Photo courtesy of Sean Brimingham https://www.flickr.com/photos/seanbirm/
2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 30: Twinkies at Pale Hosers

59 Comments

There’s little room for argument that Kyle Gibson has been a frustrating pitcher to watch, and probably to coach, over his four full major league seasons. Brilliant one start and seemingly brain-dead the next, far too often nibbling away his advantage after getting ahead in counts, and never seeming to trust his best stuff in tough situations despite ample evidence that he can and should. But we may be witnessing a metamorphosis of sorts with Gibby and this could be a breakout season for the 31-year old Hoosier, with the normal caveat about staying healthy.

Late last year Gibson finally started to show some confidence and consistency on the mound and finished the season strong. His Achilles heel continues to be inefficiency as he’s only averaged 5 1/3 innings per start this season despite notching impressive performance stats, to wit a 3.38 ERA (good for a 129 ERA+) that's nicely in line with his 3.42 FIP. He’s allowed only two long balls in 32 innings and pitched to a meager .212 opponent batting average while maintaining a low 1.28 WHIP. And he’s been an effective control and ground ball pitcher, tallying 36 strikeouts with a 2.25 K/BB ratio and 1.57 grounders for every fly ball struck. All told it’s been worth 0.9 WAR from Gibson through April.

Opposing Gibson today is James Shields, who has struggled some out of the gate to a 1-3 record. His 5.35 ERA and 4.73 FIP indicate he’s been a bit unlucky and the Pale Hose have lost five of his seven starts, four of them by a single run. Twins on the current roster have 200 at bats against Shields with a respectable slash line of .260/.323/.465/.788. Dozier especially has feasted, sporting a .333 average and 1.224 OPS against Shields, who has contributed just 0.2 WAR for the Southsiders this year.

Enough with the egghead stats already, this game happens on a field, not a spreadsheet. Play ball!

59 thoughts on “Game 30: Twinkies at Pale Hosers”

  2. That was Gibby's most efficient inning of the year, I think. Maybe he read the game log?

  3. Nice to have a game early enough to listen to, although it's surreal hearing Provus & Dazzle in a London hotel room. And it will be good to finally go home tomorrow.

    1. If they are gonna do that, I recommend they stop hitting the ball directly at fielders.

  8. Just got here (and I'll probably be leaving soonish for a bike ride), but I'm wondering if anyone has an explanation as to why the pale hosers don't wear these unis as their regulars.

  9. Odd how all of a sudden there are all these major league players named "Rondon". Bruce Rondon, Hector Rondon, Jose Rondon. A couple of years ago there was Jorge Rondon. It reminds me of the late nineties, when we suddenly had a bunch of guys named "Veras": Quilton Veras, Dario Veras, Wilton Veras. Not to mention Dave Veres and Randy Veres.

  12. I see that Shields is working on a NO HITTER.
    *psychology reversed, amiright?*

  16. Sat down at Copper Trail for a nice summer Kolsch and Twins promptly take the lead. Nice!

    1. I've got some two women from New Glarus that will taste really good while I recover.

    2. I found a bike path that I can take all the way to the curling center without having to take any roads this morning.

      1. Nice. I wish there were more paths around here. I'd have to drive up to Madison for good ones so it's hilly country roads for me.

  19. Hmm, I think I want that Joe Solo bobble head. (even though I'd say Joe is a lot more like Luke Skywalker than Han solo)

      1. I was thinking Luke because he's the bland (in the OT, anyway) do gooder who's good at stuff.

    1. Might need a white Sox baseball button.

      Also, Joe Mauer is good at baserunning.

  21. That was some really good baserunning by Mauer. He was never in a position where he could be thrown out,but aggressive enough to make sure he would score if not checked.

    Weird play by the 3B

  23. This afternoon seems like a good time to say that I really love my deck and my grill.

    1. I've been shoveling gravel into my driveway and raking it out to fix the bumps from frost and rain.

      I am very, very ready for a beer.

      1. That sounds truly awful. I hope you have something nice waiting for you.

        1. I'm heading out to do yard work now. I've got some Sierra Nevada Summerfest lager and one last Castle Danger Cream Ale waiting for me when I get back.

  24. Heading down to a wake in Blue Earth. The death of my friend is starting to feel more real as I get closer to home. The baseball is helping, I think.

  28. Gibson was leading Twins pitchers in rWAR before today's game and I'm guessing he has added to his lead. Would not have seen that coming. Gibson had a career-high 6.9 K/9 last year. This year, it's at 10.2 thus far.

    1. Since beginning of August last year when he was recalled from the minors, Gibson has 103 Ks in 99.2 IP. That's an amazing turnaround.

      1. And if anything, I'd say he's had some bad luck. It seems like in that span he's had several hard-hit balls go for outs.

  31. The Twins and Cleveland are tied in the loss column (17) but the C's has a 4 win lead on our favorite squad (17 to 13).

  32. The little ghost is now 4-1 lifetime at live Twins games.

    Coors Field - W (2014)
    Ballpark at Arlington - L (2015) - we left after the 7th inning stretch with a 1-0 lead.
    Target Field - W (2016)
    Comerica Park - W (2017)
    New Comiskey - W (2018)

    I heard that coming back to the FSN broadcast for the top of the ninth today, there was a brief shot that contained at least 2 Citizens.

      1. I'm more concerned that his wife thinks Daneeka is dead and will move away with their kids.

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