Game Thread: Kansas City Royals vs. Minnesota Twins, 9/13, 6:40pm CST

[TwerkTwonkTwins]

The Kansas City Royals come into town, and they will either allow the Twins to live a little longer or squash their last breath of postseason hopes.

The Twins currently have a 6.2% chance of making the playoffs, per FanGraphs, after being swept by Cleveland at home. Cleveland went on to win again last night, so the Twins are 5 games back with 23 to play. Han Solo says, "Never Tell Me The Odds", but I hate those odds. 

This matchup should be favorable for the Twins, as the Royals are a distance 4th in the Central Division, but they've outplayed the Twins in September with a 4-6 record. Yuck. 

The Matchup:

Kris Bubic (2-11, 5.40 ERA, 88K, 0.3 fWAR) vs Joe Ryan (10-8, 4.05 ERA, 124K, 1.2 fWAR)

Kris Bubic does not appear intimidating, but he is a lefty. Other than that, his metrics are fairly pedestrian. 

On the other hand, Joe Ryan has been fairly solid as a rookie, but definitely has had some walk/HR issues in the second half. The young Royals lineup is no walk-in-the-park, so it'll be another test. With a well-rested bullpen, we'll see how long Rocco's leash is. 
 

The Lineups:

Rocco is rolling out a familiar lineup that we've seen against left-handed pitchers in September. With so many injuries, there's no way NOT to include left-on-left matchups for Jake Cave, Luis Arraez, and Nick Gordon. Hopefully we see some Garlick Mashed Taters with Kyle in the 3-Hole... 

Twins:

1. Luis Arraez - DH (L)
2. Carlos Correa - SS (R)
3.  Kyle Garlick - RF (R)
4. Jose Miranda - 1B (R)
5.  Nick Gordon - 2B (L)
6. Gio Urshela - 3B (R)
7. Jake Cave - LF (L)
8. Gary Sanchez - C (R)
9. Gilberto Celestino - CF (R)

Royals:

1. MJ Melendez - LF (L)
2. Bobby Witt Jr. - SS (R)
3. Salvador Perez - C (R)
4. Vinnie Pasquantino - DH (L)
5. Nick Pratto - 1B (L)
6. Nate Eaton - 3B (R)
7.  Kyle Isbel - RF (L)
8.  Drew Waters - CF (R)
9.  Nicky Lopez - 2B (L)

 

 

[RpR]

Why is Miranda at first and Arraez the Designated Hitter?

Arraez is not a great fielder but he is better than Miranda, switch the two.

In Center, B. Hamilton may be in sub one hundred batting slump, but he approaches , or equals, Buxton fielding ability; with the dead bats Baldelli has put in during important games, why not let him sink or swim for one game.

[PDX Twin]

56 minutes ago, RpR said:

In Center, B. Hamilton may be in sub one hundred batting slump, but he approaches , or equals, Buxton fielding ability; with the dead bats Baldelli has put in during important games, why not let him sink or swim for one game.

My take: We should be playing for the future now. Celestino is a legitimate Twins prospect for future years. I'd play him; every game helps his development. Hamilton is gone in a couple of weeks. Use him in spots where he can be useful but don't force him into the lineup.

[mrtwinsfan]

1 hour ago, PDX Twin said:

My take: We should be playing for the future now. Celestino is a legitimate Twins prospect for future years. I'd play him; every game helps his development. Hamilton is gone in a couple of weeks. Use him in spots where he can be useful but don't force him into the lineup.

Like he did in the Yankee game,  and it backfired  late when the other Hamilton got picked off as a pinch runner, and the other day he did put Billy in as a pinch runner and lets Kepler swing at the 1st pitch,  meaning no chance to steal , GO TWINS

[mrtwinsfan]

1 hour ago, RpR said:

Why is Miranda at first and Arraez the Designated Hitter?

Arraez is not a great fielder but he is better than Miranda, switch the two.

In Center, B. Hamilton may be in sub one hundred batting slump, but he approaches , or equals, Buxton fielding ability; with the dead bats Baldelli has put in during important games, why not let him sink or swim for one game.

Like he did in the Yankee game,  and it backfired  late when the other Hamilton got picked off as a pinch runner, and the other day he did put Billy in as a pinch runner and lets Kepler swing at the 1st pitch,  meaning no chance to steal , GO TWINS

[LA VIkes Fan]

Guys, this season is pretty much over.  It's time to play guys thinking about next year. Let's see if Gordon can improve against lefthanded pitching.  He's a solid OF hitting around #6 next year if he can even be average against lefties.  Celestino looks like a 4th OF at best but let's give him consistent at bats and see.  I don't think Miranda is great at 1B, but he can hit so he has to play somewhere next year . Frankly, I would give him more innings at 3B so we can decide if we want to tender or trade Urshela. Get Ober and Varland in the rotation for the rest of the year and leave them in unless they get injured. Find out what we have for next year in these next 23 games for goodness sakes.  

[rwilfong86]

Arraez is gonna be stranded. Not too surprised.

[CRF]

Garlick needs to go back on the spice rack...permanently!

[rwilfong86]

4 pitch walk.

[rwilfong86]

And Gordon goes down looking. Of course.

[Nine of twelve]

The Twins have one last shot at relevance this season. That shot entails an 8-game win streak starting with tonight's game. We all know it. So either do the improbable or get to work on next season.

[TWTwinsFan]

let me tell ya

no expectation ,no depression

but if you expect the Twins sucks, you'll get what you want

 

[RpR]

9 minutes ago, CRF said:

Garlick needs to go back on the spice rack...permanently!

Yeah, we do not want people hitting the ball and making an out, better to do like Gordon, three pitches , you're out.

[RpR]

Looks like you either swing at balls or you are out.

I give Gordon the break also.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd prefer Ober and Winder pitching more than Bundy and Sanchez. I'd prefer Wallner getting his feet wet over Cave or Garlick  I prefer Miranda in the field. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

Agree with Mike on all points. Especially well, all of them . 

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I'd prefer Ober and Winder pitching more than Bundy and Sanchez. I'd prefer Wallner getting his feet wet over Cave or Garlick  I prefer Miranda in the field. 

I meant Archer, not Bundy. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

Bundy kind of has to pitch. He's our #3 starter now. Let's make Ober and Varland ##4 and 5.

[rwilfong86]

Come on let's get something going here 

[LVTwinsfan]

Arraez .318

Bogaerst .318

[rwilfong86]

Correa comes through 

[wabene]

The Golden Bat comes through

[RpR]

 

2 minutes ago, LVTwinsfan said:

Arraez .318

Bogaerst .318

If you are correct about Arraez and batting title, says hope for next year.

[rwilfong86]

Another strikeout looking ?‍♂️

[LVTwinsfan]

Just now, RpR said:

 

If you are correct about Arraez and batting title, says hope for next year.

Whether he wins it or not, he’s one of baseballs best pure hitters

[LVTwinsfan]

Watkins needs to be fired

[rwilfong86]

And more horrible baserunning. 

[garn from vancouver]

has watkins given up too?

[rwilfong86]

Just now, LVTwinsfan said:

Watkins needs to be fired

They said Watkins really didn't give any signal, which in itself is terrible.

[LVTwinsfan]

Just now, rwilfong86 said:

And more horrible baserunning. 

3rd base coach needs to do his job, Bremer says he didn’t give a go or stop sign