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Welcome back to the Twins Daily game thread experience and happy Sunday! I was hoping to take both games against the Royals yesterday but at least we split the double header. Truth be told I'm already kind of tired of the Royals this year. They feel like a thorn in my side or maybe a thorn in the side of the Twins. Their starting pitching and bullpen in general is actually better than I expected along with a few guys in their lineup...the bright spot yesterday was seeing Zack Littell looking good.

 

Another positive I see so far this year is that we are still winning without firing on all cylinders.  Garver, Sano and Kepler are struggling. Rosario is playing marginal but improving. I think we are also missing the bat, defense and presence of Josh Donaldson. Throw in our missing starting pitchers and it feels like we are at 60% strength. I know I'm biased when it comes to the Minnesota Twins but when it all finally starts to come together I don't see many teams able to keep pace with them. Our lineup will be too dangerous along with a stellar bullpen and some decent starting pitching...they better hurry though, we're already 35% through the season.

 

By the way, firing up the smoker around game time and cooking some ribs for dinner tonight. I see some fresh corn on the cob, coleslaw and cold beers in my future very soon.

 

Go Twins! Start gelling dammit!

 

Today's Lineups:

 

Minnesota Twins:

 

1. Max Kepler (RF)

2. Jorge Polanco (SS)

3. Nelson Cruz (DH)

4. Eddie Rosario (LF)

5. M. Gonzalez (3B)

6. Luis Arraez (2B)

7. Miguel Sano (1B)

8. Byron Buxton (CF)

9. Alex Avila ©

SP Randy Dobnak 3-1 0.90 ERA (yes you read that correctly) 

 

Royals:

 

1. W. Merrifield (CF)

2. Nicky Lopez (2B)

3. S. Perez ©

4. Jorge Soler (DH)

5. Ryan O'Hearn (1B)

6. H. Dozier (RF)

7. M. Franco (3B)

8. Alex Gordon (LF)

9. A. Mondesi (SS)

SP Brady Singer 1-1 4.50 ERA

 

Weather: 79 degrees, partly cloudy skies with light and variable winds. 1% chance of precipitation. 100% chance of smoked ribs and cold beer this afternoon. 

Yeah, i think i looked at the mlb pitching stats, and Dobnak would currently qualify for and take the ERA crown.

 

So we got that going for us!

 

Can't lose another series to the Royals - let's go get them! We need some better hitting today.

 

Can't lose another series to the Royals - let's go get them! We need some better hitting today.

 

Behold the power of the powder blues. They will save us and return the bats to glory.

Dobnak's like if I had that guy at third in Appalachia, I'd been a first round draft pick.

 

Yeah, i think i looked at the mlb pitching stats, and Dobnak would currently qualify for and take the ERA crown.

 

 

Thanks, Dick, for the jinx

Announcers really know how to jinx a game...

Nice call Bremer , Jinxed  it   for  Dobby

Dick did his best to conjure that HR into being. "Dobnak has NEVER given up a HR as a starting pitcher!" 20 seconds later... he's wrong!

Dobnak’s ERA went from 0.87 to 1.31 on one pitch.

Well, he got that one out of the way.

I was just thinking as a ground ball pitcher, Dobnak is the kind of pitcher the fielding can really get behind and enjoy their success.

Huh. Dobnak gave up a homer. I didn’t realize that was possible.

Anyway, now its our turn...

I sneezed and missed the bottom of the first

 

Anyway, now its our turn...

...and 6 pitches later, our turn is already over.

What time should I be there for the ribs/slaw/corn and beer, 'sporto?

Marwin's nice play saved an additional run I suppose. It is doubtful that one solo homer will hold up, but with all the frustration with the offense, who knows?

“Twins are on pace for SIX errors this year”. Can someone shut Dick up?

Polanco has been a much improved defender according to what I am seeing.

 

Bremer just jinxed the defense now.........and Dobnak!!!

Welp, we are watching the HR/9 regress right before our eyes.

I'm holding Dick 100% accountable for these HRs.

Uh oh. Our ace doesn’t have it early on.

Ya know, I’m starting to doubt the ol ballclub

I can't wait to be done with the Royals

Just a typical 2020 Twins/Royals game then.

Huh. Dobnak gave up a homer. I didn’t realize that was possible.

Sadly, results have been reproduced in differing circumstances...

 

Still awaiting the published results...

Just pulled up Le Gameday. Singer threw 6 pitches in the first inning?! Way to wear 'em down, guys.

The Royals homers have xBA of .230 and .170 respectively. Safe to say the right field overhang is helping them out.