Twins

[LPS]

They weren't on our TV schedule but they were on Bally but just not listed since the day was changed.  Heck of a game.

[Steve-o]

So far so good for the first 1/16th of the season... 6-3 with a 1/2 game lead over the GuardI(ndi)ans.   

But its a marathon, not a sprint. 

It was fun watching Sonny Gray strike out 13 - a career high for him. 

I hope these guys can stay healthy enough to be competitive all year.

[Gunner55]

Maeda hung a slider in the 4th for a 3R HR or it could've been a W otherwise. Sox starter was # 2 in Cy Young voting last season & is always tough on the Twins. Their defense almost cost 'em as 2 of the 3 runs were unearned. Got to watch it on the Chicago channel, late game today(~6:30)

[LPS]

What a finish last night.  10th inning and we had a guy or two on base, 2 outs when Taylor I think was running to first and the throw bounced off his helmet so the guy on third was able to score.  Will watch replays today. 

[KEN W]

Actually. Every extra inning starts with a guy on second. Taylor was bunting to get him to third. The pitcher fielded the bunt and when throwing to first hit him in the helmet and the ball went into right field. The runner scored from second to win the game.

[LPS]

Ya that's right.  Thanks Ken.  I woke up just in time to see the play.  lol

[Gunner55]

  Actually, I think it was Alberto's, 3B, throw that allowed Castro to score & that was his 2nd error in 2 days. Another good game yday, good thing Castro & Taylor got 'em 2 runs in the 8th. Another nice start from Gray even though he was sick. Ryan gets the ball tonight in NY @ 6:05

[LPS]

So what ever happened to the guy who used to be our closer that was treaded away,  Taylor Rodgers?  Did he pan out as a good pitcher?

[Gunner55]

He went to SD at the start of last season & pitched pretty good for them for about the 1st 1/2 of the year. But he couldn't get anybody out from about the All Star Game on & he even lost his job as closer. So they traded him in August to the Brewers for their big name closer, Hader, who was also struggling & about to be a FA at the end of last season too. Rogers is now with SF, who he just signed a $33 mil/3 yr deal with in December.

[glenn57]

So what ever happened to the guy who used to be our closer that was treaded away,  Taylor Rodgers?  Did he pan out as a good pitcher?

they had a blurb about him pitching just last week somewhere i seen.........he threw some really nasty pitch thtamade the batter look a bit foolish!!!!!

[KEN W]

Anyone watching the Twins in the Bronx??

13 batters in the first inning and 9 runs. 4 homeruns.

 

[Gunner55]

Nice to see 'em only need 2 pitchers too, gotta help the bullpen for the rest of the series. Not many games like that out there in the last 5-10 years that I remember.  Couldn't watch it live but caught the last 2 on the desktop though.

[Gunner55]

I read where they're going to skip Maeda's turn in the rotation today & push back Mahle's next start to tomorrow. So, they're calling up Varland for tonight's (6:05) game. Maeda (arm) is listed as day to day on the IL. Farmer has been placed on the 10-day IL too, after getting hit in the face on Wednesday.

[LPS]

We tuned in during the second inning and couldn't believe that the score was correct.  Fun game.  Their guy pitching the last inning reminded us of Astudillo when he pitched that time.  Funny as heck but worked.  We miss him.  He was fun to have around.  Where is he now?

[Gunner55]

He played last season for the Marlins but last fall he signed to play in Japan this season.

[LPS]

Thanks

[Gunner55]

 Wow, 2 in a row from NYY out there. Garlick & Correa got the big hits, only 2 hits in 3 innings from the bullpen.

[LPS]

How cool is that?   

[Gunner55]

Glad to see Pagan have a good outing too, going to need him. Can't have too much bullpen help.

[Gunner55]

  Looks like the Twins must've liked what they seen so far. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36215166/reports-pablo-lopez-finalizing-4-year-735m-deal-twins The deal is done & he's now a Twin through 2028.

[Steve-o]

So far, so good.

[Gunner55]

He needs to pass a physical before it's official & they announce it. He already had TJ surgery back in '14, so I hope he can stay healthy.

[KEN W]

Why is Moran still on this team.....He was a loser last year. Get rid of that bum. 

[Gunner55]

  Only other lefty in the bullpen is the guy from Northfield & Moran's ERA was better, .221/.349, last year. Not so this season though, .771/.360. Not sure if there's any lefty relievers in St Paul either.

[KEN W]

The only reason he is there is because he is left handed. They should have known that after last year. Theilbar is a lefty out there. He had already pitched an inning.

[Gunner55]

They haven't had enough good lefty pitchers of any kind for at least the last 5 years IMO. 

[Bobberineyes]

This might be a dumb question.  But why is it managers don't like batting a lefty against a lefty but righty against righty is normal? I was watching a lefty the other day throwing from the far right side of the rubber as was the right-hander...

[mike89]

This might be a dumb question.  But why is it managers don't like batting a lefty against a lefty but righty against righty is normal? I was watching a lefty the other day throwing from the far right side of the rubber as was the right-hander...

I have wondered that too....

[Gunner55]

Analytics & matchups, or as they're called now splits. Nowadays, not many hitters hit both RH & LH pitchers equally. Most pitchers are much better against certain type of hitters too. Sometime it's even about what the pitcher's best pitch is & what the hitter doesn't usually do well with.

[Steve-o]

Left Handed Batter Vs. a Right Handed Pitcher

The main reason left-handed hitters prefer to hit against right-handers (and vice-versa) is that breaking pitches will curve toward the batter, which makes them easier to hit. When a left-handed batter faces a lefty pitcher, breaking balls bend away. The hitter is likely to take a weaker swing as he lunges after the ball going toward the other side of the plate.

Additionally, the left-hander’s curve ball may travel straight toward a lefty hitter before the ball begins to break. The batter -- particularly at youth levels -- may instinctively back off of home plate to avoid being hit, leaving him no chance to connect if it curves over the plate for a strike.

And here is a much more technical article...

What Really Gives Left-Handed Pitchers Their Edge?