Minnesota Twins Talk

Brief Preface I want to apologize for not posting game-threads Saturday and Sunday as I was i the process of moving. The Twins finished up their series on Sunday without me streaming the game and lost a thriller 5-4 but still took 2 out of three against Cleveland. Thank you again for all of you tuning in and I was fortunate enough to have another story done on the Virtual Twins from CCX Sports. CCX Story on Virtual Twins TWINGO Twingo returns tonight with our Target Field promotions courtesy of SotaStick. To play click on the link below and message on Twitch chat which one of the 5 cards you are choosing to play with and the prize is baseball merch on SotaStick's website…

https://www.twincities.com/2020/05/15/if-theres-a-season-rehabbing-twins-pitcher-rich-hill-believes-hell-be-ready/ Betsy Helfand from the Pioneer Press chatted with Twins lefty Rich Hill recently. He has been continuing his rehab from his home near Boston, and he has been throwing while on Zoom with the Twins manager, trainer and others. He thinks that if the season starts in July, he will be ready to go.

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Pretty interesting read. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/29104085/ranking-every-world-series-mlb-history#17 #2 - Twins over Braves (#1 was Reds over Red Sox in 1975) #32 - Dodgers over Twins #56 - Twins over Cardinals (I may have moved that up a few notches). Thoughts?

Catch-up The last time these two squared off the Tribe took 2 out of 3 in Minnesota but since then it's been the Twins who've been on the winning path and currently own a 2 game lead in the division. A three game weekend series will decide who will remain atop the division here in May. Pre-game 11:45amCT Where to watch. Virtual Twins Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 26-18 2. Indians 25-21 3. Royals 22-22 4. White Sox 19-26 5. Tigers 16-29 Starting Pitchers Cleveland: Mike Clevinger 1-6, 5.19 ERA, 50.1 IP, 51 K'sMinnesota: Kenta Maeda 1-2, 3.41 ERA, 34.1 IP, 56 K'sCleveland Batting Order SS Francisco Lindor .275 BA, 10 HR, 22 RBI DH Cesar Hernandez .247 B…

https://www.startribune.com/twins-kent-hrbek-was-first-pro-athlete-to-make-seven-figures-in-a-season/570356401/ Nolan Ryan was the first baseball player to earn $1 million in a season. Dave Winfield got a big 10-year, $23 million from the Yankees... Kent Hrbek became the first Minnesota athlete to earn a seven-figure salary. Find out more in the above article from LaVelle Neal.

Catch-up Rocco's Twins were not going to make it three walk-offs in a row yesterday, as they thump the Tigers behind a Grand Slam from Polanco and a terrific outing by Randy Dobnak 7-1. With the season series between the Tigers and Twins now tied 3-3, a win today would put someone back in front. Pre-game 6:50pmCT Where to watch. Virtual Twins Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 25-18 2. Indians 25-21 3. Royals 22-21 4. White Sox 18-26 5. Tigers 15-28 Starting Pitchers Detroit: Michael Fulmer 2-4, 4.50 ERA,48.0 IP, 40 K'sMinnesota: Homer Bailey* 3-1, 1.86 ERA, 48.1 IP, 33 K's*=Homer Bailey: 4th in AL, WHIP (0.93) Detroit Batting Order CF Cameron Maybin .26…

There is absolutely no way to have anything close to a sensible 2020 season under the current format that includes a heavy schedule against teams from other divisions and the other league. If MLB is actually able to "play ball" this year, I believe a completely new schedule should be drawn up that scraps all inter league games and most inter division games. No wild card. Only division champs in playoffs. Trying to salvage any part of the current schedule would clearly stack the odds in someones favor and would reward some teams and penalize others. If/when a start date is determined, get the computers out and come up with a schedule that makes sense based on the num,ber o…

If there is an MLB season in 2020, and the proposal that 14 teams (7 from each league) would make the playoffs, it would take a monumental collapse for the Twins not to make the playoffs. https://www.startribune.com/twins-could-be-virtual-playoff-locks-with-expanded-playoffs-short-schedule/570436672/

https://www.startribune.com/who-are-the-most-iconic-athletes-in-minnesota-sports-history/570460021/ There certainly have been some iconic Twins over the year... Iconic moments: Kirby Puckett in Game 6 Iconic games: Jack Morris, Game 7 Iconic players: Puckett, Carew, Mauer, Killebrew... who else fits in that category? Hrbek? But which players in Twins history have been the most iconic. Check out the article and post your choices here.

Catch-up After the Twins have had three walk-off wins of their own, they were finally "walked-off," for the first time in 2020 as Cameron Maybin hit an RBI single and the Tigers took game one 4-3. Berrios and Boyd had great starts, but the Tigers bullpen bests Minnesota's and the Twins will look to bounceback tonight. Pre-game 6:50pmCT Where to watch. Virtual Twins Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 24-17 2. Indians 24-21 3. Royals 21-21 4. White Sox 17-25 5. Tigers 14-27 Starting Pitchers Detroit: Daniel Norris* 5-3, 2.37 ERA, 49.0 IP, 39 K'sMinnesota: Jake Odorizzi 1-4, 4.57 ERA, 41.1 IP, 42 K's*=Daniel Norris: 11th in AL, ERA (2.37). Detroit Batting Or…

Catch-up Make it two nights in a row! After a pitcher's duel on Monday, tomorrow's back and forth affair goes the way of Detroit with their second walk-off in as many days courtesy of Niko Goodrum. The Tigers with a chance to take the series, the Twins trying to get back into it before getaway day tomorrow, should be another great ballgame! Pre-game 6:50pmCT Where to watch. Virtual Twins Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 24-18 2. Indians 25-21 3. Royals 22-21 4. White Sox 18-25 5. Tigers 15-27 Starting Pitchers Detroit: Spencer Turnbull 1-5, 7.25 ERA, 36.0 IP, 34 K'sMinnesota: Randy Dobnak* 2-0, 6.52 ERA, 19.1 IP, 12 K's*=Randy Dobnak: Bailey on short res…

Catch-up The Twins end their third home-stand of the year going 5-1, but lose on Mother's Day 10-7. Despite a late comeback, the Twins couldn't claw their way back and begin their longest road trip of the season with divisional rival Detroit, Pre-game 6:50pmCT Where to watch. Virtual Twins Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 24-16 2. Indians 23-21 3. Royals 20-21 4. White Sox 17-24 5. Tigers 13-27 Starting Pitchers Detroit: Matthew Boyd 0-4. 6.08 ERA, 40.0 IP, 37 K'sMinnesota: Jose Berrios 5-1, 4.10 ERA, 41.2 IP, 46 K'sDetroit Batting Order CF Cameron Maybin .255 BA, 4 HR, 13 RBI SS Niko Goodrum .295 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI DH Miguel Cabrera .276 BA, 6 HR, 20 RBI …

Still missing baseball. Here's another video, this one of Byron's best defensive plays from last season. Enjoy.

It feels like ages ago that the Twins signed Josh Donaldson. We'll have to keep patiently waiting for his Twins debut, but in the meantime, here's a highlight reel from last season. Included are some of his biggest home runs, best defensive plays and most intense moments.

Catch-Up Kenta Maeda with yet another tough outing, going only three innings and allowing three runs, but despite that the Twins hold on and win 5-4 thanks to some clutch hitting late coupled with great work again out of the pen from Fernando Romero. The Royals will turn to their ace in Brad Keller to try and take getaway day at Target Field. Pre-game 12:45pmCT, 1:00pmCT Special Mother's Day production Where to watch Virtual Twins Baseball Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 24-15 2. Indians 22-21 3. Royals 19-20 4. White Sox 16-24 5. Tigers 13-27 Starting Pitchers Royals: Brad Keller* 5-2, 3.40 ERA, 47.2 IP, 33 K'sTwins: Jhoulys Chacin 4-1, 3.07 ERA, 41.0 …

Twingo Thanks again to SotaStick for sponsoring our "Target Field," promotions, the winner of Twingo today can get any Twins shirt in stock again courtesy of SotaStick! Rules: I have created 5 boards for you to chose from. Comment on twitch before first pitch which board you plan to play with and you are stuck with that board for the remainder of the game.Should we have no winners, prize carries over into tomorrow's game.Let's say Board #3 wins first and 3 people have it, I will randomly chose one of the three names to win the prize.Boards: Twingo Boards (Will be fully updated by 4:30pm).Catch-Up Homer Bailey, who was already the best starter this season for Minnesota, h…

Thank You Last time I promise, thank you to all of you who have tuned in. Someday soon the real Twins will be back at Target Field and this project will be over, but I've grown closer to many of you as a result of this Virtual Twins season and I'm incredibly thankful for all of you. Twingo Thanks again to SotaStick for sponsoring our "Target Field," promotions, the winner of Twingo today can get any Twins shirt in stock again courtesy of SotaStick! Rules: I have created 5 boards for you to chose from. Comment on twitch before first pitch which board you plan to play with and you are stuck with that board for the remainder of the game.Should we have no winners, prize ca…

Tonight's episode was between Dick, LaTroy, Hunter and then LaPanta, A.J., and Doug regarding the 2002 ALDS vs Oakland Even though that team did not win a World Series, to me that was the most fun team I've watched. Everything from surviving contraction to finally being relevant again was a thrill to watch. While their memories are a bit faulty at times (Torii thinks Giambi was in that series and they seem to bounce between 2001 and 2002 a lot), they did have some interesting stories. One of the most interesting to me is that they credit Mike Jackson for a galvanizing speech he gave on the plane ride to Oakland for Game 5. Obviously I remember Jackson being on the t…

Here's a few minutes of José Berríos curveballs, just because.

Announcement I was fortunate enough to have been interviewed by Fox 9 about this project I have been working on and it airs tonight at 5:15pmCT and 6:15pmCT before the game for those who want to tune in to watch it. I am so appreciative of all of you watching Virtual Twins baseball along with me and I can't wait for the real team to get back out there. Catch-Up The Twins have outscored the Giants 22-5 in their last two games and will look for the sweep today as they send Jake Odorizzi on the mound versus former Chicago White Sox starter Jeff Samardzija. Pre-game 6:50pmCT Where to watch Virtual Twins Baseball Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 21-15 2. Royals 1…

Below is the link from the story Fox9 did on my project I have been working on. You all have been very supportive and I hope you enjoy the piece. https://www.fox9.com/sports/using-video-game-twins-fan-broadcasts-play-by-play-of-virtual-season

This is a small thing in our big world, but-- It's 9:20 PM in HK right now, and I am watching live baseball from Taiwan. Just now, the Monkeys put up a 5-spot in the top of the ninth to storm back and lead the Brothers 8-6, until the Brothers tied it up with 2 in the bottom of the 9th! We're going to extras... Cheers, y'all.

A guy can dream!

Promotion For those who missed out the first time, I am doing the second round of TWINGO continuing tonight and carrying throughout the homestand. I realize without real baseball at Target Field the promotional items fans would get going through the gates are gone so this is my attempt to offer something up besides watching the ballgame. The prize for today's round of TWINGO are the same as last homestand, this shirt from SotaStick (see below). Brief Rules: There will be a link below with 5 cards, chose one and comment in the twitch chat which one you are using before the first pitch of the game. Let's say card #2 is the first winner and 3 people had card #2, I will rando…

May the 4th be With You. Promotion For those who missed out the first time, I am doing the second round of TWINGO starting tonight and carrying throughout the homestand. I realize without real baseball at Target Field the promotional items fans would get going through the gates are gone so this is my attempt to offer something up besides watching the ballgame. The prize for today's round of TWINGO are the same as last homestand, this shirt from SotaStick (see below). Brief Rules: There will be a link below with 4 cards, chose one and comment in the twitch chat which one you are using before the first pitch of the game. Let's say card #2 is the first winner and 3 people …

Longtime Twins equipment manager Wayne “Big Fella” Hattaway has passed away of cancer. He was 80. RIP Big Fella. https://www.twincities.com/2020/05/01/big-fella-twins-clubhouse-mainstay-has-died/

Catch-Up How sweet is this! Another series comes down to the final game as the Angels take game one on Friday and the Twins even the series yesterday. Pour a hot cup of Joe, ease your seat back, and enjoy some Sunday Afternoon Baseball! Pre-game 12:45pm Where to watch Virtual Twins Baseball Network AL Central Standings 1. Twins 19-14 2. Indians 20-16 3. Royals 18-16 4. White Sox 14-20 5. Tigers 10-24 Starting Pitchers Twins: Kenta Maeda 1-1, 2.30 ERA, 27.1 IP, 47 K'sAngels: Griffin Canning 2-1, 3.12 ERA, 34.2 IP, 33 K's**= Kenta Maeda: 10th in AL, Strikeouts (47). Twins Batting Order RF Max Kepler .234 BA, 9 HR, 12 RBI SS Jorge Polanco .273 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI…

Not sure if this should be in "General baseball" forum, but since it is somewhat Twins specific I'll post it here. The team has announced that they will be refunding single game tickets through May, for games that did not occur. They will also be crediting season ticket holders and with an additional 15% credit towards 2021 or 2022 tickets. As far as tickets purchased third party(stub hub, etc), those need to be processed through the specific company used. I figured this thread could be a place for folks to get more information about the process, as well as share experience about the "success" of actually getting tickets refunded. https://www.mlb.com/twins/tickets/s…

Catch-Up Make that 10 Bombas in the last four games for Minnesota, but the Twins also lost game one of the series yesterday at the hands of a clutch home run by Mike Trout. More baseball in the Golden State will continue tonight as the Twins look to even the series behind the arm of Homer Bailey (2.10 ERA in 5 starts). Pre-game 5:45pm Where to watch Virtual Twins Baseball Network AL Central Standings 1. Indians 20-15 2. Twins 18-14 3. Royals 17-16 4. White Sox 14-19 5. Tigers 10-23 Starting Pitchers Twins: Homer Bailey** 1-1, 2.10 ERA, 34.1 IP, 29 K'sAngels: Andrew Heaney 3-3, 4.17 ERA, 36.2 IP, 41 K's**= Homer Bailey: 6th in AL, ERA (2.10ERA). 3rd in AL, WHI…