GAME THREAD: Twins vs. Cleveland, 05/14/2022 @ 6:10 PM CST

[cHawk]

Yesterday, 2017 1st Round Pick Royce Lewis had a grand moment, foreshodowing to a (possibly) grand career.

Today, the Twins will battle the Guardians.

In one corner, we have Shane Bieber. A former Cy Young Winner. A dragon who shoots flames of fire past its victims (the opposing hitters).

In the other corner, we have Devin Smeltzer. A survivor of one of the harshest and most unforgiving diseases known to man, who is now pitching in the major leagues.

Bieber vs. Smeltzer. Guardians vs. Twins starts right now. On Bally Sports North.

[stringer bell]

Lineups:

Cleveland (15-16)

HITTERS	H-AB	RBI	HR	SB	AVG
M. StrawCF	28-115	3	0	8	.243
S. KwanLF	25-88	13	1	1	.284
J. Ramirez3B	35-116	32	7	3	.302
O. Miller1B	27-86	13	3	0	.314
A. RosarioSS	27-109	8	0	1	.248
F. ReyesDH	23-109	10	3	0	.211
A. Gimenez2B	28-85	19	4	2	.329
O. MercadoRF	15-73	15	4	0	.205
A. HedgesC	13-74	7	3	1	.176

 

Twins (19-14)

HITTERS	H-AB	RBI	HR	SB	AVG
L. ArraezDH	24-79	7	1	0	.304
J. Polanco2B	29-117	20	4	1	.248
G. SanchezC	17-82	12	2	1	.207
M. KeplerRF	26-104	14	5	1	.250
G. Urshela3B	21-94	7	1	0	.223
J. Miranda1B	5-39	3	1	0	.128
N. GordonLF	14-56	1	0	0	.250
G. CelestinoCF	15-44	1	0	0	.341
R. LewisSS	8-25	4	1	0	.320

 

PLAYER	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	H	K	BB	HR
S. Bieber	1-2	4.13	1.19	32.2	30	29	9	3
D. Smeltzer	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--

[stringer bell]

Okay. Again no Buxton. Our most dynamic player apparently can't play two or three straight games. This is madness.

[CRF]

Yeah...what's up with no Buxton again? I agree, this is getting somewhat ridiculous that he can't seem to play a couple games in a row. 

[shortround81]

[stringer bell]

I'm going to start a separate thread entitled "Handling Byron Buxton". Game discussions can continue on the game thread.

[Mander]

Joy, another game without Byron Buxton. Must have a hang nail or a paper cut. Best be careful. ?‍♂️

[Danchat]

Why is Miranda in the #6 spot when he's been struggling badly, yet Lewis is still in the #9 slot? Weird. That on top of Buxton starting to get used more like a reliever rather than a $100M outfielder...

[stringer bell]

15 minutes ago, Mander said:

Joy, another game without Byron Buxton. Must have a hang nail or a paper cut. Best be careful. ?‍♂️

From what I've read, Buxton wants to be out there every day. That is why this is so mystifying to me.

[mnfireman]

Buxton is 3-10 with a HR against Bieber, so it can't be a match up thing.....

[Dave The Dastardly]

Here's hoping Alka-Smeltzer can cool the regurg from the Buxton heartburn.

[The_Phantom]

54 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

From what I've read, Buxton wants to be out there every day. That is why this is so mystifying to me.

I don’t know that I buy that story anymore. You’d think with such an incentive heavy contract you’d have to pull him off the field kicking and screaming. For whatever reason he seems to be content taking every third game off. 

[Danchat]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

From what I've read, Buxton wants to be out there every day. That is why this is so mystifying to me.

I've heard that too, but the way he's been out of the lineup and DH'ing so often... I dunno, I don't think he's trying very hard to get into the lineup.

[Craig Arko]

Celestino: I got this.

[Squirrel]

a very looooooooooooong strike ... 

[KirbyDome89]

1 hour ago, Danchat said:

Why is Miranda in the #6 spot when he's been struggling badly, yet Lewis is still in the #9 slot? Weird. That on top of Buxton starting to get used more like a reliever rather than a $100M outfielder...

I'll add Celestino to the list with Lewis. Urshela and Sanchez are soaking up ABs high in the order while being nearly black hole status. I don't think there's much to lose by bumping some of the kids up. 

[Nine of twelve]

Former Twin David West passed away today due to brain cancer. This is his most memorable performance to me:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN199006230.shtml

My wife and I went to this game on our first date. He threw 6 no-hit innings before Bo Jackson led off the 7th with a single.

And the rest is history.

[CRF]

9 minutes ago, Nine of twelve said:

Former Twin David West passed away today due to brain cancer. This is his most memorable performance to me:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN199006230.shtml

My wife and I went to this game on our first date. He threw 6 no-hit innings before Bo Jackson led off the 7th with a single.

And the rest is history.

That's sad to hear. West was a NY Met prospect that came here in the Viola trade, with Aguilera and Tapani. He never quite realized the potential he was thought to have. Still, he pitched 10 years in the bigs. RIP. 

[shortround81]

I love (hate) how the "Buxton Is A Closet Little B****" narrative has sprung up. But, if he was playing every day and crashed into an outfield wall causing an injury, everyone would be upset he was too aggressive

[PDX Twin]

4 minutes ago, CRF said:

That's sad to hear. West was a NY Met prospect that came here in the Viola trade, with Aguilera and Tapani. He never quite realized the potential he was thought to have. Still, he pitched 10 years in the bigs. RIP. 

I remember that after that trade, Tapani and West pitched for the Portland Beavers, back when we were often among the 100 or so ticket buyers.

[Nine of twelve]

5 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

I remember that after that trade, Tapani and West pitched for the Portland Beavers, back when we were often among the 100 or so ticket buyers.

I know this was 33 years ago, but this is why Portland is not a viable site for a MLB franchise. The population is simply too low.

[RickOShea]

It's getting frustrating giving the opposition advantages, before the games even start.  We make questionable pitching decisions.  We overuse some pitchers and let others vacation on the bench.  Our line-up is a headscratcher more often than not...We need to be more consistent and let these guys go out and earn their salaries.  The Buxton situation is just one mind boggling example.

[mrtwinsfan]

[Squirrel]

Just now, mrtwinsfan said:

You must've bashed your head in by now for how often you use that emoji  Or at the very least, have a really bad headache

[USAFChief]

13 minutes ago, shortround81 said:

(If he was playing every day and crashed into a wall) everyone would be upset he was too aggressive

Not everyone.

[Mill1634]

I’m getting real tired of this teams inability to get the 9 hitter out

[USAFChief]

Lewis isn't going to be a major league SS, IMO.

[mrtwinsfan]

In Honor of Byron Bang-Bang Buxton?

[stringer bell]

Hearing a lot of f-bombs on the broadcast. 

[stringer bell]

Really nice DP.