Game of the Week: August 11: MIN @ BOS

[Commissioner Erick]

Minnesota Twins (65-55) @ Boston Red Sox (69-49)


MIN: David Gilmore (1-0, 0.00)
BOS: Juan Alaniz (7-7, 4.61)


Twins 3 Key Stats

91: Gabe Bonilla’s RBIs: Bonilla’s 91 RBIs are fourth in the AL, a year after leading the league in runs driven in. Bonilla’s on pace for 123 RBIs, which will be his third seasons with 115+ RBIs in four years. He also has 34 homers, a .282 average, and 16 steals in 17 attempts. His 10.7 WAR, 187 OPS+ season in 2028 may be an aberrant high point, but Bonilla’s settled in as an offensive star. With the Twins posting a solid staff and a good supporting cast, Bonilla’s leading the Twins in their charge for their first playoff season since their 2023 title.

27: Ignacio Tonche’s Home Runs: Tonche has been under the radar as one of the game’s best Shortstops the ast half decade. He’s earned an All-Star nod every other year since 2027, led the league in walks in 2029, and already has 27 homers so far. The Shortstop with the second most homers is Nonie Williams with 17. Tonche’s .910 OPS is ahead of Sean Mendoza in second place’s .742 OPS by 168 points. He’s a dominant offensive Shortstop, and with Minnesota fielding elite offensive Center Fielder and Shortstops, they’re fifth in offense despite a lack of budget space.

.801: Minnesota’s OPS against righties: The Twins lineup has six lefties and a switch hitter, giving the team a major righty-lefty split. They’re fifth in OPS, but they’ve been third against righties, and just 11th against lefties. The Twins do have four backup right-handed hitters, but David Garcia, Jamie Walker, Adam Espinoza, and Tim Hart don’t have 25 career homers between them, so they don’t put much of a scare into opposing pitchers. The Twins may be able to earn a Wild Card—but they may need opponents to line up right-handed pitchers to accomplish the feat.



Red Sox 3 Key Stats

642: Boston runs scored: The Red Sox have the best offense in the American League, averaging 5.4 runs a game. Even with All-Star Nonie Williams and near All-Star Joe Taylor on the IL, Boston has had the depth and the ability to make moves to keep things humming along. John Lacy will win the Rookie of the Year; Daniel Flores, Joel McCabe, and Brock Paradiso were All-Stars, and Ralph Porter and Stud Morales were acquired, adding further depth to the lineup. It’s a ferocious offense that will put pressure on any non-elite pitcher.

4.55: Boston’s ERA: While Boston has the best offense in the AL, their ERA is only 11th. What should be an elite bullpen is only 11th, and what should be a deep rotation is 10th. Juan Alaniz has done a good job preventing homers, but his walk rate has jumped up to 10.7%, and he’s always run high BABIPs. He’s also weirdly always been hit harder by righties in his career, which may help him against Minnesota’s heavily left-handed lineup, but has hurt him this year. With Boston’s offense, decent pitching should get the Red Sox into the win column, but the Red Sox pitching has barely been decent this season.

6: Home runs for Ralph Porter: Boston signed Ralph Porter around the All-Star break, and he’s only played 16 games with 13 starts. Despite that, he’s already clubbed six homers. He’s doubled three times, stolen a couple of bases, walked seven times, and hasn’t shown any rust despite being a mid-season signing. He’s given the Red Sox desperately needed offense with Joe Taylor out for the year. Porter’s been very streaky most of his career, but he’s always walked, and he’s always hit the ball over the fence. That’s a good combination for a team that gets guys on base and has other power bats to boot.


Questions for the GMs

For Josh Peterson, Jim Sattler has a sore knee that will hinder him for a few weeks. Will you put him on the IL or have him try to play through it?

Joe Jennings has just five homers this year. Why have you used him at First and not someone with some more power?

Skates Holton has had a very promising rookie year. What are your thoughts about having him for the future?

For Mike Ball, Alan Medina will miss a couple of months. Who will take his place on the roster?

Who will DH today with Jonathan Annis suspended?

You acquired Stud Morales and brought on Ralph Porter, despite having a deep outfield. Why did you bring the two players aboard?


TRIVIA: Who is the last Twins primary First Baseman to hit more than seven homers in a season?

[twins]

Jim will be shelved. 1B has been a sore spot in the north star state for multiple seasons now and the GM hasn't done a good enough job of righting that glaring hole in an offensive position (or what should be).

K Holton has excited me since the second I was able to draft him. He's going to be a staple on this club for many years to come.

Thank you

[Commissioner Erick]

Red Sox 11 - Twins 5


WP: V. Buzoku (1-3)
LP: S. Deaton (0-1)


With designated hitter Brock Paradiso leading the charge, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins, 11-5, at Fenway Park. Paradiso, who finished 3rd in the AL in runs with 114 last year, was 2-4 with a home run, a double, and a walk. He scored 3 times and drove in 2. Boston reliever Vlàshi Buzoku picked up the win, raising his record to 1-3. Steve Deaton was tagged with the loss. With the victory, the Red Sox upped their record to 70-49.

Had Bobby Witt Jr. not delivered a key base hit in the bottom of the seventh, the outcome might have been different. Instead, with two down and the bases loaded, Witt Jr. hit a 2-run single. That made the score 7-5, in favor of the Red Sox.

"Getting a lot of baserunners and getting some timely hits, it's a good combination," said Paradiso.


Questions for the GMs:

For Josh Peterson, Josh Graham suffered a finger blister during the game. Will he see any time on the IL as a result?

David Garcia had a rough day, going 0-5 and 0-3 with men in scoring position. How committed are you to him being your backup Catcher?

David Gilmore was good in his first start, but Boston handled him pretty easily. What are his prospects for staying in the rotation?

For Mike Ball, with Juan Alaniz pitching poorly due to a blister that ultimately cut short his start, how important was it for you to have a good long man like Andy DeShaw to turn to?

You gave Nate Bergquist his PBA debut instead of calling up a reliable option like Mark Patterson. Why did Bergquist get the call to play First Base?

Did you agree with the call to pinch hit Ralph Porter for John Lacy in the seventh?


TRIVIA: Who is the only Red Sox player to hit at least 50 homers for Boston?

[Mike RedSox]

For Mike Ball, with Juan Alaniz pitching poorly due to a blister that ultimately cut short his start, how important was it for you to have a good long man like Andy DeShaw to turn to?

We just have to lean on our bullpen, it's going to be that way all year.

You gave Nate Bergquist his PBA debut instead of calling up a reliable option like Mark Patterson. Why did Bergquist get the call to play First Base?

I wanted Nate to get some time in the majors if we need him in the playoffs.

Did you agree with the call to pinch hit Ralph Porter for John Lacy in the seventh?

That's a weird one isn't it.  Overall it worked out.  Ralph may have just been the best matchup.

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Ben correctly guessed Arturo Reineri

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Nobody guessed Jomar Reyes