Game-time forecast: Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Temperature around 60.

 

INDIANS:

SP, Kluber

 

Bourn CF

Ramirez SS

Brantley LF

Santana 1B

Murphy RF

Gomes C

Kipnis DH

Chisenhall 3B

Aviles 2B

 

TWINS:

SP, Swarzak

 

Santana SS

Dozier 2B

Mauer DH

Vargas 1B

Plouffe 3B

Arcia RF

Pinto C

Hermann LF

Schafer CF

 

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

 

Thoughts?  Brian will be up soon to share his.  In the meantime, I'm sure y'all have plenty to say about Santana playing short, and Pinto catching.  

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

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. The Vikings -- Yes... It's Sunday and I'm gonna think about NFL Football today. The Vikings are 1-1 and they take on the 0-2 Saints down in New Orleans. Cassel will have to play better than he did against the Patriots to win. Let's see if it happens. 

 

2. Baseball -- OK... Baseball... Let's give that some thought. I don't know... I have no momentum since I missed last night's game. Until the loss last night... I was feeling pretty good about the offense of late. I don't know if last night would have changed that good feeling of late. 

 

3. Lack of playing time -- TD'ers have been complaining for quite some time about a certain catcher and his lack of playing time. With no playoff spot to be gained... there are many who feel that this month is a chance to work on the development of a talented prospect. Well for today... He's in... Yep... Herrmann is in LF. 

 

4. Trevor May -- I'd like to talk about Trevor's performance because I think each and every time he starts... it's important. I can't talk about his performance because I didn't see it but according to the scoreboard... He gave up a few runs. Two BB's and 3 K's was a change from his last performance against the Sox. I'm not concerned... I think he will pinball for awhile. 

 

5.  Cell Phones -- Nearly everyone has one these days. I'm thinking about this today because as I walked into the Football Stadium last night. I was walking behind someone who was walking by himself and carrying on a conversation. I didn't think twice about it... It was obviously a cell phone conversation. Turns out it wasn't... This guy was crazy... He was just having a bizarre conversation with himself... No Cell Phone involved.

 

Thinking about that some more... It's possible that maybe crazy people who talk to themselves aren't crazy at all. Maybe they just have a special ability... Maybe they don't need cell phones. Maybe they are laughing at us because we require cell phones to talk to someone else.  

Gardy mentioned Pinto playing catcher today on the radio.  He said Pinto has been working with Steinie daily.  Still a lot of work to do.  Likes to have Suzuki in against contending teams and Pinto should get more time against Arizona. 

I can live with that.  Thanks for the report.

But then it is normal for the Twins to rest the starting C on an afternoon game following an evening game.  Thus, there are no tea leaves to read because Pinto is starting.  Escobar still has a shoulder problem, so playing Santana at SS isn't eye-opening. It does yield the conventional:  a CF in CF, SS at SS, but for some reason has Hermann in LF rather than Parmelee.  I guess "two outta' three ain't bad."

Another beautiful day. A bit on the breezy side.

But then it is normal for the Twins to rest the starting C on an afternoon game following an evening game.  Thus, there are no tea leaves to read because Pinto is starting.  Escobar still has a shoulder problem, so playing Santana at SS isn't eye-opening. It does yield the conventional:  a CF in CF, SS at SS, but for some reason has Hermann in LF rather than Parmelee.  I guess "two outta' three ain't bad."

 

That gamer Hicksie is sure making his case for the spot in CF, isn't he?  Must be already on the golf course.... in his mind, anyway.

That gamer Hicksie is sure making his case for the spot in CF, isn't he?  Must be already on the golf course.... in his mind, anyway.

Hicks is having back issues.  

I proclaim today to be "Clobber Kluber Sunday".

 

Because all educated people need to know this.

Since when did Anthony Swarzak become one of our starters? Is Logan Darnell that bad?

Is there a new 'play the innuendo game and win a pizza' contest here that I missed the announcement for?

 

Or are people just becoming fearful of saying what they actually think? Because that's not a healthy environment to foster if indeed that's the case.

Bridgewater in at QB... Pinto is playing Left Gaurd.

Back issues are good for a publication (National Geographic)

 

 

Not so much for athletes.

 

Hope Hicks gets better and all...

 

I see Pinto has scored the only twins run... On Herrmann's double.

 

Hurray for catchers!

Regardless of that K... I sure hope Pinto fixes his D concerns because I really think he's gonna be a plus plus hitter.

Back issues are good for a publication (National Geographic)

 

Not so much for athletes.

 

Hope Hicks gets better and all...

 

I see Pinto has scored the only twins run... On Herrmann's double.

 

Hurray for catchers!

 

Speaking of health "issues", to just recently "back" in time.... Vance Worley has a shutout going through 7 innings against the Brew Crew, on 73 pitches w/ 56 strikes.  His ERA on the year is now down to 2.94

Speaking of health "issues", to just recently "back" in time.... Vance Worley has a shutout going through 7 innings against the Brew Crew, on 73 pitches w/ 56 strikes.  His ERA on the year is now down to 2.94

I gotta admit... Worley pitching well in Pittsburgh does bug me.

I gotta admit... Worley pitching well in Pittsburgh does bug me.

I am trying to think of a recent example where this happened the other way -- where the Twins got a strong season out of a starting pitcher who failed elsewhere.

I am trying to think of a recent example where this happened the other way -- where the Twins got a strong season out of a starting pitcher who failed elsewhere.

Um, Hughes?  Maybe?

Speaking of health "issues", to just recently "back" in time.... Vance Worley has a shutout going through 7 innings against the Brew Crew, on 73 pitches w/ 56 strikes.  His ERA on the year is now down to 2.94

I was trying to think of some clever reply to this -- but it just makes me go "ugh" and sigh..

Um, Hughes?  Maybe?

 

Good one.  I will buy that answer.

I am trying to think of a recent example where this happened the other way -- where the Twins got a strong season out of a starting pitcher who failed elsewhere.

Hughes.off the top of my head.

 

Deduno was decent for a year and nowhere else.

 

Pavano would be another

 

But honestly... The Twins havent had anyone toss under 3.00 since maybe Santana.

I've never been on the dump Andy bandwagon for a couple reasons:

 

A. I've never seen him work with pitchers... I have no idea if he's good or not?

 

B. We honestly haven't had many if any superstar pitchers for him to work with.

 

C. I heard a rumors that he likes Puppies and he's never criticized me once. At least that I'm aware of.

 

However... Liriano and Worley turned around pretty good. It's clouding my limited knowledge to the dark side.

Hughes has been an even year pitcher. The key will be does he repeat this year next year or stink in the odd year like his record has been.

 

Of course it may just be Andy working his magic!

At this rate, Kluber is going to set a record for Ks in a game. Or at least it seems like it.

Hughes has been an even year pitcher. The key will be does he repeat this year next year or stink in the odd year like his record has been.

 

Of course it may just be Andy working his magic!

Where's Bark? We need an Andy Magic photoshopping.

I've never been on the dump Andy bandwagon for a couple reasons:

 

 

 

C. I heard a rumors that he likes Puppies and he's never criticized me once. At least that I'm aware of.

 

However... Liriano and Worley turned around pretty good. It's clouding my limited knowledge to the dark side.

I heard him say he does not  like your taste in music and hates 101 Dalmatians and Mad Magazine.

I heard him say he does not like your taste in music and hates 101 Dalmatians and Mad Magazine.

REALLLY!!!

 

Music tastes are to each his own

 

And to be honest Dalmations are cool but 101 of them would be horrible.

 

But Mad Magazine!!! How dare he!!!

As hard as he hits the ball... How was It possible Vargas was not a top 20 prospect in all of baseball.

Where's Bark? We need an Andy Magic photoshopping.

I'm here. I'm just wallowing in my damnation from making my earlier proclamation.

 

Is this what you were looking for?

 

I'm here. I'm just wallowing in my damnation from making my earlier proclamation.

 

Is this what you were looking for?

RA Success.jpg

 

Speaking of guys I'd like to see Andy work his magic on, the Twins miss him this week, but I'd like to see the Twins buy low and try to trade for this guy:

 

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/13/33/52/2996871/9/628x471.jpg