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  • Game Thread: Twins @ Orioles, 3/29@2:05pm CT

    Riverbrian

    By Riverbrian

    I last wrote a game thread opener on October 3rd, 2017. After the conclusion of that disappointing loss to the Yankees, I turned off my brain for the off-season. All this week, I’ve known that I will have to crank it up again but I’m having a little trouble getting it started up after the long layoff. I know that I’ll need to pump a little fuel into the carburetor so I’ve been pushing the primer button (my nose obviously), but now I’m concerned that I’ve flooded it because I have a cold.

    Slight change to the format this year. I have run out of Cities and Towns to say strange things about so that will be replaced by a new crutch called the Top Non-Trump News Story (Or Stories) from yesterday. I’ll continue with thoughts on the Twins and their opponents. The Joe M conversation will remain… I didn’t get enough complaints to stop doing it. And, as usual, a random thought #5.

    Anyway… I hope you are all primed for the start of a brand new season. It’s still March so we are starting a little early. Don’t push the big red primer button unless you are ready. Expectations are high… as of right now… it is still mathematically possible that the Twins go 162-0.

    Twins Video

    1. Top Non-Trump News Story (Or Stories) from Yesterday:

    Rosanne returned to broadcast television on ABC Tuesday Night with back to back episodes and the show was welcomed by 18 million viewers. NBC quickly noticed the ratings and has decided to cash in on the nostalgia wave by ordering 10 Episodes of H.R. Pufnstuf.

    It was reported that Russian Double Agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter may have been victims of door poisoning. Russia has come a long way since Rasputin; they have been practicing the poisoning of Doors technique since 1969. It wasn’t fatal back then but it did produce a severe lack in judgement which resulted in “The Soft Parade”.

    2. Our Twins:

    The Twins are not overwhelmingly strong in any department but they are not overwhelmingly weak in any department, and for the first time… since… ever… the Twins have enough starting pitching depth where they don’t have to tolerate sub-par performances from anybody. They have a stable of arms in Rochester that can take over for injuries or struggles, this also applies to the bullpen. At the plate, I’ve seen lineup projections from experts with Buxton in the 8 spot in the order and this suggests a level of batting depth that we haven’t seen in sometime. Now those are what I call deep thoughts.

    3. The Orioles:

    It’s kind of funny… not many people were giving the Orioles a shot during the off season. I was listening and the experts were talking about not knowing who the 3, 4 and 5 starters would be, the injury to closer Zach Britton, and the inevitable loss of important free agents after the conclusion of 2018. The experts were strongly suggesting an immediate rebuild was necessary. Then the Orioles sign Alex Cobb and now those same experts are saying the Orioles could earn a wild card spot. I’ve heard my wife talk to her sister on the phone about me and I seem to have that same type of range.

    4. Today’s Joe M Conversation:

    Morgan: I think Opening Day should be a National Holiday.

    McCarthy: Yeah… nobody should have to work on such an important day.

    Mauer: I agree… then I wouldn’t have to play today. I’d get the day off.

    Maddon: Yeah… and I wouldn’t have to manage today.

    Montana: Guys… think about it… if you both take today off… what would be reason for the rest of us taking the day off?

    (Long Thoughtful Pause)

    Maddon: He’s right… we are going to have to work during a national holiday.

    Mauer: This really sucks. Why do we even have a players' union?

    Car Alarms:

    A car alarm was going off in the parking lot at work yesterday. I looked around the office and nobody got up to turn it off, nobody claimed responsibility and the alarm kept going off. It must have been 15 minutes before I decided the only thing to do was to go outside and help what turned out to be the world’s slowest car thief actually steal the car so he could drive off and take the sound with him.

    ____________________

    Lineups:

    TWINS

    Brian Dozier (R ) 2B

    Joe Mauer (L) DH

    Miguel Sano (R ) 3B

    Eddie Rosario (L) LF

    Logan Morrison (L) 1B

    Eduardo Escobar (S) SS

    Max Kepler (L) RF

    Byron Buxton (R ) CF

    Jason Castro (L) C

    Jake Odorizzi (R ) P

    ORIOLES

    Chris Davis(L) 1B

    Manny Machado(R ) SS

    Jonathan Schoop(R ) 2B

    Adam Jones(R ) CF

    Trey Mancini(R ) LF

    Tim Beckham(R ) 3B

    Pedro Alvarez(L) DH

    Craig Gentry(R ) RF

    Caleb Joseph(R ) C

    Dylan Bundy (R ) P

    Weather: 65 deg F, mostly cloudy with a 15% chance of rain, winds at 7mph from the SE

    Win Twins! Play ball!

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    Featured Comments

    yarnivek1972

    yarnivek1972 6,290

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I was actually surprised that there wasn't a pitching change after Kep. But ... meh ... I don't know the Orioles' bp, and it is only the first game of the season ... but a single and two walks?

    It would be pretty unusual to remove a closer before he gives up a lead, let alone a run.

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 39,328

  • Administrator

    • Posted

     

    I was actually surprised that there wasn't a pitching change after Kep. But ... meh ... I don't know the Orioles' bp, and it is only the first game of the season ... but a single and two walks?

    Same here. But even if they call to the pen, I'd prefer to see Grossman in that position. Maybe once Buxton gets his feet under him that opinion will change but if I need a "not out", Grossman's my guy.

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    Squirrel

    Squirrel 37,605

  • Community Leader

    • Posted

     

    It would be pretty unusual to remove a closer before he gives up a lead, let alone a run.

    Yeah ... I suppose ... but giving up two walks ... I did say 'meh'. It's only one game. and the first one at that.

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    KirbyDome89

    KirbyDome89 4,113

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Same here. But even if they call to the pen, I'd prefer to see Grossman in that position. Maybe once Buxton gets his feet under him that opinion will change but if I need a "not out", Grossman's my guy.

    That's kind of a paradox though, Buxton can't really get his feet under him in those situations if he's constantly pulled for a PH. I love the results, but in game 1 of 162 I'm ok with Buxton getting that AB. 

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    Brock Beauchamp

    Brock Beauchamp 39,328

  • Administrator

    • Posted

     

    That's kind of a paradox though, Buxton can't really get his feet under him in those situations if he's constantly pulled for a PH. I love the results, but in game 1 of 162 I'm ok with Buxton getting that AB. 

    After the past two seasons, I'm using kid gloves on Buxton until he establishes himself for a week or two and shows he's no longer prone to horrific streaks. We've seen what happens when he gets into his own head early in the season.

     

    But if we were talking about Buxton vs Adrianza, I let Buxton hack away. It's a little different when you have the option of going to what is possibly the most professional and selective hitter on the team in a situation where the pitcher is rattled and all you need is a single.

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    Twodogs

    Twodogs 1,311

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    That's not a very good use of Rodney?  Id think that would be the perfect time to bring in Pressley or one of those guys.  Bring Rodney in only when you have the lead, to me that is a plain as it gets?

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