So can the Twins keep the momentum going after a classic Odorizzi-Verlander barn burner last night? More importantly can the Astros recover, knowing that there is a new tough guy on the block this year? Well that's why they play the games.
Astros putting up Gerrit Cole who hasn't been super great this year, but definitely gets the SOs, averaging 1.5 inning this year. He had one bad start that has inflated his ERA but should be a pitcher this potent Twins lineup can get to. Michael Pineda up against the Astros again after seeing them last week. Pineda didn't pitch horribly against the 'stros but took the loss. Let's hope for some sweet revenge.
Rainy and cold today unfortunately. Doesn't it seem like our weather has been a month behind since February? I'm guessing they get this in as the rain shouldn't be too heavy and Wednesday and Thursday don't look super great either. First Pitch at 6:40p once again.
Twins Line up:
RF Kepler
SS Polanco
DH Cruz
LF Roasario
1B Cron
2B Schoop
3B Adrianza
C Castro
CF Buxton
In his first plate appearance with Fort Myers, Miguel Sano was hit by a pitch. I don't know any more about it than that, but he remained in the game.
In his second plate appearance, Sano walked on four pitches. He hasn't seen a strike yet.
In his third appearance, Sano popped up to third on the first pitch.
And Sano came out of the game after that. In the field, he had one ball hit his way and turned it into a forceout. 0-for-1 at the plate with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. I guess you have to start somewhere.
Heh, the solid starting staff graphic: everyone but tonight's starter.
Sounds like the Twins brought their gloves tonight!
Beautiful, Byron.
Le Menu de ce Soir: slow-cooker spaghetti sauce (new preparation; a little looser than I would’ve liked), Fair State’s Hefeweizen, leftover loukoumades.
Had to look up loukoumades, but I want one.
I just had leftovers tonight and now I'm sitting watching the game having a mule and snuggling the kitten.
They’re (loukoumades & mules) pretty delicious.
The pig here has had Gosling's on sale for $4.99 per sixer, which has been nice.
Not bad. I typically buy Bundaberg by the case at Costco. I wish it was a little hotter, but now to broader appeal.
Bundaberg is good for sure. For a hotter one, the Belfast from Gray's is pretty good.
I’ll seek that out. Sometimes I add a few dropperfuls of habanero bitters to get it where I like it. It’s not really the same kind of heat, but it works.
We are big fans of Bundaberg for Mules. Accept no substitute.
I am so far enjoying this strike zone allergy of Cole's.
That ball should’ve obliterated Correa’s glove.
That inning could've gone better.
I thought it was going to initially.
Doesn't really sound like Pineda's fooling anyone tonight.
Not so much. At least they've all been atom balls.
Or leaping grabs.
Pineda better get something figured out pretty soon.
Based on his last couple starts, I think he's gonna be figuring out life after baseball soon.
That's the only one.
I really love Buck, but I hope he’s able to add the pitch recognition to avoid the low&away sliders. The flail and whiffing is approaching Cuddyer levels.
Uh, wrong place
What’d I miss!?!
It was my comment about the pitching coach. I accidentally replied to you instead of creating a new one.
I really hope he ends up hitting like Cuddyer. If Buxton hits like Cuddyer for his career, he's a borderline Hall of Famer with his defense and base running.
The new pitching coach is sooooooo small.
Is it just my eyes, or does his cap seem a couple sizes too big?
He started his professional sports career as a jockey.
Whew!
Dizz has gotten better over the years, but I’m drunk already from drinking when he says fisted.
any "ricker-shay"s tonight?
Justin Morneau has improved his broadcasting skills since opening week.
One run scored in the third inning? I've seen this already.
Don't worry, this is a new story.
Well, Pineda made it through five innings and we're still kind of in the game. I guess that's something.
Cole has got a no hitter going.
I am rather surprised to see Pineda still in the game to start the sixth.
However, I'm not surprised at the result of that decision.
With two more against Houston and then the Yankees, probably worth the shot at preserving the bullpen a little.
With eight relief pitchers, "preserving the bullpen" shouldn't be that big of an issue. Among Magill, Romero, Mejia, and Harper, we should have enough long men to cover four innings without having to use any of our main guys.
On the other hand, given the results with Magill, maybe not....
Aspirationally, yes. But if it keeps just one more fresh arm that could be a win in a different game.
Well, now that I’ve washed the dishes, I see I can do something else with my evening.
Good to see Magill is keeping it close.
A HIT!
Perhaps I should have made another Busch Light beer bet. Seemed to work last night
THIS STORY ONLY ENDS ONE WAY
I will say that Rocco is better than some managers we've had about leaving a pitcher in the game once the game is gone. Last year Magill would've been pulled after one inning, or maybe even before the inning was over, and we'd have used at least one more relief pitcher in a game we weren't going to win anyway.
The Groundskeeper is a lost art
I may have spoken too soon. In Rocco's defense, though, it's easier to keep a pitcher in the game when he's throwing strikes and getting hit--eventually they'll probably hit one at somebody. It's harder when he's walking everybody.
Cole exits after facing the minimum*
*Adrianza
Adalberto Me'see-ya
Four additional pitchers to finish this game, eh?
Not sure what Pineda's problem is, could be some arm weakness still, or maybe he just doesn't have a plan for getting outs the third time through a batting order. I suppose if you're going to lose, make it ugly and get it all out of your system. Perez goes tomorrow, Berrios on Thursday. I like our chances of at least a split.