The Pitchers

RHP Michael Pineda (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 K's, 5IP) vs RHP Joe Ryan (2-1, 1.69 ERA, 16 K's, 16 IP)

Old friend Michael Pineda returns to the Target Field for his second outing of the year. Pineda scattered three hits in five innings against the Yankees on April 21st, allowing zero runs. He threw only 60 pitches after missing the start of the year, which should put him around 75 pitches tonight. As we know, Pineda relies on three pitches, the 4S, changeup, and slider. Last season he threw the 4S over 60% of the time, despite the pitch sitting between 88-92 MPH. It was around the same velo in his start against the Yankees. All three hits Big Mike allowed came on the fastball. The changeup and slider didn't get hit, but they also didn't get swings and misses. Pineda should be an ideal matchup for the Twins. Joe Ryan has been electric thus far, but is back to pitching in the cold where he struggled with his command on opening day. Ryan's slider usage has nearly doubled this season to 32%. He still relies heavily on the fastball, which has a whiff % of 29 despite sitting in the low 90's. The slider has a whiff % of 42 after putting up 35% last season. The Twins have the pitching advantage on paper tonight. 

 

The Lineups

Twins

1. Byron Buxton (R) CF
2. Luis Arraez (L) 1B
3. Carlos Correa (R) SS
4. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
5. Max Kepler (L) RF
6. Gio Urshela (R) 3B
7. Trevor Larnach (L) DH
8. Ryan Jeffers (R) C
9. Nick Gordon (L) LF

Tigers

1. Robbie Grossman (S) RF
2. Austin Meadows (L) LF
3. Javier Baez (R) SS
4. Miguel Cabrera (R) DH
5. Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B
6. Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B
7. Jonathan Schoop (R) 2B
8. Eric Haase (R) C
9. Akil Baddoo (L) CF

Buxton returns to CF after DHing last night where he was held quiet. However, he did crush his last out of the game, but got too under the baseball. Arraez returns against a RHP at 1st base once again, which means that Sano is getting a day off. I am somewhat surprised Sano is getting a day off against a soft tossing righty after having the game winning "hit" last night. Correa hits 3rd, although he should maybe be moved down. Polanco stays in the 4 spot, which is where he's been against RHP. I think Kepler has an argument to hit cleanup, but it's early. Larnach gets tonight's DH start, with Nick Gordon, easily a better defender, playing in LF and batting 9th. Ryan Jeffers will call balls and strikes. Gary Sanchez has now missed 7 straight days. I know it doesn't matter as much with expanded rosters, but it's hard to imagine the Twins would've kept him active if they knew he would be out this long. The Tigers lineup looks largely the same, with the only changes being behind the dish and CF, where former Twins minor leaguer Akil Baddoo, who has been horrid this young season, will start tonight. 

 

Vegas Odds: Tigers +165, Twins -195, O/U 7

On This Day - 1994: Twins right-hander Scott Erickson no-hits the Brewers 6-0 for Minnesota's first no-hitter since 1967.

Pick to Click: Max Kepler stays hot, hits a 2 run homer in the 1st

Prediction: Twins 6, Tigers 3

Go Twins!

It'll be interesting to see how the Twins bats fare against Pineda.  He has the kind of mix that can baffle a lineup like the Twins.  

I'm guessing we'll be seeing a lot of Buxton at DH sprinkled into this 13 game stretch.  I'm fine with that, just keep his bat in the lineup as much as possible.

Interested to see how Arraez handles first. Seems like he did OK the first go. Did his short wing span affect his play?

I've got tickets tonight after having discovered that the Saints game I got free tickets to was a day game. Whoops!

41 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

Ryan Jeffers will call balls and strikes

Is that now on the catcher to do?

Or is he wearing blue?

45 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

Max Kepler stays hot, hits a 2 run homer in the 1st

To add to the lead?

I feel like the baseball Gods have decided that in order to make up for imposing a 17-game playoff losing streak on the Twins, that every AL Central team will have to pull down their pants in the late innings of a close game and show the world their naked butts.

Or something.

56 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Interested to see how Arraez handles first. Seems like he did OK the first go. Did his short wing span affect his play?

Arreaz ,,, This will be his third game at first base  and he has clearly done well ....

love to watch him hit it where they ain't  ..

Go twins 

4 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Arreaz ,,, This will be his third game at first base  and he has clearly done well ....

love to watch him hit it where they ain't  ..

Go twins 

I missed one, thanks for clarifying and providing your assessment 

OOA has him at a 0 at first, which is a step up from -2 over Sano, but two games is waaaayyyyy too small to judge anything statistically. 

Yay! No Sano in the forecast!

I kind of thought Godoy would catch tonight. Day game tomorrow with a tough lefty pitching and I expect Godoy will get that assignment.

2 hours ago, Unwinder said:

I've got tickets tonight after having discovered that the Saints game I got free tickets to was a day game. Whoops!

At least they were free.

9 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

At least they were free.

TNSTAAFL

2 hours ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Interested to see how Arraez handles first. Seems like he did OK the first go. Did his short wing span affect his play?

He's had issues with fielding balls to his right, i.e. knowing which ones to let go to the 2B, but is less exposed as a bad fielder. As long as the P remembers to head to first on every grounder to the right side he should be OK. 

This is a sound lineup with decent defense to support Ryan. 

9 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

He's had issues with fielding balls to his right, i.e. knowing which ones to let go to the 2B, but is less exposed as a bad fielder. As long as the P remembers to head to first on every grounder to the right side he should be OK. 

Some of that will only come from experience, unfortunately.  The footwork required will also be messy for a while too in all likelihood.

19 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

TNSTAAFL

Apparently there would have been this time if he had only remember to eat said "lunch".

I hope they hang 5 or 6 runs early on big Mike and proceed to saving private Ryan!

2 minutes ago, CRF said:

I hope they hang 5 or 6 runs early on big Mike and proceed to saving private Ryan!

Yeah, Joe really doesn't like talking to people.

48 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I kind of thought Godoy would catch tonight. Day game tomorrow with a tough lefty pitching and I expect Godoy will get that assignment.

Yeah, I kind of thought the same thing. Perhaps Gary is close.

10 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

Yeah, I kind of thought the same thing. Perhaps Gary is close.

He is. 

 

Let's go Twins!!

I have a feeling this game is going to be fun for Twins fans!

It’s about time the Twins don’t have to share the spotlight with the Timberwolves or Wild tonight. And it’s Joe Ryan night! 

Pick to click.....Correa! It's gonna be unreal. Trust me!

Joe Ryan rocking a turtleneck with no sleeves?

Just now, Vanimal46 said:

Joe Ryan rocking a turtleneck with no sleeves?

You didn't hear, it's the latest in mound fashion!

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

Joe Ryan rocking a turtleneck with no sleeves?

I like the way Ryan pitches. He moves at a decent pace and shows little fear. I've seen Duff look scared. Just throw the damn ball. 

This kid is going to be good. Might have issues occasionally but he can really pitch. His fastball is sharp tonight too...94mph....

3 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Joe Ryan rocking a turtleneck with no sleeves?

I like it! And he has short sleeves

WOW!!! Go JOE!!!

I smell a special night. Just wait and see....

(I hope this ages well)