Game 129, Mariners at Twins
Hernandez vs Hendriks, 5:05 pm.
Happy Felix Day!
On a day to day basis, baseball is fairly unpredictable. The spread in talent even between good and bad teams is small enough that the result of any match-up can go either way without it being too much of a surprise. The Astros have beaten the Rangers this year. They’ve beaten the Nationals too. They won two out of three from the White Sox. The Astros are baseball’s very worst team, and they’ve got a bunch of wins against playoff teams. On any given day, any team can beat any other team.
That said, this is a game the Mariners really should win. The difference in quality of pitchers is astounding, with Felix being among the very best in the game and Liam Hendriks being among those who are never mentioned as being the very best in the game. The Mariners are a better team than the Twins even without considering the pitching match-ups, but when it’s Felix vs Hendriks, the odds move pretty significantly to the Mariners side.
So, yeah, losing three one run games in Chicago? I’m okay with that. Losing tonight would be a bit more of a letdown, though. This is one they should win, and probably win pretty easily.
Ackley, 2B
Glass, CF
Seager, 3B
Montero, DH
Jaso, C
Smoak, 1B
Thames, RF
Robinson, LF
Ryan, SS
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56 Responses to “Game 129, Mariners at Twins”
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Guti!!!
lolololololololol glass.
thought we made a trade for a second….
Go get ‘em Glass!
Vargas & Millwood both placed on waivers.
Took me a second to find Guti, that was funny.
Not really news that any Mariner gets run through waivers – probably the only guy who won’t be is Felix.
Any idea why mlb.com blacks out AWAY games for the Mariners if you’re in the Seattle area? That just seems stupid.
For the record, I’m not ok with losing three 1-run games in Chicago.
Let’s go Felix!
They both likely to be claimed. Whether it’s by someone who is seriuosly interested in trading for them is another matter.
If they get claimed, the Mariners can pull them back if they wish. It’s not a big deal to put most of your team’s players on August waivers.
Playoff rosters have to be set by Saturday so any contender that claimed them would have to work out a trade quickly. Westy, right, a lot of people end up on waivers in August and most of the time it means nothing.
Good grief, Terry, that’s right – September is almost here! My brain has been in denial. I know it’s the 27th, but somehow that hasn’t translated to “September is only a few days away” in my head!
How can it be almost September? hehehe
Glass is still better than Figgins and Olivo because they provide negative value and take up twice as many roster spots. Broken glass can still hurt the opponent any day of the week, even from the bunch.
I don’t see the Mariners trading Millwood or Vargas now. Unless is there a playoff team that may be desperate enough?
It’s all this sunshine we’ve been having this year. Throws off internal clock a bit. hehe The Puyallup fair starts a week from friday..
The M’s are just fishing to see what they could get for the two. I could see them trading Millwood at this point in the season for anything usable – they have options to take his spot in the rotation.
The first thing I thought of when I read the lineup was that old Matt Christopher (he and John Tunis were the cream of the schoolkid sports fiction writers in the 60s) book I read in grade school, “Catcher With a Glass Arm.” Classic.
I’m waiting to see if Ron Glass runs out to center field for the bottom half of the inning…
Montero is a double-play MACHINE!
Oh wait, that’s not a good thing.
Who the hell is Glass?
Dodgers are still looking for a pitcher. Maybe they will take one of them. Not sure what they have left to trade with though. What they are willing to trade, and what we would take. I wonder if Z held onto them gambling that he might get a little more for them if he waited until the last minute.
I know what the Dodgers have to trade; roster space and the ability to eat a bad contract. Perhaps if they take Figgins, they can have Millwood gift-wrapped.
Not that anyone probably cares, but does anyone know why Geoff Baker has gone missing? The Times has had free lancers covering the games since the end of the homestand, with no explanation.
The answer will present itself to you shortly, Walter.
The paper isn’t having beat writers travel to road games for the rest of the season.
But, does anyone actually care about Baker?
Who is Baker and I’m going to be frustrated for Felix when that “walk” prevents his second perfect game.
Paul B:
Not for analysis, but for gossip.
Weeeeeee!
In order for someone like LA to claim either Vargas or Millwood, every AL team and every team below LA in the standings would have to pass. Possible, but not likely.
Well, it’s still nice to see Guti back.
Here’s a legit question: how far ahead of Nolan Ryan in career no-hitters would Felix be if he played AGAINST the Mariners for every start instead of for them? We’re being 2-hit through 5 by a guy named Liam.
There goes another shard (sp?)
Remember those not-too-long-ago games in which mediocre opposing pitchers would often look dominant against us? Yeah…
Scoring rally, please!
That last half-inning ties for their worst rally, ever.
How many ties are there for the worst rally though Mike?!
Guti would’ve caught tha… oh wait.
That is a fine young pitcher, ladies and gentleman
Re: the earlier question about the missing beat writer…
He’s currently kind of tied up rewriting an article after seeing Dave’s “The Meaning of One Run Games” article.
YEAH!!!!!!
Shaft!
Now we can all go home.
Who’s the cat who won’t cop out
when there’s shutouts all about
(Thames!)
Right on…
Originally I was gonna do the first verse, but that wouldn’t be very PC and I don’t want to offend anyone… hehehe
Finally a little offense!
Emphasis on “little” offense, Steve.
Felix’s pitch count is down. If he gets through this inning fairly quick, I’m sure we’ll see him in the 9th.
Funny you said that Westy! I swear, I was going to joke “I stress the word little”.
Great minds, Steve – great minds…
Not a bad first day back for Guti. Has a hit & a walk.
And a good catch.
Not such a good idea there, though, Guti (in my opinion anyway).
add a stolen base as well!
Well, that was stupid.
Hard for me to tell what happened there. Was it a tag-up, or a base-running error?
Guti decided to tag up and try for third after Montero’s fly out to center field.
There were two outs already – it was a bad percentage play without a whole lot of potential payoff.
BUT WE WON!! So all is forgiven… (well, not really – it was still a dumb move by Guti)
Add another complete game to Felix’s resume. Gotta feel for Hendriks a bit. We’ve been on that side of the fence plenty-o-times.
Push for that Cy Young Felix!!