Today is August 29, 2019 and the Minnesota Twins are in first place in the Central Division by 3.5 games with a game in hand. We're also 4 games back in the loss column to the Yankees and Astros, with 3 and 2 games in hand on them respectively. We also have the easiest schedule for the rest of the season -- on paper. Of course, games aren't won on paper. We can't just mail it in.

 

Having meaningful games in the last month of the season was definitely the goal before the season started. Back in Spring Training, this is where we would have hoped our team would be in the best case scenario. Of course, Mildaddy pointed this out yesterday, advising that we all "sit back and enjoy the ride." I think Mildaddy expressed that sentiment perfectly.

 

However, it does seem like one of the functions of this site is to allow passionate Twins fans to express their angst, frustrations, and even anger. It can be a cathartic thing, when it doesn't become toxic. And this brings me to an annual tradition here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Tomorrow will be the 95th burning of Zozobra. This is a tradition started by some artists in Santa Fe. Will Shuster designed a 50-foot tall puppet who is also known as "Old Man Gloom." Every year, people write down things that caused them anguish over the past year and deposit them in boxes around the City. These boxes are collected and the writings are put into the 50-foot tall puppet. Then, in a ceremony that is the highlight of a week known as Fiestas de Santa Fe, there is an elaborate dance presentation, while a crowd of 50-60,000 people chants "Burn Him, Burn Him." Ultimately, the dance concludes with the dancers lighting Zozobra on fire and setting off a huge fireworks display.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=zozobra+images&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-1-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV6bHMw6jkAhWTtp4KHVRLClIQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1920&bih=966

 

Maybe this would be a bit much for Twins fans. Probably more appropriate for Vikings fans.

 

But in any case, to build on Mildaddy's sentiment from yesterday, maybe it is a good time to write down our Twins "gloom" for the last calendar year, and be rid of it as we enter into the final month of this incredible season.

 

For example, remember Matt Belisle? That was pretty brutal. However, I'm ready to let it go . . . .

 

Jose Berrios
RHP
10-7, 3.53 ERA, 155 SO

 

v.

 

Dylan Cease
RHP
3-6, 5.76 ERA, 50 SO

 

MIN Lineup
 

    Luis Arraez (L) 3B
    Jorge Polanco (S) SS
    Nelson Cruz ® DH
    Eddie Rosario (L) LF
    Ehire Adrianza (S) RF
    Jake Cave (L) CF
    C.J. Cron ® 1B
    Jason Castro (L) C
    Jonathan Schoop ® 2B

 

CWS Lineup

 

    Leury Garcia (S) RF
    Ryan Goins (L) SS
    Jose Abreu ® DH
    Yoan Moncada (S) 3B
    James McCann ® C
    Eloy Jimenez ® LF
    Matt Skole (L) 1B
    Yolmer Sanchez (S) 2B
    Adam Engel ® CF

 

GO TWINS!!

 

Disclaimer: No giant puppets were harmed in the making of this Game Thread. But one huge one is going to burn to the ground tomorrow night!!

I was unable to copy an image to the Game Thread, so I copied the location of a bunch of images of Zozobra. Enjoy!

Worst lineup the Twins have put out all season?

Castro goes yard today. Book it.

...

 

Of course, games aren't won on paper.

 

...

What about tic tac toe?

I just have one thing to say before heading out the door to go to the game ... 

 

 

 

 

 

Wait for it ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!

...

 

SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the game!

 

I skipped paying attention the game a week or two ago to watch the Man who killed Don Quixote on dvd (i know, i coulda just paused it and waited until after the game...)

 

I kept hearing "and my faithful squirrel Sancho"

Kepler and Sano are both hurt, huh. That seems bad.

Cleveland up 1-0 in the 3rd,  

 

I was unable to copy an image to the Game Thread, so I copied the location of a bunch of images of Zozobra. Enjoy!

Don, when I put in images, I use the Windows 10 "snip" tool, save the resulting snip and upload to the image gallery.

 

If yer on Mac or Linux, they both have the same sort of screen capture tool built in.

 

Great opener!

 

I just have one thing to say before heading out the door to go to the game ... 

 

 

 

 

 

Wait for it ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SQUIRREL!!!!!!!!!!

Nutz.

 

Worst lineup the Twins have put out all season?

Totally agree. Probably no more than 3 or 4 home runs coming from this lineup. Pathetic.

Come on Detroit...just one win vs. Cleveland.  Is it asking too much?

 

 

 

Castro goes yard today. Book it.

I think he'll get some pitches to hit. I would imagine that the Sox are probably not going to want guys on base in front of Schoop with the roll he's on at the moment. So Castro should get at least a couple over the plate.

The one thing I'm going to put behind me is: Pitching Staff for next year.

 

Somehow, the current FO has managed to get things done this year, surprisingly enough and, I'll trust they're aware of what's going on and will do the best they can to address the situation.

 

By the way, I think Dyson and Romo were excellent signings. Both have playoff experience and both a good relievers and that experience was sorely lacking in the Twins bullpen.

 

 

Come on Detroit...just one win vs. Cleveland.  Is it asking too much?

Detroit winning at home has been too much to ask all season

 

Come on Detroit...just one win vs. Cleveland.  Is it asking too much?

 

 

But in any case, to build on Mildaddy's sentiment from yesterday, maybe it is a good time to write down our Twins "gloom" for the last calendar year, and be rid of it as we enter into the final month of this incredible season.

 

I like it.  I been holding on to a grudge against J.T. f*cking Bruett for decades.  It's time to let it go.  

It might be technically true that the Twins have an easier schedule remaining than the Indians, but it requires a deeper look.

 

The Indians next series is in Tampa. The Rays currently have two more losses than the A’s to get the second wild card spot. So, obviously an extremely important series for both teams. A Tampa sweep could knock the Indians out of the second wild card spot depending on how Oakland does.

 

Then of course, the Indians have the six games against the Twins. Then two of their last 3 series are against Philly and Washington. While that sounds dangerous, is it?

 

The Phillies are currently 2 games behind the Cubs for the second wild card. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that they could be eliminated by the time they play Cleveland. Even if not statistically, it could be virtually assured.

 

Meanwhile, the Nats are 3 games up for the first wild card. So, they might clinch by the time they see Cleveland and thus would be resting key guys.

 

 

 

After the Tiger series, the Twins play 12 in a row against teams fighting to make the playoffs or fighting for positioning.

 

It’s not always who you face, it’s when.

Edited August 29, 20197 yr by yarnivek1972

Go Twins! Score a bunch of early runs!

ARRAEZ!!!!!!!!!!!

Good start!

The 4 guys on the bench today for the Twins combined have just 11 fewer homeruns than the whole Miami team 

Worst lineup the Twins have put out all season?

Write it down and stuff it in the box!

Luis just keeps doing Luis things (i.e. getting base hits)

Arraez starts us off right...

POLANCO!!!!!!!!!

Nice start - arriaz and polanco,

 

The 4 guys on the bench today for the Twins combined have just 11 fewer homeruns than the whole Miami team 

 

Pretty incredible.

White Sox pitcher sure throws hard.