Teenage Kicks: All Through the Night
The Matt Capps Era STARTS NOW.
As LaVelle notes at the Strib, the Mariners are dead last in the majors in runs, home runs, batting average, and onbase-plus-slugging. I humbly submit that Scott Baker is not going to find a more ideal opponent against whom he can get his mojo working.
The Twins defeated Fister earlier this year, tagging him for five runs in 7.2 IP. He's winless in his last nine starts, posting an ERA of 5.17.
Your lineups and all manner of breaking/broken news after the jump:
Twins (both lineups courtesy Joe C.):
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Delmon Young, LF
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
7. Jim Thome, DH
8. Danny Valencia, 3B
9. J.J. Hardy, SS
Mariners:
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Chone Figgins, 2B
3. Casey Kotchman, 1B
4. Russell Branyan, DH
5. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
6. Michael Saunders, LF
7. Josh Bard, C
8. Josh Wilson, 3B
9. Jack Wilson, SS
Notes:
- As you may have heard, the Twins made a trade on Thursday night. Everyone and their mother has an opinion on this, so I'll just link to a couple I found edifying: here's Rob Neyer for the prosecution, and Phil Mackey for the defense (see also: this bit from Dave Cameron at Fangraphs about Wilson Ramos' value (thanks, Corkatron)). Can we stop talking about this now and actually play a friggin' game?
- The Mariners just got done getting swept by Chicago in a 4-game series, giving the Twins zero help in the Central standings. Seems like the least they can do is lose three more, or trade us Felix Hernandez for a PTBNL. I'm fine with either.
- If you're going to read any of TwinkieTown's sister MLB blogs on SBNation, Lookout Landing is highly recommended. Here is their series preview.
- Speaking of the Sox, they start a 3-game home series against Oakland tonight, and are apparently trying to trade for every player in Major League Baseball. (I'm not even kidding.)
- We're waiting for the official word, but in an interview on ESPN1500 earlier today, Ron Gardenhire strongly hinted at Nick Punto going on the 15-day DL with a bad hamstring, Trevor Plouffe getting the call, and Nick Blackburn going to AAA to make room for Capps. We'll let you know when we know. (UPDATE: multiple sources confirm that the above moves have been made. Plouffe is in uniform for tonight's game.)
- Same goes for anything on the Canadian guy who plays first base. (UPDATE: both Joe C. and Kelly T. say that Morneau took light swings (progress!) today, but there is no timetable for his return.)
Enjoy the game, everybody.