Blake

great read.

thanks Carole!

I may not be back in time to post lineups. May everyone have a great day!

I got up this morning, wondering what, exactly I was going to write about. Finally, it came to me: We need a break from our regularly scheduled game thread. So, with that, here we go: *Don't judge. I was looking for an excuse to use this particular song! As a Twins fan, I believe I'm a relatively intelligent person, yet, this seems to be what happens when I follow the Twins this year. I mean, I have great expectations that this time it will be different, and, well...: *Sadly, I can relate. But, that's another story for another day. All joking aside, as Carole said so eloquently yesterday, baseball is always fun to watch, because something will always happen that makes you go, "Did I just see that?" What's not to like about a sport that's been around over a hundred years, yet, one can count on at least one thing to happen that's never been seen in a lifetime. *Video is a hoot and well worth watching all the way to the end. The announcers are having a great time through all of it. With that, I leave you with these completely irreverent thoughts: *These are getting hard to find. I may have to look another direction. Some random observations from yesterday: 1. Bats did good.2. Pitching did not so good.3. Cubbies should maybe be worried?4. I'm not sure if Maddon had a method to his madness or if he was just messing with Molitor's head when he moved his players around.5. It's a new day of baseball! Pitching for the Twins: Lance Lynn. Pitching for the Cubs: Jon Lester. Play ball!

The bats break out and the pitching implodes. Sigh.

Okay, not sure if it's just me, but are the Cubbies using a level swing rather than an uppercut swing in order to be able to deal with the ball high in the zone?

That hit by Adrianza was a hit the Twins have been lacking this year. Yeah, it was nice to get the lead, but the insurance runs were desperately needed.

The Jessica Rabbit line of lips? Anyway, the gal seems to be having fun with it.

Considering I am a pasty white folk who is allergic to the sun, well, if the shoe fits....

I guess getting rid of Belisle never occurred to the, umm, brain trust. Anyway, thanks for the information, I appreciate it.

Why is Dozier still in the lineup? He needs to sit for a while. Or, maybe go on the DL. Something.

Why is Mejia up? I missed something somewhere. (yeah, yeah, I know, not the only thing I've missed, but, work with me here)

Good save!

I watched Dozier as he headed to 1st after his walk and his demeanor, to me, said, "whatever."

And people think MY titles are confusing!

If the Twins continue to flounder, two things should be considered: Firing Molitor and DFA Dozier or Mr. Mauer if they cannot be traded.* *I love chumming the waters.

You are freaking kidding me, this game is still going on?

Hey, I do West Coast math. Not Central Time math.

11:10 AM PT It's right in the title for those of us on Pacific Time.

As I mentioned to Carole, I would argue the Twins are set up pretty well next year, with Berrios, Romero, Gibson and Odorizzi and an arm to be named later from Triple A. If I thought a big name arm would be a difference maker, I'd say go for it. However, the position players seem to have some issues and that indicates there are problems beyond just bringing in an arm.

Good point regarding pitching because, yeah, I'm thinking just this year. However, as I think about it, unless the bats are addressed, I'm not sure how starting pitching will help down the road, either. I would say, though, the Twins may be in pretty good shape next year, from a pitching standpoint, with Berrios, Romero, Gibson and Odorizzi. The last arm in the rotation is probably at Triple A this year. The bullpen can probably be rounded out from the minors also. Which leaves the bats to worry about. Hard for me to look think of someone like DeGrom as a game changer when it looks like the Twins need more than a game changer arm.

You are more than welcome. Getting difficult to be positive, though. I may have to focus more on individual players rather than the team as a whole. But, All Star break is coming and the team may turn it around. I also may just hit the lottery too.

The Twins have arguably gotten the starting pitching they need in order to compete this year. Bringing in more arms will not solve the problems with the bats.

I may not be able to get the lineups posted before the game starts. Play ball! Go Twins!