The Twins have now lost their past two series and past three games in a row. That, combined with the Angels winning ways, has knocked the team out of the 2nd Wild Card slot. They now stand .5 game back of LAA and only .5 games up on Baltimore (currently on a 7-3 run in their past 10).
A win today helps them keep pace - I'm not familiar with Blake Snell (Tampa's starter), but let's hope Slegers is ready to deal and the offense wakes up.
Edit - Leadoff Dongerjack by Dozier!
This is here.
I was going to say something about the team's poor results in 1-run games, but bbr suggests that they're not as bad as I thought - 14-15 in 1-run games with only 1 more run allowed (125) than scored (124) in those 29 games.
They are only 1-3 in extra innings on the season, but I would have taken extras last night ... le sigh.
The run differential in one-run games equals the win differential in one-run games.
If they were outscored 126-124 in one-run games, they'd have lost two more games than won.
I am strongly against the idea that the Angels might finish ahead of the Twins here. That's just.... ugh.
I sure am. Would really love them to block Scioscia.
They've been playing the A's a lot the last 10 days or so. They will be done with the A's for the season after today. I think they've still got 7 games left with the Astros and 3 with Cleveland coming up pretty soon.
3 run HR by Adrinaza of all people!
Only his 2nd of the year and their 9-hitter to boot!
Adrianza?
Adrianza!
Ugh. Still hate replay when used this way.
Yeah, those kinds of slide plays were not what replay was meant to reverse.
If they're going to continue to reverse calls like that on replay, they may have to teach players to slide differently somehow so that they stay on the base.
Neither Provus/Atteberry nor the Angels' TV guys cared for replay in this situation
Slegermania! Catch the fever!
Duda did.
Lucas Duda has caught the fever.
I am feeling my interest waning, which is sad after the way August went.
Seriously, guys- I just pulled up Gameday for the first time in weeks and this happens. My bad.
well good God. A tit for a tat.
I would like to state that though I understand that we're trying to stack the lineup with lefties, and while I don't think they've made any egregiously bad plays yet, I'm still not a fan of the fact that we've got two infielders playing outfield today.
This. I also think that, when you're this -><- close to the playoffs, you need to give your "starters" a rest here and there, but I don't want half of them on the bench at the same time, including your two best* offensive pieces.
*healthy
So much this.
September call ups are useful, but only when used correctly. I'm hopeful for Niko Goodrum, but I'm not excited to watch him play this year.
Radio guys were suggesting a pretty hefty split with the Rays' starter
Yep. It was not done to rest people It was done to take advantage of platoons. Goodrum was called up specifically because he hit lefties well.
Also, when its against a team that has every incentive to win because they're not that far behind you... If this were the Tigers, okay, maybe.
I wasn't a fan of it either, but I have to admit that it worked just fine, so what do I know?
Molitor scoffs at the critics.
Buxton is going to clear the bases here.
Spooky it, don't say it
Clearly.
C'mon now ... Runs, Runs, Runs, Runs!!!
In play, run(s)
ESSSSSCOBAAAAR??!!!
Esco!!!
This bullpen is depressing again.
Ah, a 90-mph sinker squarely in the center of the strike zone. Pretty sure that's not where Boshers really wanted it.
tit for tat: see above.
#sadtrombone
Here's your raspberry, Buddy, thanks for playing
Pressly playing with fire with those get-me-over strikes.
Dick's not sure why Pressley has such big splits. Might be because he's not particularly good, maybe? I don't know.
Van Poppel Syndrome
Van Poopel.
the K/BB ratio between the two staffs this game points out something...I'm not feeling well enough to discern it though
They have the same walk rate. Strikeouts less the same. They are, however, not in last! Cleveland is averaging ten per game. Ten. They also have the lowest walk rate.
I'm talking about TODAY. What have you done for me lately?
TWINS BASEBALL!!!
We always got TWINS BASEBALL!! though!
what just happened?
A horrific bunt by Polanco that the pitcher almost caught in the air, then he airmailed the throw to first into the right field corner.
Yeah, how'd it take him so long to field that? Polanco would have been safe even if he'd nailed the throw
This would be a great time for that first hit, Niko.
Err... Kepler, then? Sure. I like that.
Kepler knows what he's doing.
Poor Mauer. With no balls thrown he just walks to the first from the dugout essentially. I'm imagining the pitcher saying to just keep going pass the batters box to first.
aaand back to the dugout
I always hated being on base when the inning ended; had to make my way all the way to 3rd base dugout to get my glove, then all the way back to play first base. First basemen aren't supposed to be that active! #first
worldbaseproblemsI hope they make this lead Belisle Safe.
We're gonna need more runs...
Esco!!!!
Dogs and fireworks living together...mass hysteria!
I wasn't around to comment, but hey, we won 10-6, so I assume it must've been a pretty easy game.
I just watched a condensed game on MLB.tv, (the first time I've used that feature) and it was awesome to hear the ballpark noise. Also, it's really, really awful to watch a solo home run followed up by the opposition's solo home run (and the same for three run shots) without context. Though the crowd noise, and quick turn around makes that a neat feature.
Angels lost so Twins back in the wild card.