And welcome back to TD Game Thread, August 12, 2022 variety, as our Hometown Hero's begin a  3-game set with the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, or is it Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or Anaheim Angels, or whoever they are.

Let's just say they are not the Dodgers, and thank goodness for that, as our Twins are coming off a 2-game spanking at the hands of one of the very best in MLB. But that unhappiness is in the rear-view mirror, and tonight, the Twins have a chance to get back on track as they will face an Angels club coming off a 3-game sweep of Oakland. On the season, the Twins stand at 57-53, good for second place in the AL Central, 1.5 games behind Cleveland. With that, the Twins project a 46.8% chance of making the playoffs, and a 32.7% of winning the division. The Angels stand at 49-63, 22.5GB division leading Houston, and sporting a robust 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, less than that of winning the division, and even less than that of winning the 2022 World Series™. So, who would you rather be following this year?

Thought so. It's August 12th, the Twins are still in the hunt, and who would have thought that on March 31st? So let's get after it fella's!! It is a cool 93 and sunny in So Cal today, perfect day to take out some frustration on the woeful Angels.

The Twins start brand new acquisition Tyler Mahle, making his second start for the good guys. As we know, the Twins traded prospects Spencer Steer, Steve Hajjar,  and  Christian Encarnacion-Strand for 1.25 years of Mahle's services. While his first outing may have been less than spectacular, Mahle holds out promise as the top strike-out guy in the Twins' rotation going forward. His line so far in 2022 is: W5-L7, 4.49ERA, 110IP, 96H, 57 R, 55 ER, 40BB/1119K, 3.87FIP, 2.1 WAR.

His counterpart, 25 year old Patrick Sandoval, has some wicked splits to show for his efforts, compiling a .195BAA, 16H, 23K ,7 BB, and 0, count 'em, 0HR against LHB in 2022.  Less inspiring is his line against RHB: .277BAA, 79H, 38BB, 79K, 4HR.  Quality contact and getting on-base from the right side will be key for the Twins tonight, which may be why Kepler takes a seat, and Celestino will fill in RF. Arraea and Gordon will try to solve Sandoval from the left-side. On the season, Sandoval owns a line of  W3-L7, 3.41ERA, 95IP, 95H, 39R, 36ER, 45BB/102K, 3.10FIP, 2.1WAR.  

Finally, Aug 12th is a memorable anniversary in Minnesota Twins land, as Harmon Killebrew was inducted into the HOF, along with Louis Aparicio, Don Drysdale, Pee Wee Reese and Rick Ferrell. For all the old farts meandering through TD these days who remember, Harmon provided many seasons of enjoyment with his ferocious power and good-natured personality. Rest in peace HOF'er Harmon.

One other notable moment about August 12th. In 1987 on this day, the Braves traded veteran Doyle Alexander to Detroit, receiving minor league prospect John Smoltz in return. The intricacies of baseball cosmic-connectivity brought the Twins, Braves, and Tigers together in memorable ways over next four seasons. Alexander went on a tear for Detroit late in '87, going 9-0 to help the Tigers win the AL East, only to get steam-rolled by our guys in the ALCS, including knocking Alexander around in game 1, Jack Morris in Game 2, and then Doyle A. again in the pennant clinching game 5 in Detroit.The Tigers went for it in '87, trading a future HOF'er for a chance to win it all with a really good SP in Doyle Alexander. Too bad for Alexander and Detroit they had to face the juggernaut that was the '87 Twins. Doyle would pitch two more uninspiring seasons before calling it a career. It seems the Twin beatings he took in the '87 ALCS were truly the end of the line of his career. Then flash forward four seasons to 1991, when Mr Smoltz and Mr Morris tangled in what remains in my book the most exciting game in modern MLB history. Morris' heroics get the headlines, rightfully so, but Smoltz, at the age of 24, also tossed 7 1/3 innings  of shut-out ball, in Game 7, in the Dome, walking one, K'ng 4. Not bad for a guy Detroit felt was expendable, and who would go on to end his career in Cooperstown. Regardless of Smoltz's  dominance, Morris was better that night, and single-handedly carried the Twins to their second World Series ™ title,  leaving a chestful of lifetime memories for Twins fans through the ages. 

Back to 2022. Your starting line-ups for tonight:

Angels

RF  Taylor Ward R                                                                         

DH S. Ohtani L

3B Luis Rengifo S

1B Jared Walsh L

C Max Stassi R

2B D. Fletcher R

LF S. Duggar L

CF M. Sierra L

SS A. Velazquez S

 

                                          

Twins:

CF Byron Buxton R

SS C. Correa R

3B Gio Urshela R

2B J. Polanco S

DH Jose Miranda R

C Gary Sanchez R

1B Luis Arraez L

RF G. Celestino R

LF Nick Gordon L

 

                              

  

 

 

 

Game cast has the Angels favored over the Twins 54 to 46 percent.

Nice game thread intro! Our boys need to start turning this slide around and winning some games. Let's hope it starts tonight out in Anaheim. 

22 minutes ago, Game7-91 said:

And welcome back to TD Game Thread, August 12, 2022 variety, as our Hometown Hero's begin a  3-game set with the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, or is it Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or Anaheim Angels, or whoever they are.

Let's just say they are not the Dodgers, and thank goodness for that, as our Twins are coming off a 2-game spanking at the hands of one of the very best in MLB. But that unhappiness is in the rear-view mirror, and tonight, the Twins have a chance to get back on track as they will face an Angels club coming off a 3-game sweep of Oakland. On the season, the Twins stand at 57-53, good for second place in the AL Central, 1.5 games behind Cleveland. With that, the Twins project a 46.8% chance of making the playoffs, and a 32.7% of winning the division. The Angels stand at 49-63, 22.5GB division leading Houston, and sporting a robust 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, less than that of winning the division, and even less than that of winning the 2022 World Series™. So, who would you rather be following this year?

Thought so. It's August 12th, the Twins are still in the hunt, and who would have thought that on March 31st? So let's get after it fella's!! It is a cool 93 and sunny in So Cal today, perfect day to take out some frustration on the woeful Angels.

The Twins start brand new acquisition Tyler Mahle, making his second start for the good guys. As we know, the Twins traded prospects Spencer Steer, Steve Hajjar,  and  Christian Encarnacion-Strand for 1.25 years of Mahle's services. While his first outing may have been less than spectacular, Mahle holds out promise as the top strike-out guy in the Twins' rotation going forward. His line so far in 2022 is: W5-L7, 4.49ERA, 110IP, 96H, 57 R, 55 ER, 40BB/1119K, 3.87FIP, 2.1 WAR.

His counterpart, 25 year old Patrick Sandoval, has some wicked splits to show for his efforts, compiling a .195BAA, 16H, 23K ,7 BB, and 0, count 'em, 0HR against LHB in 2022.  Less inspiring is his line against RHB: .277BAA, 79H, 38BB, 79K, 4HR.  Quality contact and getting on-base from the right side will be key for the Twins tonight, which may be why Kepler takes a seat, and Celestino will fill in RF. Arraea and Gordon will try to solve Sandoval from the left-side. On the season, Sandoval owns a line of  W3-L7, 3.41ERA, 95IP, 95H, 39R, 36ER, 45BB/102K, 3.10FIP, 2.1WAR.  

Finally, Aug 12th is a memorable anniversary in Minnesota Twins land, as Harmon Killebrew was inducted into the HOF, along with Louis Aparicio, Don Drysdale, Pee Wee Reese and Rick Ferrell. For all the old farts meandering through TD these days who remember, Harmon provided many seasons of enjoyment with his ferocious power and good-natured personality. Rest in peace HOF'er Harmon.

One other notable moment about August 12th. In 1987 on this day, the Braves traded veteran Doyle Alexander to Detroit, receiving minor league prospect John Smoltz in return. The intricacies of baseball cosmic-connectivity brought the Twins, Braves, and Tigers together in memorable ways over next four seasons. Alexander went on a tear for Detroit late in '87, going 9-0 to help the Tigers win the AL East, only to get steam-rolled by our guys in the ALCS, including knocking Alexander around in game 1, Jack Morris in Game 2, and then Doyle A. again in the pennant clinching game 5 in Detroit.The Tigers went for it in '87, trading a future HOF'er for a chance to win it all with a really good SP in Doyle Alexander. Too bad for Alexander and Detroit they had to face the juggernaut that was the '87 Twins. Doyle would pitch two more uninspiring seasons before calling it a career. It seems the Twin beatings he took in the '87 ALCS were truly the end of the line of his career. Then flash forward four seasons to 1991, when Mr Smoltz and Mr Morris tangled in what remains in my book the most exciting game in modern MLB history. Morris' heroics get the headlines, rightfully so, but Smoltz, at the age of 24, also tossed 7 1/3 innings  of shut-out ball, in Game 7, in the Dome, walking one, K'ng 4. Not bad for a guy Detroit felt was expendable, and who would go on to end his career in Cooperstown. Regardless of Smoltz's  dominance, Morris was better that night, and single-handedly carried the Twins to their second World Series ™ title,  leaving a chestful of lifetime memories for Twins fans through the ages. 

Back to 2022. Your starting line-ups for tonight:

Angels

RF  Taylor Ward R                                                                         

DH S. Ohtani L

3B Luis Rengifo S

1B Jared Walsh L

C Max Stassi R

2B D. Fletcher R

LF S. Duggar L

CF M. Sierra L

SS A. Velazquez S

 

                                          

Twins:

CF Byron Buxton R

SS C. Correa R

3B Gio Urshela R

2B J. Polanco S

DH Jose Miranda R

C Gary Sanchez R

1B Luis Arraez L

RF G. Celestino R

LF Nick Gordon L

 

                              

  

 

 

 

Who's that guy leading off? Isn't he supposed to be some sort of home run slugger?

Tyler Duffey to the Rangers.

 

Weird, my MLB app has a different Twins lineup. Buxton, Correa, Miranda, Polanco, Arraez, Urshela, Celestino, Kepler, Leon. 

 "our Hometown Hero's begin a  3-game set with the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, or is it Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or Anaheim Angels"

 

Perhaps we should call this the "Franchise to be named later."

Some of us are old enough to not only remember the "California Angels," but prior to that the "Los Angeles Angels." Of, um, Los Angeles I wager.

Oh, and let's go.

Time to buckle down and win some games.

My Anaheim story:

I was at The Big A in August 87 for this moment in Twins history. I was sitting about halfway up the 3rd deck between home and 1st and clearly saw something fly out of Niekro's hand. As did the umpires, it turns out. I have heard the actual issue was sandpaper glued in his glove, but I don't know if that's true or not.

Sidenote: the HP ump was St Paul native Tim Tschida.

 

 

 

Berrios just got lit up for 8 runs in 4IP against Cleveland.

16 minutes ago, Mortimerkenny21 said:

Berrios just got lit up for 8 runs in 4IP against Cleveland.

Yikes — so much for turning a corner 

17 minutes ago, Mortimerkenny21 said:

Berrios just got lit up for 8 runs in 4IP against Cleveland.

Not good for the hometown 9....

Also, the Orioles are beating the Rays and will likely pass them and go into third place in the AL East tonight. 

The Baltimore Orioles. 
 

 

I guess the Orioles trading their closer and inspirational leader wasn't such a bad idea after all...

6 minutes ago, Hosken Bombo Disco said:

Yikes — so much for turning a corner 

Yeah, something's wrong with Berrios. 

1 minute ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Yeah, something's wrong with Berrios. 

Do you think , maybe , the Twins coaches saw this?

1 minute ago, RpR said:

Do you think , maybe , the Twins coaches saw this?

It does make you wonder, doesn't it? Berrios gets traded, gets the big contract, and promptly falls into the sea. I hope it isn't nab injury or elbow issue. Maybe he's tipping his pitches? 

1 minute ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Maybe he's tipping his pitches? 

I think this was an issue when he was with the Twins.

Looks like Cleveland is going to win.

Good start.

What i miss?

1 hour ago, USAFChief said:

 "our Hometown Hero's begin a  3-game set with the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, or is it Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or Anaheim Angels"

 

Perhaps we should call this the "Franchise to be named later."

Some of us are old enough to not only remember the "California Angels," but prior to that the "Los Angeles Angels." Of, um, Los Angeles I wager.

It should still be the California Angels!

8 minutes ago, MMMordabito said:

Looks like Cleveland is going to win.

Good start.

Twins just need to win as many games as they can, can't control what Cleveland does except when they play them.  Just have to hope the twins bring their A game down the stretch.

Going to be facing 3 LH starting pitchers and Garlic is injured...  

I hope we win.

 

What else do i usually say? Gotta get it out of the way so i can something new.

Gilbert,, as expected, Nicce

Hey! It’s a prophesy! 

Good for Celestino, now not hitting one will not bother him.

Can someone photoshop an O on the end of that ktx 

2 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

Tyler Duffey to the Rangers.

 

Minor league deal