Another game thread, another dollar. Well, not really ... I'm not paid to do this. So ... here we are ... we've won 3 games in a row! Okay, against Detroit ... still ... a win's a win, and we've had 3 in a row, with a comeback from 4-0 yesterday to Berrios on the mound today. I don't want to jinx things, but I'm hopeful we can extend that streak to one more. And a win today means ... we could tie with Detroit for 3rd in the AL Central! Woohoo! heh.

And then after the game today starts the MLB draft! I don't usually do much 'research' beforehand, other than reading the articles and various discussions on TD, but I'm always excited to follow along, to learn about who the Twins draft, who these kids are, where they came from, why they were drafted, when they sign, where they begin their careers, etc. While many, many who get drafted, on all teams, not just the Twins, never make it to the top, it's still exciting to wonder about all that talent and all that potential and be hopeful of all those dreams. If you want to follow along for the next three days, check out this thread in the Minor League forum for all the latest info and discussion. I'm not sure if there will be a specific 'game day' (so to speak) thread to discuss all the takes as the draft progresses, but check into the Minor League forum and the draft mega-thread and join in.

But, for now ... the lineups.

TIGERS

1.  Akil Baddoo (L) CF

2. Jonathan Schoop (R ) 1B
3. Robbie Grossman (S) RF

4. Miguel Cabrera (R ) DH

5. Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B

6. Harold Castro (L) 2B

7. Niko Goodrum (S) LF

8. Zack Short (R ) SS

9. Jake Rogers (R) C

 

Wily Peralta (R ) P

TWINS

1. Luis Arraez (L) LF

2. Josh Donaldson (R ) 3B

3. Trevor Larnach (L) RF

4. Nelson Cruz (R ) DH

5. Alex Kirilloff (L) 1B

6. Jorge Polanco (S) 2B

7. Max Kepler (L) CF

8. Ryan Jeffers (R ) C

9. Andrelton Simmons (R ) SS

 

José Berríos (R ) P

If you are at the game today, don't forget your sunscreen. It's sunny, warm (80s), light breeze ... ahhh ... sounds heavenly to me! Play ball! Go Twins!

 

 

You're not getting paid for this??

I predict this is Nelson Cruz's last game in a Twins uniform. 

 

If so, adios and muchas gracias, Senior Cruz. You are not only a fantastic addition to the lineup, but a class act. 

Buena suerte.

We will see if Berríos can back up his outstanding start with another. The Twins are putting their best lineup out there. 

4 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

You're not getting paid for this??

I don’t understand. I doubled the pay for each introduction in June (sarcasm). 

5 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

You're not getting paid for this??

Just the joy of supplying a place for your Dad jokes ... 

8 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I don’t understand. I doubled the pay for each introduction in June (sarcasm). 

Uh, it's July, Stringer.

 

Forget your meds again?

Insert Buxton into center field.  Slide Arraez to DH and you have a pretty good 2022 opening day lineup.

3 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Just the joy of supplying a place for your Dad jokes ... 

Remember the "Terminator" movies?

Well, age hasn't been kind to Arnold. I went to his new release, and it's called "Exterminator."

8 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

 

I predict this is Nelson Cruz's last game in a Twins uniform. 

 

Not even the allstar game?

 

That's cold!

9 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Just the joy of supplying a place for your Dad jokes ... 

 

10 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I don’t understand. I doubled the pay for each introduction in June (sarcasm). 

That means twice the your dad jokes...

I am waiting... with interest...

Does Wily rhyme with smiley?

 

This does not bode well...

 

Our team isn't exactly stacked with roadrunners.

I was listening to Effectively Wild podcast this morning, and they discussed an interesting idea to highlight all star appearances… Adding a star on the hat of all stars for the rest of the season. If they’re a multi all star, they could have a star with the number of times they’ve been an all star. Different colors if they hit a milestone like 5 or 10 all star nods. 
 

I think it would be a fun way to market our stars and gives an indicator to new fans who the stud players are. 

3 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

I was listening to Effectively Wild podcast this morning, and they discussed an interesting idea to highlight all star appearances… Adding a star on the hat of all stars for the rest of the season. If they’re a multi all star, they could have a star with the number of times they’ve been an all star. Different colors if they hit a milestone like 5 or 10 all star nods. 
 

I think it would be a fun way to market our stars and gives an indicator to new fans who the stud players are. 

I like the way you think...

Or put a sticker on batters' helmets for each home run they hit, or on their shoes for each stolen base.

Play Ball!

23 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Remember the "Terminator" movies?

Well, age hasn't been kind to Arnold. I went to his new release, and it's called "Exterminator."

Can't hold a candle to Peter Weller.

 

"Exterminate all rational thought"

20 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Does Wily rhyme with smiley?

 

This does not bode well...

 

Our team isn't exactly stacked with roadrunners.

 

41 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Uh, it's July, Stringer.

 

Forget your meds again?

I didn’t rescind the offer. 

Great catch by Larnach!

Edited July 11, 20215 yr by Matthew Lenz

Nice catch by Larnach!

xfinity doing its best job to keep me from watching the game ... again ... grrrrrr

6 minutes ago, Matthew Lenz said:

Great catch by Larnach!

xfinity came back up just in time to see this! I think everyone around gave a resounding, 'Whew!'

52 minutes ago, sampleSizeOfOne said:

Does Wily rhyme with smiley?

 

This does not bode well...

 

Our team isn't exactly stacked with roadrunners.

Road Runner that coyote is after you.  Road Runner, if he catches you, you're through.  Poor little Road Runner never hurt anyone, just running down the road is his idea of having fun!

Did Kaat really just say that the baseball draft is "unconstitutional"???

Jeffers is batting .190. Guy's absolutely blown his big chance this year.

Awful read by Jeffers. Big mistake especially with the top of the order coming up.?

Dick mentioning the picture I was just (unsuccessfully) looking for on the Strib web site. Mientkiewicz fielding a popup near the mound with Hawkins preventing Koskie from colliding.

 

Jeffers will be asked to attend the George Mitterwald mini catching clinic this off-season.  Camp is open daily from 10 am to 10:45 am.  Participant happy hour will start at 1 pm  to curfew (midnight).

18 minutes ago, bighat said:

Jeffers is batting .190. Guy's absolutely blown his big chance this year.

I don't know if he's totally blown his chance, but he hasn't claimed a spot either. He had a nice little stretch right after being recalled and if he could recreate that, he'll get his OPS up over .700, which is okay for a catcher. 

He's getting walks and hits an occasional homer. His Ks are down since his recall. Not great, but not a total disappointment.