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Game Thread: Twins @ Houston Astros 8/24/2022 - 7:10 PM CT

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TwerkTwonkTwins First Round Pick

TwerkTwonkTwins

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It's August 24th, but the urgency to end the current four-game skid makes it feel like September 24th. Cleveland keeps winning (and are on their way to another victory today), and the injured Twins are lifeless. The only silver lining is that the White Sox are in the doldrums as well. 

Upon checking FanGraphs this afternoon, both the short term chance of a victory tonight and overall playoff odds appear bleak. Not impossible.... but bleak.

FanGraphs Probabilities:
Twins Win: 31%
Astros Win: 69%

Twins Playoff Odds: 28.6% 

A series against the Astros in Houston is never an easy feat, but the timing could not have been worse. Injuries are racking up, as the Twins announced that Cole Sands will be heading to the 15 day IL in the latest transaction, with Devin Smeltzer taking his spot on the active roster. 

The Matchup:

Dylan Bundy (7-5, 4.60 ERA, 77K, 1.1 fWAR) vs Framber Valdez (12-4, 2.72 ERA, 3.0 fWAR)

This is the reason why the Twins are heavy underdogs tonight. Valdez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball, and he's a lefty. The Twins have forgotten to hit left-handed pitching entirely, and one of their best right-handed bats in Byron Buxton is on the injured list. 

Bundy has been durable as a back-end starter, but I hate his chances of avoiding hard contact against a supreme Houston offense. If the Twins win this, it'll be because of a battle of the bullpens. 

The Lineups:

The Twins are only including two lefties in the lineup today, as Tim Beckham is getting a rare start in the outfield. Honestly, this is the best they can do with the current roster against a tough lefty. No major news quite yet on Nick Gordon, who was removed from the game yesterday.

Twins:

  1. Jorge Polanco - 2B (S)
  2. Carlos Correa - SS (R)
  3. Jose Miranda - 1B (R)
  4. Gio Urshela - 3B (R)
  5. Luis Arraez - DH (L)
  6. Gilberto Celestino - CF (R)
  7.  Tim Beckham - LF (R)
  8.  Max Kepler - RF (L)
  9.  Sandy Leon - C (S)

Astros:

  1. Jose Altuve - 2B (R)
  2. Yuli Gurriel - 1B (R)
  3. Yordan Alvarez - DH (L)
  4. Alex Bregman - 3B (R)
  5. Kyle Tucker - RF (L)
  6. Trey Mancini - LF (R)
  7.  Jeremy Pena - SS (R)
  8.  Chas McCormick - CF (L)
  9.  Martin Maldonado - C (R)
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USAFChief
USAFChief

I realize the Twins have been hit hard by injury, but that is not an excuse for Tim Beckham in left field. That's enough in and of itself to call into question this front office.

Aggies7
Aggies7

Bro. He was terrible. Like, gas tank empty terrible 

notoriousgod71
notoriousgod71

2.5 outfielders, ss, 1b/dh, c, 9 pitchers, 1 manager, one GM away

RpR First Round Pick

RpR

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9 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Looks like a small midwest town HS lineup against a CWS Tournament team.  Glad I cant watch.

That is why this is probably one game they will win.

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RpR First Round Pick

RpR

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5 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Our luck does seem somewhat like the beginning of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead...

 

Heads.

I saw that movie....

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PDX Twin Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

PDX Twin

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Had to look up to see where this ballpark is in Houston.

I lived there for ~10 years, but back then the team played in the National League and in the Astrodome, a monstrosity of different dimensions. Looking at Google Maps brought back memories ... even a few fond ones, like being there at the opening night of the lovely new opera hall. (Aida with Domingo and Freni = bliss!) Mostly, though, Portland >>>> Houston in almost every dimension. We haven't been back in the 34 years since we left.

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PDX Twin Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

PDX Twin

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In non-baseball twins news today:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/08/24/virginia-twins-married-salyers/

Bizarre story about identical twin sisters who married identical twin brothers and now have toddler sons (who look a lot alike). Sounds like the setting for a terrible sit-com!

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Richie the Rally Goat Wichita Wind Surge

Richie the Rally Goat

Community Moderator
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42 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Had to look up to see where this ballpark is in Houston.

I lived there for ~10 years, but back then the team played in the National League and in the Astrodome, a monstrosity of different dimensions. Looking at Google Maps brought back memories ... even a few fond ones, like being there at the opening night of the lovely new opera hall. (Aida with Domingo and Freni = bliss!) Mostly, though, Portland >>>> Houston in almost every dimension. We haven't been back in the 34 years since we left.

I have never lived in either city, but visited both for several weeks per year for business. I like Portland better than Houston too

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