Game 15: Clevelanders vs. Twins (DAY GAME ALERT!)

Trevor Bauer (0-2, 8.44 ERA) vs. Ervin Santana (3-0, 0.41 ERA)

As I was going to mention in my redundant game 13 game log that never got posted, it seems the off-season meeting between the Cleveland brass and the commissioner accomplished completely nothing as Cleveland is still wearing the logo on their jersey that makes me root against them.

Trevor Bauer takes the hill against the Twins ace and his magical chinstrap, Ervin Santana. So far, they are having basically opposite seasons statistically. Bauer is off to a rought start, although holes a 2.53 xFIP and a 4.00 BABIP, so luck may very well be what's preventing him from his usual mediocrity. I cynically expect the Twins offense to help with that.

Santana, on the other hand, is either benefiting from some luck with  a ridiculous .074 BABIP and an xFIP of 3.75, which is right around his career average. Its either luck or the Twins deciding to go with an actual major league caliber defensive outfield is paying off. Probably a little of column A/B.

It'd be nice if the Twins could remember to not grab their ass-bats for this game. They could really use a win after this recent stretch of not beating the White Sox or Cleveland.

47 thoughts on “Game 15: Clevelanders vs. Twins (DAY GAME ALERT!)”

  1. 5 of the Twins' top 6 hitters in their lineup today are among the top 30 batters in MLB for lowest percentage of swings at pitches out of the zone (or at least were as of the other day). Mauer was 30th. Grossman was No. 1 by a pretty wide margin. Kepler is the only 1 of the top 6 who wasn't in the top 30.

  2. it seems the off-season meeting between the Cleveland brass and the commissioner accomplished completely nothing as Cleveland is still wearing the logo on their jersey that makes me root against them.

    I got the feeling the meeting was less about the commissioner making it an announcement but rather intimating the owner needs to do something or else (though a weak "or else"). I would guess that if Manfred had the support of a clear majority, he'd end it right away. Instead, I bet the other owners don't really care. That means it has to be phased out stupidly slow.

    So, still root against them but make sure the ire is aimed at the owner(s).

    1. That means it has to be phased out stupidly slow.

      Which also apparently means wearing it for every. single. game. I'm not sure I've seen a highlight where it wasn't there. But yeah, my ire is definitely towards the owner or whoever makes those decisions.

      1. Part of the frustration is that Cleveland even has quality alternate names to choose from.

          1. Dazzle just mentioned Cleveland's "long tradition" of using the logo as a hurdle. A long tradition of racist caricature! Such pride. Much wow.

  3. With Mauer's double he has tied Bob Boone for the 12-most hits for a player with >50% of their time at catcher.

    1. And, because I was curious, he has 885 career games started at catcher and a combined 654 (including today) of other.

    1. It seems pretty Twinsy that the balk ended up not really mattering since Castro walked anyway.

      1. Theoretically, the balk could have cost the Twins some runs. Bauer was probably less likely to challenge Castro with first base open. If the bases were still full, Castro might have gotten something to hit, possibly even a grand slam.

  4. Info from my Game Log for yesterday's rainout:

    Cleveland starters are last in MLB in ERA (5.86), 27th in WHIP (1.39) and tied for 2nd in Hits allowed (85). As a team, they're 28th in ERA (4.94), 23rd in WHIP (1.37) and 2nd in Hits allowed (131) ... so ... let's WAKE UP THE BATS!!!

    Twins starters are 2nd in ERA (3.18) in MLB and 2nd in WHIP (1.06), and as a team, lead the majors in WHIP (1.04), sit in 2nd in the AL in ERA (2.98) and 3rd place overall. They're 29th in Hits allowed (95) but are tied for 27th in SO (93) ... so ... yay for good defense?

    1. I'm starting to think this team might not be as good as that 4-0 start would imply.

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