Category Archives: 2017 Twins Game Logs

Game 30: Twins v. White Sox

Oh it’s real now Twins fans.  Joe Mauer is angry* about getting the short end of a bad called third strike.  American League pitchers couldn’t stop Miguel Sano, so they petitioned MLB to sit him for a day.  Stalwarts like Danny Santana, Kyle Gibson, and Michael Tonkin unceremoniously dumped by the whippersnappers in the front office.  Plus, Twins hides still chapped from the spanking the Red Sox put on them over the weekend.  Yes, these Twins are just loaded for bear, looking to take it on someone, anyone.  Who better than the White Sox, those southside ne-er do wells, home of disco demolition day and the Ligue family?

Wait there’s more you say?  Mike Pelfrey is pitching for the Whities?  Big Pelf?  The Dude who had a 35.6 ERA and -14.1 WAR** during his short stay with the Twins?   Bring. It. On.  I foresee the Twins batting around twice before the 4th inning as all those frustrations ooze out of the visitor dugout.  Tonight will be one cathartic primal scream where Brian Buxton’s batting average moves from .165 to .180, Max Kepler creates a fourth law of White Sox ass kicking, and Hector Santiago strikes out the side on seven pitches.  Paul Molitor may even only use 3 pitchers tonight instead of the usual 7 or 8.  I call this a Teri Hatcher game (It’s going to be real and it’s going to be spectacular).  So sit back and enjoy the festivities.

* Well, mildly upset

** Unconfirmed but close

Game 29: Red Sox at Twins

Chris Sale vs. Ervin Santana

It's a day for aces. Not only do Sale and Santana have some pretty crazy numbers thus far, the Rochester Red Wings will be sending out their young ace, Jose Berrios, barring any weather concerns. That AAA game might have more bearing on the Twins' season than their own game as a good start by Berrios could very well convince the Twins that he should be the pitcher called up to replace Kyle Gibson in the rotation.

As for the game in Minneapolis, hopefully the Twins can continue to pound Sale like they did in his recent outings when he was in a White Sox uniform.

Game 28: red sox @ twins

Well, wasn't that something? I turned off the game in the 7th, because my wife wanted to watch a movie (The new Bourne movie, or, as I like to call it, Very Serious People Walking Quickly), so.... yeah.

I won't be missing today's game, though, because I'm stuck at work on this beautiful day, and I brought my walkman. So I imagine I'll get to finally hear a little bit about this kerfuffle between Boston and Baltimore that no one seems to want to have an opinion about.

Continue reading Game 28: red sox @ twins

Game 26: A’s vs. Twins

DAY GAME ALERT!

Jharel Cotton (2-3, 5.00 ERA, 3.56 FIP) vs. Kyle Gibson (0-3, 8.06 ERA, 6.99 FIP)

The FIRST PLACE Minnesota Twins finish up the series against the A's at noon today. Quite a difference a year makes as the Twins were a depressing 7-18 at this point last year and, uhhh, it wouldn't get any better from there. It was starting to look like things were headed to 2016 there for awhile, but there's apparently nothing like the AL west (and the Royals) to help turn things back around. Even better, after the first two games of this series, the Twins are back to .500 at home.

Unfortunately, however, Kyle Gibson takes the mound today. I'm on record as preferring he lose his spot in the rotation to Berrios and be given a comfy seat in the bullpen. There's just something about the way he pitches that bugs me and the bad results certainly make that irritation seem much worse. Also, Berrios.

I don't know anything about Jharel Cotton, probably because he's only had 10 starts for the perennially irrelevant A's. It looks like he's struggling with command this year, walking 4 per nine. That should bode well for the Twins who've, from the eye test at least (too lazy to look it up), are showing a rather patient approach these days.

Game 24 — Athletics at Twins

It’s May and the Twins have a winning record.  Miguel Sano had a great first month and has been decent in the field (man what a rifle for an arm at third base).  Polanco doing well, Buxton maybe showing some signs of life at the plate, serviceable pitching… all portend to at least some hope that we will continue to see entertaining, hopeful baseball into the Summer.

Ervin Santana has been lights out this year and brings his 0.77 ERA to tonight’s game against the Athletics and the 2017 debut of Sonny Gray.  Game at 7:10p

Game 22. Twins at KC 7:15pm.

The Twins travel to Kansas City for a weekend series. The weather tonight looks fine for baseball, but rain chances Saturday and Sunday.

Is the the last stand for Kyle Gibson? LaVelle E Neal III seems to think so.

Maybe Gibson need a change of scenery?  Or maybe he would be better suited for a bullpen role since he can't seem to make it twice through a batting order (Gibson's career slash line for 2nd time through the order: .296/.356/.472/.827 yikes!)

The Royals have Ian Kennedy starting. They are scuffling right now, going 2-8 in their last 10 games.

 

Game 21: Twins at Rangers

The Tale of Two Lefty's
Hector Santiago (2-1, 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 4 BB:17 SO's through 24.2 IP, 3.65 RS/9)
-vs-
Cole Hamels (1-0, 2.77 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 9 BB:14 SO's through 26 IP, 7.62 RS/9)

I actually think Santiago's a better pitcher than I'd given him credit for. As cheaptoy noted, this is probably due to the fact that someone was willing to trade him to the Twins in exchange for Ricky Nolasco.

Fun Fact: Mauer is 0-12 facing Hamels - most at-bats without a hit against any pitcher... so, he's due?

After some early miscues and missed opportunities, the Twins nearly managed a 'GreekHouse call' last night, falling only 1 run short of the necessary 8. Sure wouldn't mind them accomplishing that goal this evening.

Last year the team was never over .500 (closest they'd get was 17.5 games back at 46-66, a .411 winning percentage) through 20 games, they were already 6-14. At 10-10, the fellas are in 4th place, but only 1.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. A win puts the Twins back over .500 on the season.