Man, I should start getting ready to go on this trip.
24 thoughts on “July 18, 2024: Prep”
While I think players should get two full days off after the All-Star Game, I don't like so many baseball-less days. And some teams don't even return until Saturday!
If you have ESPN+ you can fill those days with Northwoods League games.
It's so strange to me to turn on the ESPN app and like, there's Willmar
I just wish there were more Mallards games.
I've been wondering about the scheduling this year. Since I do fantasy I see a little more about schedules than I normally would, and I've noticed a lot of teams have had off days on Fridays. I don't remember seeing that before.
I have seen it in the past but I don't recall when I first saw it. On the plus side, the coveted weekend Milwaukee series is happening.
Okay, I think we can all agree that the Twins are having a pretty good season so far, overall, but I think we can also agree that this isn't the kind of team that can go toe-to-toe with the division leaders. But there have been some successes. What do you see that you like so far? What do the analytics like so far?
(file this under Too Many Off Days Discussion Openers)
They have a 113 wRC+, ranking fifth in MLB. They can hit. Injuries are the big caveat but Lewis should be back this season, again and Buxton should reach 100 games played for only the second time in his career.
But their ERA- is 104 (19th) with the FIP- slightly better at 95 (8th). Splitting that up into starters vs relievers and the starters are at 113 (24th) and 98 (11th) while the relievers rank at 88 (9th) and 89 (6th) respectively. The overall staff leads MLB in K/9 (9.3) and are only four strikeouts behind the Phillies for the MLB lead. They are second in BB/9, just barely ahead of Boston. Their downfall is HR/9 of 1.2. Their HR/FB% isn't out of line of other teams so I don't see it improving much on its own.
Sean about covers it. Need to get and stay healthy. Need starters to be a little bit better and the bullpen to stay solid.
I think that, plus a little luck, should be enough to make some noise.
Going on a trip? Have a nice fall!
TICKET* ALERT!
I’m looking to offload a pair of 2-day, General Admission tickets to the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in St. Paul. I picked up four for my wife and me and another couple, but have learned that neither spouse is particularly interested in going to both days. Worst case, my buddy and I go both days and our spouses just skip day two.
Various iterations of tickets (1-day, 2-day, GA, GA+, VIP, Riverboat VIP, Platinum!!!) are still available online, but I’m happy to let them go to someone here for far less than face value. I’m offering the 2-days because the *tickets* are actually woven fabric wristbands with integrated RFID that require online registration and appear to be … difficult to remove intact.
If there’s interest in just one, that can be arranged too.
MLB 2025 schedule is out. Twins open March 27 at St. Louis. Cubs and Dodgers open in Tokyo on March 18. Interleague "rivalry" series will now be three games long instead of two. The Athletics are listed under "ATH" now. The season ends September 28.
And on the weekend! What will I gripe about next year in my game logs when the Twins play Milwaukee?
That away series in May could be fun. Borealis line to Chicago is only $50 one way, Hiawatha up to Milwaukee runs five times daily. Ride the train over on Friday, game on Saturday, trip home on Sunday. I'm going to propose this to the wife, I need to go build a PowerPoint.
In StL before the humidity gets nasty? What will I gripe about next year in my LTEs?
I'm thinking about that one. One potential conflict is that's the boy's spring break.
There were jokes here at the beginning of the season that the most successful thing about the year would be the Campfire Milkshake. Looks like that might be the truth.
I recall this was one of the latest All-Star Games too so they had extra time to rack up losses.
The White Sox will try to reverse that trend when they come out of the break, but a tough road trip looms with games against other teams.
a little more succinct than the original text
I laughed.
Damn, Bob Newhart had died. He was one of my favorites. I think I'll say "Hi, Bob" and have a drink in his honor.
While I think players should get two full days off after the All-Star Game, I don't like so many baseball-less days. And some teams don't even return until Saturday!
If you have ESPN+ you can fill those days with Northwoods League games.
It's so strange to me to turn on the ESPN app and like, there's Willmar
I just wish there were more Mallards games.
I've been wondering about the scheduling this year. Since I do fantasy I see a little more about schedules than I normally would, and I've noticed a lot of teams have had off days on Fridays. I don't remember seeing that before.
I have seen it in the past but I don't recall when I first saw it. On the plus side, the coveted weekend Milwaukee series is happening.
Okay, I think we can all agree that the Twins are having a pretty good season so far, overall, but I think we can also agree that this isn't the kind of team that can go toe-to-toe with the division leaders. But there have been some successes. What do you see that you like so far? What do the analytics like so far?
(file this under Too Many Off Days Discussion Openers)
They have a 113 wRC+, ranking fifth in MLB. They can hit. Injuries are the big caveat but Lewis should be back this season, again and Buxton should reach 100 games played for only the second time in his career.
But their ERA- is 104 (19th) with the FIP- slightly better at 95 (8th). Splitting that up into starters vs relievers and the starters are at 113 (24th) and 98 (11th) while the relievers rank at 88 (9th) and 89 (6th) respectively. The overall staff leads MLB in K/9 (9.3) and are only four strikeouts behind the Phillies for the MLB lead. They are second in BB/9, just barely ahead of Boston. Their downfall is HR/9 of 1.2. Their HR/FB% isn't out of line of other teams so I don't see it improving much on its own.
Sean about covers it. Need to get and stay healthy. Need starters to be a little bit better and the bullpen to stay solid.
I think that, plus a little luck, should be enough to make some noise.
Going on a trip? Have a nice fall!
TICKET* ALERT!
I’m looking to offload a pair of 2-day, General Admission tickets to the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in St. Paul. I picked up four for my wife and me and another couple, but have learned that neither spouse is particularly interested in going to both days. Worst case, my buddy and I go both days and our spouses just skip day two.
Various iterations of tickets (1-day, 2-day, GA, GA+, VIP, Riverboat VIP, Platinum!!!) are still available online, but I’m happy to let them go to someone here for far less than face value. I’m offering the 2-days because the *tickets* are actually woven fabric wristbands with integrated RFID that require online registration and appear to be … difficult to remove intact.
If there’s interest in just one, that can be arranged too.
That's like, tomorrow, right?
Correct! Tomorrow and Saturday.
https://www.minnesotayachtclubfestival.com/
MLB 2025 schedule is out. Twins open March 27 at St. Louis. Cubs and Dodgers open in Tokyo on March 18. Interleague "rivalry" series will now be three games long instead of two. The Athletics are listed under "ATH" now. The season ends September 28.
And on the weekend! What will I gripe about next year in my game logs when the Twins play Milwaukee?
That away series in May could be fun. Borealis line to Chicago is only $50 one way, Hiawatha up to Milwaukee runs five times daily. Ride the train over on Friday, game on Saturday, trip home on Sunday. I'm going to propose this to the wife, I need to go build a PowerPoint.
In StL before the humidity gets nasty? What will I gripe about next year in my LTEs?
I'm thinking about that one. One potential conflict is that's the boy's spring break.
South Sliders.
There were jokes here at the beginning of the season that the most successful thing about the year would be the Campfire Milkshake. Looks like that might be the truth.
I recall this was one of the latest All-Star Games too so they had extra time to rack up losses.
a little more succinct than the original text
I laughed.
Damn, Bob Newhart had died. He was one of my favorites. I think I'll say "Hi, Bob" and have a drink in his honor.