Game Thread: Colorado Rockies vs. Minnesota Twins, 6/26/22 @ 1:10 PM CT

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

The Rockies and Twins will play the rubber match today, and the matchup heavily favors the Twins. After allowing 1 run over the last three games, the Twins will send out RHP Joe Ryan. Ryan had a very ugly start to his matchup against Cleveland, but corrected course to eventually provide the Twins with a quality start that the bullpen would wipe away. But we don't need to rehash that game at the moment. 

In terms of transactions, it appears that LHP Jovani Moran will be added to the roster, according to Phil Miller of the Strib. The Twins have not made an official move as of this moment. 

EDIT: The Twins are placing RHP Joe Smith on the 15-day IL with upper trap tightness. Hopefully Smith returns as a usable reliever - something he really has not been in a month. Moran is now approaching the new limit of callups in one season (I believe this has to be the third time?).

THE MATCHUP:

RHP Joe Ryan (5-3, 3.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 54 IP, 52K) vs. RHP Ryan Feltner (1-2. 5.46 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 29.2 IP, 31K)

Joe Ryan will battle another Ryan (Feltner) today. Feltner is 25 years old, and ranked as the 17th ranked Colorado prospect coming into the season by FanGraphs. So far, his overall stats have been ugly, but his xERA (4.57) and xFIP (3.53) indicate he's been better than appears. However, Feltner does struggle against LH Hitters, so that is why Baldelli has 5 in the lineup today.

Feltner vs RH: .226/.395/.332 

Feltner vs LH: .278/.322/.630

For (Joe) Ryan, I'll be watching his velocity closely. He has averaged just over 92 MPH for 2022, but has been a bit below that in his first two starts comin off the COVID IL. Let's see if he can touch 93/94 MPH today with his classic control. The Rockies lineup is not that intimidating, particularly the bottom half. 

The Lineups: 

ROCKIES LINEUP:

1. LF Connor Joe (R)
2. CF Yonathon Daza (R)
3. RF Charlie Blackmon (L)
4. 1B C.J. Cron (R)
5. 2B Brendan Rodgers (R)
6. DH Ryan McMahon (L)
7. 3B Elehuris Montero (R)
8. C Brian Serven (R)
9. SS Garrett Hampson (S)

TWINS LINEUP:
1. 2B Luis Arraez (L)
2. DH Byron Buxton (R)
3. SS Carlos Correa (R)
4. RF Max Kepler (L)
5. 1B Alex Kirilloff (L)
6. 3B Gio Urshela (R)
7. LF Nick Gordon (L)
8. C Ryan Jeffers (R)
9. CF Mark Contreras (L)

THE PREDICTION:

Mark Contreras leads a triumphant Twins offense to score just enough runs for a rested Jhoan Duran to pull out a save today. Twins 5, Rockies 3. 

 

[stringer bell]

Nice intro. I hope the prediction holds true!

[blairpaul715]

Prediction: If Contreras gets 4 AB's, he gets on 3 times. Hopefully 3-4, with a double and 2 rbi. 

[umterp23]

Win today for back-to-back wins is a must heading into the Guardians trip.  Take care of business today regardless who is the hero, just win.  Have a day Twins faithful

 

[CRF]

It would be really nice to win today and take this series, before heading into 5 games with Cleve. 

[Mill1634]

Twins 7, Rockies 2

 

PTC: Kepler

[Mill1634]

Appears that another meh start from Ryan is in order

[RickOShea]

1 minute ago, Mill1634 said:

Appears that another meh start from Ryan is in order

This punk has an attitude disorder.

[bighat]

Not a good start.

Offense needs to pick up where they left off yesterday.

[Irishman]

Twins should have kept Cron!

[Parfigliano]

4 minutes ago, Irishman said:

Twins should have kept Cron!

Wow.  Probably should have kept that Carew guy

[Squirrel]

8 minutes ago, RickOShea said:

This punk has an attitude disorder.

What are you talking about?

[Squirrel]

6 minutes ago, Irishman said:

Twins should have kept Cron!

Yeah, every fan is the smartest in hindsight ?

[Mill1634]

Kep! Gotta get to the guy with a 6ERA.

[bighat]

Attaboy Max.

Let's go AK, just make good contact here.

[bighat]

Fantastic job Alex!

[Mill1634]

AK joins the party!

He is so, so good.

[Squirrel]

Okay! I like it, I like it … my pie is waiting for me!

[cHawk]

Just now, Squirrel said:

Okay! I like it, I like it … my pie is waiting for me!

That pie is mine now

[Richie the Rally Goat]

3 minutes ago, bighat said:

Attaboy Max.

Let's go AK, just make good contact here.

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

The LH splits are haunting Feltner. Nice to see both Kepler and Kirilloff hit him right back up the middle. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Gio! Keep the hit parade going!

[Squirrel]

1 minute ago, cHawk said:

That pie is mine now

You don’t know who you are dealing with and no, it’s not.

Hint: yes, that was a warning threat ?

[Squirrel]

1 minute ago, TwerkTwonkTwins said:

The LH splits are haunting Feltner. Nice to see both Kepler and Kirilloff hit him right back up the middle. 

Nice intro!

[bighat]

How did Kirilloff not tag up on that deep fly by Gordon? Bad fundamentals.

Edit: Smalley says it was the right play.

[cHawk]

1 minute ago, Squirrel said:

You don’t know who you are dealing with and no, it’s not.

Hint: yes, that was a warning threat ?

I’m stealing that pie. Go ahead and give me warning points

[PDX Twin]

Just now, bighat said:

How did Kirilloff not tag up on that deep fly by Gordon? Bad fundamentals.

Smalley just pointed out that with one out getting the runner to third is not that important.

[Squirrel]

1 minute ago, cHawk said:

I’m stealing that pie. Go ahead and give me warning points

Okay

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 minute ago, PDX Twin said:

Smalley just pointed out that with one out getting the runner to third is not that important.

Yeah, but a bad read, nonetheless. It’s good to see reports of base running becoming heavier part of the minor league coaching and game plan.

[TeJayDubz]

1 minute ago, bighat said:

How did Kirilloff not tag up on that deep fly by Gordon? Bad fundamentals.

But does AK score from 2nd if the ball drops I wonder.? That ball was very close to finding grass, but regardless the safe play is definitely setting up the tag.