Royals (Lugo) v Twins (Zebby!); 8/13 @ 6:40pm CT

[Squirrel]

Twins pitcher is listed as tbd, but we know it’s going to be Zebby! Here’s to a great debut!🥂

 

[Mortimerkenny21]

Best of luck rookie! get your first MLB win in your debut!

[Craig Arko]

Like a crystal ball gazing at the future. 

[stringer bell]

I hope Zebby’s center fielder tonight will wear #25. 

[KirbyHawk75]

What happened to Buxton yesterday?

[Aggies7]

1 hour ago, KirbyHawk75 said:

What happened to Buxton yesterday?

“Twins appear concerned about Byron Buxton’s latest injury”

https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/byron-buxton-hip-injury-concerns-minnesota-twins/
 

At this point, I just expect every major Minnesota sports star to be injured and miss substantial time

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

No Buck tonight...

[CRF]

Daniel Zebulon Matthews...good luck tonight, young man. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

Presuming Jax isn't down today, Rocco should have his top 4 relievers available plus Winder if he needs to piggyback. Zebby won't have to do it alone tonight. Here's hoping the line-up can get to Lugo. Have no idea how that guy does it.

[hitterscount]

Pumped that  they are giving Matthews the start. The organization has been reluctant for years to call up young promising players, for what I can only imagine is maintaining team control. If they are performing in the minors and there is a need/opening on the big league team, bring them up and see if they are ready to provide the help needed.

[nicksaviking]

11 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Presuming Jax isn't down today, Rocco should have his top 4 relievers available plus Winder if he needs to piggyback. Zebby won't have to do it alone tonight. Here's hoping the line-up can get to Lugo. Have no idea how that guy does it.

Agreed, he's throwing low 90s and doesn't miss bats, I figured he turned himself into a smoke-and-mirror sinker guy, but looking at the pitch values, looks like he did something to his curve to make it deadly? But there's a reason that curveballs have become a bit passe; once the book is out on a pitch that basically just breaks vertically, the dam will come crashing down. Ask Tyler Duffey.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

20 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Agreed, he's throwing low 90s and doesn't miss bats, I figured he turned himself into a smoke-and-mirror sinker guy, but looking at the pitch values, looks like he did something to his curve to make it deadly? But there's a reason that curveballs have become a bit passe; once the book is out on a pitch that basically just breaks vertically, the dam will come crashing down. Ask Tyler Duffey.

Could it just be that he throws so many different pitches that it's a constant case of being off balance? I'm sure I am oversimplifying it but it's mind boggling especially after watching him as a pedestrian reliever with the Mets.

[jaimedude]

I just hope Matthew's isn't super nervous and overthrow's the ball. Guys first games, they are  usually so amped up the pitches are all over the board. This pitcher  is supposed to have good control of the strike zone and a good strikeout pitcher. Would be nice if Twins hit on pitching in the draft. 

[BH67]

5 minutes ago, jaimedude said:

I just hope Matthew's isn't super nervous and overthrow's the ball. Guys first games, they are  usually so amped up the pitches are all over the board. This pitcher  is supposed to have good control of the strike zone and a good strikeout pitcher. Would be nice if Twins hit on pitching in the draft. 

An outstanding debut would be nice. But even Willie Mays managed only one hit in his first 26 major league at-bats. Just getting here right now is huge for Zebby, and us.

[Fatbat]

6 hours ago, KirbyHawk75 said:

What happened to Buxton yesterday?

Not much as his mri came back clean today.  He just is day to day with a penchant for hanging out with medical staff. 

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Could it just be that he throws so many different pitches that it's a constant case of being off balance? I'm sure I am oversimplifying it but it's mind boggling especially after watching him as a pedestrian reliever with the Mets.

5 pitch mix and pounds the strikezone. Speed/location and movement all change. Off balance hitters is exactly why he is successful. 

[USAFChief]

34 year old Sal Perez starting back-to-back games at catcher??

 

Inconceivable!

[USAFChief]

Speaking of Salvadore Perez, he has 267 career home runs, of which 269 have come against the Twins. 

[Fatbat]

My money is on Matthews throwing a gem of a quality start and he begins his MLB career. 1-0.  🤞🏻 Good luck 🍀 kid!!

 

[Mortimerkenny21]

2 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

My money is on Matthews throwing a gem of a quality start and he begins his MLB career. 1-0.  🤞🏻 Good luck 🍀 kid!!

 

I really hope you're right! Watch and wait, wait and watch. I just hope we win.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

20 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Inconceivable!

Finish him. Your way!

[stringer bell]

I know Zebby had one bad inning in one start that skewed his numbers at AAA, but asking for better than a disaster is about right IMHO. I’ll accept two runs in four plus innings and hope the Twins can get to Lugo. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

4 hours ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

No Buck tonight...

And does the fact that Margot played in field mean his subsequent sac fly did not break his ineffective pinch hitting string?

[Mike Sixel]

It's crazy that nearly everyone seems to throw 96 mph these days. Unreal.

[CRF]

I like how he handled #7. 

[TwinsCD]

2 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

And does the fact that Margot played in field mean his subsequent sac fly did not break his ineffective pinch hitting string?

Still 0-fer!!  It wasn't technically a PH appearance since he was a defensive replacement first but we do appreciate the productive outs.

[John Kelsey]

Stuff looks good, hitting all his spots too. He will get hard sometimes I'm sure but he looks ready. 

[stringer bell]

16 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

And does the fact that Margot played in field mean his subsequent sac fly did not break his ineffective pinch hitting string?

Correct, it wasn’t a pinch hit, but a SF wouldn’t break the 0-fer as a pinch hitter anyway. 

[Aggies7]

How nervous must one be making their MLB pitching debut? I’d be like that guy in the movie “the scout” with Brendan Fraser when the guy was afraid to come out of the clubhouse 

[Mortimerkenny21]

Lets Go!!!  Give our young pitcher some run support!