Jose Berrios vs. Buck Farmer, 11:10 a.m.
It's still difficult to fathom what a turnaround this has been. The Twins haven't been a great team (although they are 31-21 since the new regime traded away Jaime Garcia and Brandon Kintzler at the trade deadline), but they were so historically bad last year and did so little to improve the team this year and yet they already have 22 more victories than last year with 7 games left, including 4 remaining with the sleepwalking Tigers.
A win today would not only finish off a 4-game sweep of the Tigers, it would drop the Magic Number down to 3 with a chance going down to 2, which would mean the Twins could clinch as early as Tuesday. In fact, the Twins could even clinch a tie (and a guarantee of more than 162 games) on Monday if both the Angels and Rangers lose.
Regardless, the Twins have made sure this season will be remembered for an epic turnaround from the previous season or an epic collapse that was set up by an epic turnaround.
A win today would also clinch a winning record. Remember, the Twins were 44 games under .500 last season.
For today's game, it would seem the Twins have a starting pitcher advantage based on their season results thus far. However, Berrios has really struggled against the Tigers in his short career, which is 3 starts. In all 3 starts, he's allowed 6 runs or more. Of course, the last (and only) time Farmer faced the Twins, he allowed 7 runs in just 1 1/3 innings. Let's try a different tactic today and get a big lead in the first inning and save us all some anxiety.
That is pretty funny, really.
It almost makes me want to turn their commentary on.
The key to that homer waa the 0-1 bunt attempt
Gotta love a good foul bunt followed immediately by a home run.
That was some bizarre base running.
Love to see Rosario taking close pitches for walks
So much for the perfect game to punctuate the sweep.
I would settle for a mere no hitter.
Well, I would have, anyway.
Whoops. FSN graphic said Granite just hit his 2nd three-run homer.
I came back into the room to that graphic and it took me at least 3 minutes to figure out why they didn't have 5 runs on the board.
Love playing the Tigers TWINS BASEBALL!!
Mowed the lawn with the game on the cans. Nothing in specific, but Dazzle's been fun to listen to today.
That was a craptacular way to lose the shutout.
Very poor effort by Castro on both of those "wild pitches". He never moved his body at all, just stuck the glove out and hoped the ball would hit it.
Maybe it's the heat
I'm sure it's hot, and catching is tough. But the team is fighting for a playoff spot, and at this time the game was far from decided. I expect a better effort than that.
Oh, I agree, I was both just joking and complaining about the weather.
Two-run hit for Mauer!
I approve of take back runs.
Well now that's just kind of mean.
I would've given Berrios another inning, but the bullpen is rested, there's a day off tomorrow, and it's been a long season. I'm okay with taking him out.
With an eight run lead, I'm hoping they can give some of the extended roster guys some work
He had a quick first three innings and a slower final two, so I'm okay too. He's surpassed his innings total from last year and better to have something left for the possible postseason.
This reminds me of the reverse of the Twins being pounded by Detroit a few years ago.
I guess Molitor just wants to get Taylor Rogers some work. He hasn't pitched in almost a week, so I guess I can see that.
Dazzle saying that Gardy's name is being floated as a possible Detroit manager. I wasn't thinking of that, but I don't think he'd be a bad choice.
I never pictured him as the right manager for developing players.
Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Johan Santana, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins, Denard Span, Jesse Crain, Pat Neshek, etc., etc.,
I'm sure there are misses in there but every manager is going to have hits and misses. When Gardy won 6 division titles, pretty much all the Twins did is develop young talent and throw in an occasional veteran from the bargain bin except for possibly 2010.
Tonkin helping to solidify the postseason bullpen choices
That was a nice example of why you get an eight run lead before throwing him out there.
The white Sox are helping out. 4-1 over the royals in the fifth.
Tragic numbers 3-3-3-2-1 at the moment. It's still surreal after last year.
The royals seem pretty uninterested in making the wild card. Their number is about to go down to two.
Rays also about to shrink to one. I probably shouldn't so heartily enjoy the losses of others, but this is fun.
Well, hold that thought, the white Sox have Pelfrey warming up.
The A's just put up a five spot on the rangers. It seems like the teams that are eliminated are more interested in the wild card than the teams still in it.
Is it weird that I want the Rangers to come back and win just so we have 24 hours of "3 is the Magic Number"?
The angels could still win tonight and give you your wish.
And another one bites the dust. The mariners are officially eliminated.
3-2-2-1, and the Angels can make it yet another ideal day, heading into the off day 2-2-2-1.
Bregman hits a two-run homer and the Astros take a 2-1 lead over the Angels.
Gattis with a two-run double to make it 4-1.
Brandon Phillips homers to make it 4-2 in the fourth.
4-3 now. Top of the fifth.
4-4 now in the bottom of the sixth.
Angels win 7-5, so Magic Number still at 3. Still, just need Angels to lose tomorrow to have a chance to clinch Tuesday.