Game-time forecast: Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Temperature around 75.

 

The Twins are back home and ChiTown isn't back home. Whose better off? She has lineups... Come here for them. 

 

ROYALS:

SP, Duffy

 

Aoki RF

Infante 2B

Perez C

Butler 1B

Gordon LF

Willingham DH

Moustakas 3B

Escobar SS

Dyson CF

 

TWINS:

SP, Nolasco

 

Santana CF

Dozier 2B

Mauer 1B

Vargas DH

Plouffe 3B

Suzuki C

Arcia RF

Escobar SS

Schafer LF

 

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

Things to Think About: 

 

1. The Royals -- Divisional Foe aside... I can't help... I'm a closet Royals Fan. They have been hapless for so long that I can't help but hope for good things at some point in time. Is this the Year? Maybe. The Royals have a nice starting rotation and tremendous bullpen. They don't always show it but they have the potential to play amazing defense. Then there is the hitting to consider. They have bats who should get the job done on paper but they just get into these crazy slumps that they have to bust out of and when they bust out of them... The Royals become very dangerous. Butler... Gordon... Aoki and Cain are making solid contact right now and carrying the team along. With improved hitting... The Royals have won 9 out of 10 and have vaulted into 1st place.   

 

2. Josh Willingham -- The Hammer is back at Target Field. I'll bet he goes deep at some point this weekend. The Hammer has been slightly frustrating the past two years for the Twins. He's knocked out a few because he has power but he hasn't done it enough for the Twins... Therefore... He's going to do it against the Twins... I can feel it. That aside...Welcome back Josh.

 

3. Ricky Nolasco -- Speaking of Welcome Back... Ricky Nolasco is back. He hasn't pitched in a major league game since July 6th when he was shut down with elbow soreness... an elbow strain... elbow macaroni. I take full responsibility for the signing of Ricky Nolasco... Because I was all for it. I still think that Ricky will be a productive pitcher for the Twins. He will have plenty of chances to become a productive pitcher for the Twins with his 4 year deal.

 

4. Danny Duffy -- I already did a thing on Danny Duffy. I'll just say... that I've seen him pitch and I think he's good. The Twins will have to get ready to put some good at bats together to produce something against him. Many teams have failed to produce something against him.

 

5. Mr. Right -- I was listening to a 20 year old girl talk to another 20 year old girl when they were walking in front of me. She was saying "I'm going to marry someone... good looking... sensitive and smart and the other 20 year old was agreeing with her... That's who she was going to marry as well. I was thinking to myself... Give it a couple of years... They will be hoping for anything breathing with a day job.    

Nolasco up, Pino optioned.

6. Think about homerun power. Joe hit his 3rd homerun this week in 350+ pa's. This week another homerun threat traded away, like Willy, Sweet Drew Butera hit his 3rd homerun in 160+ pa's.

 

Trade away Drew then Willy no wonder we don't hit many homers.

I don't know if it's just me, but I'm impressed that Justin Morneau is now leading the NL in batting average. On August 15. Go, Morneau. Some former Twins you love, some you hate, most you don't care a thing about. Like most people in life?

Here is a link to the twins affiliates games today.

 

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?cid=&lid=&org=142&sc=&sid=milb&t=affiliate&ymd=20140815

The Drinking game code words for the night:

 

arm slot

I can't turn off the Kate Hudson ad. I hit pause and it goes to a "Wotchit" link. I hit the cancel sound and it goes to the same link. It repeats and repeats and repeats. I think this has been discussed, but it's the first time this has happened to me. Help!

Edited August 16, 201412 yr by ScrapTheNickname

It's Bert.

I send an email to Brock, but I don't know if its the right thing to do.

Do we dare hope Nolasco pitches well ? 

It's Bert.

Hammer... Nolasco and Bert... All Back in one night. It's a magical night for sure.

Dear Dick,

 

Somehow there is something sad about just hoping to get out of last place.

I can't turn off the Kate Hudson ad. I hit pause and it goes to a "Wotchit" link. I hit the cancel sound and it goes to the same link. It repeats and repeats and repeats. I think this has been discussed, but it's the first time this has happened to me. Help!

If you can, get a screen shot and then email it to Brock.

Brock@twinsdaily.com

Good inning for Nolasco... He was keeping the ball on the outer half. Hope he does it again in the 2nd.

 

That's the thing about innings. Like snowflakes they are never the same.

Dear Dick,

 

Somehow there is something sad about just hoping to get out of last place.

Dear Dick,

 

I got nothing... Never mind... Keep Bert under control.

Looks like Duffy is attacking the zone.

A smattering of applause for Josh... I'd call that a smattering.

A smattering of applause for Josh... I'd call that a smattering.

Applause was louder after he struck out.

The old "at-em" ball.

If you can, get a screen shot and then email it to Brock.

Brock@twinsdaily.com

Thanks.

 

Kate Hudson, for no apparent reason, has stopped bothering me. I was like a reverse victim of star stalking for awhile there.

Edited August 16, 201412 yr by ScrapTheNickname

A smattering of applause for Josh... I'd call that a smattering.

Smatter is of those words you only use with applause. You don't say, "Will there be a smattering of snow, do you think?"

Well, there's only been a smattering of posts in this thread so far

Applause was louder after he struck out.

He's clearly still in our back pocket!

Okay, 2-out rally; everybody hits.

Smatter is of those words you only use with applause. You don't say, "Will there be a smattering of snow, do you think?"

You are right... However.. It's a great word... I'm on a mission to use the word in different yet appropriate context.

Well, Kris Johnson gave up a smattering of runs for Rochester ..... like 6 in 3.2.  The score is now 8-4 in the middle of the 5th

Well, I didn't get that one right. Next inning.

I expect a smattering of hits off Duffy tonight.

You are right... However.. It's a great word... I'm on a mission to use the word in different yet appropriate context.

S'matter with you?

If we win or lose this game, in the long run, it doesn't smatter.

?