GAME THREAD: Twins @ Tigers (x2), 5/31/22, 12:10CT | 1:10ET & 6:10CT | 7:10ET

[Brock Beauchamp]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:15 PM, nicksaviking said:

I have a feeling they are less inclined to save a pitcher's arm if it's a pitcher they don't plan on counting on for the long run.

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I think that's absolutely true but I don't think Smeltzer falls into that category, particularly given how he has pitched.

[Brock Beauchamp]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:15 PM, wsnydes said:

That sucks.  I would have left him in for at least one more batter.  But, I get it.

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Righty hitter probably made the decision for them.

[stringer bell]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:05 PM, jimbo92107 said:

Is anybody still unconvinced about Devin Smeltzer? He belongs to an uncommon category of MLB pitcher: a finesse pitcher that can dominate. Please Twins FO, keep this guy in the starting rotation!

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I don’t think there is any doubt he’s pitched well enough to stay in the rotation. With Ryan’s return undetermined, Gray and Ober with injury issues and less than effectiveness from retreads Bundy and Archer, all Smeltzer has to do is keep doing what he has done. 

[wsnydes]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:17 PM, Brock Beauchamp said:

Righty hitter probably made the decision for them.

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Probably true.  Given it's the 9 hitter, I still probably would have let it ride anyway.  I wouldn't have let him face the top of the order though.

[nicksaviking]

I hope both the Twins' and Tigers' offenses are just as kind to Cole Sands. He could use another a confidence bump as I'm guessing this isn't going to be the last time he's needed.

[stringer bell]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:13 PM, USAFChief said:

Who had "Devin Smeltzer" in the "1st Twin to throw 100 pitches in a game" contest?

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Joe Ryan threw over 100 pitches earlier this year. 

[bighat]

  On 5/31/2022 at 5:13 PM, USAFChief said:

I miss April Buxton.

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It's getting to the point where this is more than a slump.

It's become either a serious mental block or the inability to re-adjust to the way the league is pitching to him. Twins management should be furiously working with Buxton on addressing these problems, as it's becoming detrimental to the team.

He's very close to becoming dead weight at this point.

[MplsFan]

Jeez Urshela battling here

[Doctor Gast]

Hats off to Smeltzer! 

[shortround81]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:26 PM, MplsFan said:

Jeez Urshela battling here

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Is his tail still attached? If not, he's not battling. ?

[Puckett34]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:28 PM, shortround81 said:

Is his tail still attached? If not, he's not battling. ?

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Love a classic Gardy(ism)

[chpettit19]

Great outing by Smeltzer. Not exactly facing murderers row today, but nearly 7 innings was huge. He's earned more starts and I hope they don't send him back down as arms come back. 

[wsnydes]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:28 PM, shortround81 said:

Is his tail still attached? If not, he's not battling. ?

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Not battling enough, anyway.

[USAFChief]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:22 PM, stringer bell said:

Joe Ryan threw over 100 pitches earlier this year. 

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[wsnydes]

I like clean bullpen innings.

[Doctor Gast]

I hope Palacios gets his 1st hit

[bunsen82]

Sanchez is exceeding my expectations so far.  His defense is much better than in New York,  and the bat has been decent,  actually rather clutch.   25 rbi's for the end of May is really good.  

[wsnydes]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:37 PM, Doctor Gast said:

I hope Palacios gets his 1st hit

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He got a first alright.  Just not what we were hoping for.

[CRF]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:07 PM, mnfireman said:

If he hits his spots and gets calls on the edges of the strike zone. But if he has to bring 88 down the middle....

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Agreed. As long as he can locate his pitches, paint the black, and get some calls, he can be very effective. He sure isn't gonna beat anybody with his heat. If he gets behind in the count and has to come in there with the FB, he's gonna get rocked. Hitters love that 89-91 mph FB. There are plenty of pitchers that do just fine and have decent careers with the same ability. He's also been facing some crummy teams too. That being said, I'd keep in the rota until he pitches himself out of it. Hopefully, he doesn't. 

[shortround81]

So close!

[wsnydes]

  On 5/31/2022 at 7:43 PM, shortround81 said:

So close!

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That's insane.  Never would have guessed that.

[Mike Sixel]

What has happened Buxton?

[Parfigliano]

Buxton really flirting with Mendoza Line

[wsnydes]

Polanco scuffling at the plate too.

[chaderic20]

Dick and Jim talking about this pitcher not using PitchCom, but he is...it's just on the catcher's leg, not his wrist.

[Parfigliano]

Hometown official scorer notices Baez hitting sub .200

[chaderic20]

Looks like Sanchez actually has his on his leg too I think

 

Edit: Nevermind, just saw him go to his wrist now, earlier he had both hands by his right knee and it looked like he had it there.

[MplsFan]

I’ve felt like Jax is far less effective in multiple inning appearances, so I just took a look and he’s given up 7 runs in his multi inning games vs just two in times he goes one inning

[USAFChief]

Winnah

[wsnydes]

Chicken mid-afternoon snack!