Twins Lineup:

 

Denard Span CF

Brian Dozier SS

Joe Mauer C

Josh Willingham LF

Justin Morneau 1B

Trevor Plouffe RF

Alexi Casilla 2B

Jamey Carroll 3B

Scott Diamond P

Prediction segment:

 

With Mauer catching Diamond (instead of Butera), I expect Diamond to give up more than 4 runs in less than 4 innings.

Observation Segment:

 

As long as Rick Anderson is Pitching Coach, this prediction applies to every Twins game with no need to restrict it to Diamond, Mauer and/or Butera.

Wow. Mauer catching and Morneau at 1B. Nice!

Prediction segment:

 

With Mauer catching Diamond (instead of Butera), I expect Diamond to give up more than 4 runs in less than 4 innings.

I don't know about that one. I'm betting that Diamond, Mauer and Butera all got together to keep Diamond's strategy going. Whatever they have been doing seems to have been working, so I don't think they're going to switch it up too much.

 

Will he go another 7 scoreless? I don't know, but I certainly hope so.

I don't know about that one. I'm betting that Diamond, Mauer and Butera all got together to keep Diamond's strategy going. Whatever they have been doing seems to have been working, so I don't think they're going to switch it up too much.

 

Will he go another 7 scoreless? I don't know, but I certainly hope so.

Agreed.

 

Joe will be sitting tomorrow, then. He's gotta get rest once in awhile.

I'm pretty surprised Mauer is in the lineup as the catcher today. If Diamond regresses today, I guess it will give Gardy justification to have Butera catch him until he regresses some more.

If Gardy is going to play Plouffe in the outfield every day now, isn't it rather redundant to be carrying three other outfielders on the bench?

If Gardy is going to play Plouffe in the outfield every day now, isn't it rather redundant to be carrying three other outfielders on the bench?

I don't think he trusts anybody but Carroll playing third. Until someone is acquired or recalled, I am predicting that Carroll is the starter there. Casilla starts by default at second, too.

This is actually the best lineup the Twins can have right now against a LHP. With a righty pitching not so much. I'd rather see Revere instead of Plouffe batting 8th and playing CF with Span at RF. But good thing that Butera is not there

It's important that Mauer catch this series, since with Doumit injured, you don't want Butera and the pitcher batting back to back. Ick.

I guess some readers forgot that Milwaukee is in th NL....no DH this weekend. Mauer and Morneau both play at least 2 of 3 in the field this weekend, and with an off day on Monday, maybe all 3 games!

I guess some readers forgot that Milwaukee is in th NL....no DH this weekend. Mauer and Morneau both play at least 2 of 3 in the field this weekend, and with an off day on Monday, maybe all 3 games!

Agree completely. There is no reason both shouldn't be in the lineup all weekend. It's been more than a 24 hr break since the last game, and it's not even June yet.

Looks like Diamond will need to make sure to keep the ball down tonight as that thing is carrying.

Shoot. Hopefully Diamond can come up with a little damage control here.

Nice play by Carroll getting the runner at home.

Twins don't have a lot of hits, but they must be going deep into the count. Brewer's pitcher has 70+ pitches in 4 innings. Hope they have a lousy bullpen.

In Detroit, Verlander's no-hit bid is broken up in the 9th. Wonder if he forgot to rush from the bench to take a leak in the 8th ala Weaver?

d'oh...

I just noticed there is no DH and was messed up. They are at Milwaukee...

Diamond got a single!

Great hustle by Morneau there to beat out the throw. That was impressive.

Why was Diamond batting with sacks full and one out?

Submarine-type pitcher.

 

 

2 drinks.

He's pitching well, short bench.

Prediction segment:

 

With Mauer catching Diamond (instead of Butera), I expect Diamond to give up more than 4 runs in less than 4 innings.

Looks like we might have a good pitcher, no matter who is calling the game!

Guess he gave up his first runs tho...

Idiotic to let Diamond hit with the bases loaded. Perfect situation for Doumit to pinch hit.

 

No idea what Gardenhire is thinking. Maybe he's practicing his singing for the radio jingle.

Letting Diamond hit in the top of the 6th is...questionable.

Chief: How many Tuscon Padre's games have you seen this year?

Letting Diamond hit in the top of the 6th is...questionable.

To me it signals either.

 

A. Over confidence is Diamond.

B. Under confidence in Bullpen.

c. Gardy was distracted by an amusing antidote told by Andy.

d. Irrentioanal fear that is somehow leaves us a catcher short and loss of the DH spot in a national league park.

Maybe just a little more rest for the pen.

Looks like Diamond will pitch the 7th with Carrol out.