Blake

Umm, I thought the sign was: lip purse, cap touch, belt tap?

Well, thank you.

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After the nail-biter of yesterday's game, divisional rival KC come to town. This is a team the Twins beat, well, didn't lose to, earlier this year. Now, later in the season, the Twins are a legitimate MLB powerhouse and KC, well, KC is not. Are there some cracks in the Twins machine? Yes, but they are limited to the bullpen and, with Seattle being one of the best hitting teams in the league, it made a 10-5 game a bit closer than the score would otherwise indicate. Now, on to KC. KC has fallen on hard times. With a record of 22 and 46, and a winning percentage of .324 (checked twice this time!) KC is very beatable rather than a "didn't lose to" team. The Twins should take this series handily, but, like many, I get nervous when such teams come to town. Yes, the Twins have been taking care of business but, this is a division rival and division rivalries always seem to bring the best out. Especially against the team that is leading the division. Maybe we could talk KC into saving some of their effort for Cleveland? Maybe rest up a bit while in town? With that, some things to think about: 1. Brad Keller turned in a stellar yet losing effort against Giolito last time he pitched. 2. Kyle Gibson turned in a less than stellar effort against the Tigers last time he pitched. 3. Are the Twins done with soft-tossing lefties yet? 4. I'd forgotten how much fun "small ball" can be. Pitching for the Twins: Kyle Gibson Pitching for KC: Brad Keller 5. Play ball!

I just wonder if it might be easier to get a front line starter versus a reliever. Especially if the starter is still owed a lot of money over the next couple of years. (a couple years left on the contract means this team may very well contend next year too) Just tossing some spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks.

What if the team absorbs all contract costs? Does that move the needle when it comes to the prospects the team might need to offer?

Get Scherzer or Bumgarner, move Pineda to the bullpen.

Have you considered new clothing? Badabum, tish....

You're talking about the game tomorrow, right?

Shad Long hits his first home run off a ball down and in and, naturally, he's pitched down and in today.

Why? The game just got interesting.....

Yeah, pretty much gone through my stock of booze....

Freaking 9 run lead and the Twins manage to give the fans heart palpitations.

Hmm, with his arm, could possibly pitch from Center Field.

Good grief, put the ball over the plate!

Woot, an out!

I took a look at Romero's numbers at the MiLB web site, per something you mentioned, and quickly understood why he wasn't up. And, much to my surprise, Romero's up with the MLB club. Of course.

I think they're just about there.

Yeah, sure, sitting in a seat that has explosives wired to it certainly strikes me as "smart."

Bremer: "Harper likes to get ahead with the fastball then go with the soft stuff." Uh, Dick? Harper's fastball tops out at 88 mph.

Darn it, Adrianza! You bum! Trade him for a sack of baseballs!

Yes. Edit: Ninja'd by Chief with a far cleverer answer. Ah well.

Pineda pitched a whale of a game against Seattle. 5 and 2/3, 1 run allowed. Man, I need to pay attention...oh look, a squirrel!!

Bases loaded, no one out. Hmm, seem to recall this situation. Hopefully, better outcome this time around.