Mill1634

Sigh. At this point I really don't know what to say. We just faced one of, if not the, worst rosters in the league and looked absolutely lifeless. I don't know what it's going to take for this team to wake up, but this is not a good place to be as a fan or as a team. I know there are some pieces out, but they weren't doing anything prior to being out anyway, besides Simmons. He should help shore up the defense, but he isn't reliable as a bat which is the main issue. Shoemaker pitched really well and Thielbar looked okay. Alcala continues to have trouble with the longball, but he got a lot of swings and misses. The best thing about this upcoming trip to Cleveland is that we should get Simmons and maybe Kepler back healthy, and we don't have to face Shane Bieber. This upcoming series is a MUST win. It's getting late early.

Sigh. At this point I really don't know what to say. We just faced one of, if not the, worst rosters in the league and looked absolutely lifeless. I don't know what it's going to take for this team to wake up, but this is not a good place to be as a fan or as a team. I know there are some pieces out, but they weren't doing anything prior to being out anyway, besides Simmons. He should help shore up the defense, but he isn't reliable as a bat which is the main issue. Shoemaker pitched really well and Thielbar looked okay. Alcala continues to have trouble with the longball, but he got a lot of swings and misses. The best thing about this upcoming trip to Cleveland is that we should get Simmons and maybe Kepler back healthy, and we don't have to face Shane Bieber. This upcoming series is a MUST win. It's getting late early.

informal poll: Will the Twins get to .500 before this year is over?

Imagine getting 3 straight hits...must be nice

Pirates giving the league a great gameplan for Twins hitters...toss up 80-poo breaking balls until the Twins get into a fastball count...and then toss up 80-poo again. We will not hit it.

About the outing I expected from Shoemaker. Didn't give up much hit hard outside of Frazier and got semi-unlucky with the 2 runs given up in the first. If the Twins go on to lose this game, it isn't on him. 5.1 with 2 runs is about as good as you can ask for out of your #5 starter.

This team is absolutely lifeless right now. About the same amount of energy as a nursing home

Willians pop up...drink!

Safe

AK can not buy himself a base hit

Shoemaker would be forced to retire if the MLB implemented a pitch clock.

Roster Move The Twins recalled RHP Cody Stashak prior to the game today. Today is the first day that Stashak was eligible to return as he was sent down 10 days ago. To make room on the 26 man roster, the Twins sent LHP Devin Smeltzer to the alternate site. Devin pitched 4.2 innings yesterday, and looking very good in doing so. This move was made to give the Twins a fresh bullpen arm, as Devin would've been unavailable for at least 2 days The Pitchers RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-1, 6.28 ERA, 12 K's, 14.1 IP) vs RHP Wil Crowe (0-2, 12.00 ERA, 10 K's, 9 IP CAREER #'s) The Twins turn to Matt Shoemaker for the 4th time this season. We last saw Matt pitch in game one of the doubleheader against Oakland where he went only 3.1 innings and gave up 5 runs. Control was an issue last time out, as he walked 4 hitters and was constantly falling behind. Shoemaker typically does a nice job at limiting walks, only giving up 2.2 per 9 innings pitched, so look for him to be more aggressive against a bad Pittsburgh lineup. Will Crowe is making his first start of the season, as he only appeared in 2/3 of an inning against the Cubs, where he allowed one run. Crowe is a journeymen type pitcher, and has only 9 innings at the MLB level. Much like Cahill yesterday, Crowe won't light up the radar gun. He throws his 4 seam 33 percent of the time, but it will sit around 92 MPH. He also relies on a sinker and slider, with the sinker being the better pitch. He occasionally mixes in a changeup and curveball. The Lineups Twins 2B Luis Arraez L 3B J. Donaldson R DH Nelson Cruz R CF Byron Buxton R LF A. Kirilloff L SS J. Polanco S C Mitch Garver R RF Jake Cave L 1B W. Astudillo R Pirates NOT POSTED YET, WILL POST WHEN UP The Twins return the heavy hitters in the 2-4 spots for the 3rd game in a row which is very encouraging. However, yesterday the 1-5 spots struggled to get anything going. I'm expecting a big day today against a pitcher who doesn't have swing and miss stuff, and will give up the longball. Alex Kirilloff is in the lineup for the 3rd straight day. Despite not having a hit yet, he has driven the ball well and has a decent approach. It is clear that the Pirates are throwing a bunch of offspeed pitches to AK to test his willingness to hold off. So far, it has worked out. Garver gets the duties behind the plate, and last time we saw him call a game in which the Pirates only had one hit off JA Happ. Cave and Astudillo round out the order. One notable ommission from the lineup is MIF Nick Gordon, who I assumed would get at least one start this series. I expect him to be sent to the alternate site whenever Andrelton Simmons is back in playing shape, which could be as early as tomorrow. This Day in History - 1970: Earl Wilson nearly scores after he strikes out when Minnesota catcher Paul Ratliff, trapping a third strike, inadvertently rolls the ball to the mound instead of tagging the batter or throwing to first base. With the Twins heading towards the dugout, the Detroit hurler runs around the bases and is heading home when outfielder Brant Alyea retrieves the ball and throws it to shortstop Leo Cardenas covering the plate, resulting in a unique 7-6-7 run-down play. Vegas Odds: Twins -200, Pirates +170, O/U 8 Shameless Plug: I published part one of a three part blog earlier this week about some early trade candidates that the Twins should target, and it features an old friend that I think many would be excited about. You can check it out here, and share some of your own ideas Pick to Click: Alex Kiriloff connects for his first hit, a homer, in todays game. Go Twins!!!

Just an absolute brutal game through 7. Big Mike was good through 4, despite the 3 run inning, nothing was really hit hard off of him until the b2b shots. The defense has been lackluster and the lineup is making a 33 year old Trevor Cahill look like the best pitcher we've seen all year. The approach has been bad at the plate. Cahill is sort of a right handed junkerballer that you would think is left handed, so maybe it makes sense that we can't hit him for anything, considering our struggles against soft tossing lefties. Tomorrow is a must win. You can't lose a series to the Pirates

Jake Cave going on one of his hot streaks would be nice!

I don't recall which writer tweeted it this morning, but AK said he's more comfortable in right

Big Mike...so underrated

PTC: Jorge gets his first homer

Don’t look now, but the 2 runs off brubaker are the most hes allowed all year, as are the 5 hits. I know it’s early, but I was really impressed with him tonight.

Woo!! Feels good to be back in the win column. Happ was really good tonight. After the second inning I was wondering if he was going to be able to get through 5 innings, but he bounced back. The defense was really good tonight, especially polo making some plays I don’t think we would’ve seen him make in the past. Lineup was off balance, but I was really impressed with brubaker; his fastball had a ton of movement. Nice to see cave and astudillo make an impact on the game, and Duffey and Rogers both lock things down. I know neither guy got a hit tonight, but JD and AK both hit the ball hard a lot. Twins win!!

Woo!! Feels good to be back in the win column. Happ was really good tonight. After the second inning I was wondering if he was going to be able to get through 5 innings, but he bounced back. The defense was really good tonight, especially polo making some plays I don’t think we would’ve seen him make in the past. Lineup was off balance, but I was really impressed with brubaker; his fastball had a ton of movement. Nice to see cave and astudillo make an impact on the game, and Duffey and Rogers both lock things down. I know neither guy got a hit tonight, but JD and AK both hit the ball hard a lot. Twins win!!

I am asking for a stress free 9th inning. Please. One time.

Nice work by Duff man

Was hoping for some history, but a heck of a start JA

CAVE CRUSH

Happ not quite Marcus Stroman, but that was the correct call on 2nd look