Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

 

Following last night’s loss at the hands of Carlos Carrasco and the Indians, the Twins fell to 61-70 and the Indians magic number is down to 18. The Twins are 1-5 against the Indians this month, losing any hope of an improbable playoff run.

 

So, what’s left to do now? Now is the time to watch many players auditioning for 2019 roster spots. Sano, Kepler, and Garver need to prove they belong. Forsythe looks like he’s fighting for his career. Austin and Cave are at career crossroads. Adrianza is hanging on by a thread.

 

Joe Mauer continues his march to 2305 hits. He’s at 2091 and 214 away from passing Kirby Puckett on the all-time Twins list. Does he have enough games left in him in a Twins uniform?

 

Series Recap:

 

The Indians (75-56, 1st in AL Central) are hosting the Twins (61-70, 2nd in AL Central) for game 2 of a 3-game series. The Twins lost the first game of the series 1-8. Jose Ramirez had 2 hits and knocked in 3 RBI, and now has 7.5 WAR on the season.

 

1. Notable Baseball Birthdays

• Alex Reyes (24): Highly-regarded phenom for the Cardinals, lost 2017 to Tommy John, came back for one start in 2018 and is out for 6 months with torn lat tendon.
• Noah Syndergaard (26): 9-3 this year with the Mets. Went 14-9 with 5 WAR in 2016.
• Chris Taylor (28): NL batting strikeouts leader in 2018 with 152 K’s.
• Brent Suter (29): 8-7 this year with the Brewers.
• Roy Oswalt (41): 50 career WAR and 127 ERA+ over 13 years with the Astros, Phillies, Rangers, and Rockies. 3 All-Star Appearances. Helped the Astros reach the World Series for the first time in 2005.
• Aaron Rowand (41): Drafted in the 1st round by the White Sox in 1998.  Played 11 seasons with the White Sox, Phillies, and Giants.
• Doug DeCinces (68): 42 career WAR over 15 years with mostly the Orioles and Angels. Hit double-digit homeruns for 12 consecutive years. 1 All-Star appearance.

2. Starting Pitchers and Key Matchups

 

Kohl Stewart (RHP, Minnesota): 0-1 in 3 starts, 6.94 ERA, 6.9 K/9, 5.4 BB/9

• 4th career start, never faced the Indians

Adam Plutko (RHP, Indians): 4-4 in 8 starts, 5.09 ERA, 6.6 K/9, 2.9 BB/9

• 3-1 at home this year
• Eddie Rosario versus Plutko: Solo HR in 1 AB

3. Our Twins: Who’s Hot and Cold?

 

Hotter than a Casserole Hotdish

• Joe Mauer: 7 for 21 (.333 BA) last 7 days
• Jorge Polanco: 5 for 16 (.313 BA) last 7 days
• Oliver Drake: 2.38 ERA (14 K’s in 11.1 IP) in August
• Trevor May: 1.69 ERA (15 K’s in 10.2 IP) in August
• Taylor Rogers: 0.00 ERA (14 K’s in 11.1 IP) in August. 15 consecutive scoreless appearances.

 

Colder than Embarrass

• Jake Cave: 2 for 16 (.125 BA) last 7 days
• Max Kepler: 3 for 21 (.143 BA) last 7 days
• Eddie Rosario: 4 for 21 (.190 BA) last 7 days
• Miguel Sano: 2 for 16 (.125 BA) last 7 days
• Trevor Hildenberger: 7.94 ERA in 11.1 IP in August

4. OBP (One Bad Pun)

 

Our oldest son is entering kindergarten next week. My wife suggested that we get his kindergarten teacher a present BEFORE the school year starts. I understand wanting to get off on the right note, but doesn’t that seem a bit brown-nosy? Is this a thing that people do? I’m not even sure what we would get her. An apple is too cliché. Maybe jar of Tylenol would be appropriate? Or a bottle of wine? Maybe we should keep it to a cheap/simple gesture. I hear she likes to teach English and read books, so perhaps one morning we’ll just bring her a synonym roll.

 

5. Magic 8-Ball (2018 Prediction Rate: 2-2)

 

Shake 1: “Very doubtful”
Shake 2: “It is certain”
Shake 3: “Signs point to yes”

 

My Magic 8-ball says… Twins win today.

 

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

 

Lineups:

 

 TWINS

 

1. [L] Joe Mauer (1B)
2. [R] Logan Forsythe (2B)
3. [L] Eddie Rosario (LF)
4. [R] Miguel Sano (3B)
5. Robbie Grossman (RF)
6. [R] Tyler Austin (DH)
7. [L] Jake Cave (CF)
8. Ehire Adrianza (SS)
9. [R] Willians Astudillo ( C)

 

P. Kohl Stewart (RHP)

 

 Indians

 

1. Francisco Lindor (SS)
2. [L] Michael Brantley (LF)
3. Jose Ramirez (3B)
4. [R] Edwin Encarnacion (DH)
5. [L] Yonder Alonso (1B)
6. Melky Cabrera (RF)
7. [L] Jason Kipnis (2B)
8. [R] Yan Gomes ( C)
9. Greg Allen (CF)

 

P. Adam Plutko (RHP)

 

Forecast for Cleveland, OH: 74 degrees F, Cloudy with scattered rain/storms, Wind 11 mph, Precipitation 40%

Edited August 29, 20188 yr by Respy

winning entry for name-the-band contest: synonym roll

I love the format, Respy. Good work.

I love the format, Respy. Good work.

Concur.

Finally after suffering from Kidney pain since the end of January, I've had it fixed.  One kidney removed and back home after 8 days in VA hospital.  I don't need any strain on that area so a nice easy quick game and win is just what the doctor ordered. 

Plutko has given up 12 HR in 53 IP this year...

Finally after suffering from Kidney pain since the end of January, I've had it fixed. One kidney removed and back home after 8 days in VA hospital. I don't need any strain on that area so a nice easy quick game and win is just what the doctor ordered.

Gosh! Can Doctors really order that?

 

Hope you feel good, get better, and all that, no matter how the game goes...

Plutko has given up 12 HR in 53 IP this year...

b-r.com gives the pronunciation as \plett-KOH\. Let's see what our broadcasters do with it.

Wish they'd let Austin play 1B everyday for the rest of the season. He won't get any better without playing and at least then you can say he got the chance. Mauer doesn't need the practice anymore.

 

Finally after suffering from Kidney pain since the end of January, I've had it fixed.  One kidney removed and back home after 8 days in VA hospital.  I don't need any strain on that area so a nice easy quick game and win is just what the doctor ordered. 

 

My guess is the real Halsey would light up a cigar and pour himself a tall glass of whiskey.

 

I had surgery myself this summer over at Mayo. Spent 11 days there, getting old sucks.

 

I guess getting old is better than the alternative, however.

My guess is the real Halsey would light up a cigar and pour himself a tall glass of whiskey.

 

I had surgery myself this summer over at Mayo. Spent 11 days there, getting old sucks.

 

I guess getting old is better than the alternative, however.

Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.

Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.

Is that from Romeo and Juliet?

 

No dying. Not on Game Thread.

Won't stand for it.

Huh, a Robbie Grossman sighting.

Every time I try to fall in love with Jake Cave, he disappoints in some little way.

 

_{^{(Or majorly, sometimes.)}}

Stewart is pitching very Stewart-like right now. I wonder if in 3 years we'll even remember this guy.

 

Finally after suffering from Kidney pain since the end of January, I've had it fixed.  One kidney removed and back home after 8 days in VA hospital.  I don't need any strain on that area so a nice easy quick game and win is just what the doctor ordered. 

I'm guessing this isn't what the doctor ordered.

If Stewart walks in a run just pull the guy. He's had a handful of starts now, I think I've seen enough and don't need to see him try and "work out of a jam" anymore. Hasta la bullpen, buddy.

Always a good sign when Matt Magill is up in the first inning.

Whatever you think of Stewart's long term potential, I think it could not be more obvious he isn't ready to pitch in the major leagues in 2018. 

 

 

Stewart is pitching very Stewart-like right now. I wonder if in 3 years we'll even remember this guy.

First rounder? I'm pretty confident someone will bring his name up in some context or another.

What the heck does Logan Forsythe have to teach Kohl Stewart? I'd give a nickel to eavesdrop on that discussion in the dugout.

 

Ugh, our pitchers with no command, our batters swinging through strikes in the zone. At least Grossman has the HBP thing going tonight.

Sano back to striking out every-other AB now, it appears. Can something good happen?

I have this Irish friend who is opening up a store featuring tables, chairs and such that are meant to be used outdoors here in sunny Arizona.

 

He's calling his place "Patty O'Furniture."

Austin's got this...

I have this Irish friend who is opening up a store featuring tables, chairs and such that are meant to be used outdoors here in sunny Arizona.

 

He's calling his place "Patty O'Furniture."

My dad's neighbor invented the miniskirt. Denise Arshowing.

Nice to see things haven't changed... Twins continuing to make 5+ ERA pitchers look unhittable.

I have this Irish friend who is opening up a store featuring tables, chairs and such that are meant to be used outdoors here in sunny Arizona.

 

He's calling his place "Patty O'Furniture."

Or my name isn't Nathan Arizona...

 

That works.

 

Sano back to striking out every-other AB now, it appears. Can something good happen?

My game is off tonight. This seems too easy, and I got nothin.

How the heck does Grossman not score on a double off the wall that takes a high hop, with two outs?

 

UNHOOK THE PLOW!

I have this Irish friend who is opening up a store featuring tables, chairs and such that are meant to be used outdoors here in sunny Arizona.

 

He's calling his place "Patty O'Furniture."

I recently had an unpleasant skin condition in a sensitive spot. Went to see my dermatologist. Jacques Kitsch.