Good morning Twins fans and welcome to another Game Thread installment filled with fun, laughter and exciting banter! I like day games and listening to the game while at work. I also like posting on the Game Thread whilst fielding phone calls from customers and vendors. When people enter my office I tell them to leave as I am busy typing up an important email (in truth its just posting on the Game Thread). 

Speaking of fun at work, it got me thinking about some of the funny practical jokes I've played on my co-workers over the years. Once when I was in college and working for Pepsi as a driver I had a stop where one of my fellow Pepsi drivers was parked. He was in the store stocking shelves. In the spirit of good fun I jumped in his truck and drove it around the side of the building, I casually stood by my truck waiting for him to come out. He noticed me right away and said hi. I said, "what are you doing here"? He explained his delivery and we chatted for a bit. I eventually said, "goodbye" and got back in my truck. As he turned to leave he noticed his truck was gone and ran over to me right away. My co-worker said, "where the hell is my truck? I think someone stole the damn thing"! The look on his face was pure anxiety. I told him he should probably call back to HQ and let them know and probably call the police too. I walked in with him to the store (we didn't have cell phones back then). I told him he should probably call our supervisor and explain everything before calling the police. As he is talking to our supervisor I casually said something like, "Are you sure you remember where you parked? Maybe it's on the other side of the building"....he knew right away I had gotten him. He told our supervisor what happened and I could hear him laughing out loud on the other end of the phone. Good times! Good times....

Do you have any fun work practical jokes you've played on someone? We would love to hear a few if you have one or two. 

Now for today's game! Can the Twins avoid a sweep? I hope so. This offense lacks some serious punch. Last nights lineup was totally anemic. Today';s lineup looks much better! Welcome back Buxton!!!!!!!

Go Twins!

Today's lineups:

TWINS:

1. Byron Buxton, DH

2. Carlos Correa, SS

3. Luis Arraez, 2B

4. Gio Urshela, 3B

5. Max Kepler, RF

6. Miguel Sano, 1B

7. Kyle Garlic, LF

8. Ryan Jeffers, C

9. Nick Gordon, CF

SP - Joe Ryan (R)

ROYALS:

1. Nicky Lopez, 2B

2. W. Merrifield, RF

3. A. Benintendi, LF

4. Salvador Perez, C

5. Carlos Santana, 1B

6. Hunter Dozier, DH

7. Bobby Witt, Jr., 3B

8. A. Mondesi, SS

9. M. Taylor, CF

SP - Zack Greinke 

Weather: 70 degrees and nice.

 

My pick to click today is Max Kepler.

No rain forecast for the first time all year lol

With Buxton back, I bet the Twins will be able to score one run instead of zero.

Grienke on the mound. It always perks my spirits up watching someone older than me.

The two hitters that most surprise me are Jeffers and Correa. I really expected more from both. 

 

If you want some pre-game entertainment. During Grienke’s first stint with KC he threatened to retire and mow lawns instead.  

6 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

With Buxton back, I bet the Twins will be able to score one run instead of zero.

At the very least, he should be harder to double up even with a bum knee.  That alone is an improvement.

1 minute ago, Vanimal46 said:

 

If you want some pre-game entertainment. During Grienke’s first stint with KC he threatened to retire and mow lawns instead.  

He's had some pretty good bits over the years.  I enjoy his sense of humor.

29 minutes ago, twinssporto said:

Do you have any fun work practical jokes you've played on someone? We would love to hear a few if you have one or two. 

This one time I told everyone at work that the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, and Wild were going to win championships that year. We laughed, and laughed, and laughed . . . .

3 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

He's had some pretty good bits over the years.  I enjoy his sense of humor.

I feel like Joe Ryan is Zack Greinke's pot smoking younger brother

1 minute ago, shortround81 said:

This one time I told everyone at work that the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, and Wild were going to win championships that year. We laughed, and laughed, and laughed . . . .

At what point did it turn to tears?

9 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

The two hitters that most surprise me are Jeffers and Correa. I really expected more from both. 

Yeah, since we're so deep in the season, already.

1 minute ago, wsnydes said:

At what point did it turn to tears?

When I told them we'd be cutting budgets by 20% that year. I was told my timing wasn't great

1 minute ago, RickOShea said:

Yeah, since we're so deep in the season, already.

hahahahahaha. 

Tim Laudner, owner of 3.2 career rWAR in 2268 plate appearances, talking about how players need to be able to play while slightly banged up in reference to Byron Buxton, who was worth 4.5 rWAR in 254 plate appearances last season.

Another get-away-day against another crafty future Hall of Famer. Didn't work out great last game.

It will be interesting to see how Greinke's new strategy of not striking anyone out plays out against the Twins strategy of always striking out.

Just now, nicksaviking said:

Another get-away-day against another crafty future Hall of Famer. Didn't work out great last game.

It will be interesting to see how Greinke's new strategy of not striking anyone out works against the Twins strategy of always striking out plays out.

The moveable objects squares off against the stoppable force.

5 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Tim Laudner, owner of 3.2 career rWAR in 2268 plate appearances, talking about how players need to be able to play while slightly banged up in reference to Byron Buxton, who was worth 4.5 rWAR in 254 plate appearances last season.

Um, he is playing slightly banged up, isn't he?

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

Um, he is playing slightly banged up, isn't he?

Buxton constantly tries to play hurt. It was a dumb-ass comment by Laudner for a few reasons.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-twins-joe-ryan-talks-sliders-vertical-approach-angle-and-water-polo/

56 minutes ago, twinssporto said:

Do you have any fun work practical jokes you've played on someone?

I unintentionally hazed my boss by not letting him get any work out of me during my final two years before retirement.  Surprised myself as much as him.  You gotta know how to make your own fun, I guess.  "Woahhh, gotcha that time, boss!"

That interview with Ryan reminds us why having veterans around is good for pitchers....

59 minutes ago, twinssporto said:

Do you have any fun work practical jokes you've played on someone? We would love to hear a few if you have one or two. 

This one time I put pine tar really far up on George Brett's bat. The homer he hit didn't count. He got really mad

3 minutes ago, shortround81 said:

This one time I put pine tar really far up on George Brett's bat. The homer he hit didn't count. He got really mad

That reminds me of that one time I put extra long spikes on only one foot of Joe Theismann's pair of cleats.

****ing hilarious!

I mean, you should have seen the look on his face. Classic.

2 minutes ago, shortround81 said:

This one time I put pine tar really far up on George Brett's bat. The homer he hit didn't count. He got really mad

It's even better knowing that he took his frustration out on the umpire instead of you!

1 minute ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

That reminds me of that one time I put extra long spikes on only one foot of Joe Theismann's pair of cleats.

****ing hilarious!

This made me shudder just thinking about it...

2 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

That reminds me of that one time I put extra long spikes on only one foot of Joe Theismann's pair of cleats.

****ing hilarious!

I mean, you should have seen the look on his face. Classic.

It was so funny that even Lawrence Taylor laughed. He was waving his arms. Looking at everybody. Good times.

1 minute ago, wsnydes said:

This made me shudder just thinking about it...

Me, too ... NOT ****ing hilarious, @Brock Beauchamp

3 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

It's even better knowing that he took his frustration out on the umpire instead of you!