Game-time forecast: Sunny. Winds blowing out to center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Temperature around 65.

 

 

I'm going to see my Dad today. Hopefully he will have the game on so I can listen to him tell me that the Twins don't swing at the first pitch in the zone.

 

ChiTown will be along with the lineups and WX shortly.

 

TWINS:

SP, Hughes

 

Danny Santana(S) CF

Brian Dozier® 2B

Kurt Suzuki® C

Kennys Vargas(S) 1B

Josh Willingham® DH

Chris Parmelee(L) RF

Eduardo Nunez(S) 3B

Eduardo Escobar(S) SS

Jordan Schafer(L) LF

 

ATHLETICS:

SP, Hammel

 

Coco Crisp(S) DH

Sam Fuld(L) CF

Josh Donaldson® 3B

Brandon Moss(L) LF

Stephen Vogt(L) 1B

Josh Reddick(L) RF

John Jaso(L) C

Alberto Callaspo(S) 2B

Eric Sogard(L) SS

 

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

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. Trevor May -- So much anticipation from us all and complete disappointment after it's all said and done. Let's not make too much out of it. Anyone could see that the pitcher on the mound last night was struggling with something more than simple ability. That was my first time seeing Trevor pitch and without ever seeing him before... Simple logic will tell you... That wasn't him. It is simple logic... Any pitcher who struggles like that... Any Pitcher... If you see someone throwing like that... You know something is wrong. There is no way a candidate for a MLB rotation could throw like that. You can't walk 7 batters in 9 innings of work and stay in the majors. Walking 7 in 2 innings... that's just a guy who forgot how to throw the ball from the mound to the catcher. A guy who was thinking way too much out there. Take the start... file it... in the garbage and get ready for his next start. Let's wait for the real Trevor May to show up before we make any assumptions.

 

2. Kevin Correia -- I remember it well... It was December 2012. The Twins had just traded Denard Span to Washington for Alex Meyer and Ben Revere to the Phillies for Vance Worley and Trevor May. We had come off a horrible 2011 and the mood had changed on Twins Daily from ugly to happy. Everyone was so happy with the acquisitions... And then it happened... The Twins signed Kevin Correia to a two year contract. The Happiness was gone and Twins Daily exploded with disbelief and anger. Kevin Correia by himself destroyed the good feeling created by Meyer, Worley and May. I was never that concerned about it. Kevin Correia was an average at best pitcher but at the time... The Twins lacked even average pitchers because the entire rotation was a nightmare. Correia wasn't Kershaw but he was an improvement over what we had ready to go. His stats in Pittsburgh were just not that bad. Yes he lacked K's but he kept the Pirates in games more often then he didn't. As 2013 played out... Correia was an average pitcher and he kept the Twins in games more often then he didn't. Yet... The Distaste for him never really waned. If Kevin had a good stretch of games... People would say just wait. If he had a bad start... which happens on occasion... Everybody went see. When he threw a decent game... Everybody returned to just wait... he'll be bad again. In 2014... Correia started pretty badly and the chorus was back on... "Get rid of this guy"... When he straightened out and started pitching OK again... Not Kershaw but average... It didn't matter. I never really understood the anger toward Correia. We signed him to a fairly light contract and he delivered innings. He was never on the D.L.... He took the ball when it was his turn and he kept us in games more often then he did not. Many people are happy that he has been traded to the Dodgers. I am also happy but only happy because his contract his up and it's time to move on and the roster has to turn over. However... I will not say "Good Riddence... Don't let the Door hit you on the way out". I say... Thanks Kevin and Good Luck to ya. You deserved better treatment from the some of the fans in Minnesota. You were worth the money spent.

 

3. Sam Deduno -- I have been a huge supporter of Sam Deduno. I also believe that I had good reason to be a supporter of Sam's. Last night... Sam held a finger in the dyke for awhile but then the dam burst on him. As we look to 2015... I simply haven't seen much of Sam in 2014 as a long reliever. As the roster turns over... I wonder if we are starting to see the end of Sam. If he isn't going to be used more often... there isn't much sense in moving forward with him. Roster moves will have to be made and I'm thinking that Sam may need to be part of that. I'll be sad about it because I truly enjoy his energy and ability but he's starting to stiffen up from under use.

 

4. Jason Hammel -- Jason is 31 years old... He was born in Greenville South Carolina but went to High School in Port Orchard Washington. He was born in South Eastern Rain and he Moved to Northwester Rain. He probably stands outside when it rains and says... "Yeah... This is Life". Jason is one of those pitchers who has managed to hang on to a job long enough to have a career year this year while pitching for the Cubs. There is nothing amazing about him but he takes the ball and throws it well enough that he gets to hold down the 5th spot on a team that looks like they will make some noise this year. If the Twins are going to win a game this series... Hammel is the guy they got to beat and we have Phil Hughes on the other side. Let's see if the Twins can do something today.

 

5. Heavy Metal -- When I was a teenager... I was into Heavy Metal... Judas Priest... Iron Maiden... Dio... I remember thinking that I was going to like Heavy Metal my whole life. I'm 48 years old now... I think I'll give Heavy Metal one more year.

Was I the only one who thought Deduno's body language was pretty bad last night? Along the lines of "I'm too good to be here, now...mopping up"?

 

Slapping his glove at the throws back from the catcher, frowning, looking disinterested?

Off topic. What was the topic? Oh yeah, former Twins. Okay. Justin Morneau, on Wednesday, will become the NL leader in batting average. Yes, that's right.

 

(Tulowitski is injured and he will fall under the required number of plate appearances on that day.)

 

More incentive for any former Twin to sign with Colorado, I guess.

Edited August 10, 201412 yr by ScrapTheNickname

Arcia (sore back) and Plouffe (swollen ankle from a foul) not available. Fryer is the bench.

 

I'm guessing they'll be happy to see Mauer tomorrow.

Let's hope they go back to 12 pitchers when Mauer returns.

Was I the only one who thought Deduno's body language was pretty bad last night? Along the lines of "I'm too good to be here, now...mopping up"?

 

Slapping his glove at the throws back from the catcher, frowning, looking disinterested?

 

I saw some of that.  It does not bode well for his future with the Twins.

1. Trevor May ... There is no way a candidate for a MLB rotation could throw like that. You can't walk 7 batters in 9 innings of work and stay in the majors. Walking 7 in 2 innings... that's just a guy who forgot how to throw the ball from the mound to the catcher. A guy who was thinking way too much out there. Take the start... file it... in the garbage and get ready for his next start. Let's wait for the real Trevor May to show up before we make any assumptions.

 

 

 

Someday, our great-grandkids will ask about Trevor May, and we can say, "Yes, little Johnny and Jill, we saw something truly amazing that 9th day of August, in the year of our Lord, twenty-fourteen." Nah. Not going to be a Debbie Downer. He'll bounce back good.

 

Meanwhile, working at the store, a young guy just came in and asked for some camouflage pants. Told him I hadn't seen them anywhere. (Try the orange roughy. I'm here all week. Tip your server nice. And drive careful going home.)

Edited August 10, 201412 yr by Circus Boy

Possibly one of the best shows ever.

 

Dozier closing in on 20-20.

Dozier closing in on 20-20.

 

He'll join the club today. Hammel has a little stutter step in his wind up, look for the Twins to go after bags

Edited August 10, 201412 yr by EephusKnuckler

He'll join the club today. Hammel has a little stutter step in his wind up, look for the Twins to go after bags

That would be sweet.

He'll join the club today. Hammel has a little stutter step in his wind up, look for the Twins to go after bags

Not if he keeps hitting HRs, he won't.  

I have to wait for the Yankees-Indians to be over until this will come on MLB Extra Innings.  Missed Dozier's HR.

I have to wait for the Yankees-Indians to be over until this will come on MLB Extra Innings.  Missed Dozier's HR.

Huh...I've got EI and I have the Twins b'cast on.

Missed Dozier's HR.

 

It was another high fastball. Dozier has been feasting on that pitch all year, don't know why any pitcher would give him something like that. Makes me think they aren't doing their homework

Now likely the Twins will go an entire 4 game series never leading at the end of an inning. Sigh.

He'll join the club today. Hammel has a little stutter step in his wind up, look for the Twins to go after bags

 

What pitcher back in the 1960s threw the eephus? I was trying to remember the other day. Hamilton? (The guy who beaned Conigliaro.)

What pitcher back in the 1960s threw the eephus? I was trying to remember the other day. Hamilton? (The guy who beaned Conigliaro.)

Rip Sewell (sp?) of the Pirates is generally credited with inventing the "eephus" in the 40's.

 

Bill Lee used to throw a few back in the 70's, I think.

Rip Sewell (sp?) of the Pirates is generally credited with inventing the "eephus" in the 40's.

 

Bill Lee used to throw a few back in the 70's, I think.

Most likely Bill doesn't remember for sure either.

I had forgotten Marty Cordova was a 20/20 guy, and am surprised Jaques Jones never was.

Possibly one of the best shows ever.

 

 

Yup, especially up until NBC/MTM fired Bochco and jumped the shark several times with character changes/kill offs.

My "McDonald's Big Moments" Twins play of the week:

 

Trevor May had a perfect game through 0.1 innings Saturday night.

I had forgotten Marty Cordova was a 20/20 guy, and am surprised Jaques Jones never was.

Jacque had good speed, but was never much of a base stealer. I recall reading something a while back that he had only one (feet-first) slide.

I am glad for Fuld that he is getting to play for a contender.

Rip Sewell (sp?) of the Pirates is generally credited with inventing the "eephus" in the 40's.

 

Bill Lee used to throw a few back in the 70's, I think.

 

Steve Hamilton was the guy I was thinking of. Played for a bunch of teams 1961-72. Mostly with Yanks.

My "McDonald's Big Moments" Twins play of the week:

 

Trevor May had a perfect game through 0.1 innings Saturday night.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GV0-wJRBvpY/T3Wf5IM5EfI/AAAAAAAAhB4/hgKvZ79cAso/s1600/gomerpyle.jpg

I just had to do it.

Hughes is such a cool customer on the mound. I hope May is watching this pretty closely.

http://www.celebritybirthdaysinaugust.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/gerald-mcraney-3.jpg

 

Steven Vogt, right.

Now, I can't quote again!  Anyway, Lee was famous for his low-speed change-ups.  Earlier, there was a left handed reliever, who spent one year with the Twins named Dave LaRoche, who threw a pitch that was nicknamed "LaLob".  I can't remember Rip Sewell, but they did name his off-speed pitch the "eephus pitch".

Kansas City completed a sweep of SF today.  The Tigers are in extra innings at Toronto.

 

If Day-twah loses, they will be 0.5 games ahead of the Royals for the ALC lead.