stringer bell

He might come back and be effective, but Burton needs to stay away from high-leverage situations for a while. I think there are a lot of very good options in the minors, so if the Twins want to trade one or two of their veteran relievers, it might be a good idea.

Just finished watching the game on my DVR. I'm fascinated by Dioner Navarro. First of all, he looks like every fat kid in every kid sports movie. 5'9" 205 according to BBRef (doesn't look like that now). I realize it is only one game but Pinto blocked a bunch of pitches that went over, under, and around Navarro. If this is any indication, Dioner must have Doumit-like defensive metrics.

Fox Sports North Plus. Check the "fsn+" thread below for more info.

No shutouts tonight!

Dozier!

So is Plouffe. Don't hate the lineup, but I'd rather see Trevor out there. FWIW, I was replying to afurry.

Hey, how many of you will be watching Game 2 and commenting on this board? I would certainly rather watch baseball than playoff hockey, but I do have an evening appointment.

If he had 95 instead of 105, I think they'd let him go for it. Starting the ninth at 105, it's pretty doubtful he'd finish the inning and I doubt the Twins want to have a pitcher come on in the middle of an inning.

Plouffe had two bad ABs and made an error, but he's had two good at-bats since. There is improvement there, for sure.

All of these batters have reached, and each time I think about baserunning, plays to put on, etc. From Mauer through Suzuki, there is really no speed at all.

Hose-meal!

Two outfielders out has necessitated putting the two likely DHs at the outfield corners. The recall of Herrmann has given Gardenhire the flexibility to use Pinto as a DH. That won't last much longer, I hope. If the DH option isn't available for Pinto, he'll catch more. Also, with cool weather and frequent off days and rainouts, there has been no need to rest Suzuki. That will be different when the schedule tightens and the weather warms up.

I'm fairly certain that they wouldn't be playing if Toronto makes another trip here. 60 miles from Target Field, yesterday would have been fine to play. The temperature was in the mid-50s, we didn't get any snow at all and it didn't rain until after 6 PM. It is much colder today, right around freezing, but no precipitation.

I remember Dickey pitching for the Twins in an early May game in 2009. Mauer had never caught him since he missed spring training and the month of April and Gardenhire ordered Dickey to throw fastballs in a game situation. Dickey allowed the game-winning hit after about a half dozen foul balls.

Tight, tight zone again today. I would rather see them open it up for both pitchers.

Same lineup for what five games in a row? Will Hicks hit righty against the knuckleballer?

Ah! I get to talk to myself today.

The "Gibson squeeze" continues.

So Nuñez is only available for the second game?

Coldest start ever for the Twins at home. Balaclavas all around!

I think the versatility thing is key. Escobar has a major league future as a utility player, while Florimon is a shortstop and shortstop only. If Florimon is optioned, what do the Twins do with him--send him to AA? They want Santana to get reps in Rochester. I would think that if they decide he is a hopeless case with the bat, that they will release him. Escobar and Nunez are both utility guys, but one can slide into being the regular SS and if it doesn't work out, they can give the other guy a chance. I don't see either with having more more upside than Florimon, but at least they can be replacement players at several positions.

It's that inning.

He did get the tying run home vs. the A's, correct? He also got credit for an RBI when Moose booted his grounder vs. the Royals. So that is twice where he got the runner home.

I believe that is why the ump called him out!

He sounds just like Topher Grace of "That 70s Show".