Game Thread: Twins @ Guardians 12:40CT 9/18/22

[Danchat]

Since the Twins 2022 season is virtually over as far as the playoffs concern, let’s focus in on two important races – Arraez’s race for the batting title and the AL Rookie of the Year. 
Here are the front-runners in the batting average race:

Arraez .316
Boagerts .315
Judge .312
Abreu .309

It’s still a close match. Fun fact: If .316 is the winning average, it will be the lowest batting average in the AL since 1968, when Carl Yastrzemski won the title hitting just .301. Other low values include 1966 Frank Robinson at .316, 1945 Snuffy Stirnweiss at .309, and 1905 Elmer Flick hitting .308. Yes, .316 would tie for the fourth lowest winning batting average ever! If you’re wondering, if we bring in the NL, only Tony Gwynn’s .313 in 1988 is below Arraez’s number… we are definitely in the midst of a pitcher-friendly era!
Next, let’s see how the top rookies in the AL are doing:

Jose Miranda

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2022	24	MIN	AL	106	407	373	38	103	22	0	15	64	1	1	25	79	.276	.334	.456	.790	126	170	15	8	0	1	0	35D/H

Julio Rodriguez

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2022	21	SEA	AL	126	540	491	80	137	23	3	27	73	25	7	40	140	.279	.343	.503	.846	145	247	6	8	0	1	4	*8/H	AS

Adley Rutschman

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2022	24	BAL	AL	95	391	331	61	83	30	1	11	34	3	0	53	70	.251	.358	.447	.805	127	148	2	4	0	3	0	2D/H

Bobby Witt

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2022	22	KCR	AL	134	560	522	72	129	27	6	20	72	27	7	27	120	.247	.289	.437	.726	103	228	10	6	0	5	2	65/DH

Steven Kwan

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2022	24	CLE	AL	130	554	487	72	139	21	5	4	39	15	5	57	53	.285	.363	.374	.737	114	182	8	5	1	4	1	*79/8HD

Rodriguez is the clear and obvious favorite here, having the best offensive numbers and adding in his ability to swipe bases and play the outfield well. Rutschman deserves a ton of credit as one of the few catchers who can still hit. Kwan has been sneakily good, but I'd put Miranda third on this list.

Alright, that's enough from me. Can the Twins finally break an 8 game winning streak against the Guardians?

[stringer bell]

Miranda’s been good but Witt and Kwan have played full seasons. Kwan has a higher WAR and Witt has better counting numbers. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Minnesota

0. Joe Ryan (R) P

1. Luis Arraez (L) 1B

2. Carlos Correa (R) SS

3. Jose Miranda (R) 3B

4. Gio Urshela (R) DH

5. Jake Cave (L) LF

6. Gary Sanchez (R) C

7. Gilberto Celestino (R) CF

8. Matt Wallner (L) RF

9. J. Palacios (R) 2B

 

Cleveland

0. Cody Morris (R) P

1. Andres Gimenez (L) 2B

2. Amed Rosario (R) DH

3. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B

4. Josh Naylor (L) 1B

5. Oscar Gonzalez (R) RF

6. Richie Palacios (L) LF

7. Tyler Freeman (R) SS

8. Austin Hedges (R) C

9. Myles Straw (R) CF

[sampleSizeOfOne]

And Joe Ryan's last start is a perhaps a tough act to follow. So what's his encore?

[PDX Twin]

Just now, sampleSizeOfOne said:

And Joe Ryan's last start is a perhaps a tough act to follow. So what's his encore?

Nine innings instead of seven???

[LVTwinsfan]

The Twins elimination number is ten. Cleveland has won the season series so they win the tiebreaker. The way this series is going it could be 6 by tomorrow.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Go Twins!

[wabene]

Joe Ryan has started 2 games vs Cleveland. He is 1-0 3.0 ERA 6 innings per start and a K an inning. Not bad, hope he builds on that today. 

[rwilfong86]

Didn't take long to see today's first baserunning miscue. That ball wasn't deep enough to score from third. I knew he was gonna be out.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Cave manufactures a run. Taking a different strategy than Arraez...

[Mortimerkenny21]

Caveman just doesn't quit!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

10 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Didn't take long to see today's first baserunning miscue. That ball wasn't deep enough to score from third. I knew he was gonna be out.

And more aggressive base running in the second as Wallner briefly thought he could join Celestino at 2nd.

[tony&rodney]

Wow? How can Celestino not take third there? Fundamental baseball is not a part of the team's philosophy.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Oh right, how'd the Gophers do yesterday?

 

And Vikings don't play until tomorrow?

[tony&rodney]

Have to think Julien might be a better option than Palacios. Jermaine's struggles at the plate have seemingly followed him into the field.

[rwilfong86]

I love Arraez but I wish he would stop swinging at first pitches.

[rwilfong86]

3 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

And more aggressive base running in the second as Wallner briefly thought he could join Celestino at 2nd.

Almost 2 blunders in 2 innings.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

9 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Almost 2 blunders in 2 innings.

All aboard the blunder bus.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Cave up again.

 

What will he do this time?

[solomon1930]

25 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Oh right, how'd the Gophers do yesterday?

 

And Vikings don't play until tomorrow?

Monday night in Philly.  Go Vikes!!!

[rwilfong86]

Joe Ryan has thrown 10 consecutive no hit innings 

[rwilfong86]

Joe Ryan is dealing. Rocco better take him out to save his arm against Kansas City next weekend 

[solomon1930]

7 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Joe Ryan has thrown 10 consecutive no hit innings 

44 pitches in 4 innings.  both teams want a quick game.

[rwilfong86]

6 minutes ago, solomon1930 said:

44 pitches in 4 innings.  both teams want a quick game.

Now up to 11.

[solomon1930]

4 minutes ago, rwilfong86 said:

Joe Ryan is dealing. Rocco better take him out to save his arm against Kansas City next weekend 

we play Angels next weekend. 

Twins win last Friday night and 2nd game last night than today's game is actually meaningful.

pulling Ryan early was the right call at the time.

[rwilfong86]

1 minute ago, solomon1930 said:

we play Angels next weekend. 

Twins win last Friday night and 2nd game last night than today's game is actually meaningful.

pulling Ryan early was the right call at the time.

My mistake, the Royals series ends Thursday. 

[Twins_Fan_For_Life]

Isn't Palacios supposed to have a reputation as a good glove man?

[wabene]

Just now, Twins_Fan_For_Life said:

Isn't Palacios supposed to have a reputation as a good glove man?

Yep, but at short. Hasn't had much time at second. 

[Aggies7]

Rocco is getting nervous that he’ll have to make another terrible decision regarding Ryan 

[Aggies7]

Just now, Aggies7 said:

Rocco is getting nervous that he’ll have to make another terrible decision regarding Ryan 

Nevermind