Game Thread: Astros @ Twins, 8/9 @ 7:10 CT

Probable Starters: Mike Fiers (7-5, 4.34 ERA) vs Hector Santiago (10-5, 4.37 ERA)

 

1. Hector Santiago

The Twins newest starting pitcher, Hector Santiago, will make his second start as a Twin today. Now, first off, I have to say I’m much happier seeing Santiago start rather than Nolasco. I was becoming afraid that the Twins would actually think he was part of the solution rather than the problem…
But now we have Santiago. His numbers are kind of weird – he hasn’t been that great this season (5.15 FIP w/ MLB leading 59 walks given up), but he’s somehow got 10 wins with one of the worst teams in baseball this season (not that wins mean anything, but I do find it odd). And just as recently as last season, Santiago went to the All-Star game. In the first half of 2015, Santiago had an ERA of 2.33, a solid 2.82 BB/9, and a very nice 8.14 K/9. Since then, Santiago’s numbers have drooped to an ERA of 4.77, a 4.36 BB/9, and a sustained 7.95 K/9.
Santiago can help this team if he can learn to control his pitches and limit the number of walks. If there’s anything this pitching staff does well, it’s teaching guys not to walk batters. (Or that’s been my perception over the last few years.)

 

 

2. What Happened to Carlos Gomez?

What has happened to Go-Go? After being an All-Star in 2013 & 2014 with the Brewers, Gomez has not produced at the plate. In 323 PAs, Gomez has already struck out 100 times. His contact ratio is at just 64.9%, which is a far cry from even 2015 when it was at 76.5%. Gomez flashed some power in 2013-14 with 47 HRs combined. In those two years, he had stolen 74 bases – the last two years in Houston, he’s stolen just 22 bases.

He’s been hurt, and perhaps that’s what is affecting him. But perhaps he isn’t the player he used to be. It’s too bad he isn’t in the lineup tonight…

 

 

3. Lineups

 

Astros

 

Mike Fiers ®

1. George Springer ® RF
2. Alex Bregman ® 3B
3. Jose Altuve ® 2B
4. Carlos Correa ® SS
5. Marwin Gonzalez (S) 1B
6. Evan Gattis ® C
7. Tyler White ® DH
8. Jake Marisnick ® CF
9. Tony Kemp (L) LF

 

Twins

Hector Santiago (L)

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B
2. Joe Mauer (L) 1B
3. Max Kepler (L) RF
4. Miguel Sano ® DH
5. Trevor Plouffe ® 3B
6. Eddie Rosario (L) CF
7. Jorge Polanco (S) SS
8. Kurt Suzuki ® C

9. Robbie Grossman (S) LF

 

 

4. The State of the Astros
As I’ve been casually observing the Astros this season, I must say that they’ve had an odd year. They swept the American League by storm and nearly took the AL West. It seemed this team that had been in a complete rebuild was on the way up. But then they began 2016 tripping up and falling on their faces – though they were outdone by the Twins’ early failures. Similarly to the Twins, they had a torrid June and July, and Houston was back in range of making the playoffs. However, they’ve lost the last 9 of 11 games and they’re tumbling out of control. Most of their bats have gone cold with many starters failing to hit over .220. Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel hasn’t been himself, and the other starters are average to mediocre.
They’re in an odd position. They should be only getting better, but it’s not happening this season. Who knows where they might end up next year…

 

 

5. Coming Soon…
I am also in charge of tomorrow’s game thread, and I will be doing something special during tomorrow’s game. What will it be? Well, I think I’ll keep that secret for right now…

 

OK, Twins, let’s show the Astros who’s boss! Let’s keep on winning!

Edited August 9, 201610 yr by Danchat

And no DanSan!

The Twins are currently at the number five pick in the draft.

Sano at DH again. He's going to get a lot better at 3B doing that.

 

Sano at DH again. He's going to get a lot better at 3B doing that.

Trevor Plouffe will not build trade value by sitting on the bench.

Trevor Plouffe will not build trade value by sitting on the bench.

Prove he's healthy and out the door ASAP.

Trevor Plouffe will not build trade value by sitting on the bench.

Plouffe can DH, or play 1B. He is a 100% known commodity at this point in his career. Teams are not sitting there saying, "well we really like this Plouffe kid, but we need more film of him playing 3B."

And, Sano's development is 1000x more important than any PTBNL or cash that the Twins MIGHT get for him at this point.

Edited August 9, 201610 yr by Mr. Brooks

I really hope this team can draw some bigger crowds now that they're playing better. I've been to plenty of games this year and attendance gets smaller everytime. Last night I thought I was at the Trop. Announced attendance was 20k+, but I have a hard time believing that. It was a great night to be outside watching a baseball game. Management and ownership don't deserve better attendance, but the players do. Those that did show up were treated a a good game.

Edited August 10, 201610 yr by wsnydes

Plouffe can DH, or play 1B. He is a 100% known commodity at this point in his career. Teams are not sitting there saying, "well we really like this Plouffe kid, but we need more film of him playing 3B."

And, Sano's development is 1000x more important than any PTBNL or cash that the Twins MIGHT get for him at this point.

All of that is true. He has to prove that he's healthy. I'd rather see Sano at 3B too, but if Plouffe is to traded, he needs to prove that he can play 3B because that's what teams will be dealing for. I'd rather see Sano there too and I'm no fan of Molitor, but I don't have an issue with what he's doing here.

Seems like only last year Plouffe was a 2.5 WAR guy after being a 3.6 WAR guy the year before.  Now he's a complete garbage player because he's been hurt?  

Thanks, Danchat!  Nice job.

 

We have plenty of August game thread volunteer opportunities left on the board...don't get shut out!  

 

Pick a game or three and PM me!

 

 

 

All of that is true. He has to prove that he's healthy. I'd rather see Sano at 3B too, but if Plouffe is to traded, he needs to prove that he can play 3B because that's what teams will be dealing for. I'd rather see Sano there too and I'm no fan of Molitor, but I don't have an issue with what he's doing here.

Thanks for saving me a reply   

Edited August 10, 201610 yr by HitInAPinch

 

 

Seems like only last year Plouffe was a 2.5 WAR guy after being a 3.6 WAR guy the year before.  Now he's a complete garbage player because he's been hurt?  

How time flies. 

 

How time flies. 

and all because he plays the position Sano plays horribly and might never play even acceptably.

anyway, this is for fun.  GO TWINS!

 

anyway, this is for fun.  GO TWINS!

been waiting to see Santiago!!  body-type reminds me of Johan.

GREAT THROW by Rosario!!!

SWEET !!

Well, THAT was a rocket.

ouchie...

Well, nolasco could have done this (and he did)

Correa has 3 hits in 10 ABs now against Santiago. All 3 hits have been HRs. *sigh*

Well, nolasco could have done this (and he did)

Often...

Correa has 3 hits in 10 ABs now against Santiago. All 3 hits have been HRs. *sigh*

It doesn't a take a genius to fill out that part of the lineup card, does it? Wow.

We need to locate Johan and have him teach Santiago the circle change...

 

 

Well, nolasco could have done this (and he did)

HEY!  Santiago has a 10-4 record this year !! 

 

How, I really don't know......

OK...so my wife just got us tickets for a suite at Wrigley tomorrow night.  Very pumped- haven't been to Wrigley in something like 10 years, despite living 45 minutes away.

 

...and Nolasco is pitching for the Angels.  I feel like Indiana Jones- "Why did it have to be snakes?"

 

Plouffe can DH, or play 1B. He is a 100% known commodity at this point in his career. Teams are not sitting there saying, "well we really like this Plouffe kid, but we need more film of him playing 3B."
And, Sano's development is 1000x more important than any PTBNL or cash that the Twins MIGHT get for him at this point.

 

I realize it's cause and effect but I'm more concerned about Vargas getting splinters. Two games in a row on the bench. I also love that Polanco is getting in there but I really don't want Escobar to sit for 3 games straight either. 

 

I'd really like Paul to mix it up and let the players prove themselves or not prove themselves. 

Mickey Mantle talking on his cell phone before they were invented. Now that's a Hall of Fame player.

 

It doesn't a take a genius to fill out that part of the lineup card, does it? Wow.

Correa is awesome!