In an effort to stay positive, quoting Fuller seems appropriate. It's always darkest before the dawn folks, yes dawn is fast approaching but even with the Twins horrible play of late they are still in the mix for that last wildcard spot. It's becoming increasingly unlikely that it remains that way but imo, it's still been a blast to watch them play meaningful September baseball again.

 

 

Things to think about,

 

1.Expectations, the Twins have exceeded mine so far this year. I'm thankful for that, it's been a fun year and while hope might be fading that it continues beyond the end of game 162, I'm still having fun watching this team.

 

2. Miguel Sano, this guy is a freak, but he's our freak and I love him. Everything changes in the ballpark when he steps to the plate, he creates an energy and a buzz that only special players have the ability to do. I'm going to enjoy watching him play for a very long time I hope. 

 

3. Pitching, on the bright side, it's hard to imagine it getting worse........................right?

 

4. The Twins have another chance today, let's hope they take it. A sweep by the Angels would be a bit soul crushing, with a win today and a Houston loss the Twins are pretty much where they started going into this home stand, that's not great but it's also a lot better than it could be, or even really should be.

 

5.Bad luck charms,  I'm not superstitious but in the past two years I have attended 6 Twins game vs the Angels, anyone want to guess what the Twins record is in those 6 games? I'll give you a hint, there's a zero on one side of the ledger. Sorry everyone, if you see a single dark cloud floating over the park today, that's where I'll be sitting.

 

 

Great to see many of you out at the Pub Crawl yesterday, to whoever I met it was great to put faces to names and to whoever I didn't, well you're still  as good looking as you ever were.

 

 

 

Lineups,

 

Twins,

 

1. Aaron Hicks CF

2. Eddie Rosario LF

3. Joe Mauer 1B

4. Miguel Sano DH

5. Trevor Plouffe 3B

6. Torii Hunter RF

7. Eduardo Escobar 2B

8. Kurt Suzuki C

9. Eduardo Nunez SS

 

SP. Tyler Duffey 3-1, 3.72 ERA.

 

Angels

 

1. Erik Aybar SS

2. Kole Calhoun RF

3. Mike Trout CF

4. Albert Pujols DH

5. Daviid Murphy LF

6. C.J. Cron 1B

7. David Freese 3B

8. Carlos Perez C

9. Taylor Featherston 2B

 

SP. Matt Shoemaker, 7-9, 4.31 ERA

Well said. Great game thread start!

I'm glad to see Dozier getting a day off. He needs it.

Nice meeting you folks too. Another fine day out.

Go Twinkies.  Only reason I'm up right now, is sleepily watching NZ play rugby, but as long as I'm here...  Get 'em boys.  

It's been a horrible week, but so has it been for everybody but the Angels.  To still be in the hunt after this stretch of horse***t play is miraculous.  Now maybe we can catch fire again, and start a run.

the 2007 rockies, remember, won 14 of their last 15 to end the season. stuff like that doesn't happen often but it does happen, which is part of what makes baseball so great ...

the 2007 rockies, remember, won 14 of their last 15 to end the season. stuff like that doesn't happen often but it does happen, which is part of what makes baseball so great ...

They made it all the way to the Red Sox, didn't they?

those 2007 rockies won seven straight in the postseason before getting swept by the sox in the series (just looked it up).

On this day, let us not wake up from the dream that is Tyler Duffey. Extra E, have that extra bend that maketh all batters swing in erroneous frustration. May thy great Bender find corners that who knew existed. Flash thy humble heater on the periphery of the Zone of Danger, and fear not the Hanger, which dangleth before batters like a visage from Temptation...

I had the Twins winning 76 games this year - hopefully today is the day they hit that mark.  Been waiting a few games for them to hit it.  Win the rest!

I had the Twins winning 76 games this year - hopefully today is the day they hit that mark.  Been waiting a few games for them to hit it.  Win the rest!

I commend your patience.

On this day, let us not wake up from the dream that is Tyler Duffey. Extra E, have that extra bend that maketh all batters swing in erroneous frustration. May thy great Bender find corners that who knew existed. Flash thy humble heater on the periphery of the Zone of Danger, and fear not the Hanger, which dangleth before batters like a visage from Temptation...

Well writ.

 

I think he's the real deal, not that i'm knowledgeable on the subject (spellchecker had to tell me knowledgeable had "ea" in it) but that don't mean other teams can't figure him out... Comes down to who adjusts better, and havin' more adjustment you can do/make is a good thing...

Torii's backin' Duffey.

 

1-0 and countin' in the bottom of the 2nd.

 

I'm not superstitious but in the past two years I have attended 6 Twins game vs the Angels, anyone want to guess what the Twins record is in those 6 games? I'll give you a hint, there's a zero on one side of the ledger.

Well, now that Torii's given us the lead and Duffey's on the mound, hopefully we can extend that streak.

Well, now that Torii's given us the lead and Duffey's on the mound, hopefully we can extend that streak.

Propose a friendly amendment, changing "extend" to "break" in the above comment. (but of course, i could be misconstruing which side of the ledger the zero is in)

 

3 innings fo' Duffey now.

Good pitch calling by Suzuki. Struck out the second guy with the nasty curve down and in, then struck out the last guy with a 2-seamer down and away, when he was looking for the curve down and in. Beautiful. Also, Duffey found an extra couple mph on the heater... 94mph. He can bring it if he really wants to...

At this point, it would be an atrocity if Duffey isn't in the Starting Rotation next year. That kid looks good!

Rosario advances the runner...

 

And himself. All the way.

Eddie, we love ya. Second deck power, baby. He's got flower power!

 

At this point, it would be an atrocity if Duffey isn't in the Starting Rotation next year. That kid looks good!

 

 

I am very much concerned that he is the next Scott Diamond. No one should be given an automatic rotation spot on this team.

 

I'm glad to see Dozier getting a day off. He needs it.

I think that Dozier has looked tired lately.  Hopefully a day off will rejuvenate him.

Nice opener North! Good job by Rosario.

I am very much concerned that he is the next Scott Diamond. No one should be given an automatic rotation spot on this team.

No concern here. Tyler Duffey's game is no fluke. He's been pitching this way for a while, and he's consistent with his command. Other than his first start (1st game nerves), his stuff's been excellent and his command has been almost impeccable. 

 

Scott Diamond never had stuff as good as Duffey's. Diamond was a little like Tommy Milone, dancing on the edge of getting hammered. Duffey doesn't look like he'll get hammered very often. That curve misses a lot of bats, he spots his heater well, and he changes speeds with command. Good pitcher.

Hmmm ... just got home ... no game on Extra Innings? What gives? <bigtime pout>

 

Hmmm ... just got home ... no game on Extra Innings? What gives? <bigtime pout>

Are you current on your cable bill payments?

 

 

Hmmm ... just got home ... no game on Extra Innings? What gives? <bigtime pout>

Ooops ... it's on ... just missed it in the listings ... must be tired for some reason ...

Good hit by Hicks, but he's still not letting that rear hip come around enough to get max power. Trick is to let the rear knee brush past the front knee. 

 

Hmmm ... just got home ... no game on Extra Innings? What gives? <bigtime pout>

It's blacked out here but I am getting the Angels feed on a local channel. 

 

Ooops ... it's on ... just missed it in the listings ... must be tired for some reason ...

Pub crawl?

Damn.  That was ugly.