Post by Commissioner Erick on Aug 10, 2020 12:42:29 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays (12-4) @ Minnesota Twins (5-8)
TOR: Thomas Szapucki (2-0, 3.52)
MIN: Nick Kingham (0-0, 3.86)
After winning last season's World Series, the Minnesota Twins have not played motivated baseball to begin the 2024 season. With a tough matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays for the Game of the Week, Minnesota can use a win to prevent from dropping too far in the AL Central.
The Twins are integrating five new players who were not major contributors to last season's team. Edilberto Mendoza is replacing Buster Posey behind the plate, while Gavin Cecchini is replacing Sam Travis at First Base. Allen Cordoba is the new starter at Third Base over Nicky Lopez and Yoan Moncada, with Luis Robert's return to health taking a spot on the lineup reserved for Bryan Martelo. Finally, Dutch super prospect Wessel Russchen is the new starting Center Fielder, taking over for Gilberto Celestino.
The replacements have been—uneven. Russchen's looked raw, but talented. After not using his speed much to begin the season, he's attempted three steals the last four games and been thrown out all three times. He also has only a 7% walk rate in the early going. However, the talent is clearly there as Russchen has three homers and four doubles in the early going.
Luis Robert is also a clear talent. Injuries prevented him from being a part of Minnesota's run last year, and have ravaged his career. His only real healthy season was in 2022 where he hit 18 homers and stole 24 bases with a .280 average. He's hitting .333 with a pair of triples to begin the season.
The other players have not produced. Allen Cordoba is hitting .195 as the primary leadoff hitter for the club, a figure that simply isn't good enough. Gavin Cecchini is batting .227 with no home runs thus far, a concerning figure for a First Baseman. Mendoza is hitting 3-36, offsetting his good defense. As a result, the Twins are last in home runs and runs scored, despite nearly a third of their games coming against the pitching-poor Indians and Mets.
They'll face another great arm in Thomas Szapucki who is off to another strong start. After coming on during Toronto's pennant run in 2022, Szapucki led the American League in ERA and Wins last season, going 18-6 with a 2.61 mark. An ace through and through, he'll be a brutal matchup for a team trying to snap an offensive drought.
Toronto's streamlined their lineup into a more rational alignment under Chris Levant. Sluggers hit in the middle of the lineup and All-Stars don't come off the bench a majority of the time. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting cleanup and hitting well, with a league-leading seven home runs early in the campaign. Though Jake Burger has struggled, he's been compensated for by Estevan Floriel as the Haitian has already clubbed six homers in the early going despite not getting many opportunities in 2022 and 2023.
Toronto's bullpen has also performed well. Despite critics harping on what appeared to be a poor pen, the unit is second in the league in ERA. Danny Barnes has stepped up in particular with two wins, two saves, and a 3.18 ERA in the early going. With those obstacles, the Twins may need a huge game from Nick Kingham to win this contest.
Questions for the GMs:
For Chris Levant, Logan Warmoth has a bit of a bad back. Will we see him out there today?
It appeared Eric Drouet's defense was way ahead of his offense, but you have him playing designated hitter and he's batting .320 with a game-winning home run on Saturday. How will you deploy Drouet this season?
How do you feel about your bullpen after seeing them get some regular season work under their belt?
For Ben Nuzzo, your team's offense has not produced this season. Are there any changes you could make to get more juice in your lineup?
What have been your thoughts on Russchen to start the year?
You have a new Bench Coach and Hitting Coach, and your offense is not performing. Why did you decide to go away from Kichibei Suitani and Rick Schu?
TRIVIA: Which Twins player has been hit by the most pitches in a season for Minnesota?
TOR: Thomas Szapucki (2-0, 3.52)
MIN: Nick Kingham (0-0, 3.86)
After winning last season's World Series, the Minnesota Twins have not played motivated baseball to begin the 2024 season. With a tough matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays for the Game of the Week, Minnesota can use a win to prevent from dropping too far in the AL Central.
The Twins are integrating five new players who were not major contributors to last season's team. Edilberto Mendoza is replacing Buster Posey behind the plate, while Gavin Cecchini is replacing Sam Travis at First Base. Allen Cordoba is the new starter at Third Base over Nicky Lopez and Yoan Moncada, with Luis Robert's return to health taking a spot on the lineup reserved for Bryan Martelo. Finally, Dutch super prospect Wessel Russchen is the new starting Center Fielder, taking over for Gilberto Celestino.
The replacements have been—uneven. Russchen's looked raw, but talented. After not using his speed much to begin the season, he's attempted three steals the last four games and been thrown out all three times. He also has only a 7% walk rate in the early going. However, the talent is clearly there as Russchen has three homers and four doubles in the early going.
Luis Robert is also a clear talent. Injuries prevented him from being a part of Minnesota's run last year, and have ravaged his career. His only real healthy season was in 2022 where he hit 18 homers and stole 24 bases with a .280 average. He's hitting .333 with a pair of triples to begin the season.
The other players have not produced. Allen Cordoba is hitting .195 as the primary leadoff hitter for the club, a figure that simply isn't good enough. Gavin Cecchini is batting .227 with no home runs thus far, a concerning figure for a First Baseman. Mendoza is hitting 3-36, offsetting his good defense. As a result, the Twins are last in home runs and runs scored, despite nearly a third of their games coming against the pitching-poor Indians and Mets.
They'll face another great arm in Thomas Szapucki who is off to another strong start. After coming on during Toronto's pennant run in 2022, Szapucki led the American League in ERA and Wins last season, going 18-6 with a 2.61 mark. An ace through and through, he'll be a brutal matchup for a team trying to snap an offensive drought.
Toronto's streamlined their lineup into a more rational alignment under Chris Levant. Sluggers hit in the middle of the lineup and All-Stars don't come off the bench a majority of the time. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting cleanup and hitting well, with a league-leading seven home runs early in the campaign. Though Jake Burger has struggled, he's been compensated for by Estevan Floriel as the Haitian has already clubbed six homers in the early going despite not getting many opportunities in 2022 and 2023.
Toronto's bullpen has also performed well. Despite critics harping on what appeared to be a poor pen, the unit is second in the league in ERA. Danny Barnes has stepped up in particular with two wins, two saves, and a 3.18 ERA in the early going. With those obstacles, the Twins may need a huge game from Nick Kingham to win this contest.
Questions for the GMs:
For Chris Levant, Logan Warmoth has a bit of a bad back. Will we see him out there today?
It appeared Eric Drouet's defense was way ahead of his offense, but you have him playing designated hitter and he's batting .320 with a game-winning home run on Saturday. How will you deploy Drouet this season?
How do you feel about your bullpen after seeing them get some regular season work under their belt?
For Ben Nuzzo, your team's offense has not produced this season. Are there any changes you could make to get more juice in your lineup?
What have been your thoughts on Russchen to start the year?
You have a new Bench Coach and Hitting Coach, and your offense is not performing. Why did you decide to go away from Kichibei Suitani and Rick Schu?
TRIVIA: Which Twins player has been hit by the most pitches in a season for Minnesota?
