Physics Guy

Much better that time Mauer. First play was ugly.

Good point, no linguists needed.

Yeah, the hoods he and Escobar are wearing sure give the impression they don't much like the weather in the northern US this time of year.

You are right for the most part, they aren't terribly relevant. Although if Arcia was 6/14 (like Colabello is) and Colabello was 2/18, I would bet Gardy would have Arcia in the starting lineup. Colabello is hot, so he wants him in the lineup. Kubel has started once so far so my guess is he wanted to get him into the lineup. You seem to be getting pretty worked up when we are only five games in. Arcia has more than twice as many AB as Kubel and would be 3X if Kubel hadn't played the long game in Chicago. By the end of the year, Arcia should have 500-550 AB and Kubel around 350 since he will most likely be the primary DH against RHP.

I didn't see the 36 degree temp. BRRRRRRRRRRR. Better hit the sweet spot today boys or those hands will be stinging.

By the way, WTH happened to Pelf last night? How do you go from hitless through 4 to completely falling apart in the 6th?

Agreed. He has played all four games thus far and is 2/18 and has 6 K's in 19 PA. It's not like he is tearing the cover off the ball. If he sits every five games to start the season, I have no problem with that. It's not like we miss him in the field either. He has to hit to play.

Which one? There's a bunch of them around here.

Speaking of mispronouncing names, is anybody else bothered by the way Dick pronounces Arcia? I've always thought it was like Garcia without the g. He pronounces it like ARS - e - ah instead of Are - SEE - ah.

Pretty good estimates. I like somewhere between Seth and Steve for Dozier, Mauer and Hicks. If Dozier has a higher OPS than all three of Willingham, Kubel and Plouffe, we are in trouble (unless Steve is right at .790 for Dozier).

By the way, nice start for Hicks. If he can hit remotely like that from the left side and stays in CF all year, I will be happy.

I'm an eternal optimist, but I was wondering the same thing.

Tying run came to the plate, but the game never felt that close. Twins are no longer undefeated in March.

Start it off Hammer!

It says Dozier hasn't done the job today. 2 k's ahead of those ribbies.

That's better Ricky.

I take it back. Nice job Suzuki.

Not to pile on about #2 hitter, but Florimon bunting makes more sense if Dozier and Mauer are 1 and 2.

6'5" 1B comes in handy. Bailed Plouffe out.

He's batting second until Hicks shows he can handle moving up to the leadoff spot. At least that is my guess.

Like any year, I am very happy that it is opening day. While my expectations for this year's squad are not very high, I am excited to see the development of our young guys (Hicks, Arcia and Pinto). If the Twins are better than expected it most likely is due to those three.

Looks like a very pitching heavy roster, at least with respect to prospects. If I remember correctly, the opposite was true last year. I made it to CR last year for Buxton. Looks like this year might take a little more planning and fit it around a Stewart start.

I also greatly appreciated it. It gave me something other than the forums to read, which got a little gloomy at times. I am thankful that we are finally about to start the season and can focus on what is happening in the games rather than what did or did not happen during the offseason. PLAY BALL!

I am greatly hopeful that Hicks can show some of his promise as a former top prospect this year. Improvements from Hicks, Arcia and Plouffe are reasons I'm not as down on the Twins chances on offense as many others are. I also think Dozier figured things out the last half of 2013. I think he will show improvement from his 2013 numbers.

I would say "less pressure" might come from the fact that he has a better idea of what to expect this year. Edit - Oops, forgot to refresh. Parker said what I was thinking, although more eloquently.