Hello Twins fans, this is wsnydes here with the introduction for today's game thread.  Today is the rubber match for the series since both teams have already won once this series.  

I've had the fortune opportunity to visit The Trop on a number of occasions, and I can't say enough about it.  It's a great place to catch a game because...ummm...well...erm... (clears throat) well, maybe it's not such a great place to catch a game.  It makes the Metrodome look like a palace.  It's hard to get to.  There's nothing around it.  Except Ferg's, which is an experience in and of itself with cheap burgers and buckets of beer.  I'd recommend that.  But, back to the Trop.  The best thing that can be said about the place is that tickets can be had for cheap and seating is plentiful.  Not a great atmosphere to watch a game, but there is a ray petting tank in the outfield for the kiddos. 

Anyway, enough of my rambling.  To today's matchup.  Josh Winder gets his first career start for the Twins, so that's exciting!  He's going up against Josh Fleming, who is 2-2 and sports a 4.50 ERA.  Buxton is back roaming CF today as well, so that'll be fun!

The guys not facing the aforementioned guys and fielding positions and whatnot are:

For the visiting Twins

CF - Buxton, Byron

SS - Correa, Carlos

DH - Garlick, Kyle

2B - Polanco, Jorge

3B - Urshela, Gio

RF - Kepler, Max

C - Sanchez, Gary

LF - Celestino, Gilberto

1B - Arraez, Luis

 

For the home Ray:

2B - Lowe, Brandon

DH - Margo, Manuel

LF - Arozarena, Randy

RF - Lowe, Josh

1B - Ramirez, Harold

SS - Walls, Taylor

3B - Paredes, Isaac

CF - Phillips, Brett

C - Pinto, Rene

 

Today's weather is irrelevant being the game is played indoors!  

Enjoy the game and GO TWINS!

 

That looks like one good lineup for the Twins!

Supposedly a bullpen game for the Rays. Kind of tough to put together a lineup when you don’t know who will be pitching after the first three hitters. 

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Supposedly a bullpen game for the Rays. Kind of tough to put together a lineup when you don’t know who will be pitching after the first three hitters. 

We probably have a pretty good idea of what Garlick is going to be seeing.

They need to figure out a way to quantify plays that Buxton's: that error was caused by his speed. The SS saw who was running and how fast he was getting down the line and rushed his throw (which would have been close even if it had been on target). He chucked high and wide because Byron Buxton is a speed demon.

Dang, I love watching Buxton play. The fear and chaos his speed creates is awesome.

Good start.

I suppose the Rays fan is all over Cash for not playing his stud shortstop. 

Baseball long pants vs knickers … preference?

Great AB by Garlick.  He is cementing an important role on this team.

A RUN DUE TO ERROR!

Okay, Polanco needs to click it right here

Fun fact on Fleming.  He is not the guy who wrote the spy novels.

What did I just say! Woohoo!

Great swing by Polanco from the right side.  Solid contact.

Good to see Polanco barrel that one.

Crooked number!!!!

To the max, Max!

4 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Baseball long pants vs knickers … preference?

No preference as long as they are below the knees.

Ouch

We’re rollin’ … keep it rollin’!

We owe them an ambush from Friday night, or at least we did. Great inning!

This version of Kepler is the good version of Kepler.

Oh this is fun 

Great inning. Especially impressed with Polanco and Kepler AB's.  Great hitting.

Very nice.

LOVE it when they string together some hits and jump out in front like this!

Miss anything  ???  nice to see good a.b.,  

There ya go, rook.  Your bats have given you a lead!

I listened to the first half inning on the radio because I was bringing my roommate to his car. I think I may continue to listen to this game on the radio. Thank me later.

Excellent way to help Winder feel comfortable during his start. Great 5 run inning.