I would hope it's something like this.  What the heck?

 

Hicks - RF

Rosario - LF

Sano - 3B

Vargas - DH

Nunez - 2B

Kepler - 1B

Buxton - CF

Hermann/Fryer - C

Santana - SS

 

Let the kids have a little fun.

 

I wonder if Graham gets the start.

Sano won't play third. I think maybe he sits.

 

Hunter likely plays as well as it may or may not be his last game ever (or in a Twins uniform) maybe start hunter and pull him after a few innings?

 

Sano won't play third. I think maybe he sits.

Hunter likely plays as well as it may or may not be his last game ever (or in a Twins uniform) maybe start hunter and pull him after a few innings?

 

Perhaps, on Hunter.  Though I expect he will be back in 2016.  Kepler better be in the line-up!

Keep in mind that this is a meaningful game for KC in terms of W-L record relative to Toronto. There will probably be a few concessions to being eliminated but I don't think PM will put a spring training lineup on the field.

I wonder if Graham gets the start.

Nope. It's Nolasco.

 

Nope. It's Nolasco.

Yup, it's been confirmed. I'm a bit disappointed, but it doesn't really matter at this point.

 

I want to see Kepler in the lineup, and that's about it.

Hunter likely plays as well as it may or may not be his last game ever (or in a Twins uniform) maybe start hunter and pull him after a few innings?

Pinch run for him after an opposite field single in the, oh, sixth. Maximizes the applause.

Mauer and Hunter are virtual locks to start--somebody will have traveled 100 miles and expects to see familiar faces.  Sano at 3B, and Nunez someplace are distinct possibilities.  Hermann may well be the catcher.

 

Pinch run for him after an opposite field single in the, oh, sixth. Maximizes the applause.

From Phil Miller in the Strombone:

 

“There’s a possibility this could be my last game,” Hunter said in a somber clubhouse after the Twins’ hopes of a postseason invitation were dashed with Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Kansas City. “There’s a really good chance.”

I certainly want to see Kepler and Buxton out there today. Beyond that, I suppose Santana deserves a start after his first pinch hit this year.

 

Mauer and Hunter? Well, if Torii isn't coming back, I suppose it would be nice for him to get an at-bat, hopefully get on and be pinch-run for. I don't know how many people come to see Mauer play any more, but he still probably leads the team in jersey sales.

Hunter should start in center! Wasn't there a bit of a contest to guess when (if he did) he would get a start in center here on TD at the beginning of the year? My guess was for the first inning in the home opener. I think it would be cool from him to get the start and leadoff...... and then get taken out of the game to a standing ovation either on the bases after he gets on....... or from the outfield during the first batter of the top of the second.

Re: Hunter. If I had a dime for every veteran player who said he was retiring immediately after the sudden end of a season, I would be retired and trolling on TD.............. Hmmmmmmm

 

Re: Hunter. If I had a dime for every veteran player who said he was retiring immediately after the sudden end of a season, I would be retired and trolling on TD.............. Hmmmmmmm

I feel the same way, but I thought his quote was noteworthy enough to post. My guess is he'll play the whole game and then just before the top of the ninth PM will send a reserve out on the field to allow for a last ovation. The exception would be if the Twins are behind or tied and he's due up in the bottom of the inning.

Byron Buxton R CF
Shane Robinson R LF
Max Kepler L RF
Miguel Sano R DH
Kennys Vargas S 1B
Eduardo Nunez R 3B
Eduardo Escobar S 2B
Eric Fryer R C
Danny Santana S SS

 

Nolasco starting, as previously reported.

OK and good luck to all. The eight least-used players since 9/1 plus Escobar playing second. I hope the Blue Jays don't get too bent out of shape over the lineup, but heck the Twins couldn't beat the Royals with their backs to the wall, why not try the freshest lineup they could come up with?

I heard Molitor on the radio  this morning and he implied he was going to rest a number of the starters since they had been playing non-stop for the last month.  He just wanted to talk to Torii because of the situation he wanted to give him the choice to play if he wanted.

I agree play the kids - Let Torii have two innings and an ovation.  Then its time to look at the future - everywhere but on the mound that is.

Pinch hit torii in the ninth and give him a nice send off.

 

Let Torii have two innings and an ovation.  Then its time to look at the future - everywhere but on the mound that is.

Nolasco will only pitch two innings also......but for a difference reason.....infielder safety.

I thought of going to the game today....glad I opted for Vikes on TV...Torii should have got a start and I really like the idea of him starting in center!!!

 

Lineup shows give up and teams that are still in the race have a little reason to be mad, but they did control their own destiny.

 

Nolasco will only pitch two innings also......but for a difference reason.....infielder safety.

 

Bravo!  Love this.  My favorite comment of the year.  Good job.

I'll comment that I think the snarky Nolasco comments are out of line. People can post what they want to post, and that's fine, but until the other night he hadn't pitched since May. Give the guy a break.

 

I'll comment that I think the snarky Nolasco comments are out of line. People can post what they want to post, and that's fine, but until the other night he hadn't pitched since May. Give the guy a break.

 

I think we're gonna have to differ on this Spin.  Nolasco has already received 24 million reasons over the past two years, and is guaranteed another 25 million more over the next two surrender any breaks from 'snark' over his performance.  I'll go one more.  Ricky is a big boy (as in tubby.) He can take it.

Hunter should start in center!

The problem with this is, what if he doesn't stand there in CF and catch a couple of cans o' corn, but instead is forced to get on his horse toward the warning track and gets exposed for the center fielder he no longer is? Terrible way to send a guy off. I wouldn't risk it.

 

I'll comment that I think the snarky Nolasco comments are out of line. People can post what they want to post, and that's fine, but until the other night he hadn't pitched since May. Give the guy a break.

My snarky Nolasco comment was in no way based on "the other night"!

It was based on 2014 and April-May, 2015.

The fact that he hadn't pitched SINCE then, was a major reason for the Twins' success this season.

Was that too snarky?

I'll comment that I think the snarky Nolasco comments are out of line. People can post what they want to post, and that's fine, but until the other night he hadn't pitched since May. Give the guy a break.

Give the guy a break?

 

If anything, it was the people in the left field bleachers in danger.

Well now he's got a break, til Feburary.