Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 14, 2020 13:38:37 GMT -5
Minnesota Twins (79-57) @ Detroit Tigers (86-50)
MIN: Denyi Reyes (9-10, 3.61)
DET: Carlos Martinez (12-2, 2.11)
A recent surge has given the Detroit Tigers some breathing room in the Wild Card race, but they still remain neck-and-neck with Kansas City for the division crown. The Minnesota Twins have surged into the Wild Card picture, but their main competition, the Texas Rangers, have a tissue-soft schedule in September. It may be easier for them to catch Detroit, and that means, it’s mandatory the Tigers knock off the defending champions tonight.
That sets the stage for an enormous Game of the Week between the Twins and Tigers tonight.
The Tigers have won five of six, including two of three from the Twins to begin their four-game set. Anthony Rizzo’s bases-clearing eighth-inning double gave the Tigers a huge win on Friday, and the team rocked Felix Jorge to win the second contest. Michael Mader pitched poorly on Sunday, but the Tigers will throw Carlos Martinez to the mound to win the series.
A Detroit win will put them up eight games of Minnesota, essentially securing a playoff spot. It would also put the Tigers a half game of Kansas City for the AL Central lead before a huge final series between the two. So much importance rests on this week, which makes it frustrating for them that they still have to navigate so many injuries.
Dirty Tarin has taken his return to the majors and run with it, batting .345 with six home runs in 37 starts. Tarin has done dirty things to poorly-located fastballs, and had a huge Saturday with three hits, including a double and a triple. However, Ernesto Adames, called up with Matt Carpenter and Raj Anu both out for the year, has struggled in his debut. Adames wasn’t a huge bat in Toledo, but his speed and eye made him a competent bat. However, in the majors, he has just a .604 OPS in 19 starts. He’s not hitting for enough average or power, plus his defense has been bad.
He bats eighth so it’s not the biggest deal in a lineup that’s pulverized the American League, but could be the difference with the margin between themselves and Kansas City so tight.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has continued to surge in the summer and is now a mere three games behind a slumping Rangers team. However, Texas does not play a single game against a winning team the rest of the way. While the Twins have some bottom feeders on their slate, they also face each of the three AL Central playoff hopefuls plus Washington the rest of the way so despite their momentum, their path to the Wild Card is far tougher than Texas.
They’ll ride Luis Robert into this game as the Cuban is absolutely on fire. Robert wrapped up the American League Batter of the Month award for August with a magnificent display, putting up a .370 average, a .471 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, and four stolen bases. He has a full season wRC+ of 197 and has paired with Wessell Russchen and Alex Kirilloff to provide a ferocious middle of the lineup. It’s no surprise Minnesota’s worst stretch has coincided with Robert being on the IL.
Robert and the Twins will need to contend with future Hall-of-Famer Carlos Martinez though. Detroit brought Martinez on to be the ace to lead them to the playoffs, and he’s been everything they dreamed. He’s 12-2 with a 2.11 ERA, carving up the American League Central as he did when a member of the White Sox. A case can be made for a third Cy Young as Martinez easily leads the league in ERA and FIP. He’s worked 149 innings and allowed an absurd six home runs. His WAR is already the second highest of his career, and his ERA and WHIP are second lowest. In many respects, only his magical 2018 has eclipsed this season. Martinez led Chicago to a championship his first season for them too.
One more dominant outing and Detroit can start lining up its playoff rotation. If Robert and Russchen can get to him or the bullpen though, they can keep their dreams of a repeat title alive.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ben Nuzzo, Allen Cordoba is nicked up. Will he play today?
How has tonight’s starter, Denyi Reyes, fared to you in his first full campaign as a starting pitcher?
What’s your team’s strategy to attack Carlos Martinez?
For Taylor Bettencourt, your club has had an outstanding offensive attack this year. How much of that success can you attribute to your new hitting coach for this year, Rafael De Lima?
You’ve had some time now to evaluate your new corner outfield configuration with Ernesto Adames and Dirty Tarin getting the majority of time. How has the alignment looked to you?
You brought in a host of players during the trade deadline, most of them relievers. What have you made of your new look bullpen?
TRIVIA: Who has the best All-Time WHIP for a pitcher who has not pitched for a Chicago franchise?
MIN: Denyi Reyes (9-10, 3.61)
DET: Carlos Martinez (12-2, 2.11)
A recent surge has given the Detroit Tigers some breathing room in the Wild Card race, but they still remain neck-and-neck with Kansas City for the division crown. The Minnesota Twins have surged into the Wild Card picture, but their main competition, the Texas Rangers, have a tissue-soft schedule in September. It may be easier for them to catch Detroit, and that means, it’s mandatory the Tigers knock off the defending champions tonight.
That sets the stage for an enormous Game of the Week between the Twins and Tigers tonight.
The Tigers have won five of six, including two of three from the Twins to begin their four-game set. Anthony Rizzo’s bases-clearing eighth-inning double gave the Tigers a huge win on Friday, and the team rocked Felix Jorge to win the second contest. Michael Mader pitched poorly on Sunday, but the Tigers will throw Carlos Martinez to the mound to win the series.
A Detroit win will put them up eight games of Minnesota, essentially securing a playoff spot. It would also put the Tigers a half game of Kansas City for the AL Central lead before a huge final series between the two. So much importance rests on this week, which makes it frustrating for them that they still have to navigate so many injuries.
Dirty Tarin has taken his return to the majors and run with it, batting .345 with six home runs in 37 starts. Tarin has done dirty things to poorly-located fastballs, and had a huge Saturday with three hits, including a double and a triple. However, Ernesto Adames, called up with Matt Carpenter and Raj Anu both out for the year, has struggled in his debut. Adames wasn’t a huge bat in Toledo, but his speed and eye made him a competent bat. However, in the majors, he has just a .604 OPS in 19 starts. He’s not hitting for enough average or power, plus his defense has been bad.
He bats eighth so it’s not the biggest deal in a lineup that’s pulverized the American League, but could be the difference with the margin between themselves and Kansas City so tight.
Minnesota, meanwhile, has continued to surge in the summer and is now a mere three games behind a slumping Rangers team. However, Texas does not play a single game against a winning team the rest of the way. While the Twins have some bottom feeders on their slate, they also face each of the three AL Central playoff hopefuls plus Washington the rest of the way so despite their momentum, their path to the Wild Card is far tougher than Texas.
They’ll ride Luis Robert into this game as the Cuban is absolutely on fire. Robert wrapped up the American League Batter of the Month award for August with a magnificent display, putting up a .370 average, a .471 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, and four stolen bases. He has a full season wRC+ of 197 and has paired with Wessell Russchen and Alex Kirilloff to provide a ferocious middle of the lineup. It’s no surprise Minnesota’s worst stretch has coincided with Robert being on the IL.
Robert and the Twins will need to contend with future Hall-of-Famer Carlos Martinez though. Detroit brought Martinez on to be the ace to lead them to the playoffs, and he’s been everything they dreamed. He’s 12-2 with a 2.11 ERA, carving up the American League Central as he did when a member of the White Sox. A case can be made for a third Cy Young as Martinez easily leads the league in ERA and FIP. He’s worked 149 innings and allowed an absurd six home runs. His WAR is already the second highest of his career, and his ERA and WHIP are second lowest. In many respects, only his magical 2018 has eclipsed this season. Martinez led Chicago to a championship his first season for them too.
One more dominant outing and Detroit can start lining up its playoff rotation. If Robert and Russchen can get to him or the bullpen though, they can keep their dreams of a repeat title alive.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ben Nuzzo, Allen Cordoba is nicked up. Will he play today?
How has tonight’s starter, Denyi Reyes, fared to you in his first full campaign as a starting pitcher?
What’s your team’s strategy to attack Carlos Martinez?
For Taylor Bettencourt, your club has had an outstanding offensive attack this year. How much of that success can you attribute to your new hitting coach for this year, Rafael De Lima?
You’ve had some time now to evaluate your new corner outfield configuration with Ernesto Adames and Dirty Tarin getting the majority of time. How has the alignment looked to you?
You brought in a host of players during the trade deadline, most of them relievers. What have you made of your new look bullpen?
TRIVIA: Who has the best All-Time WHIP for a pitcher who has not pitched for a Chicago franchise?
