GAME THREAD: Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins, 05/07/2022 @ 1:10 P.M. CT

[cHawk]

Today our beloved Minnesota Twins come in at 16-11 to face the 10-16 Oakland A’s. The Twins won a nail biter last night to bounce back from a 2-game losing streak.

The Twins, 16-11 have been led by their pitching staff. Today they will send their supposed ace, Sonny Gray, to the mound. Gray will look to avenge his rough start to the season.

Meanwhile the A’s, who have struggled on all sides of the ball will look to gain some momentum with a win today. They will send James Kaprielian to the bump, who is also looking to avenge a tough start to the season.

ATHLETICS LINEUP:
1. 2B Tony Kemp
2. 1B Sheldon Neuse
3. DH Chad Pinder
4. LF Seth Brown
5. 3B Kevin Smith
6. C Christian Bethancourt
7. RF Billy McKinney
8. SS Elvis Andrus
9. CF Cristian Pache

TWINS LINEUP:
1. CF Byron Buxton
2. RF Max Kepler
3. 2B Jorge Polanco
4. DH Trevor Larnach
5. 3B Jose Miranda
6. LF Nick Gordon
7. C Ryan Jeffers
8. 1B Alex Kirilloff
9. SS Royce Lewis

[KirbyHawk75]

Lewis, Miranda, Kirlloff, Jeffers, and Larnach are all in starting lineup.  The future is now.  

[PDX Twin]

The entire starting lineup are Twins' draftees or signings (except the pitcher). 

[Blyleven2011]

Sonny gray to start , Cole sands promoted yesterday  to the club  and sent back to AAA without pitching  ,

Nothing like messing with one head , 

FO and Rocko are still pulling the strings 

[CRF]

Good to see Kirilloff back. Hopefully, he can stay off the IL and show that the wrist is healed.  

[USAFChief]

19 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Sonny gray to start , Cole sands promoted yesterday  to the club  and sent back to AAA without pitching  ,

Nothing like messing with one head , 

FO and Rocko are still pulling the strings 

Pretty sure that earns Sands 2 weeks of MLB minimum salary. He'll survive.

[ashbury]

10 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Pretty sure that earns Sands 2 weeks of MLB minimum salary. He'll survive.

"Thanks for making the drive over from St Paul. Here's $40,000 for your trouble. Do it again, sometime?"

[RickOShea]

18 minutes ago, CRF said:

Good to see Kirilloff back. Hopefully, he can stay off the IL and show that the wrist is healed.  

I have a feeling that Kirillof's wrist problem is going to be a chronic issue throughout his career.  Just never enough time for the injury to heal and rest, as evidenced by last year.

[USAFChief]

11 minutes ago, ashbury said:

"Thanks for making the drive over from St Paul. Here's $40,000 for your trouble. Do it again, sometime?"

"OK. My schedule is open in 2 weeks."

[chaderic20]

Did they end up including the rule in the CBA that a player can only be called up and sent down 3 times per season? If so, it does seem like a bit of a waste of a call up.

[KirbyHawk75]

Larnach scratched.  Sanchez starting.

[weitz41]

I seem to remember something about 5 times per season. But I could be wrong.

[Squirrel]

4 minutes ago, KirbyHawk75 said:

Larnach scratched.  Sanchez starting.

 

 

[Buffy the Twins Fan]

I have a feeling that Kirilloff gets at least one XBH today...crossing my fingers!

[Mill1634]

Gray back which is good. Hopefully Larnach is just something minor. Let's lock up the series today. I'm interested to see what the limit is on Gray

 

Twins 4, A's 2

 

[Mill1634]

1 minute ago, Buffy the Twins Fan said:

I have a feeling that Kirilloff gets at least one XBH today...crossing my fingers!

Had none in his 30ish AB's at STP. I'm still worried about him in the short term, and the long term if the wrist issue is recurring like it has been for the past year+. 

[stringer bell]

2 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

Had none in his 30ish AB's at STP. I'm still worried about him in the short term, and the long term if the wrist issue is recurring like it has been for the past year+. 

Presuming that Larnach's issue is minor, I think Kirilloff is very much on trial right now. If his power is sapped or if he can't be available all of the time, I think they'll option him or put him on the Injured List again. 

Larnach has shown for now he deserves to stay. Gordon is a utility guy who can't be optioned, Fortunately for Kirilloff, there are at-bats to be had at first base. If Kirilloff can't perform, Miranda and Arraez would take those at-bats.

[Buffy the Twins Fan]

15 minutes ago, Mill1634 said:

Had none in his 30ish AB's at STP. I'm still worried about him in the short term, and the long term if the wrist issue is recurring like it has been for the past year+. 

I totally hear you..I'm also concerned and feel super bad for him! Just think that the possibility for some redemption today will really light a fire for him

[stringer bell]

Bad luck for Polanco on that.

[stringer bell]

Sanchez is due for a long ball.

[Nine of twelve]

Today is garish jersey day at Target Field.

[chaderic20]

2 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Today is garish jersey day at Target Field.

I've got no problem with the red tops. Anything is better than the baby blues.

[USAFChief]

5 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Today is garish jersey day at Target Field.

Garish was always one of my favorites. Catcher from the 60s. Surprised they had a jersey day for him, though.

[PDX Twin]

4 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Today is garish jersey day at Target Field.

What's happened to white and gray? (I guess that the latter is pitching.)

[sampleSizeOfOne]

One moment...

Distracted by food.

[jimbo92107]

Miranda, Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff. That's a pretty good infield. 

Gordon, Buxton, Kepler. Pretty good outfield.

Sonny Gray pitching, Jeffers catching.

Sanchez DH.

I like their chances in this one.

[USAFChief]

2 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

One moment...

Distracted by food.

If your food distracts you for only one moment you're doing it wrong. 

[Nine of twelve]

Just now, jimbo92107 said:

Miranda, Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff. That's a pretty good infield. 

Gordon, Buxton, Kepler. Pretty good outfield.

Sonny Gray pitching. 

I like their chances in this one.

I agree. And that's in spite of the fact that many of those guys are second-stringers.

[USAFChief]

Our offense is elite...at hitting into DPs.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Welcome back, Mr. Kirilloff