stringer bell

So a quick glance shows that the Twins have a higher OBP and higher slugging than SF and guess what? The Giants have scored a few more runs than the Twins. Whatever it is, bad base running, poor hitting with RISP inability to make productive outs, the Twins are not scoring as many runs as their hitting stats would predict.

WTG.

Usually it's the Twins that don't post a lineup 'til the last minute. SF is less than 90 minutes from first pitch and still hasn't posted their lineup today.

Questionable strategy for #3 hitter to bunt with two outs and Miranda on deck. Miranda hasn't been hitting as well the last week to ten days.

Kulpa has missed too many calls for a veteran HP ump.

and Celestino takes strike three.

Two seeing-eye singles gives us a chance.........

I do like listening to AJ.

Sure did!!!

I think Gray only uses pitchcomm when there’s a runner on second.

I guess the game is on Channel 29 locally.

Today’s game is on the Fox Network. While there is a 100% chance for rain in my location (about 80 miles from Target Field) it appears the game will start on time and be completed without interruption.

Urshela has performed as expected and avoided the IL. I know the Twins' TV crew has pumped his defense while metrics aren't so kind. I think he's been fine at third, but he's not irreplaceable there. Miranda and Arraez need places to play but what we can predict is that there will be injuries. I suppose that Gio will make good money in arbitration, probably too much for a part-time player. I wonder if there is a trade market for him.

The last regular season monthly schedule has been started. Quite a few vacancies to fill. Sign up now by responding in this thread or messaging me. Thanks! https://docs.google.com/document/d/131DY2CCj2lHIFMKdFYMoXe-fpR97mQUv5-YiyaqcBY0/edit

The Twins face San Francisco in game two of a three game series this evening at Target Field. The Twins won last night, breaking a six-game losing streak, 9-0 with good pitching defense and productive hitting. We haven't seen much of the Twins' "A" game recently, so it was refreshing to see them win comfortably. Tonight, Sonny Gray will start for the Twins. His numbers look good, but he's only 95+ innings so far this season, in part due to two trips to the Injured List and in part due to only averaging five innings per start. The Giants counter with veteran Alex Cobb, who has good strikeout numbers, a losing record and averages 5 and one third innings per start. Pennant race: After losing six in a row, the Twins won last night and gained a game on both Cleveland and Chicago. They trail the Guardians by three games and lead the White Sox by one game. There doubtless is enough time for the Twins to regroup, win a majority of games against their closest rivals and make the postseason. ESPN gives the Twins a 25% chance of making the postseason, while BBRef gives them only a 17% chance. Both give them the seventh best odds of making postseason and only six per league make it. Given the injuries that have accrued plus their less than inspired play for the better part of three months, I think the odds are inflated, but that is what makes sports fun. Hall of Fame: With the induction of Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva, every possible Hall of Fame player who played the majority of his career with the Twins is now in the Hall of Fame. Tony, Kitty and Bert Blyleven weren't all-time greats, but they were very good players who their reward. The 1970 Twins had Carew, Killebrew, Oliva, Blyleven (rookie season) and Kaat on their team. We've seen a lot of talent come and go for the Twins. I'm glad they are well-represented at Cooperstown. Are there any future Hall of Famers on the Twins' roster? I don't think so, but there is talent. I'd love to see everything come together for two months, but I do think that is wishful thinking. Weather: Showers and thunderstorms are forecast during the evening. I'm sure there will be windows when it isn't raining and the game likely will be played in its entirety, but with the new schedule for 2023 having all teams play each other and with so many teams having only one visit, there could be scheduling nightmares next year. Game Thread Introductions: Do you think you would like to set the tone for a game thread? Would you like to impress your Twins Daily brethren with your humor and writing skills? There are still opportunities available. A schedule for September/October has been posted on Game Thread Introductions-2022 thread in this (Twins Talk) forum. There are vacancies to be filled. Sign up now by messaging yours truly (stringer bell) or responding in the Game Thread Introductions thread. Lineups: Giants HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG T. La StellaDH 41-161 13 2 0 .255 L. Wade Jr.1B 22-126 22 8 0 .175 W. Flores3B 100-402 59 16 0 .249 M. YastrzemskiRF 77-364 44 12 5 .212 T. Estrada2B 95-372 49 11 16 .255 B. CrawfordSS 66-303 40 7 1 .218 A. SlaterCF 62-233 28 5 11 .266 L. GonzalezLF 66-254 32 4 10 .260 J. BartC 45-199 21 10 2 .226 Twins HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG L. Arraez1B 135-419 41 7 4 .322 C. CorreaSS 101-378 42 15 0 .267 J. Polanco2B 88-372 56 16 3 .237 J. MirandaDH 84-304 55 13 1 .276 N. GordonLF 75-277 24 5 6 .271 G. Urshela3B 97-364 49 11 0 .266 M. KeplerRF 79-351 42 9 3 .225 G. CelestinoCF 53-205 16 2 0 .259 S. LeonC 7-46 4 0 0 .152 PLAYER W-L ERA WHIP IP H K BB HR A. Cobb 4-6 3.99 1.30 106.0 107 108 31 8 S. Gray 7-4 3.10 1.12 95.2 79 95 28 9

The Beckham DFA clears a roster spot if the Twins bring someone off the 60-day IL (Maeda, Ober, Dobnak or Sano). If more than one comes off the 60-day list, I suppose Hamilton and Contreras could pretty easily be designated.

We have 10 days or so until September callups and that is only two players. It is quite possible that no minor leaguer is called up since the Twins have a host of players on the IL who could return (Jeffers, Larnach, Ober, Winder and perhaps Dobnak and/or Maeda. What is left in the minors at this point is really about the future. I, too, am disappointed with the lack of progress with pitchers, particularly starting pitchers. It is important to remember that the Twins have added Miranda, Ryan (sort of) and Duran from their list of prospects. Also of note is that many of the best prospects are out for the season.

Sands or a minor league recall on Tuesday, I reckon.

.148 with RISP.

Not when he’s the tying run.

Yea, I thought Duran should have pitched sometime in the tenth.

And it made my comment irrelevant when Jax gave up the inherited runner.

It should make this game quite winnable if Jax can keep the inherited runners from scoring, but I don’t hold out a great deal of hope that they will score in the tenth.

Yes, extras, and the Twins will have speed merchant Luis Arraez on second in the bottom of the tenth.

And a nice 4-3 GDP to clean up the ninth!