Game Thread: Twins @ Astros, 7/16 @ 1:10 CT

[Danchat]

Strat-O-Matic Report
Top of the 4th

 

Grossman grounds out to first.
Sano grounds to pitcher Fiers - error on play, Sano reaches. Fiers leaves game with injury. Francis Martes now pitching.
Kepler grounds into double play.

 

Things just got weirder - there is a tiny chance that a player can leave with an injury, and the Twins have [literally] knocked Fiers out of the game. Now we're onto their long reliever!

[USAFChief]

My youngest son has been playing guitar for most of his life.  He finally got good enough so that he and a couple friends decided to start a band.  It's pretty fun to listen to them, they're not bad.

 

I'm not sure how to describe their style...new age, I guess.  They call themselves "999 megabytes."  

 

They haven't been able to get a gig yet.

[USAFChief]

uffda, Gibson.  You can't walk the 8 hitter there.  Just can't.  

[PDX Twin]

All set up for the triple play!

[Deduno Abides]

Is it too much to hope for that Gibson would come out with an attitude two innings in a row?

[jimmer]

So far, Quintana VS Orioles today: 5 IP, 8 Ks, 2 hits, 0 ER.

[amjgt]

Buxton gets that

[Mill1634]

Gibson sucks. EOS

[wavedog]

Suspect defense all around - hesitating on the throw home

[PDX Twin]

How long until Buxton's back?

[Jerr]

GIBSON...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

             

[amjgt]

Suspect defense all around - hesitating on the throw home

I don't blame Rosario for not getting that. Just using this as a prime example of how having Buxton out there, is a net benefit, even if he's going terribly at the plate

[Blake]

I'm starting to think shifts against a team like Houston are a bad idea. Against mediocre teams, yes, shift away. Against elite teams, maybe not.

[Deduno Abides]

Hey Molitor, I know it's getaway day, but wouldn't it make sense not to do the formula thing with the lineup and instead have your best defensive outfield playing the day Gibson pitches?

[USAFChief]

When you can't get Nori Aoki out after you have him 0-2, you do not belong in a major league rotation.

[Mill1634]

Gibson is so fuggin' irritating to watch

[PDX Twin]

 

I'm starting to think shifts against a team like Houston are a bad idea. Against mediocre teams, yes, shift away. Against elite teams, maybe not.

 

Good hitters should be able to react to the shift, no? Are we in the next phase where the hitters react to the fielders' reaction?

[wavedog]

The inning that won't end - didn't Gibson used to be a ground ball pitcher with his sinker working?

[Puckett34]

 

The inning that won't end - didn't Gibson used to be a ground ball pitcher with his sinker working?

"Working"

[Danchat]

Strat-O-Matic Report
Bottom of the 4th

 

Aoki singles.
Marisnick strikes out swinging.
Springer singles, Aoki to 3rd.
-Phil Hughes now pitching-
Altuve grounds out to first, Vargas to Hughes. Altuve advances to 2nd, Aoki scores.
Reddick singles, Altuve to 3rd.
McCann walks.
Gurriel grounds to to third.

 

Both games aren't going so well, but at least we aren't losing 6-0.

[USAFChief]

phew.

 

commercial breaks always get me to thinking.

 

I think blackboards and dry erase boards are two truly remarkable inventions.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I've looked at it 10 times now.

 

Grossman SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT BALL

Thats a SSS because conclusions don't start to stabilize until about 500 viewings

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

"Working"

 

It worked for a half season in 2015 and another half season in 2014. Does that count?

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

No, SSS, because conclusions don't start to stabilize until about 500 viewings

 

With the obvious exception of Twins Daily where conclusions become fact in a matter of seconds.

[Riverbrian]

 

No, SSS, because conclusions don't start to stabilize until about 500 viewings

 

That's true

 

I'll rewind it 490 more times. 

 

I should follow procedure. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

That's true

 

I'll rewind it 490 more times. 

 

I should follow procedure. 

 

I'm not sure your VHS player can take that much use.

[Monkeypaws]

Torii talking Colt 45 malt liquor! 

[Roaddog]

Maybe it's an overreaction, but what does Gimenez do that Garver cant?

[Deduno Abides]

The inning that won't end - didn't Gibson used to be a ground ball pitcher with his sinker working?

In 2014 and 2015, Gibson had an above-average sinker and slider. They are now firmly below average pitches. Interestingly, his velocity on those pitches, as well as on his fastball, is roughly the same this year. What happened?

[USAFChief]

 

With the obvious exception of Twins Daily where conclusions become fact in a matter of seconds.

I'm going to need to think about this for a while.