Win Probability: 61.7%
There's been a decided turn in the weather the past week - cooler and drier, almost autumnal. It's the kind of weather that prompts one's mind to pivot towards fall. The leaves changing colors. A touch of frost on the grass of a morning. And my favorite team battling a worthy rival in a close-fought pennant race. Never mind that the Twins followed up their most recent butt-kicking road trip by coming home and screwing the pooch against the Pale Hose. Today is ripe for a little redemption. Here's hoping they win this game and series and salvage a split on the home stand.
Martin Perez starts for the Twins today. He's had some ups and downs this season, but a cursory glance at this BBR.com page will show that for the most part, we got what we paid for. In most major stat categories, Perez's performance metrics for the year are all closely aligned with his career averages. Taking the ball for the Motor City today is lefty Matthew Boyd (6-9, 4.24 ERA, 201 K) in his first start since coming off paternity leave. He was oh-fer in his three starts at Target Field last year. Play ball!
I am feeling oddly optimistic about the outcome of this game. We'll see if my optimism is justified.
On the board!
Not the HR that I predicted, but an RBI 2B is alright
Two productive outs add up to a run. Who says the Twins can't play small ball?
This is a May-level Perez start so far.
Likes me some Cronyism
There are not many players I instinctively dislike. Gordon Beckham is one of them.
Not many players (Non-Thome Division) survive association with the White Sox. 😉
Co-sign. Brett Gardner is the poster boy though.
Conceded.
Beckham has always looked like the villain of an 80s teen comedy
Been a busy weekend so I haven't been a very good fan. It'd be nice if KC can not screw their game up.
And it appears they are on their way to doing just that.
My word
Hey, they got the lead back
I'm no big fan of Smalley's, but I did enjoy his comment about looking at the Royals roster to see who might pitch the tenth.
So, did you jinx them on purpose or by accident?
I was just being realistic.
You have to be careful this time of year. The baseball gods are tricksy and false.
What happened? It was two outs in the ninth with a three run lead and one baserunner last I saw on the scoreboard
Franmil Reyes 3 run bomb
now 9-8 KC in top of 10th
Caveman catch.
White Man Can Jump
He looks much better out there when he isn't diving for everything.
Metrics for him also show he's been better in the corners than center.
Everyone is better in the corners than center. Positional adjustments peg it at ten runs.
It's nice to have an outfielder bail out a pitcher occasionally.
KC wins.
Royals with cheese today. Yea!
Save Opportunity Created.
FFS.
finish this game please
Get the hook out, Rocco.
where's that mortal combat finish him gif. for this game?
Sweep the leg! No mercy!
puppies!
Lead enhanced by a game! w00t!
If Romo or Rogers would have had to come in, I think they'd have sent Thorpe back to Rochester as soon as Roco took the ball from him.
So he gets to break our hearts another day.
He was sent to Rochester a half hour later
I read someplace, and it seems to be true, that the Twins are putting shorter pitch counts on some of their Rochester starters so they'll be more available to be fresh arms for the Twins bullpen if needed.
Gotta make room for Buxton!
Amen.
Stashak and Thorpe both had sub-3.00 FIPs coming into today. I think we have more depth than we realize, especially compared to the rest of MLB, where very few teams have dominant relievers.
In 8.1 and 13.1 innings respectively. Let's wait a bit longer before using their FIPs as predictive.