Win Probability: 60.5%
Twins Hall of Fame weekend wraps up today with the team holding a chance to sweep the Kansas City Royals. Even though the rain delayed last night's game and ceremony, and the speeches were pretty bad, it sure was fun seeing that panoply of former Twins stars lined up on the field.
Jake Odorizzi was scheduled to start for the Twins but he's been scratched from the lineup. Instead we'll get another outing from Devin Smeltzer (0-1, 2.91 ERA) and the Bomba Squad will face Brad Keller (7-10, 4.01 ERA). Play ball!
Do we know why was Odo scratched?
Pushed back the rotation a day to plug Smeltzer in. Odorizzi is scheduled to start tomorrow.
They can keep pushing him back. 7.43 ERA and .975 OPS against for the month of July.
July 3rd was when the blister issue arose. I wonder how much of his struggles are related to that?
They can pretty much only manage to try to hide (from the Indians) one of Odorizzi and Perez at the moment, so pick your poison.
Lefty balks are less annoying when it's the twins doing them.
TIme for some run(s)
Some good AAAA practice for Smeltzer.
Time to make the run hold up.
Nicely done fellas
Nice DP to end that half inning.
Cleveland wins again. The Angels gave us zero help this weekend.
The ghost of Sioscia.
Twins are 13-9 since the break (a 96-win pace) and they've lost three games off their division lead (Cleveland 17-7 in that time).
Which is super annoying. At least they're still going to win the division once Cleveland stops playing nothing but AAAA teams.
Cleveland has completely owned the Angels the last few years, especially in Cleveland.
So close, Eddie!
Sano strikes out on a breaking ball outside. I guess we just have to get used to hearing that.
I'm using the shade from this to cool off.
Seriously? .892 OPS on the season coming in to today.
That's the entire season. Last seven days he has a .518 OPS. Last 14 days is .951 however. Seems like a hot/cold kind of guy.
Feast/famine is ok with individual batters. But when they all get their chakras out of alignment at once, Ass bats.
Fun way to end it
Ending the game on a diving catch by Cave seems counterintuitive. Nice win, and a good day for Smeltzer.
Smeltzer looked really good. I would prefer he not be sent down again.
We're not signing everyone after this season - welcome to the bigs
The only time Smeltzer wasn't a last second add-on (i.e., the opposition knew he's was going to pitch) was when he threw batting practice in Cleveland. Sure these appearances (yesterday, against the Yankees, and against the Brewers) are great, but I think he's benefiting from being sprung unexpectedly on some teams.
Same with Rangers right before the All-Star break. Called up before the game only to be sent back down.
No one expects the
Spanish InquisitionSmeltzer!I think the jury is definitely still out. He seems to have pretty good command. Doesn't seem to have the stuff to strike out 9 per inning, but he has that history in the minors. He might end up being a nice change of pace #4 or #5 starter or long reliever.
Tommy Milone!
I thought this was interesting.
Big time Braves relief acquisition Shane Greene has given up 7 hits in 2 innings (including a 3-run homer today) after giving up 21 in 38 for the Tigers. Relief pitching: it's weird!
Shoulda traded for Romo!
Still three games up on Cleveland so worst case is hosting them while tied in the standings.
Damn. Two straight days of half a daily double. I'm not gonna get any of meat's points at this rate
Twins allowed three baserunners. One was picked off and another was caught stealing. Just one left on base.