Archived Game Threads

Since my last game thread intro, nothing about the state of the Minnesota Twins has changed. They are still playing poor baseball despite having a talented roster on paper, they are playing sloppy, and a player gets hurt nearly every game. This seems to be how things will be remembered for this 2021 Minnesota team, which is sad, but expected as a Minnesota sports fan. With that said, the Yankees come to town for the first time this season, and we know the Twins do not like facing the Yankees. They turn into a shell of themselves and play horrible. With the way this year has gone, I fully expect a sweep because it simply would not make a difference, and of course we would …

I'm posting this a bit early because I'll be on a day trip with my family on game day, something I didn't foresee when I volunteered to be the thread opener. Nevertheless, I will fulfill my obligation. Obviously no lineups are posted at this very early juncture. Moreover, it appears that the Twins will be making a roster mover before the game because they have announced Bailey Ober, who is not currently on the 26-man roster, as the tentative starting pitcher. The Twins will be playing in hopes of gaining a series split. Not as good as going for a win or a sweep, but at least they are not playing to avoid a sweep. It was good to see the team score in the half-inn…

I just wanted to get everyone in the proper frame of mind for the game: "Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children" -Jules Winnfield Twins with character 0. Jose Berrios (R) P 1. Kyle Garlick (R) RF 2. Josh Donaldson (R) 3B 3. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B 4. Nelson Cruz (R) DH …

Preface: Astute observers may note the year 2023 in this thread title. I am aware of this, but I'm not correcting it, because the 2021 Twins currently have a 1-0 record when the game thread title contains that typo (coincidentally, the only other game thread started by me). In fact, this may be the very last remaining superstition associated with the Twins winning, after the first two months of the 2021 season have laid waste to so many others. So the typo remains, for now. Baseball is practically founded upon superstition, of course. Pitchers never step on the baseline on their way to and from the mound, a practice so ingrained in American culture that Stevie W…

Our favorite team is loosing it's chance for a winning season. Only five team's have a worst record then the Twins. I don't know who's fault it is. I shouldn't of let this phase me but there performance effects my attitude. May be I should lay down for awhile. Tonight we play the Royals. Our reliever Luke Farrell formally pitched for them. He also pitched in AAA this year in St. Paul, the capitol of Minnesota. Expected whether at gametime: 81F with a 50F dewpoint, mostly cloudy, winds N at 2 mph. Starting pitchers: LHP J. A. Happ (3-2, 5.24) vs. LHP Kris Bubic (1-0, 1.52)

Emergency back up game thread intro. Jolly good show what ho, fellow sportsmen! That Dobnak can bowl a bally good game me old fellow! He sure has the wiskers for it say what! And those young whipper snappers in the outfield, they'll give him what for! And i'd rather face the ol' thunderin' judge himself than to hit into that wily infield! All in all a rousting good team yon Twins got and what of their dominable foe? Twins 0. Randy Dobnak (R) P 1. Jorge Polanco (S) SS 2. Josh Donaldson (R) 3B 3. Alex Kirilloff (L) LF 4. Nelson Cruz (R) DH…

Going Streaking! After Monday’s 3-2 overtime win, the Twins extended their win streak against the Orioles to 16 games and, one might say, began a new win streak of their own (currently at 1 game). Win streaks all start with that first game, right? The Twins had that long sustained streak of winning back in 2006 (yeah we know, 2006 is the only straw we have left to grasp at this point in 2021). On Sunday, June 11, 2006, the Twins beat Baltimore 4-0 to bring their record to 28-34 and trailed Detroit by 11.5 games. Starting from that date forward, the Twins went on quite a run, winning 15 of their last 16 games in June, putting their record at 43-35, eight g…

"Abandon hope all ye who enter here." As i entered the ball park, a sort of dread ate into my heart. My guide had explained all the other levels of hell to me, complete with examples, and they made sense, each getting their just desserts (or deserts as the case was) But no here would be torture that not only affect the players, but the innocent fans following them. I looked up in terror only Ebenezer Scrooge could know to see the lineups: Minnesota: 0. Jose Berrios (R ) P 1. Jorge Polanco ( S ) 2B 2. Josh Donaldson (R ) 3B 3. Alex Kirilloff ( L) RF 4. Nelson Cruz (R ) DH 5.…

The Twins entertain the Royals in the rubber game of a three-game series today (weather permitting). Matt Shoemaker opposes Brad Keller in the mound matchup. The Twins stand at 21-29 while Kansas City is 24-26. At about 75 miles from Target Field it is raining here, but according to weather.com no rain is forecast in Minneapolis. I checked my calendar yesterday and saw that the end of the month payments were coming out. That must mean another month is almost done and that it's time to turn the page. A month is approximately 1/6 of a baseball season and is a large enough sample size to show what is working and what isn't. Here's a (premature) look back at the merry, m…

“One score and ten years ago” (as Tom Kelly once famously began), the Twins won three of four in a series with the Royals at this time of year. The Twins won the last two games of that late May series in Kansas City, those 30 years ago, and began a 15-game winning streak, going on to sweep the likes of Baltimore, the Yankees, and Cleveland. The rest is history. All those teams the Twins built that winning streak on in 1991 are the teams the Twins face here in June again this year. “The past may not repeat itself exactly, but does often rhyme” (as Ron Gardenhire once famously observed). But the key is to take the last two games of this series. Since the R…

Tonight the "so hot right now" Minnesota Twins host the Kansas City Royals. Pop quiz (answer below): Is Kansas City in Missouri or Kansas? Former supplemental first round pick Kris Bubic gets his 3rd start of the season for KC. The 23 year old lefty features, according to former Twins analyst Bert Blyleven, "all four pitches." The Twins will counter with former Uber driver Randy Dobnak in his second start of 2021. The 26 year old Dobnak features a mustache. KC is the team immediately above the Twins in the ALC, so this weekend presents an opportunity to move into thi... um, get closer to third place. If some kind person, or one of the mods, cou…

Chesapeake Bay Crabs Sweater than Carolina's Fresher salt water... What if we had crabs? they'd make Minnesota proud! Just like our Lutefisk. Likewise Baseball Teams play like they're under water will come up for breath Thanks for noticing Today's game thread consists of Uninspired Haiku Or inspired Haiku written by and for the folk too lazy to count. Orioles 0. Jorge Lopez (R ) P 1. Cedric Mullins ( L) CF 2. Freddy Galvis ( S ) SS 3. Trey Mancini (R ) 1B 4. Anthony Santander ( S ) DH …

Good afternoon and welcome back to more game thread fun!! The Twin's seem to be heating up...can they make it 3 in a row? It was nice to see the Twins rally last night. Hopefully they can build off the momentum of last night and pull themselves out of the cellar. Berrios is throwing tonight too. Could be a good game! Finally got moved into our new place last week but still surrounded by boxes and lots of stuff .left to unpack. Will listen to the game on the radio as our internet and TV's still aren't operating at their capacity. I decided to cut the cable cord as well. I doubt anyone on here cares but thought I would let you in on that anyway. I'm now a cord cutter! …

A Byrd In Hand The Byrds. No, not the Birds, the Byrds, the folk-rock band of the ’60’s. You know, “Roger McQuinn had a 12-string guitar it was like nothing I’d ever heard.” - David Alan Coe lyrics from his song “Willie, Waylon and Me”. I was always envious of Roger McQuinn of the Byrds. He could make a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar jingle-jangle while I had trouble plucking your basic 6-string. That’s how I wound up a bass man. Only had to pluck four strings. It was said I could play the bass by ear, but to be honest, I only ever used my fingers. I had a buddy, our rhythm guitar player, who also liked to play bass and sometimes the two of us would get toge…

Preface: This is the first time I've ever been asked to write a game thread intro! Can you believe it? Over 18,000 posts at this site, and not one of them has been invited -- until now! In keeping with this momentous occasion, I have breaking news to share: according to team sources, the Twins poor performance so far this season has actually been intentional. The team was attempting to replicate the situation faced by the old hapless Washington Senators, and thereby attract the attention of the Devil to make a deal, à la Damn Yankees (the musical and film, not the rock supergroup). However, the Twins now believe that such a deal if off the table, as the Dev…

This is an early bird game thread intro, largely by necessity as i have something from noon to 2 and typically am foodening or driving up until game time. So today i promote the values of preparation. I am not entirely sure what they are, myself, so it is likely my means of doing so is by way of cautionary tale. I can't even post the line ups, it is so early. All i can say is Maeda and Bieber? Epic pitching match up. Hitters might not wish to fall behind. Swing early and often. Enjoy! Ps. Is it Duke of Earl, or Earl of Duke? Yes: Now keep those hits a-comin'! TWINS …

Even if the Twins are struggling, I still feel like this lineup is among the most exciting in baseball. Trevor Larnach and Alex Kirilloff are both very promising prospects with a lot of pop. Garver and Sano are starting to show their 2019 swings again. Simmons is a wizard at shortstop. Josh Donaldson is still a star of this league. We watched through the 2011-2014 seasons, right? The problem this year has been the lack of "clutch" moments so far. During the Metrodome era, my favorite player was Jason Kubel. Why, may you ask? It is because he seemed to perform when he was absolutely needed. The grand-slam cycle game, 2009 Game 163, the list goes on...... Jorge Polanco had …

it's Double-Header day. Does this mean ... double the joy? Double the pain? Or double the 'eh, whatever, the season is over with anyway'? Hope for the joy, prepare for the pain, and eh, whatever for whatever. I have nothing really to say. Baseball is a very long season so I'm usually a proponent of 'just wait and see.' I don't like to prognosticate because, frankly, I'm not very good at it, especially not in a sport where the impossibly good or bad can and does seem to happen when we don't think it should. But man, this has really sucked so far this year and I am pretty sure the nail is in the coffin. But, as my brother always says, "I see something I've never s…

Roster Moves: Alex Kiriloff has been sent on a rehab assignment today, and will be DH'ing for STP. If everything goes well, Kiriloff will play in the field for the Saints tomorrow, and could be activated by the weekend, which would clearly be a huge boost to the lineup, and for his development. Lewis Thorpe will also get the start for the first game of tomorrow's double header, as the 27th man. Michael Pineda, who was scratched last night, is going to be pushed back a few days, and may possibly go on the IL, as the Twins are in a position where they can't hold a starter for a few more days, with the DH approaching tomorrow, and no off day until the 27th. The P…

Baily Ober makes his major league debut as he faces the first-place Chicago White Sox at Target Field. The Twins face Lance Lynn for the second time in six days. Yesterday, the White Sox clubbed the Twins extending their string of dominance against the Sox. The weather looks iffy from here (75 miles away) but there may be a window of dreary, but dry air to complete the game. Good luck Baily Ober. White Sox (25-15) Anderson ss Lamb lf Moncada 3b Mercedes dh Eaton rf Grandal c Vaughn 1b Garcia cf Madrigal 2b Lynn (p) 4-1 1.30 ERA Twins (13-26) Arraez 2b Donaldson 3b P…

Yeah, grief is supposed to be good... So i am told. Today, i felt it appropriate to honor Charles Schultz. I am sure he would approve Minnesota's baseball team and its stick-to-it-ive-ness in the face of welming odds (no just welming, we only wish they were over) I am too lazy to track down an iconic baseball image, or rather taking a small look, that the series ran almost half a centrmury, i am awed and humbled by the creativity inherent in such a run. Anyway, mad props go to.who ever can track down the image what best represents the Twins season so far. Even as kids we appreicated the strip, as i have vag…

Yesterday was an awesome game to watch. A high-stakes matchup against a good team won in a nail-biter. Despite all of that, I will not be watching the game today. Why, may you ask? South Dakota State is gunning for a FCS national championship today. I know some people shrug off lower-level football, but there are a lot of high-caliber players that come from low level Division 1 football, may of which the Golden Gophers would have gladly used. Zach Zenner, Dallas Goedert, and Adam Vinatieri are three alumni that have had significant success. For baseball, Blake Treinen and the Twins' own Caleb Thielbar are currently relief pitchers. It is awesome to see the jump to Divisio…

The "Waiting for Gobot" Game Thread covering the Twins vs As 3:05pm cdt 5/15/2021 ad (by Bectimus Sam) Setting: A suburban front lawn, a lone tree still waking up from the winter. In the background, neighbor is having a yard sale with the usual garage cruft: tattered clothes, old semi-functional tools, a dubious looking bike or two, fishing poles, tackle boxes, you know the like. Only thing eye catching is a bin of "vintage" 80's toys, dolls ("action" figures) and such. An ol' fart comes out and hangs a placard on the tree reading: 3:05pm Oakland 0. Cole Irvin ( L) P 1. Mark Canha (R ) LF 2. Seth Brown ( L) DH 3. Ramon Laureano (R…

The Pitchers: RHP Matt Shoemaker (2-3, 6.43 ERA, 19 K's, 28 IP) vs RHP Frankie Montas (4-2, 5.50 ERA, 35 K's, 36 IP) Shoemaker was good his last time out against the Tigers, which is the most recent game that the Twins won. However, his last start at home saw him get roughed up by the Royals, allowing 9 runs in just 3.1 innings pitched. Shoemaker has been the Twins worst starter, but the veteran right hander should be able to improve to his career norms. Montas, a hard throwing righty, beat the Rays last time out. Frankie was suspended for 80 games in 2019 for PEDs. He relies on a sinker 4 seam combination, which sit in the upper 90s. He works a slider off those…

The Twins conclude their series against the Chicago White Sox with a day game today. The forecast is for sunny skies and 61 degrees so they likely won't be saved by a rainout. Scheduled starters are Michael Pineda versus ex-Twin Lance Lynn. In what appears to be a star-crossed season for the Twins, I have a couple of observations. First, they have been pretty luckless--it seems that more bloopers are falling in for the opponents, more wall-scaping homers have been hit against them and more balls falling just out of reach of Twins defenders. The basketball term of winning 50-50 loose balls comes to mind and the Twins aren't winning their share. Secondly, the Twins hav…

"The Odyssey 2*" Opening scene: Old man (played by Nelson Cruz) with an oar on his shoulder shuffling down the road. Twins fan catches his forelorn eye, waves and says, "is that a fan on your shoulder, or are you just happy to see me?" and an expressionof great relief crosses the oldman's face... Summary (i am too lazy and the game approaches) Odysseus (Cruz) is on the run from the law due to slaughtering all his wife's suitors, has to take care of hia family in hiding and still make good on his promice to expand poseidon's realm, whne he hears some of his band survived their travels butare caught by crazy dangers. Join us as Cruz teach…

Roster Move The Minnesota Twins activated 2B/OF Luis Arraez prior to the first game of the series against the White Sox. Arraez was placed on the 7-day concussion IL last week after colliding with a catcher on a play at home. Arraez missed the minimum amount of games possible, which is a good thing for both himself and Arraez. The Twins sent down MIF Nick Gordon to Saint Paul (AAA) to clear space on the 26 man roster. Gordon appeared in one game, where he reached based 3 times and stole two bags. The Pitchers RHP Kenta Maeda (2-2, 5.02 ERA, 28 K's, 28.2 IP) vs RHP Dylan Cease (2-0, 2.37 ERA, 40 K's, 30.1 IP) If you were to look at these two name…

Greetings and welcome to the game thread du jour. As we all know, game threads involve baseball only to the extent that comments are posted in conjunction with that day's game. There is no requirement that these comments have anything to do with anything. With that in mind today's opening post will consist simply of some some quotes attributed to Steven Wright. No, not the 8/30/1984 Steven Wright who is a pitcher in the Pirates organization. I'm referring to the 12/6/1955 Steven Wright. If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you. I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific. If you were going to shoot a mime, w…

Roster Move: The Minnesota Twins placed Byron Buxton on the 10-day IL prior to the series opener with the Detroit Tigers with a grade two hip flexor. This is a less severe injury to the same one that White Sox outfielder Luis Robert just suffered, and will cause him to miss 3-4 months. Buxton is not expected back in 10 days, and is likely out for "weeks." The Twins have selected the contract of OF/1B LHH Trevor Larnach, and have DFA'd LHP Brandon Waddell to make room on the 40 man. The Pitchers RHP Matt Shoemaker (1-3, 7.83 ERA, 14 K's, 23 IP) vs LHP Tarik Skubal (0-4, 6.14 ERA, 18 K's, 22 IP) The Twins will give the ball to Matt Shoemaker once again, and in what ma…

Down 2-1 in the series, a win would earn us a split. And a theme that should be obvious for every get away game i could introduce: what can we get away with? And today i feel like trackin' down youtube references of musical nature to favorite, but lesser known movies: Six String Samurai: (and the band responsible for its soundtrack, the Red Elvises) El Mariachi: The Man in the White Suit: (you may doubt its musicality, but you'd be surprised how often you hear it sampled in other movies... most notably Bunsen and Honeydew's appearance in the Muppet Movie) and you can go watch any of 'em if your stomach isn't equal to the sight of Nick Gordan's majo…