Mill1634

The Pitchers RHP Michael Pineda (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 K's, 5IP) vs RHP Joe Ryan (2-1, 1.69 ERA, 16 K's, 16 IP) Old friend Michael Pineda returns to the Target Field for his second outing of the year. Pineda scattered three hits in five innings against the Yankees on April 21st, allowing zero runs. He threw only 60 pitches after missing the start of the year, which should put him around 75 pitches tonight. As we know, Pineda relies on three pitches, the 4S, changeup, and slider. Last season he threw the 4S over 60% of the time, despite the pitch sitting between 88-92 MPH. It was around the same velo in his start against the Yankees. All three hits Big Mike allowed came on the fastball. The changeup and slider didn't get hit, but they also didn't get swings and misses. Pineda should be an ideal matchup for the Twins. Joe Ryan has been electric thus far, but is back to pitching in the cold where he struggled with his command on opening day. Ryan's slider usage has nearly doubled this season to 32%. He still relies heavily on the fastball, which has a whiff % of 29 despite sitting in the low 90's. The slider has a whiff % of 42 after putting up 35% last season. The Twins have the pitching advantage on paper tonight. The Lineups Twins 1. Byron Buxton (R) CF 2. Luis Arraez (L) 1B 3. Carlos Correa (R) SS 4. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B 5. Max Kepler (L) RF 6. Gio Urshela (R) 3B 7. Trevor Larnach (L) DH 8. Ryan Jeffers (R) C 9. Nick Gordon (L) LF Tigers 1. Robbie Grossman (S) RF 2. Austin Meadows (L) LF 3. Javier Baez (R) SS 4. Miguel Cabrera (R) DH 5. Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B 6. Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B 7. Jonathan Schoop (R) 2B 8. Eric Haase (R) C 9. Akil Baddoo (L) CF Buxton returns to CF after DHing last night where he was held quiet. However, he did crush his last out of the game, but got too under the baseball. Arraez returns against a RHP at 1st base once again, which means that Sano is getting a day off. I am somewhat surprised Sano is getting a day off against a soft tossing righty after having the game winning "hit" last night. Correa hits 3rd, although he should maybe be moved down. Polanco stays in the 4 spot, which is where he's been against RHP. I think Kepler has an argument to hit cleanup, but it's early. Larnach gets tonight's DH start, with Nick Gordon, easily a better defender, playing in LF and batting 9th. Ryan Jeffers will call balls and strikes. Gary Sanchez has now missed 7 straight days. I know it doesn't matter as much with expanded rosters, but it's hard to imagine the Twins would've kept him active if they knew he would be out this long. The Tigers lineup looks largely the same, with the only changes being behind the dish and CF, where former Twins minor leaguer Akil Baddoo, who has been horrid this young season, will start tonight. Vegas Odds: Tigers +165, Twins -195, O/U 7 On This Day - 1994: Twins right-hander Scott Erickson no-hits the Brewers 6-0 for Minnesota's first no-hitter since 1967. Pick to Click: Max Kepler stays hot, hits a 2 run homer in the 1st Prediction: Twins 6, Tigers 3 Go Twins!

I will be taking half credit for this call.

Sano crushed that ball. Grossman should've caught that ball. Nobody should've moved up another base. Sano ran the bases like an idiot. Haase never should've thrown that ball. but the TWINS WON. LETS GO. Until tomorrow, ENJOY YOUR CHICKEN!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I always wondered what the left handed version of Pagan would look like. Thankfully AJ Hinch and Gregory Soto are answering that question for me.

Too down the middle. Ump couldn't believe Larnach didn't swing.

Did the ump really just miss that...?

Miranda OPS'ing in the .600s at STP hasn't made it much of a choice yet. (Yes, I know it's early)

We're 3-5 more good Jax innings from him being a top 3 right hander in the pen...

Jax with the white castle special!

If the Twins win this game, it'll be because Sano hits a walkoff homer. I have no doubt in my mind.

Polanco missed two middle-middle fastballs. Just not right right now.

Would be nice if Correa was playing like guy we were paying 35M to play, and not a guy who should be paying us 35M

Buxton just missed that.

The Wolves, Wild, and Twins all gave up the lead within 5 minutes of each other. Incredible

Thielbar got them out of the 7th. That should've been it. He's done nothing to show he deserves a set up role. I know Pagan gave up the homer, but I would've liked to see Rocco send out Pagan/Duran/Smith for the start of a clean 8th inning.

you CANNOT throw Baez a strike on the first pitch. He swings at everything, and lives for big moments.

oh FFS.

I can't tell if Miggy was joking with Urshella or actually doesn't like him....?

Someone let Rocco know that Thielbar is no longer a high leverage reliever

The one last night didn't count?

Ahh Duffey in a semi-high leverage appearance. What could go wrong.

Correa's bat has been missing in action. Correa's glove and arm have been everything I hoped for and more.

Correa is just lost right now.

MAX MASHED (off a lefty!!!)