Game-time forecast: Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-20 m.p.h. 0% PoP. Temperature around 55.

 

Orioles:

SP, Chen

 

Markakis RF

Machado 3B

Cruz DH

Jones CF

Clevenger C

Hardy SS

Pearce 1B

Lough LF

Schoop 2B

 

Twins:

SP, Correia

 

Dozier 2B

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Colabello RF

Kubel LF

Pinto DH

Suzuki C

Fuld CF

Florimon SS

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. Offense -- We got shut out yesterday and we struggled to score against the Dodgers in both games of the doubleheader. You don't know what you got until it's gone. I miss the offense... I'd like to see it come back. I'd like to ask the Twins to quit reading those press clippings. Don't go thinking you are all that... Just go back to putting the bat on the ball. Whatever happens will happen.

 

2. Kevin Correia -- Man does this guy have concentric circles on his back for the Twins Daily crowd. We spent all last year reading how bad he was supposed to be and going to be. Even when he wasn't that bad last year... we kept reading how bad he was supposed to be and it just flooded over anything he did that was average or decent. His start this year hasn't been great and it finally matches the sentiment that has existed since he signed the contract. Just hang on everyone... Kevin Correia will be average once again before this year is out.

 

3. The rubber band around .500 -- With a 4 game losing streak... That rubber band has stretched to 3 games below on the negative side. If the Twins real off 3 wins in a row... We can start believing in the rubber band. If they don't... It was a concept that only applied to April. It's May now and the Twins may be on their own. Untethered!!!

 

4. Power -- Power is a great thing... Finding the Seats is exciting and finding the seats can lead to wins and to big contracts in the future. Everybody wants to hit a home run... However... Power is very dangerous... If you think you got it and if it becomes a part of your mindset and approach at the plate. It can lead to slumps of Dom DeLuise size proportion. You start trying to park outside pitches and you ground out to SS. K Rates go up and everything comes down. You should never swing for a home run... They just come.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion after watching the Twins the past couple of days... I think the Home Run has become to large a part in approaches at the plate and the Home Run has been missing along with it. If I'm right... Dear Twins... Stop Doing that. If I'm wrong... as Emily Latella says... Nevermind.

 

5. Weddings -- I won't be able to watch today's game. I'm posting this and immediately getting into my car and driving to Bismarck for a wedding. I had to search behind a whole bunch of stuff that I never wear just to find a tie. I don't like ties... I fully understood Ricky Vaughn in the movie Major League when he said "I feel like a Banker in this". I've been practicing staying awake for the ceremony for the past week. I've been watching paint dry... Watching Chick Flicks on Netflix... I went out to a farm and counted sheep and stayed awake through it all... I think I'm ready.

 

BTW... I never saw a single sheep jump over a fence. They don't seem all that motivated to do so.

Edited May 3, 201412 yr by ChiTownTwinsFan

Considering that KC hasn't been league average or better since 2007, I wouldn't hold your breath on #2.

Will Santana make it in time to be available for the game?

Will Santana make it in time to be available for the game?

 

He's there. Gardenhire went out to watch him take BP.

Stomaching 4 in a row has got it in knots. Not sure I'll tune in this one.

Watching the Twins is a little like entering a Boy George look-alike contest. Ya got nothing to lose.

Watching the Twins is a little like entering a Boy George look-alike contest. Ya got nothing to lose.

 

Forgot to add: And it might be fun. And ya might win.

Nice first for Correia. Now score some runs.

Mauer beat a shift in the first, then scored from first on Plouffe's double.

 

Can't complain about that.

 

Though the Orioles answered in the top of the 2nd. Nice throw from Fuld, even if it didn't cut the runner down at home.

Dozier gets #8.

 

2-1 lead.

wow ... slow game thread this aft ...

wow ... slow game thread this aft ...

 

Also game is going pretty quick. An actual factual 1-2-3 inning following a score.

wow ... slow game thread this aft ...

 

It's been a bit unpleasant to watch games the past few days.

Are there internet issues? My significant other can't get on the internet. My kindle isn't working right and the battery is drained. I've been knocked off several sites as well.

Or maybe no one is interested.

Or maybe people are taking a break from the site.

forgot it was an afternoon game

All possible contributing factors.

 

Could also be a nice spring Saturday afternoon?

Nice running by Dozier!

 

Dribbler to third barehanded, and overthrown just enough for him to beat the throw to second.

Mauer feeling RISPY.

Perfect RBI situation for Mauer. Dozier on 2B means a hit may score him. Mauer has one EBH in 16 games since his HR.

Nice baserunning by Dozier. Or maybe he got lucky.

Is it just me or has Plouffe taken a bunch of called 3rd strikes lately?

Nice baserunning by Dozier. Or maybe he got lucky.

 

A little bit of both. But he put the pressure on the fielders to throw him out.

Is it just me or has Plouffe taken a bunch of called 3rd strikes lately?

 

Seems that way, having to adjust to pitchers not trying to get him to chase crap anymore since he has upped the OBP.

Definitely impressed by Dozier's play and his go hard or go home mentality.

Definitely impressed by Dozier's play and his go hard or go home mentality.

 

In my opinion, Dozier has definitely put the "last year was a fluke" talk to rest. In saying that, I'm talking about worry during the offseason that Dozier's end of last year wasn't for real.

Fuld is so damn good out there. I know he won't keep hitting like this but I really like that addition.

Going back to Joe, he is on pace for his worst SLG ever. His "bilateral leg weakness" season was 20 points higher. His average is moving up and his OBP is fine, but he isn't driving anything. Anything up in the zone that he could drive is a swing and miss right now. I hope it's just the weather and he at least starts driving the gap for some doubles.

Fuld is so damn good out there. I know he won't keep hitting like this but I really like that addition.

 

Rumor has it that the Twins had to think twice about claiming him. Thankfully they did.