Game Thread, Blue Jays v. Twins May 22 1:10pm
Starters: Marcus Stroman (4-1, 4.23 ERA) v. Phil Hughes (1-6, 5.70 ERA)

1: Phil Hughes

Oh boy… here we go. So Hughes had a pretty good outing a few days ago, but he was pulled at around 75 pitches. Then Trevor May came in and blew the game. There was some debate about what should have happened.
I myself can understand why they pulled him. Hughes was about to go up against the meat of the Blue Jays’ lineup and Molitor wanted May to face them instead.
The problem is that apparently at around 75 pitches, Hughes is losing velocity due to shoulder fatigue. So, does that mean he won’t go past 80 pitches today?
If so, Hughes should be immediately DL’d until he can throw more pitches without shoulder fatigue. What’s the point of throwing pitches in a lost season for Phil Hughes? He should rest his arm until he can pitch. He’s under contract for another 3 seasons after this one, so he shouldn’t waste his injured arm now

2: Marcus Stroman

Stroman only got in 4 starts in 2015 but he’s made it this far into the season without any problems.
Here’s his career stat-line:

ERA 3.57 (FIP 3.09), H/9 8.4, HR/9 0.5, BB/9 2.1, K/9 7.1

If Stroman can continue to improve on his career numbers (it’s his 3rd season in the majors), then he looks like a valuable asset to any team’s pitching staff. None of his numbers really stick out to me, so that’s all I have to say about him.

3: Lineup Analysis

Blue Jays
1. Jose Bautista ® RF
2. Josh Donaldson ® 3B
3. Edwin Encarnacion ® DH
4. Michael Saunders (L) LF
5. Troy Tulowitzki ® SS
6. Justin Smoak (S) 1B
7. Russell Martin ® C
8. Darwin Barney ® 2B
9. Kevin Pillar ® CF

 

Twins
1. Brian Dozier ® 2B
2. Eduardo Nunez ® SS
3. Joe Mauer (L) 1B
4. Trevor Plouffe ® 3B
5. Byung Ho Park ® DH
6. Robbie Grossman (S) LF
7. Oswaldo Arcia (L) RF
8. Kurt Suzuki ® C
9. Danny Santana (S) CF

I don’t have many things to say about this lineup. I do think it’s interesting to see Arcia playing in RF, the position that was his back in 2014. I thought it was an odd move when Torii Hunter was signed and Arcia had to play LF instead of RF. I think Oswaldo might be a better fielder in right.

 

4: Eduardo Nunez
He’s the savior of yesterday’s game, and Nunez has been hitting out of his mind so far this season. Right now, Nunez is batting .331/.367/.492 with an OPS of .859. That’s pretty darn good especially considering the fact that’s been playing every day for the last month. He would be in 5th place in the American League for batting average (He’s nearly had enough plate appearances to qualify). With Joe Mauer’s decline in the past couple weeks, Nunez is this team’s best hitter by a wide margin.

I would guess that in a month or so, Nunez’s numbers will come back down to earth. However, with baseball being so unpredictable, who knows what will happen and when it will happen. So maybe Nunez will compete for the AL batting title. It could happen!

5: Jose Bautista
          Dear Phil Hughes and relievers who might pitch tonight, Please don’t throw any pitches that Bautista can hit. I don’t care if you walk him 4 times, just please don’t give him another home run.
Yours Truly,
Danchat

Dozier hitting .204 with .291 obp just doesn't make sense leading off. I don't understand this somebody explain.

What I find interesting about the lineup is no Sano.  It's Ok if he needs a break, but I would think Santana and Nunez would have been higher on the list.

 

Nunez hitting out of his mind.  No kidding.  But he's sustain it for 33 games!  

 

Dozier hitting .204 with .291 obp just doesn't make sense leading off. I don't understand this somebody explain.

You've got to admit, he's got really nice hair...

 

http://cbn.pd.ak.o.brightcove.com/734546207001/734546207001_3601038509001_tom34-brian-dozier-vstill.jpg?pubId=734546207001

Big smile is a requirement to hit first. Mauer wasn't smiling enough, that's why he was dropped. This lineup looks good for some runs,i say about 4 of them.

DO NOT pitch to Bautista.

You've got to admit, he's got really nice hair...

 

http://cbn.pd.ak.o.brightcove.com/734546207001/734546207001_3601038509001_tom34-brian-dozier-vstill.jpg?pubId=734546207001

What is this? Dawson's creek?

Edited May 22, 201610 yr by Pardon My Dinger

This:

 

The problem is that apparently at around 75 pitches, Hughes is losing velocity due to shoulder fatigue. So, does that mean he won’t go past 80 pitches today?
If so, Hughes should be immediately DL’d until he can throw more pitches without shoulder fatigue. What’s the point of throwing pitches in a lost season for Phil Hughes? He should rest his arm until he can pitch. He’s under contract for another 3 seasons after this one, so he shouldn’t waste his injured arm now.

 

 

Couldn't agree more Danchat  !!!

I am totally on board with resting Sano. As opposed to sending him to the minors.

 

Ryan told Provus he wants to see Hughes go nine today (paraphrasing slightly). Couldn't agree more. Good luck to him today.

 

This:

 

The problem is that apparently at around 75 pitches, Hughes is losing velocity due to shoulder fatigue. So, does that mean he won’t go past 80 pitches today?
If so, Hughes should be immediately DL’d until he can throw more pitches without shoulder fatigue. What’s the point of throwing pitches in a lost season for Phil Hughes? He should rest his arm until he can pitch. He’s under contract for another 3 seasons after this one, so he shouldn’t waste his injured arm now.

 

 

Couldn't agree more Danchat  !!!

Well, if Hughes does end up having to go on the DL, it's comforting to know that we have a bunch of quality depth to replace him...

Is there more to no Sano, today?

Sending a message, tired, needs to eat     ????

 

Is there more to no Sano, today?

Sending a message, tired, needs to eat     ????

It's all that running around he's had to do lately  

Nice job this weekend, Danchat! Much appreciated.

They should try swearing at Bautista from the dugout in the hopes of getting him tossed.

 

 

I think that's their best shot to win.

Maybe a rest for Sano is warranted today, I don't know. But I'd rather sit Mauer and have Sano in the game. (Whatever combination of 3B-1B-DH you prefer) I'd also start Polanco at 2B and bat him leadoff with Nunez in the two hole.

 

They should try swearing at Bautista from the dugout in the hopes of getting him tossed.


I think that's their best shot to win.

They should put one in his ribs on the first pitch.

To pressure wash or not to pressure wash. That is the question.

 

Whether 'tis better to suffer the bitter disappointment of missing a second Twins game or see if a pressure washer can truly cut lines in concrete...*

 

*With apologies to The Bard.

 

 

I just wanted to congratulate everyone in advance. After this season is complete we will all have received our Ph.D.'s in disappointment.

 

That being said... Win Twins! Play for your pride and honor!

 

They should try swearing at Bautista from the dugout in the hopes of getting him tossed.


I think that's their best shot to win.

 

Ha. But getting Donaldson tossed yesterday was a stroke of pure genius, possibly the key move in them winning the game yesterday. So, why not? With all the weak on-the-field performances this year, a value-added, sour grapes about decorum, digs-from-the-dugout approach might be just the ticket.

 

 

They should put one in his ribs on the first pitch.

 

And that, too.

Edited May 22, 201610 yr by jokin

I don't think Phil Hughes read my letter.

 

Dozier hitting .204 with .291 obp just doesn't make sense leading off. I don't understand this somebody explain.

Nothing is understandable in this season. He needs to be hitting 8th. Given the bodies they are using today I'd go:

Nunez

Mauer

Park

Arcia

Plouffe

Grossman

Suzuki

Dozier

Santana.

 

And then after looking at that, maybe it really just doesn't matter.

Wow. That walk from the dugout to the mound must have left Phil exhausted.

So, before stepping up on the mound, Hughes kneels to pray.  Didn't seem to work....

 

DO NOT pitch to Bautista.

This site should be on in the Twins dugout, live!

Hughes goes 9 ha ha ha ha ha ha

Dick:  Every pitch isn't a fastball.  

 

Particularly the ones that curve.

Boy this game is going south rapidly!

Too soon to give Phly-ball Phil another extension?

COACH, COACH!!  I GOT THAT WEAK SHOULDER THINGY AGAIN!!  GET ME OUTTA HERE!!

 

Molitor:  me too...

 

Edited May 22, 201610 yr by HitInAPinch

And still, not a single Blue Jay, this entire weekend, has had to so much as arch away from an inside pitch.

 

You. can't. let. the. other. team. tee. off. on. you. with. no. fear.