Oh it’s real now Twins fans. Joe Mauer is angry* about getting the short end of a bad called third strike. American League pitchers couldn’t stop Miguel Sano, so they petitioned MLB to sit him for a day. Stalwarts like Danny Santana, Kyle Gibson, and Michael Tonkin unceremoniously dumped by the whippersnappers in the front office. Plus, Twins hides still chapped from the spanking the Red Sox put on them over the weekend. Yes, these Twins are just loaded for bear, looking to take it on someone, anyone. Who better than the White Sox, those southside ne-er do wells, home of disco demolition day and the Ligue family?
Wait there’s more you say? Mike Pelfrey is pitching for the Whities? Big Pelf? The Dude who had a 35.6 ERA and -14.1 WAR** during his short stay with the Twins? Bring. It. On. I foresee the Twins batting around twice before the 4th inning as all those frustrations ooze out of the visitor dugout. Tonight will be one cathartic primal scream where Brian Buxton’s batting average moves from .165 to .180, Max Kepler creates a fourth law of White Sox ass kicking, and Hector Santiago strikes out the side on seven pitches. Paul Molitor may even only use 3 pitchers tonight instead of the usual 7 or 8. I call this a Teri Hatcher game (It’s going to be real and it’s going to be spectacular). So sit back and enjoy the festivities.
* Well, mildly upset
** Unconfirmed but close
No Sano and no Dozier. Somebody's going to have to step up for the Twins. Hopefully lots of somebodies.
Good call there Padre. Seems like everyone stepped up a little.
Legit LOL at the phrase "Teri Hatcher Game"
Home plate ump calling strikes that are 3 to 4 inches inside off the plate. good times!
Gotta speed up the game somehow!
You had me until "only use 3 pitchers"
Mauer leading off and so far only Twins batter with a LOB
We're gonna lose to Pelfrey, aren't we?
So it is written.
thankfully pelfrey gonna pelfrey.
Okay, Twins. Second time through the order. Time to remind Mike Pelfrey that he's Mike Pelfrey.
That's what I'm talking about! VARGAS!!!!!
Casey Fien still getting jobs.
And he's not even left-handed!
But AAA jobs. If he was left-handed, it would be MLB.
on the board!
KENNYS!
that left the park fast!
That's the Pelfry I remember: give back runs.
huh, my first actual spooky.
Thank you Pelf
A leadoff walk after you just got the lead is not generally recommended.
Why do you think they signed him?
TWINS BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!
But a double play always makes up for it!
Joe Mauer has pulled the ball all three at bats tonight
Wow rag on Hector some more. Good Lord. 2 runs 5 innings 70 pitches.
Dick Bremer with the subtle jab at Kevin Slowey when talking about Swarzak.... drink!
Glad someone else caught that
woo woo!
Woot!
Good thing we got that Sano guy out of the lineup. He was holding it down.
Step right up - EVERYBODY gets a hit
My favorite thing about polanco is the way he handles calls against him. Man.
It always helps to get hanging sliders after a bad strike call as well.
Indeed.
Oof fooled Vargas there
Buxton's first three-hit game this season.
Again? He's been getting on base quite a lot lately, but it's been as much walks as hits. This is his first 3-hit game of the season and only his second multi-hit game. That said, I'm really happy with the one real difference this year to last year from management was how they have handled Buxton. There was never any doubt that he was the Opening Day center fielder and he never was demoted to the minors or even given more than 1 day off other than when he got hurt the other day.
Tonight will be one cathartic primal scream where Brian Buxton’s batting average moves from .165 to .180,
Pessimist
Funny. I had .190 and moved it down. Looks like I called it on the number of pitchers.
Snark, aside:
We're still on track for 148-14!