge advantage to a 'cold' hitter. Little things...turn into big things.

For Twins to win, they have to score with RISP and they can't be striking out half the time.

(of course, to be fair, those 2 DP's early in the game sure didn't help the cause!!)

[ChermesZ]

12 hours ago, USAFChief said:

That "umpire scorecard" is literally a couple college kids making **** up. 

Seems like some games are umpires making ******* up.  Difference is, umpires are paid well and need accountability.