Game 8 - Twins vs Rangers - 4/14/12

[Seth Stohs]

Twins Lineup

 

Denard Span CF

Jamey Carroll SS

Joe Mauer C

Justin Morneau DH

Josh Willingham LF

Ryan Doumit RF

Danny Valencia 3B

Chris Parmelee 1B

Alexi Casilla 2B

 

SP: Nick Blackburn

 

Rangers Lineup

 

Ian Kinsler 2B

Elvis Andrus SS

Josh Hamilton CF

Adrian Beltre DH

Michael Young 3B

Nelson Cruz RF

Daniel Murphy LF

Mike Napoli C

Brandon Snyder 1B

 

SP: Yu Darvish

[Klew721]

I will be at the game today. Hopefully they can attack Darvish!!

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Who is Brandon Snyder (batting 9th for the Rangers) ? Is he a masher or a defense first kind of guy?

[J-Dog Dungan]

Snyder isn't a power kind of guy; he has been in the bigs since 2010 and hasn't hit a homerun yet. Also, in 15 games in the field, he has made 3 errors for a .968 fielding percentage

[J-Dog Dungan]

I am also wondering if (or when) Gardy will think about switching Willingham with Morneau, as Willingham has proven that he can mash homeruns in TF, but Morneau really hasn't yet. This would mirror the Yankees moving A-Rod to 3rd so that late-inning lefties would have a tough time getting through the lineup.

[John Bonnes]

This is the 3rd time Gardy has used taht Opening Day lineup this season. I don't think he was able to use the Opening Day lineup last season even a second time.

[stringer bell]

I am also wondering if (or when) Gardy will think about switching Willingham with Morneau, as Willingham has proven that he can mash homeruns in TF, but Morneau really hasn't yet. This would mirror the Yankees moving A-Rod to 3rd so that late-inning lefties would have a tough time getting through the lineup.

Give it another week. If Willingham is still mashing, it would make perfect sense. Mauer and Morneau ARE weaker against lefthanders. In their MVP years it didn't seem to matter which hand the pitcher threw with, but in every other year, there is noticeably less pop facing southpaws. Breaking up the two lefty hitters and perhaps letting J-Will see more lefties would be an advantage.

 

I checked M & M's stats. Mauer showed little preference in '06, '08 and '09 (batting championship years), but in other years his splits are more pronounced. Morneau was very good vs. lefties in '06, pretty good in '09 and very good in '10--his three best years. More pronounced splits in the other years.

[Riverbrian]

Good top of one

[twinzgrl]

The bats need to wake up here and not let this guy get in a groove.

[Riverbrian]

Tied after 2... Just like a new ball game now.

[Riverbrian]

Josh kinda got a hold of that one.

[twinzgrl]

Until Hamilton's blast....

[twinzgrl]

The Twins had their chance last inning, and Jamey Carroll did not come through...

[Riverbrian]

Lol... Hopefully it isn't the only chance.

[twinzgrl]

Here's the meat...what can they do?

[twinzgrl]

How can a man as big as Mauer hit so many balls that don't make it out of the infield?

[Riverbrian]

His swing just isn't built that way. He has HR power he doesn't have the HR swing

[twinzgrl]

Why do you think that they picked up Clete Thomas?

[Riverbrian]

Open 40 man roster spot and Terry Ryan must have a gut feeling about him.

[Riverbrian]

I'm ok with just dont see the need. We need the defense in OF but unless Thomas unseats Doumit it won't matter because we have Revere. Ben will probably be sent to AAA now.

[twinzgrl]

Doumit has four singles on the year. I really thought he'd be a good hitter for us, and perhaps he will be....he looks a little lost in RF. Ben plays the OF with authority, but his hitting certainly needs improving. I am still confused as to the reasoning about Clete Thomas, but like you said, maybe TR knows something we don't.

[Riverbrian]

Rochester could use OF help right now. Doumit will catch the ball hit around him. It's the ball that are a little further away that worry me. His hitting will be passable. Might even get a key big one from time to time. Clete Thomas will go get it for that defensive guy role.

 

Others will argue with me but I like Bens bat. I certainly like it better then Clete. Ben makes good contact and he can leg things out like very few can. Those that argue with me are the ones who like extra base hits. BTW... Ben can get some XBH but he just hasn't yet. Except for homers that is. All in all I'm a put the ball in play guy. I don't like the high strikeout guys.

[twinzgrl]

Carroll needs to move Span over....

[Riverbrian]

C'mon Mauer... Cash those in... You are cashing in.

[twinzgrl]

I thought Ben was really exciting when he came up. Love his speed. Reminded me of Torii. Got sick of people always ragging about his arm strength. I guess I'm more "what have you done for me lately"? Lately, he doesn't seem to have much going offensively. Granted he doesn't have a lot of at bats...maybe it makes sense to send him down to get those AB's.

[twinzgrl]

They won't give Josh anything to drive...unless he makes a mistake.

[Riverbrian]

For sure... Players will ebb and flow throughout the season. Except for Willingham... Everybody is ebbing this year. Ben is too young and has to much talent to wait for his turn to play. Rochester makes sense.

[twinzgrl]

Here is Doumit's chance for a key hit....

[Riverbrian]

Well... On to the next inning

[twinzgrl]

Too many guys left on base. I was at the slugfest Thurs. and they left TONS of guys on that day too.