Are we back? I’m on my way up to the Cities, ready to type away..... and no connection. I panicked. Is my phone breaking down at the absolute worst time? I have to start writing. But alas, the website is back up and firing at full force. (Thank you TD administrators!)

 

The team seems to be on a bit of a roll, the offense still hits lots of bombas, and the World Series still looks like a possibility. What more could a Minnesota sports fan ask for? This is the first of two games I will be up to Target Field for, and I hope the team plays to their potential. Doubleheader for the Indians today, so game reports of those two games are highly encouraged. I’m going to go enjoy the game with my friends out in left! I’ll be trying to catch home runs (except for maybe a Cron missile).

 

Lineups

 

1. Mitch Garver C

2. Jorge Polanco SS

3. Nelson Cruz DH

4. Eddie Rosario LF

5. Miguel Sano 3B

6. Marwin Gonzalez RF

7. C.J. Cron 1B

8. Jake Cave CF

9. Jonathan Schoop 2B

 

1. Ronald Acuna RF

2. Ozzie Albies 2B

3. Freddie Freeman 1B

4. Josh Donaldson 3B

5. Adam Duvall LF

6. Charlie Culberson SS

7. Johan Camargo DH

8. Tyler Flowers C

9. Ender Inciarte CF

 

Martin Perez vs. Max Fried

 

Play Ball!

Expecting a short outing from Perez...hope I'm wrong!

Good thing the pen is rested...

Good thing the pen is rested...

Problem is the two long guys aren’t.

...

 

I’ll be trying to catch home runs (except for maybe a Cron missile).

 

...

Did ya remember yer glove?

 

Alas, i didn't bring mine to my last game either...

Couple things about this game;

 

1. Garver starting as he should against a lefty (1.176 OPS and 197 wRC+).  However, this means he is catching a day game after a night game, which leads me to wonder why Rocco played Castro on Monday and not Garver; it seems like he didn't look two days in advance.  It also means that Castro will in all likelihood catch 2 of the games against the Indians, when you could have had Garver go 3 times (Thursday, Friday, Sunday).  Bad planning
2. I'm not a huge fan of both Kepler and Arraez sitting for this one.  Granted, both Cave and Schoop have performed acceptably against lefties, it just feels like a very subpar lineup being run out.

Good to see the bats come alive last night and hopefully build something into today's game. 

 

Problem is the two long guys aren’t.

 

Stashak down, Stewart up.  If we burn a bunch of pen options today, either Stewart or Littell will get "injured", and we'll bring up Thorpe.

Did ya remember yer glove?

Alas, i didn't bring mine to my last game either...

No, gotta be ready with the cap

What no Kepler!! Ok, Lets hope Cleveland's double header goes extra innings. The Twins might see Atlanta in the World Series this Fall, so I hope they beat them soundly today and send a message that we are the real deal too!

Edited August 7, 20197 yr by Bomba2026

 

Problem is the two long guys aren’t.

 

Stewart is up for Stashak. 

 

Doubleheader for the Indians today, so game reports of those two games are highly encouraged. 

 

I'm fascinated that the Indians are playing two today--I assume they were forced to do this.  If I were Cleveland, I would leave that middle game to the end of the year, for several reasons

1. Keep the bullpen rested heading into the most important series of the year
2. Remain on the earlier travel schedule (they would have finished the game around 1 Eastern, and arrived in MSP somewhere between 5 and 6.  Now, they'll finish game two somewhere around 5 Eastern, and arrive in MSP somewhere between 9 and 10.  If there are extra, or delays, they could easily arrive after midnight).
3. If the Indians finish at least 1/2 a game away from every other team, the make-up game is irrelevant anyways.  If it turns out they do need to make it up for playoff seeding, odds are they would get to play it against a Texas team whose season is over, and therefore will be completely checked out.

Cleveland playing two today is a huge win for the Twins.

Expecting a short outing from Perez...hope I'm wrong!

You and me both!

Wow, I just looked at how Max Fried was acquired. Truly terrible trade by San Diego, getting Justin Upton for one season before free agency.

Cave in center and no Arraez. Perez on the mound. 

 

Hmm.

I wish Kepler was playing today.

I heard that Fried and Giolito were high school teammates. Is that true?

Cave in CF not a good idea.  Perez pitching against this line up....serenity now!!!!!

Stashak down, Stewart up. If we burn a bunch of pen options today, either Stewart or Littell will get "injured", and we'll bring up Thorpe.

You mean the Twins are going to fly a relief pitcher who might not arrive until the game starts and expect him to perform? I’m shocked.

 

You mean the Twins are going to fly a relief pitcher who might not arrive until the game starts and expect him to perform? I’m shocked.

 

I mean, I assume the Twins had Stewart fly last night.  If they need to get another reliever after today, he'll also fly tonight.

You mean the Twins are going to fly a relief pitcher who might not arrive until the game starts and expect him to perform? I’m shocked.

How many air-miles did Berrios log, in the 24 hours before he laid that egg last night?

 

We now have the additional information that Dyson was pitching through some biceps pain while still with SF, and hadn't told anybody. That sort of thing happens all the time, only it got magnified because of a trade. I think we could lay the canard about arriving mid-game to rest. It had nothing to do with anything.

 

You mean the Twins are going to fly a relief pitcher who might not arrive until the game starts and expect him to perform? I’m shocked.

 

Red Wings were at home last night.  It's what an 80 mile drive?   I'm sure he's fine.

 

Edit: I'm an idiot.  

Edited August 7, 20197 yr by SwainZag

 

Red Wings were at home last night.  It's what an 80 mile drive?   I'm sure he's fine.

 

Red Wings play in Rochester NY, not MN.

 

Red Wings play in Rochester NY, not MN.

 

Facepalm of the day.  

What are the odds Jake Cave dives for a ball and it rolls to the wall?

Good start...

That was quick. 

 

 

BOOOOOO! BOOOO!

LOLrez.

Are you ****ing kidding me?