Game Thread: Twins vs Royals, 4/5 @ 12:10 CDT

[hybridbear]

 

And that's with the new statcast measurements, which are 1-2 MPH faster than last year....

What change is this? I hadn't heard about this.

[Mike Sixel]

ganador!

 

which is really close to Gondor, btw...apropos of nothing.

[Oldgoat_MN]

After catcher, Gimenez has spent more time at 3B than any other position. FYI

[Mike Sixel]

 

What change is this? I hadn't heard about this.

 

Everyone is now using statcast for stats. I THINK that includes "radar" guns at stadiums. Previously they used pitchfx. So, not really sure if the "guns" are different or not. 

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/about-all-these-velocity-spikes/

 

[Darius]

There was a theory kicked around by some abscure "sciences," if you can even call it that, that went a little something like this:

 

Does the brain register images that it can't understand? Maybe not? For example, when the large gallionesque ships of European explorers approached the coastal villiages of various native tribes, being as the natives had no concept or idea that these things existed, could they actually "see" them?

 

This, of course, was found to be ridiculous, and is occasionally plucked by UFOlogist and Cryptozoologists grasping for explanations. Right?

 

So I thought. This theory has gained traction again. I turned on the TV just now, flipped it to FSN, and saw nothing. I asked my wife if the cable was out, and she responded, "Hey, the Twins are on, and they are winning."

 

Now I'm open the possible existence of everything unbelievable.

[gil4]

6-1 in game 1, 9-1 in game 2. Scheduled for a 12-1 win tomorrow. 

[Craig Arko]

ganador!

 

which is really close to Gondor, btw...apropos of nothing.

Gondor has no losses. Gondor needs no losses.

[Mike Sixel]

 

There was a theory kicked around by some abscure "sciences," if you can even call it that, that went a little something like this:

Does the brain register images that it can't understand? Maybe not? For example, when the large gallionesque ships of European explorers approached the coastal villiages of various native tribes, being as the natives had no concept or idea that these things existed, could they actually "see" them?

This, of course, was found to be ridiculous, and is occasionally plucked by UFOlogist and Cryptozoologists grasping for explanations. Right?

So I thought. This theory has gained traction again. I turned on the TV just now, flipped it to FSN, and saw nothing. I asked my wife if the cable was out, and she responded, "Hey, the Twins are on, and they are winning."

Now I'm open the possible existence of everything unbelievable.

 

great post!

[MNTSchmitt]

Won our first series to start the season! I know it's early, but to see the defense, patience at the plate, and timely hitting (all things that were lacking all last season, especially to start)-I think is a great sign of improvement. I know the Royals are probably on the downward trend, but still this was impressive. Go Twins!

[Blake]

 

But experience at third should be so much more important.  Sano would be what, fourth, on the 1B depth chart (Mauer, Park, Vargas)?

Yeah, but Vargas and Park are not with the MLB club currently. At some point, Mauer is going to have to sit due to a tough left-hander. I don't like the fact Park and Vargas are in Triple A but it is what it is.

 

To me, it's sign that Molitor is actually trying to actually do a bit of creative management. 

[James]

 

This better not jinx our being undefeated for 2017.

If the Twins end up going 161-1, I will be ok with taking the blame for the loss.

[twinsfanstreif]

 

6-1 in game 1, 9-1 in game 2. Scheduled for a 12-1 win tomorrow. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The push notification on my phone says: "Miguel Sano pega un triple en la parte baja de la 7ma, 3 corredores anotan. Los Twins amplían su ventaja sobre los Royals, 6-1."

That sounds good in any language

[twinsfanstreif]

 

Won our first series to start the season! I know it's early, but to see the defense, patience at the plate, and timely hitting (all things that were lacking all last season, especially to start)-I think is a great sign of improvement. I know the Royals are probably on the downward trend, but still this was impressive. Go Twins!

how about pitching? 2 runs in 2 games?! Castro also might have had an influence on this, so Suzuki was our problem the whole time?

[kydoty]

Royals bullpen so far...

 

5.0 IP, 12 R, 10 H, 8 BB, 5 K, 21.60 ERA, 3.6 WHIP

 

I know it's a very small sample size.  But this is supposed to be the team's strength.  If it's anything remotely close to this for the season, they are in big trouble.

[Blake]

Okay, I just realized I must be dreaming, because for the first two days of the season, the Twins have had a better bullpen than KC.

[twinsfanstreif]

At +14 we have doubled the next highest win differential. Granted several teams have not played a second game but I will take it!!!!!

[MNTSchmitt]

 

how about pitching? 2 runs in 2 games?! Castro also might have had an influence on this, so Suzuki was our problem the whole time?

Absolutely, I feel bad not recognizing that as well. Santana pitched fantastic minus his one mistake with the homer. Hector pitched well, calmed down and got his control back. I think Castro definitely has had an impact, I think he calls great games and I can definitely notice how intentional he is with framing the pitch (which is what the word was that he does well)

[USAFChief]

winnah!

[Taildragger8791]

 

But experience at third should be so much more important.  Sano would be what, fourth, on the 1B depth chart (Mauer, Park, Vargas)?

 

I think it was more about getting Gimenez reps at 3rd than it was about getting Sano reps at 1st. Although that wasn't such a bad thing either since he's technically a backup option for 1st.

[akmanak]

What a breath of fresh air with the first two wins this season.  I believe that Castro has been a huge factor with pitch placement.  One of my main concern is exactly how long do we leave Buxton in there? Obviously do not send him down, but I was just curious what a good time frame is regarding this situation.

[Monkeypaws]

What'd you all think of Santiago's performance today?

Not a quality start, but I saw a lot of quality pitches out there. I like the way he worked the off-speed stuff in as the game progressed. I thought he looked like a solid, regular MLB started today.

[Doomtints]

Close game.

 

A real nail biter.

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

What'd you all think of Santiago's performance today?

Not a quality start, but I saw a lot of quality pitches out there. I like the way he worked the off-speed stuff in as the game progressed. I thought he looked like a solid, regular MLB started today.

Off speed stuff and high in the strike zone. That's his game.

[Doomtints]

 

What'd you all think of Santiago's performance today?

Not a quality start, but I saw a lot of quality pitches out there. I like the way he worked the off-speed stuff in as the game progressed. I thought he looked like a solid, regular MLB started today.

 

Have to give Molitor the F today. It's not Santiago's fault they burned through 5 relief pitchers in a blowout win, when no reliever allowed a hit and the Royals never posed a real threat.

 

One more year....

[Deduno Abides]

After last year, that's a bold statement.

The Twins could reasonably win 15 more games than last year. White Sox may not win 60 and Royals may struggle to win 70, especially if they fall behind and start a fire sale. Believe it or not, the Twins may have a better bullpen than the Royals right now, of all things, and have more promising reinforcements.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Have to give Molitor the F today. It's not Santiago's fault they burned through 5 relief pitchers in a blowout win, when no reliever allowed a hit and the Royals never posed a real threat.

 

One more year....

 

wut?

 

I'd rather a bunch of 1 inning stints happen right now. when would you have brought in a guy to pitch multiple innings?

[TonyInOmaha]

 

What'd you all think of Santiago's performance today?

Not a quality start, but I saw a lot of quality pitches out there. I like the way he worked the off-speed stuff in as the game progressed. I thought he looked like a solid, regular MLB started today.

 

Good chance he would have finished the 6th for a quality start without the 90 pitch limit they had him on.  Some quality innings and didn't walk a batter after walking/hitting 3 of the first 5 he faced.

[ashbury]

6-1 in game 1, 9-1 in game 2. Scheduled for a 12-1 win tomorrow. 

I'm going with a quadratic curve-fit. 19N² - 54N + 41. Tomorrow we score 50.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Have to give Molitor the F today. It's not Santiago's fault they burned through 5 relief pitchers in a blowout win, when no reliever allowed a hit and the Royals never posed a real threat.

 

One more year....

The game was 3 to 1 when Santiago was taken out.  It was not a blow out when the decision was made.  When you have a 13 man pitching staff, might as well make use of them.