We're not this bad. We're really not. That's not even the problem though.

 

The problem is, if you're good, you just don't have a 32 game stretch like this. Just using last year's data as an example, the worst 32 game performance by a playoff team was the Rangers, going 11-21 from June 20 to July 29. It's just a 3 game difference, but it seems like a chasm. If you believe in the power of a hot start, Texas began last season 14-18, a far cry from our current 8-24.

 

If you love baseball, you can just take it one day at a time. You can enjoy a Wednesday getaway game on a dreary day....if you try really, really hard.

 

Pitching Matchup

 

Tyler Wilson takes the hill for the O's. This is a starter we should be able to square up against and limit strikeouts.His K/9 sits at 4.9 this season and is even worse when you take into account appearances from last year. He's a relative soft tosser, sitting at about 90 MPH for his four-seamer. The fastball reportedly has good movement but he lacks a great second pitch; his slider and changeup are average or worse.

 

Speaking of not striking anyone out, Phil Hughes is on the mound for the Twins. He's struck out 5 batters in last 3 starts combined. He's already walked 8 men, which is half of his 2014 total and his 2015 total. Put simply, Hughes has looked somewhat lost on the mound. The velocity and command isn't what it used to be, and he may struggle to keep Baltimore off the scoreboard today.

 

Mauer At Leadoff

 

I don't post a lot on Twins Daily, but when I do, it's clear that I am unabashedly a supporter of Mauer batting 1st. I'm so happy to see Molitor giving it a try. I think over the long haul Mauer will score more runs when he gets on (which has been a lot this season). Yes, I also believe batting order makes very little difference in most games, but the Twins need some hot starts. They are most likely to get them when Mauer gets on base ahead of guys who can knock him in.

 

Trevor May to close?

 

After Kevin Jepsen gave up another lead last night, the calls began anew (I guess they never really stopped) to remove him from the role and replace with him with May. I know this may be unpopular, but in my opinion, May was used near-perfectly last night. In fact, he may have been better used in the 7th. But in the 8th, had to burn through some tough hitters before handing the bottom of the order over to Jepsen in the 9th. If I'm Molitor, I want May facing the highest-leverage situation near the end of every game. No matter the inning. Trevor May to close? In the right situation, sure. But at the end of the day, keep using him to get good hitters out late. He has been an absolute bright spot in a .250 season thus far.

 

Go Twins - let's end this losing streak and start a winning one!

 

----

 

LINEUPS

 

Orioles

LF Joey Rickard

SS Manny Machado

CF Adam Jones

1B Chris Davis

DH Mark Trumbo

RF Nolan Reimold

2B Jonathan Schoop

3B Ryan Flaherty

C Caleb Joseph

 

SP Tyler Wilson

 

Twins

DH Joe Mauer

SS Eduardo Nunez

2B Brian Dozier

3B Trevor Plouffe

RF Miguel Sano

1B Byung-Ho Park

LF Eddie Rosario

C Juan Centeno

CF Danny Santana

 

SP Phil Hughes

 

Nicely done! thank you.

 

I agree with you on Mauer. I also agree with you on May. but, there is about a zero percent chance Molitor is going to do something that isn't based on 1990s baseball.....

 

As for no Polanco. Sigh.

Edited May 11, 201610 yr by Mike Sixel

Nice job, BK!  And just so's everyone knows...BK did this while on the 15 day DL.  Way to tough it out, BK.  Take one for the team.  Gut check time.  Come up big in the clutch, Kirk Gibson-style.  

 

 

I was in bed by this point, but I'm surprised no one has brought up the Ball Boy making a highlight reel play last night... I think we found our newest OF!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9syS1a8vdQ

 

I was in bed by this point, but I'm surprised no one has brought up the Ball Boy making a highlight reel play last night... I think we found our newest OF!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9syS1a8vdQ

 

Good point! A missed opportunity. I did see the replay from my bed after they were talking about what happened live. Pretty incredible.

I am (half-heartedly) praying for rain. In fact, cloud-seeding might be the best idea yet to get through this season. We can't make 'em all up. 

Heading to the game today.  Another sign of organizational cluelessness: the cheapest ticket for today on the Twins web site is $12.  Cheapest (with fees) through their official ticket partner StubHub is $10.52.

 

Fortunately, SeatGeek came to the rescue with $3 tickets.  The free market is still alive!

 

Nicely done! thank you.

 

I agree with you on Mauer. I also agree with you on May. but, there is about a zero percent chance Molitor is going to do something that isn't based on 1890s baseball.....

 

As for no Polanco. Sigh.

Fixed

 

Heading to the game today.  Another sign of organizational cluelessness: the cheapest ticket for today on the Twins web site is $12.  Cheapest (with fees) through their official ticket partner StubHub is $10.52.

 

Fortunately, SeatGeek came to the rescue with $3 tickets.  The free market is still alive!

didn't know of SeatGeek until this post, might have to check it out. 

 

didn't know of SeatGeek until this post, might have to check it out. 

It's the best.

Official Thread Pump Up Motivational Speech:

 

Maybe the ballboy can be Rosario's backup. \m/

When it comes to Phil Hughes, isn't a drop in velocity a red flag of a larger issue?

 

When it comes to Phil Hughes, isn't a drop in velocity a red flag of a larger issue?

He likely has what the medical community refers to as "Not a good pitcher" syndrome. Unfortunately "Not a good pitcher" syndrome has cost many a player a career, Shooter Hunt, Kyle Loshe and Sean Bergman to name a few.

 

I was in bed by this point, but I'm surprised no one has brought up the Ball Boy making a highlight reel play last night... I think we found our newest OF!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9syS1a8vdQ

 

Overshadowed by Arcia's dive-kick

He likely has what the medical community refers to as "Not a good pitcher" syndrome. Unfortunately "Not a good pitcher" syndrome has cost many a player a career, Shooter Hunt, Kyle Loshe and Sean Bergman to name a few.

You forgot Adam Johnson! \m/

Not sure it's good or bad, but seeing this and noticing a 12:10 start, I'll be tuning in.  Hope when it's over I'm glad I didn't miss it.

Gladden:  "Twins in the midst of a little bit of a skid...lost their last six and 9 of their last 10."

 

What would a medium sized skid look like, Danny?

 

 

Has anyone got a replay of Arcia's play last night? I really want to see it.

 

Has anyone got a replay of Arcia's play last night? I really want to see it.

You're better off not seeing it.

 

Gladden:  "Twins in the midst of a little bit of a skid...lost their last six and 9 of their last 10."

 

What would a medium sized skid look like, Danny?

Here ya go:

 

http://a.fod4.com/images/user_photos/1248480/dbca8ea10b3df69bff539bd126da6dc9_original.jpg

 

Overshadowed by Arcia's dive-kick

 

Despite multiple nominees for the "honor"... the Arcia game-losing reverse bicycle kick is my season of futility OF highlight/lowlight thus far. (And I emphasize thus far, so many more muffing chances before 2016 is finally put to bed).

 

 

Has anyone got a replay of Arcia's play last night? I really want to see it.

 

http://m.mlb.com/bal/video/topic/8879234/v681173983/balmin-jones-drives-in-a-pair-to-give-orioles-lead/?c_id=bal#

Well, Hughes got through the first, so much for the second

 

**without giving up a run

Edited May 11, 201610 yr by DiscGolfer

welp, that didn't take long.

Great pitch! \m/

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

Didn't take long to decide my afternoon activities.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯