Another thing to note: There are a lot of youngsters on the Twins who have never played under these conditions: Playoff atmosphere in one of the most hostile ballparks in the US.

 

The youngsters played very well. Just came up a bit short.

Actually, quite a few of them have. Rosario and Escobar were both in the lineup in August 2015 when we went to Yankee Stadium in a pennant race. Buxton rejoined the team shortly thereafter. Only Polanco in our lineup tonight is a young player who hasn't previously been part of a MLB pennant race. (Grossman hasn't either, and I guess Kepler came off the bench.)

 

Pitching side, obviously Hildenberger and Rogers haven't, but Duffey has (and obviously Ervin too). Of those that didn't pitch tonight, Gibson, Colon, Belisle, Perkins, Gee, and Tonkin all pitched in September pennant races before (obviously not all young guys!).

Did we win yet?

 

Still have to catch up on some rumored Mauer slam...

I wouldn't exactly call the new Yankee stadium "hostile". It's very time compared to the old place. Plus, they had barely 30k PAID tonight. The fans will show up for the playoffs (probably), but tonight was tame.

Good point. I was just looking at Seatgeek, and Yankees tickets were as cheap as the upcoming Tigers series in Detroit. Cheaper than Target Field right now for sure.

I imagine it is hard to hit 102.7 or 103.7 mph. If anyone can, I would have bet on Joe or Rosario. Polanco cranked that ball in the 9th.

 

I also think Rosario's first swing was probably the hardest swing of the statcast era.

 

Good game. Tough loss. Get em tomorrow (or Wednesday.)

By the way, the pitches Chapman struck out Mauer and Escobar with were both in the top 15 fastest pitches of 2017. (The rest all by Chapman). Of the others, there was one single and one home run (by Raphael Devers).

 

That's just not easy to put in play,

So, they just had no chance? I don't buy that. Stop giving away outs to start....

Good point. I was just looking at Seatgeek, and Yankees tickets were as cheap as the upcoming Tigers series in Detroit. Cheaper than Target Field right now for sure.

Lol.

 

No. Premium seats are still expensive, I used StubHub and spent $500 on 4.

So, they just had no chance? I don't buy that. Stop giving away outs to start....

Agreed. Hated the bunt. Your playing to tie the game? What?

 

Buxton jumped in the first pitch; if it hadn't been up and in, he might have hit it in the gap or out. Polanco squared up nicely. Mauer lefty vs lefty is tough, but I bet he gets another chance this series, and I bet Joe doesn't strike out again.

Edited September 19, 20179 yr by AlwaysinModeration

Lol.

 

No. Premium seats are still expensive, I used StubHub and spent $500 on 4.

Lol, to think I would ever look at premium seats! Just get me in the ballpark, I will move down as far as the moat will allow.

 

Joe has done marvelous things this year, but THE guy has to put the ball in play there, not K on three pitches. That's really lame.

103mph, lefty on lefty.

 

Yeah, you want to see Joe put wood on the ball there but crikey.

That's fine. I would have traded him this offseason. I have zero faith in him when runners are on base. He swings at crappy pitches at almost the same rate as Rosario. He plays good defense and hits dingers (with no one on base) but he takes A TON of really piss poor at bats.

The eyeball vs stats. Stats usually win. The stats say Dozier isn't significantly a different hitter with runners on as opposed to no one in terms of ops+. Both are right in line with his career norms. Which is what one would expect given a long enough career.

Edited September 19, 20179 yr by yarnivek1972