Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

GAME THREAD: 8/4/20 Minnesota Twins vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 1:10 CDT

Diesel

By Diesel
in Archived Game Threads

Recommended Posts

Diesel GCL Twins

Diesel

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Is it bad that I expect more from this squad? Yes, the Twins are 8-2 this year, which is an amazing start! However, the starting rotation is down to 2 of its original members, nearly everybody in the lineup is slumping, and Jose Berrios has been the worst member of the rotation. If you told me those three things in 2 weeks ago, I would have expected a below .500 record. This team’s depth is showing, though.

 

Lineups and Analysis

 

Jose Berrios (0-1, 7.00 ERA) vs. Joe Musgrove (0-2, 4.76 ERA)

 

Twins

 

Maximilian Kepler (L) RF

Jorge Polanco (S) SS

Nelson Cruz ® DH

Eddie Rosario (L) LF

Miguel Sano ® 1B

Luis Arraez (L) 2B

Marwin Gonzalez (S) 3B

Alex Avila (L) C

Byron Buxton ® CF

 

Pirates

 

Adam Frazier (L) 2B

Phillip Evans ® 3B

Josh Bell (S) DH

Colin Moran (L) 1B

Bryan Reynolds (S) LF

Gregory Polanco (L) RF

Erik Gonzalez ® SS

Jarrod Dyson (L) CF

John Ryan Murphy ® C

 

Joe Musgrove tends to give up a lot of hard contact, while limiting the walks. Taking bad pitches is always a good sign, but a lot of hittable pitches have also hit the catcher’s mitt without even an attempt of a swing. Hopefully, the bats can pounce on Musgrove early to get to the pen. Jose Berrios, on the other hand, needs to find his control. When he is on, Berrios is one of the top pitchers in the game. His curveball is nearly unhittable at times, while his fastball keeps hitters honest. While Berrios’ velocity is up so far this year, the movement and accuracy are clearly not. This Pirates lineup doesn’t impress in the slightest, so this would be a nice day for “LaMaKina” to bring home a win.

 

The lineup today leans lefty, as expected. Josh Donaldson continues to recover on the bench, but Marwin Gonzalez has performed admirably on both sides, with a great play on a weak grounder preserving the tie game yesterday. While the offense has slumped so far, the defense has been magnificent across the board. From Rosario's incredible throw to second a couple nights ago, to Kepler's jump into the stands last night, there seems to be an impressive play by somebody every night.

 

Current Events

 

post-11402-0-11266300-1596559058_thumb.jpg

 

To be honest, I had other things written down, but then I saw the unspeakable tragedy currently happening in Beirut, Lebanon. Apparently, a nitrate warehouse exploded, leaving catastrophic damage. After working in the agricultural industry, I realize how dangerous this chemical can be. Heavy duty tanks are used to store and apply this stuff. I send out prayers to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by this unthinkable mistake. I can’t comprehend how anyone thought it was a good idea to have a warehouse like that in the middle of a city with millions of people.

 

Play ball!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 311
  • Created
  • Last Reply
amjgt GCL Twins

amjgt

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

In a season that everyone agrees just can't be completely fair to all teams and at some points has felt like is hanging on by a string, the fact that we are traveling to Pittsburgh for two games after two games here, just boggles the mind. Just declare the Pirates the home team for the next 2 games and keep them in Target Field.

 

In the covid-19 world, traveling to a new city for two days against a team you're already with is the height of stupidity. 

 

Probably the best thing that could happen is to play the existing schedule through Sunday, while working on a new more Covid friendly schedule Starting Monday. Be as fair as possible, but not worry if you can't be. Lots has changed since they made the schedule (including the playoff format) and with a truth potion I'm sure they'd admit it's going worse than they expected. Save the season. Be the commissioner and make the changes necessary. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Matthew Taylor GCL Twins

Matthew Taylor

Twins Daily Contributor
Posted
Posted

Things I'm watching for today:

  • Does Berrios keep his fastball velocity down in the 93-94 MPH range and maintain more consistency with that through the game. Can Berrios go 6?
  • Pirates pitcher, Joe Musgrove, got crushed with his fastball last season. Think that bodes well for the Twins hitters who typically crush fastballs. Thinking specifically about Luis Arraez..could be a breakout game for him against the righty.
  • Do we see Caleb Thielbar's debut today?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bighat Cedar Rapids Kernels

bighat

Verified Member
Posted
Posted

Very sobering photos and vids from Beirut, yikes.

 

To baseball:

 

Was listening to Justin and Dick last night discussing the Twins "lack of hitting" and my jaw hit the floor. After all, hasn't this team been winning and beating up people all season? Turns out the Twins are hitting .232 as a team, 17th in baseball. Tied for 8th in runs scored (with the NYY). I dunno, seems a bit early and after a 4-gamer with Cleveland I'm sure all teams see a drop.

 

Cardinals' Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong are two of the names who have tested positive for Covid-19. Interesting that the team's catcher had the virus but didn't spread it to any of the Twins batters. Noted.

 

Don't look now but the White Sox have won 5 in a row.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Seth Stohs GOAT

Seth Stohs

Owner
Posted
Posted

 

 

Things I'm watching for today:

  • Does Berrios keep his fastball velocity down in the 93-94 MPH range and maintain more consistency with that through the game. Can Berrios go 6?
  • Pirates pitcher, Joe Musgrove, got crushed with his fastball last season. Think that bodes well for the Twins hitters who typically crush fastballs. Thinking specifically about Luis Arraez..could be a breakout game for him against the righty.
  • Do we see Caleb Thielbar's debut today?

 

 

 

Berrios had 15 pitches (2 strikeouts) in a 1-2-3 first inning. To me, his goal should be 15 or (preferably) less pitches per inning. 15 x 6 = 90.... That's why 12 pitches per inning would be better... Strikeouts are wonderful, but has to become more efficient. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
The Twins Daily Caretaker Fund
The Twins Daily Caretaker Fund

You all care about this site. The next step is caring for it. We’re asking you to caretake this site so it can remain the premier Twins community on the internet.

Become a Caretaker
×
×
  • Create New...