The Twins head to daunting Yankee Stadium for their annual matchup with the Bronx Bombers, but this Yankees squad will look a little different than the one we saw last year. The Yankees injured list is better than their actual lineup, but that hasn't stopped New York from getting off to a solid start. 

 

The Pitchers

Kyle Gibson (2-0, 4.88 ERA, 24 K's) vs James Paxton (3-2, 3.38 ERA, 51 K's)

 

Kyle Gibson has started to look like last years Gibby after having a bout with E-coli during spring training, which caused him to lose a large amount of weight. James Paxton is one of the best lefties in the AL, and will be the second left handed starter the Twins have seen all year. If you recall, the last time the Twins faced off with James Paxton he was attacked by a Bald Eagle. Let's hope we have the same result this go around.

 

 

 

The Lineups:

Twins

 

Mitch Garver ® C

Jorge Polanco (S) SS
Nelson Cruz ® DH
C.J. Cron ® 1B
Marwin Gonzalez (S) LF
Max Kepler (L) RF
Jonathan Schoop ® 2B
Ehire Adrianza (S) 3B
Byron Buxton ® CF

 

Yankees

 

Brett Gardner (L) CF

Luke Voit ® 1B
Gary Sanchez ® C
Gleyber Torres ® SS
Mike Ford (L) DH
Gio Urshela ® 3B
Mike Tauchman (L) LF
Cameron Maybin ® RF
Tyler Wade (L) 2B

 

As previously stated the Twins are facing a left handed starter for the second time this year, but they should be able to handle left handed pitchers fairly well. Mitch Garver has struggled lately, but does hit lefties well. Byron Buxton is hitting .375 in eight ABs, and CJ Cron is hitting .294 in 17 at bats, with two long balls. Marwin Gonzalez has also had success against Paxton, going 7-28. Only 5 Yankees have faced Gibby before, but Brett Gardner has owned him in the past, hitting .385 in just 13 AB's.

 

Mill's Moments:

1. Miguel Sano

This lineup will clearly bring more fire power when Miguel Sano is back. He went 4-4 in Fort Myers yesterday, hitting a homer, and was promoted to AA ball today. The Twins are targeting a May 11th return, which is just over a week from now. It will be interesting to see what moves are made. As of now, I would suspect Jake Cave being sent down, and Marwin Gonzalez going to his super utility role as he was brought to Minnesota for. 

2. The bullpen isn't that bad

Don't get me wrong, the bullpen isn't all that great. However, they aren't as bad as some make them out to be. Taylor Rogers is one of the best relievers in baseball, and Hildy is a very good setup man. Blake Parker gives me some FRE vibes, but he has gotten the job done so far. Trevor May looks like he should be able to make the next step sometime this year, and Fernando Romero has all the stuff in the world if he can command his fastball. One guy I think we are sleeping on is Ryne Harper. Nobody is expecting him to be a setup man, but if he can fill the void of being a solid MR, that is huge for this bullpen. When he comes in following Martin Perez or Jose Berrios, who are throwing 94-97 MPH, his fastball looks like a changeup, and that Curveball stops in mid-air. This bullpen will need additions as we go on, but I have faith in them.

 

This Day in History: Francisco Liriano's first complete game in his six-year major league career is a no-hitter, a 1-0 gem thrown against the White Sox at a chilly U.S. Cellular Field. The Twins' 27 year-old southpaw entered the game with a 2-4 record along with a 9.13 ERA, fueling speculation that he was in danger of losing his spot in the Minnesota rotation. (via Nationalpastime)

 

Pick to Click: Jonathan Schoop is going to have at least one at bat driving in two or more runs

 

Go Twins!!

 

Excellent game thread. Let's go show the Yankees that no one is wiping their feet on the Twins anymore and they'll have to go and get themselves a new doormat. Preferable from Cleveland.

The Twins hitters need to be on their toes this game against Paxton.

 

I was watching MLB Network Breakdown recently and the big change Paxton made in New York is working VERY quickly. Like Mark Buerhle did back in the day. Once he gets the ball back from the catcher he is ready to go in 5 seconds or less. I'm looking forward to watching him in action.

Edited May 3, 20197 yr by Vanimal46

Paxton is a very good pitcher, but he essentially is a four-seam fastball guy other than when he's ahead in the count. This Twins team doesn't waste time up there, so I expect them to try and jump all over some of those fastballs early in the count.

Man, it's getting nasty in the little neighborhood bar I like to stop at on my way home from work. As I was sitting there this afternoon, nursing a cold beverage, a lady walked in with a parrot. My friend the barkeep walked up to her and stated, rather nastily, "Heh, you can't bring that pig in here."

 

The lady was somewhat taken aback, but after a moment, she calmly said, "That's not a pig, it's a parrot."

 

"I wasn't talking to you," my barkeep replied.

Paxton is a very good pitcher, but he essentially is a four-seam fastball guy other than when he's ahead in the count. This Twins team doesn't waste time up there, so I expect them to try and jump all over some of those fastballs early in the count.

I’m waiting for the league to figure this out about our approach and game plan against it. Hopefully not this weekend yet.

Adrianza for Eddie, with Marwin in left field. Probably a good day to make that move.

 

It appears to me that all three switch hitters have better left handed swings. I hope they do make some noise against Paxton.

BTW, did someone mistakenly post a spring training lineup for New York? Wow, they are beat up!

We need to crush this team.

 

With extreme prejudice.

A nice quote from a CBS article on the Twins today:

"These aren't the little piranhas Twins teams past -- these are more like sharks."

Sano's anticipated return is worrisome. This team has good chemistry and mojo already. If he still takes umpteen "ole!" whiffs at sliders out of the zone and kills rallies left and right, I'm not sure we're good enough to weather that for long. In other words, I want upside right away. No more waiting. If he falls on his face again, designate him and move on.

 

Sano's anticipated return is worrisome. This team has good chemistry and mojo already. If he still takes umpteen "ole!" whiffs at sliders out of the zone and kills rallies left and right, I'm not sure we're good enough to weather that for long. In other words, I want upside right away. No more waiting. If he falls on his face again, designate him and move on.

I agree. If he can't hit better than .255/.271/.526 ... move on!

 

BTW, did someone mistakenly post a spring training lineup for New York? Wow, they are beat up!

I thought the same thing, they have 6 position players on the 10 day DL! They also have two position players on the 60 day DL and another who is sitting on the bench with a knee issue. 

 

Oh, and that's not including the pitchers! They already have 3 on the 60 day DL. I'm shocked they're even 4 games above .500!

Last year’s .679 OPS might have been what the poster was referencing for Sanó.

Twins are either going to exercise some demons or exorcise some demons tonight

 

What's it going to be?

All right! Jim Kaat doing color. The best option.

Not a strike. Yikes

A curveball called strike 3 after it didn't even come close to the zone.

Crap! I was sure he had that.

yikes..

I can't believe the Yankees are above 500.... They have more WAR on the IL than some teams will get all year. It's like magic.

Gibby Nibbling already,the whole staff had been doing good not walking people lately

Ty. sanchez

Sure is nice not having to pitch to Stanton and Judge here.

Dangit! 6" to the right and that's 2.

Gibson needs to bear down here. Get out of this with the one unearned run and let the offense get to work.

I expect Buxton to make for that run at some point.

If I'm the Yankees manager I fire the third base coach on the spot.

Not sure what the 3rd base was thinking....thank you though!!

 

Gibby gotta settle down

Nice throw, Marwin! Good job by Gibby getting out of that inning with only the unearned run.

Edited May 3, 20197 yr by Don Walcott