Game Thread: Twins @ Baltimore, 5/4/22 @ 6:05pm CT

[twinssporto]

Good afternoon Twins fans! Welcome back to the "real" fun zone at Twins Daily! Remember this: Game Threads are the place to see and be seen....

This evening's match up should be fun to watch. We've got starting pitcher Dylan Bundy for the Twins (3-1, 2.95 ERA) going up against the Orioles righty Kyle Bradish (0-1, 3.00 ERA). Can Bundy keep up the magic he's thrown the last few weeks? I don't know but guess what? I'm betting on the Twins.

The Twins have a 4.5 game lead over the White Sox and Cleveland going into tonight's game. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games as well. It's so nice to get through April and keep a winning streak into early May. We are on the right track for sure. However, it's still early in the season but I'd rather be in this position than 4.5 games back. Keep the faith Twins Territory! We are moving forward. As the wins accumulate the confidence for this team grows too. 

By the way, Buxton, Kepler and Sano are out of the lineup tonight. The real test for this team is when the backups can fill in and keep up the momentum. Miranda filling in for Sano will actually be a positive for this team. Not trying to be negative but until Sano can get his knee fixed and achieve a batting average over .100, I will take my chances with Miranda.

I'd like to keep writing but I am in the middle of a move right now. Trying to unpack boxes and rearrange furniture. Cable not hooked up (cutting the cord) but just figured out my new wifi password. My first Twins Daily post in the new abode. So glad I could share it with you!

Let's go Twins! I see 92+ wins this year! Trust me! 

Tonight's Lineups:

TWINS:

1. Luis Arraez, 2B

2. C. Correa, SS

3. Jorge Polanco, DH

4. T. Larch, RF

5. Jose Miranda, 1B

6. Nick Gordon, LF

7. Gary Sanchez, C

8. Gio Urshela, 3B

9. G. Celestino, CF

SP - Dylan Bundy, (R)

 

ORIOLES:

1. C. Mullins, CF

2. Trey Mancini, DH

3. A. Santander, RF

4. Austin Hayes, LF

5. R. Mountcastle, 1B

6. Rougned Odor, 2B

7. Ramon Crias, 3B

8. R. Chirinos, C

9. Jorge Mateo, SS

SP - Kyle Bradish, (R)

 

Weather: 70 degrees, 9% chance of rain, 4 MPH winds.

 

[twinssporto]

My pick to click tonight is Mr. Miranda. He is gonna rake!

 

 

[howeda7]

Doc Roc's handling of Buxton is driving me nuts. In 25 games, he's now played 12 in CF, DH'd 4, had 3 Doc Roc days off and been out with an injury for 6. Just taking the 19 games he was healthy, that  translates to 162 game averages 102 games in CF, 34 at DH and 26 days off. We have the best CF'er in baseball but we're only going to play him there 63% of the time. Ridiculous.

[PDX Twin]

5 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Doc Roc's handling of Buxton is driving me nuts. In 25 games, he's now played 12 in CF, DH'd 4, had 3 Doc Roc days off and been out with an injury for 6. Just taking the 19 games he was healthy, that  translates to 162 game averages 102 games in CF, 34 at DH and 26 days off. We have the best CF'er in baseball but we're only going to play him there 63% of the time. Ridiculous.

I want to agree with you, but let's see how this regimen turns out injury-wise. If he can actually play that many games, I'll be pleased. If he basically has that many in him and will get hurt by playing more, it makes sense to choose the games he is out rather than letting injuries choose them.

[PDX Twin]

I've noticed that some of us are rated as "GCL Twins." Does that mean we do not exist since that league disappeared several years ago? Might be time to update the levels...

[stringer bell]

7 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Doc Roc's handling of Buxton is driving me nuts. In 25 games, he's now played 12 in CF, DH'd 4, had 3 Doc Roc days off and been out with an injury for 6. Just taking the 19 games he was healthy, that  translates to 162 game averages 102 games in CF, 34 at DH and 26 days off. We have the best CF'er in baseball but we're only going to play him there 63% of the time. Ridiculous.

Was he nicked up on the slide in second base? I remember that the trainer was tending to him as Polanco slammed two straight foul balls into his leg.

[LewFordLives]

Anyone know why Buxton is not in the lineup?

[Buffy the Twins Fan]

23 minutes ago, howeda7 said:

Doc Roc's handling of Buxton is driving me nuts. In 25 games, he's now played 12 in CF, DH'd 4, had 3 Doc Roc days off and been out with an injury for 6. Just taking the 19 games he was healthy, that  translates to 162 game averages 102 games in CF, 34 at DH and 26 days off. We have the best CF'er in baseball but we're only going to play him there 63% of the time. Ridiculous.

He's absolutely a game-changer when in CF, but I'm very grateful we are prioritizing his health. Minor injuries (i.e. his knee and wrist) can cause players to compensate in awkward ways and put themselves at risk for a more significant injury 

[wsnydes]

32 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

I've noticed that some of us are rated as "GCL Twins." Does that mean we do not exist since that league disappeared several years ago? Might be time to update the levels...

 

[stringer bell]

I presume Polanco is DHing due to banging two balls off his leg. Buxton scheduled day off. Kepler I’ll. 

[LVTwinsfan]

Anybody see Bumgarner get tossed? I’d like to see umpires who bait players get suspended.

[PDX Twin]

That was ugly baserunning.

[LVTwinsfan]

1 minute ago, PDX Twin said:

That was ugly baserunning.

If the ball drops Arraez needs to reach second, not much he could do really, it was a pretty good play

[RickOShea]

Another Arraez  mistake.  For every positive thing, he blunders one.. He's not going to make you a better team.

[stringer bell]

2 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

That was ugly baserunning.

No man’s land. 

[chaderic20]

2 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

If the ball drops Arraez needs to reach second, not much he could do really, it was a pretty good play

Better to get thrown out at second if the ball drops than to get doubled off of first.

[PDX Twin]

Two straight games with an error for CC. Not a good trend.

[Mill1634]

2 days in a row for Correa. Great job getting to the ball, but probably should've eaten that one.

[Mill1634]

Bit late with my prediction, but I don't like it tonight for some reason. Bundy hasn't gotten swings and misses this year, and the O's haven't swung and missed much this series. Combine that with our "B" lineup, and I see a struggle bus tonight.

 

O's 5, Twins 2

[Azviking101]

It's obviously early, but the called third strikes the Larnach takes are baffling. He otherwise has really quality ABs, but it's like he can't see the strike zone once or twice every other game

[LVTwinsfan]

11 minutes ago, chaderic20 said:

Better to get thrown out at second if the ball drops than to get doubled off of first.

And if he’s thrown out at second he’s derided for that. That’s why it’s called no man’s land

[Mill1634]

Just now, Azviking101 said:

It's obviously early, but the called third strikes the Larnach takes are baffling. He otherwise has really quality ABs, but it's like he can't see the strike zone once or twice every other game

I think he's looking for off-speed stuff so much when he's behind in the count because he knows what the numbers say, and that a pitcher is likely gonna spam off-speed with 2 strikes, and then gets locked up with the fastball when they throw one instead. It's understandable to take that approach, but frustrating at times.

[PDX Twin]

I'm always a little depressed to see all of the people in the expensive seats near the field who are not watching the game. They are either looking at each other or their phones most of the time. 

I guess that the teams benefit from their ticket revenue (whether they or someone else bought their seats), but I don't think this would have happened 50 years ago, when most people who went to games were actual baseball fans.

[wsnydes]

3 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

I think he's looking for off-speed stuff so much when he's behind in the count because he knows what the numbers say, and that a pitcher is likely gonna spam off-speed with 2 strikes, and then gets locked up with the fastball when they throw one instead. It's understandable to take that approach, but frustrating at times.

That's where the adage "look fastball, adjust to off speed" comes in, but he's not seen that's easier said than done.

[Mill1634]

What a play Nick Gordon! Larnach does not catch that ball.

[stringer bell]

Nice play Nick!

[LVTwinsfan]

Nice catch by Gordon 

[Buffy the Twins Fan]

Nick Gordon continues to be maybe the most underrated player on this team!!

[Sielk]

I think Larnach is overcorrecting a bit. Last year he had so much trouble with offspeed pitches. He has gotten much better at laying off those but needs to be careful not take a called strike there. He will learn.

What a catch by Gordon. Saved a run for sure.

[Mill1634]

2 minutes ago, Buffy the Twins Fan said:

Nick Gordon continues to be maybe the most underrated player on this team!!

Not sure I'd go that far. He's a bad hitter, nor has he really flashed the ability to steal bags. He does seem to be learning the OF quickly, but he's nothing more than a 5th OF/emergency MIF. I would be surprised if he survives the roster through the trade deadline.