True Blue LA - April 30: Dodgers 6, Twins 4Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2014-04-30T20:49:58-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/54336932014-04-30T20:49:58-07:002014-04-30T20:49:58-07:00Bats keep Dodgers warm in win over Twins
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<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Six runs and 12 hits helped the Dodgers improve to 9-3 on the road this season.</p> <p><span>Zack Greinke</span> kept the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> at bay while the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> got contributions from up and down their lineup, beating Minnesota 6-4 in the opener of a potentially three-game series to improve to 8-1 against Gibsons in 2014.</p>
<p>In the land of 10,000 lakes the Dodgers got their 10,000th victory since joining the National League in 1890.</p>
<p>The Dodgers got back-to-back RBI singles from <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> and <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> in the third inning, then rallied for three more runs in the seventh. An RBI double from <span>Andre Ethier</span> chased starter <span>Kyle Gibson</span>, then <span>Juan Uribe</span> singled home two more runs against reliever <span>Michael Tonkin</span>.</p>
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<p>Dodgers widen the gulf against Tonkin.</p>
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) <a href="https://twitter.com/truebluela/statuses/461693913900675072">May 1, 2014</a>
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<p><span>Josmil Pinto</span> opened the second inning with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, then two outs later scored the game's first run on a double by <span>Eduardo Escobar</span>.</p>
<p>But that was it against Greinke, who struck out six and walked one, his 18th consecutive start allowing two runs or less. Greinke stayed in for one batter in the seventh, but <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> doubled. <span>J.P. Howell</span> relieved Greinke and got two outs but also loaded the bases for tightrope artist <span>Chris Withrow</span>.</p>
<p>It wasn't quite <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/26/5657628/chris-withrow-carlos-gonzalez-troy-tulowitzki-strikeouts-dodgers-rockies">CarGo and Tulo</a>, but Withrow started <span>Trevor Plouffe</span> 3-0 before inducing a pop out to shortstop to end the threat and preserve the four-run advantage.</p>
<p>The Dodgers tacked on a run in the eighth, then got a scoreless inning out of <span>Brian Wilson</span> in the bottom of the inning. <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> allowed a run in the ninth and needed 29 pitches to record his two outs.</p>
<p>He left with two runners on base and two outs in favor of <span>Kenley Jansen</span>. Plouffe grinded out an 11-pitch at-bat before hitting a two-run single off Jansen to cut the lead to 6-4, but the closer got <span>Chris Colabello</span>, representing the tying run, to close out the win.</p>
<h4>Notes</h4>
<p>The Dodgers first National League win came April 21, 1890 at Boston, a 7-6 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>. Their all-time record is 10,000-9,082 (.524)</p>
<p>Eight of the nine starters for the Dodgers had at least one hit, and either scored or drove in at least one run, or both. <span>Carl Crawford</span>, at 0-for-4, was the only starter not to reach base.</p>
<p>Greinke's run allowed was unearned, his first unearned run allowed since May 27, 2013, and just his third unearned run allowed since joining the Dodgers.</p>
<p>Greinke is 20-4 as a Dodger, and at .833 owns <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/yzWZi">the highest winning percentage in franchise history</a> (minimum 20 wins).</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<p>The Dodgers and Twins will try to play two games on Thursday. The morning game (10 a.m. PT) will feature <span>Dan Haren</span> for the Dodgers against <span>Mike Pelfrey</span> for Minnesota. In the nightcap of the day-night twinbill (4 p.m. PT) is expected to feature a pair of 26th men called up from the minors to start, likely <span>Red Patterson</span> for the Dodgers and left-hander <span>Kris Johnson</span>, the latter <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/min/twins-to-recall-kris-johnson-for-doubleheader-against-dodgers?ymd=20140429&content_id=73796982&vkey=news_min">per Rhett Bohlinger of MLB.com</a>.</p>
<h4>Wednesday particulars</h4>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: none</p>
<p><b>WP - Zack Greinke (5-0)</b>: 6+ IP, 7 hits, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Kyle Gibson (3-2)</b>: 6⅔ IP, 9 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - Kenley Jansen (10)</b>: ⅓ IP, 1 hit</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/30/5670092/zack-greinke-dodgers-offense-twins-recapEric Stephen2014-04-30T16:20:15-07:002014-04-30T16:20:15-07:00Red Patterson for Game 2 Thursday?
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<p>Patterson could make his major league debut on Thursday night in Minneapolis.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> manager Don Mattingly said on Wednesday that <span>Dan Haren</span> would start the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>, and that the club <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/461635956307529729">would take advantage of the 26th-man rule to call someone up to start the nightcap</a>. It appears that pitcher will be a bit of a surprise.</p>
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<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers">@Dodgers</a> are expected to recall RHP <span>Red Patterson</span> to pitch in their doubleheader vs the Twins tomorrow</p>
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw/statuses/461619072317546497">April 30, 2014</a>
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<p>Mattingly won't say who starts second game. Red Patterson is a likely callup as 26th man.</p>
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/kengurnick/statuses/461630696453181441">April 30, 2014</a>
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<p>Patterson isn't on the 40-man roster, unlike <span>Matt Magill</span> and Stephen Fife. The Dodgers would have to make a corresponding roster move to add Patterson to the 40-man.</p>
<p>Both the Dodgers and Twins are allowed to use a 26th player on their active roster for Thursday's doubleheader.</p>
<p>Patterson is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts with Triple-A Albuquerque, with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 21⅔ innings. He last started last Thursday, and was scratched from his Tuesday start for undisclosed reasons.</p>
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<p>Red Patterson might not be Minneapolis-bound after all, folks. Turns out the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Topes&src=hash">#Topes</a> RHP has the flu. That's why he was scratched yesterday.</p>
— Chris Jackson (@TopesWriter) <a href="https://twitter.com/TopesWriter/statuses/461714382687203328">May 1, 2014</a>
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<p>Mattingly: Red Patterson will "probably" pitch the second game tomorrow.</p>
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/statuses/461717167344328704">May 1, 2014</a>
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<p>If it is Patterson, it appears control won the day. Magill has 12 walks in 23⅔ innings to go with his 4.94 ERA, and Fife, who battled shoulder problems during spring, has nine walks in 19⅓ innings and a 7.45 ERA. Both Fife and Magill pitched on Saturday, so would also be in line for a Thursday start on regular rest.</p>
<p><span>Zach Lee</span>, 22, has been very good for the Isotopes, with a 3.42 ERA, 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 26⅓ inning, but it's hard to imagine the club would call on Lee for what amounts to a spot start.</p>
<p>Patterson, 27, was invited to his first big league camp this season, and pitched in an exhibition game against Team Australia in Sydney. He was happy for the experience to learn in big league camp.</p>
<p>"There are guys in here with decades of experience. It's the best place to learn, at the highest level," Patterson said during spring training. "Just watch and pick up some things, see how to really handle yourself. It's a whole new ballgame over here."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/30/5669758/dodgers-doubleheader-dan-haren-red-patterson-26th-manEric Stephen2014-04-30T13:25:37-07:002014-04-30T13:25:37-07:00Dodgers call up Olivo, option Federowicz
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dodgers catchers are a combined 13-for-91 this season, hitting .143/.228/.165.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> try again to start their series at Target Field in Minneapolis, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/Minneapolis+MN+USMN0503:1:US">weather permitting of course</a>. Before the game the Dodgers made a roster move, adding catchers <span>Miguel Olivo</span> and sending <span>Tim Federowicz</span> back down to Triple-A Albuquerque.</p>
<p>To make room on the 40-man roster for Olivo, pitcher <span>Chad Billingsley</span> was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. The distinction doesn't change much for Billingsley, who had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow last week and hopes to resume throwing this week. The earliest Billingsley could be activated from the DL is May 18, but he still needs several rehab starts before he could return anyway.</p>
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<h4>Starting Lineups</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center" border="0"><tbody>
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<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#157dec" width="125"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#66ccff" width="125"><font color="#b50131"><b>Twins</b></font></td>
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<td>2B</td>
<td>Gordon (L)</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Dozier</td>
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<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Mauer (L)</td>
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<td>SS</td>
<td>Ramirez</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Plouffe</td>
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<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Colabello</td>
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<td>CF</td>
<td>Kemp</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Kubel (L)</td>
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<td>DH</td>
<td>Ethier (L)</td>
<td>DH</td>
<td>Pinto</td>
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<td>3B</td>
<td>Uribe</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Suzuki</td>
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<td>C</td>
<td>Butera</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Fuld (L)</td>
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<td>LF</td>
<td>Crawford (L)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Escobar (S)</td>
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<span><b>Location</b>: Target Field<br><b>Pitchers</b>: Greinke vs. Gibson<br><b>Time</b>: 5:10 p.m. PT <br><b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA<br></span>
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<p>Federowicz started 13 of 18 games since starter <span>A.J. Ellis</span> was placed on the disabled list, but was just 5-for-46 with a pair of doubles and three walks, hitting .109/.163/.152.</p>
<p>Olivo, 35, was hitting .390/.438/.661 with four home runs and four doubles in 14 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. Olivo signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in January, and could have opted out of his deal if he wasn't added to the big league roster by June 1.</p>
<p>Just like it was planned on Tuesday, <span>Zack Greinke</span> gets the call for the Dodgers, against <span>Kyle Gibson</span> of the Twins. We had <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/29/5664650/dodgers-twins-interleague-play">a game preview of sorts up yesterday</a>, but here are a few more notes.</p>
<p>Greinke is 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in his five career starts at Target Field, and his teams have lost all five games. Though he does have 30 strikeouts and 13 walks in 32 innings.</p>
<p>Three Twins have faced Greinke more than seven times. <span>Joe Mauer</span> is 16-for-47 (.340/.426/.362) with a double and seven walks, <span>Jason Kubel</span> is 10-for-32 (.313/.405/.625) with two doubles, two home runs and a triple, and <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> is 5-for-16 (.313/.389/.313) with a double and a hit by pitch.</p>
<p>Gibson made his major league debut in 2013 and has 14 major league starts under his belt. He has never faced the Dodgers, nor has he faced any current players on the roster.</p>
<p><span>Andre Ethier</span> makes his seventh career start at designated hitter on Wednesday night.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/30/5669044/miguel-olivo-tim-federowicz-dodgers-rosterEric Stephen2014-04-29T19:04:14-07:002014-04-29T19:04:14-07:00Dodgers recall Paco, option Triunfel
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<p>The Dodgers are back to 13 pitchers on the active roster.</p> <p>MINNEAPOLIS -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> will have <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> back for their series in Minnesota, whenever weather might allow games to be played, as the left-handed reliever was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. The Dodgers optioned infielder <span>Carlos Triunfel</span> back to the Isotopes.</p>
<p>Sending Triunfel back down is a strong vote of confidence for the health of Hanley Ramirez's thumb, which was bruised in a swing on Saturday night. Triunfel was recalled on Sunday to give the Dodgers an extra back-up infielder just in case, but he did not play.</p>
<p>Ramirez appeared as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning Sunday and hit an infield single.</p>
<p>It also means the Dodgers are back to a 13-man pitching staff, with three games scheduled in the next two days and part of 16 games in the next 15 days.</p>
<p>Rodriguez had a 3.18 ERA in eight games with the Dodgers this season, with five strikeouts and two walks in 5⅔ innings. He was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/15/5617916/brian-wilson-activated-disabled-list-dodgers">optioned to Albuquerque on April 15</a>, and pitched three scoreless innings in his three appearances with the Isotopes, with two hits allowed, two strikeouts and one save.</p>
<p>How long Rodriguez stays back in the majors is unknown, as the Dodgers were planning to go back to a regular five-man bench after their series with a designated hitter (and fewer double switches, if any) in Minnesota. The earliest Chone Figgins could return from Triple-A Albuquerque, unless he is replacing an injured player, is Thursday.</p>
<p>The Dodgers will also need another starting pitcher at some point, likely either as an allowed 26th man on the active roster for Thursday's doubleheader, or on Sunday in Miami. In addition, <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> will need to be added to the roster some time around Monday when he rejoins the rotation.</p>
<p><span>Brian Wilson</span> has been largely ineffective so far but the Dodgers insist he is healthy, making a disabled list stint an unlikely roster move. Which means were are back to the dance of those who have options - Rodriguez and <span>Chris Withrow</span> - and those who don't.</p>
<p>But for now, Rodriguez is back.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/29/5666692/paco-rodriguez-recalled-carlos-triunfel-optionedEric Stephen2014-04-29T15:00:11-07:002014-04-29T15:00:11-07:00Twins Q&A with Andrew Bryz-Gornia (Twinkie Town)
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<p>Before the Dodgers and Twins face off at Target Field, let's take a look at how Minnesota has done so far this season.</p> <p class="p1">The last time the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Twins</a> faced off, <span>Casey Blake</span> was a member of the Boys in Blue. Before they face off in a three game series, I sat down with Andrew Bryz-Gornia from <a href="http://www.twinkietown.com/" style="font-size: 12px;">Twinkie Town</a> to talk about Minnesota's start.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DAVID LAUTERBACH: Who's had the best start to the season?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>ANDREW BRYZ-GORNIA: </b>It's a tie between 3B <span>Trevor Plouffe</span> and 1B/RF Chris Colabello. Plouffe surprisingly developed some power upon being promoted to the majors a few years ago, but his weakness on offense was hitting for average as he was a dead-pull hitter. However, this year he's learned to hit to the opposite field, as evidenced by several of his 10 doubles going to right field, and his ability to go the other way has contributed to his batting average being over .300. Unfortunately he was hit in the upper arm by a pitch on Saturday and was removed from the game, so hopefully that injury isn't serious, because it's a huge offensive drop-off from Plouffe to backup infielder <span>Eduardo Escobar</span>.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>As for Colabello, he was supposed to be platooning at DH with <span>Jason Kubel</span> to start the season, but early injuries to outfielders <span>Josh Willingham</span> and <span>Oswaldo Arcia</span> opened the door for him and now he's the everyday cleanup hitter. He's one of the few Twins that isn't drawing walks by the truckload, but he's hitting over .300 and is second on the team in doubles with 9. Last year he spent most of the season in Triple-A, earning the International League MVP for Rochester by hitting .352/.427/.639, but he wasn't able to carry his success into the majors. However, that success has finally arrived and he's become one of the most dangerous hitters in the Twins' lineup. He's a lot like <span>Joe Mauer</span> where his power is to the opposite field, but as <span>David Price</span> learned last week, <a href="http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=32290381&c_id=mlb&topic_id=vtp_longest_drives"><span class="s1">he'll also crush the inside pitch</span></a>.</p>
<p class="p2"><b style="font-size: 12px;">DL: Who's had the worst start to the season?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>Well the obvious choice would be to pick SS Pedro Florimon as he's currently hitting .115/.193/.173, but he's one of those all-glove, no-bat players and thus not much should be expected from him anyway. Instead, I have to go with <span>Mike Pelfrey</span>, who many were hoping would be much better in his second year after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Instead, he's become worse as he's ceased to strike out batters, he's walking nearly twice as many hitters as usual, and the worst part is that his ability to suppress the long ball has disappeared. Add it all up and the Twins have a pitcher with a 7.32 ERA that also has a 2-year contract in hand, a move that many did not approve of during the offseason. His fastball velocity is down over a mile per hour which is really disheartening considering his MO is to pump fastball after fastball into the strike zone. Toss in his glacial pace on the mound and you can understand why Twins fans don't have much patience for him right now.</p>
<p class="p2"><b style="font-size: 12px;">DL: What was a move the Twins should've made over the offseason?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>If I had been asked this question when the season started, I would have said that the Twins needed to desperately improve their offense. Much of the focus was on the starting rotation, and rightfully so as it was the worst or second worst in many important categories last season, but the offense was pretty run-of-the-mill as well. Instead, since the entire group has shown an unprecedented amount of patience, the offense now seems just fine.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>However, with Florimon's terrible start, I still feel that the Twins should not have been complacent with him and should have gone out to get Stephen Drew. Yes, the loss of a second round draft pick would have hurt, and despite their surprising start the Twins are not expected to be competing for a playoff spot this year, but giving Drew a three year contract would have helped the team over the next few years when the likes of <span>Alex Meyer</span>, <span>Byron Buxton</span>, and <span>Miguel Sano</span> bring the Twins back into playoff contention.</p>
<p class="p2"><b style="font-size: 12px;">DL: How has Joe Mauer adapted to first base so far?</b><b></b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>Defensively, I think Mauer has been doing fine this year. While it's a new full-time position for him, Mauer has had 56 appearances at the position over the past three years as manager Ron Gardenhire looked for ways to keep his bat in the lineup, so really it's not that new of a position for him. However, maybe it really is a change for him as he reportedly texted former teammate <span>Justin Morneau</span> and asked, "What do you do to keep yourself busy over here?" Now if he'd just stop striking out so often...</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DL: What do you think of the <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> signing?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>I absolutely loved the signing when it first was announced. While Nolasco is not a top of the rotation starter, he was immediately better than anyone else the Twins had thrown out there last season. Unfortunately, it hasn't looked good though as he currently has a 6.67 ERA, plus he's not striking out many hitters. I wouldn't be surprised if some fans will start accusing pitching coach Rick Anderson of telling Nolasco to pitch to contact more (a common discussion topic as the Twins have been at the bottom in strikeouts for several years now).</p>
<p class="p2"><b style="font-size: 12px;">DL: Is there anyway Byron Buxton could be called up this year?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><span><b>AGB: </b>Buxton looked to be on the fast track through the minors after a strong showing last year, but then he sprained his wrist trying to make a diving catch in spring training and hasn't appeared in a game for Double-A New Britain yet. However, if he can keep raking at the plate, stealing bases, and playing strong defense, he'll be making a strong case to be in Minnesota before the end of the season. With Aaron Hicks struggling again this year, many will call for Buxton to be promoted quickly, but they did bring in <span>Sam Fuld</span> as a stopgap and any promotion before September would be a shock. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><b>DL: What needs to happen for Minnesota to compete in the AL central this year?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>The offense likely will not continue to draw more walks than the rest of the league, so when they return back to earth they'll need strong performances from Josh Willingham and Oswaldo Arcia when they return from the disabled list. The pitching rotation also needs to turn it up a notch or two, as their only starter that has done well this year has been rookie <span>Kyle Gibson</span> (though <span>Phil Hughes</span>' secondary numbers have been excellent thus far). If Pelfrey or <span>Kevin Correia</span> continue to struggle, I wouldn't be surprised if they swap places with long reliever <span>Samuel Deduno</span> and his "crazy" fastball, who is in the bullpen only because the rotation was full.</p>
<p class="p2"><b style="font-size: 12px;">DL: Who could you see being the Twins' MVP and Cy Young this year if you had to predict?</b><b></b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>While Colabello and Plouffe have been raking at the plate, I believe the MVP should go to the player that performs in all facets of the game and thus it should go to 2B Brian Dozier. In fact, if it weren't for Joe Mauer, he would have been the team MVP last year as he led the team in home runs and was second in RBI, though that was more a testament of how mediocre the offense was last year. Dozier steals bases, he's developed a power stroke in the leadoff spot, and has become a good defensive second baseman after struggling at shortstop two years ago. Sorry to go all Ted Mosby on you, but here's a fun fact about Dozier: His 18 homers last year were a career high <b>at any level he's played in professional baseball, </b>so yeah, his power came out of nowhere.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>The Twins' Cy Young winner is a tough one. The rotation isn't really that outstanding, and thus no one really has a clear path to being called the best. Kyle Gibson looks like the frontrunner right now, but I'd argue he's doing it with smoke and mirrors. Plus, after seeing <span>Nick Blackburn</span> and <span>Scott Diamond</span> in past years, I'm not going to get too attached to someone with a tidy ERA but poor secondary numbers. Instead, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Twins' Cy Young winner is not even in the major leagues yet, but he will be by midseason: Alex Meyer. The tall righthander was acquired in the <span>Denard Span</span> trade, and his mid-90s fastball and sharp curveball give him the best stuff out of any current or future Twins starter this year. Oh, and he's reportedly found success with a new change-up grip, so he may have just become an even better pitcher now.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>DL: Series prediction?</b></p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>Nobody will win as all three games will be rained out.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="p1"><b>AGB: </b>Seriously though, in spite of the poor weather for the series, I'd say the Dodgers take two of three. The Twins have been reaping the benefits of drawing walks, but they face off against <span>Zack Greinke</span> and <span>Dan Haren</span> in the first two games, and those guys are not going to hand out any free passes. With the Twins' team batting average and power numbers being more pedestrian, I think they will struggle to score some runs against those two.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/29/5661334/dodgers-vs-twins-preview-twinkie-townDavid Lauterbach2014-04-29T12:29:07-07:002014-04-29T12:29:07-07:00Dodgers-Twins opener postponed
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<figcaption>Hannah Foslien</figcaption>
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<p>If weather allows, the Dodgers and Twins will play a day-night doubleheader on Thursday at Target Field.</p> <p>MINNEAPOLIS -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> on Tuesday has been postponed due to weather. The two clubs will now attempt to play a day-night doubleheader on Thursday.</p>
<p>The first game Thursday will be the regularly scheduled 10 a.m. PT game, with the nightcap at 4 p.m. PT.</p>
<p>Much of the same weather is expected in Minneapolis on Wednesday and Thursday, but if they get all three games in the Dodgers will need to make a rotation with their starting rotation.</p>
<p>If the Dodgers stick with <span>Zack Greinke</span>, <span>Dan Haren</span> and <span>Josh Beckett</span> against the Twins, the options for Sunday in Miami would be Greinke on short rest, <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> on short rest, or calling up someone from Triple-A Albuquerque like <span>Matt Magill</span>.</p>
<p>The Dodgers will need to make a decision to remove a pitcher for Kershaw likely on Monday anyway, so making said move on Sunday wouldn't be much of a stretch, with Magill or whomever getting optioned the next day for Kershaw.</p>
<p>Both the Dodgers and Twins will be able to use a 26th player on the active roster for Thursday's doubleheader, so that is another option for the fill-in starter. Magill and <span>Stephen Fife</span> both pitched for the Isotopes on Saturday, so they could pitch Thursday on regular rest.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/29/5665692/dodgers-twins-postponed-doubleheaderEric Stephen2014-04-29T10:30:09-07:002014-04-29T10:30:09-07:00Dodgers open series at Target Field
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<figcaption>Hannah Foslien</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> open up a three-game series Tuesday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>, the first leg of a three-city, nine-game road trip. But the team's third regular season trip to Minnesota, and second to Target Field, is threatened by weather.</p>
<p>It is snowing early this morning in Minneapolis, and the Dodgers have canceled batting practice <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JaimeJarrin/status/461150525224792067">per Jaime Jarrin</a>. The forecast for Tuesday <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/graph/Minneapolis+MN+USMN0503:1:US?pagenum=2&nextbeginIndex=6">shows light rain and/or snow most of the day with temperatures in the 30s</a>, and a 70% chance of precipitation at game time. The temperature is expected to go up on Wednesday and Thursday but the threat of rain still looms, making for what could be a very wet three days in Minnesota.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>Over/under on how many games we get in during this series? I'm setting the line at 1.5. <a href="http://t.co/OAaFw3uJkC">pic.twitter.com/OAaFw3uJkC</a></p>
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) <a href="https://twitter.com/alannarizzo/statuses/461018966937186304">April 29, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
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<p>If the Dodgers and Twins <i>do</i> end up playing on Tuesday, <span>Zack Greinke</span> starts against <span>Kyle Gibson</span>.</p>
<p>Greinke has allowed two or fewer runs in a modern MLB-record 17 straight starts, but his run goes even a little further back than that. The right-hander walked a career-high seven batters last July 3 at Coors Field, but since then has walked two or fewer in 19 of his last 21 starts, with 27 walks during that span.</p>
<p>During that span Greinke has allowed 27 runs in 21 starts and the Dodgers are 17-4. Greinke is 13-2 with a 1.76 ERA. This season, Greinke has just five walks, one intentional, to go with 40 strikeouts.</p>
<p>Gibson has 11 walks in his 22⅓ innings this season, to go with 13 strikeouts. He won his first three starts of the season, allowing two runs total in the process, but allowed seven runs in three innings in a loss in Kansas City last Tuesday.</p>
<h4>Interleague notes</h4>
<h4></h4>
<p>With an interleague series in an American League park, the Dodgers can alleviate some of their outfielder logjam with use of a designated hitter. Since interleague play began in 1997, the Dodgers have a National League-worst nine home runs from their designated hitters.</p>
<p>Last year the Dodgers started <span>Carl Crawford</span> three times at designated hitter, <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> twice, <span>Andre Ethier</span> twice, and <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span>, <span>Ramon Hernandez</span> and <span>Skip Schumaker</span> once each.</p>
<p>The Dodgers have <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/1qXgG">lost five of their six interleague games in Minnesota</a>, with trips to the Metrodome in 2005 and Target Field in 2011, but the one win was a 15-0 shutout in 2011. The Dodgers scored 15 runs and had 25 hits in that win, but have 11 runs and 31 hits combined in the five losses.</p>
<p>The Dodgers were 5-5 in interleague road games in 2013, just the second time in 11 years (with 2009) they didn't lost more games than they won in American League parks. Since interleague play began in 1997, the Dodgers are 53-87 (.379) on the road.</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 5:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2014/4/29/5664650/dodgers-twins-interleague-playEric Stephen