All posts by freealonzo

2021 Game Log 102 – Tigers at Twins

I knew the Twins had stumbled out of the All Star break but I was shocked when I looked at the standings today. 15 games under .500, 3.5 games behind the Tigers! I think I've blocked out how bad it's gotten.

Maeda on the mound for the Twins, let's hope he's well rested after scoring the winning last night. Someone called Tyler Alexander for the Tigers and he looks about as mediocre as a Tigers starter would be as expected to be.

It's stinky hot and muggy tonight so not very pleasant at the ballpark if out in the sun. Let's play ball!

Twins Line-up
2B - Polanco
LF - Rooker
3B - Donaldson
C - Garver
RF - Kepler
DH - Sano
1B - Astudillo
CF - Celestino
SS - Simmons

Trade Season!

With the trading deadline this coming Friday at 3:00p local time the Twins front office has finally seen the light and all indications are that they are open for business. Berrios? Buxton? Mitch Garver? Josh Donaldson? And those are just the high profile names. The possibilities are endless.

Put your trade predictions in the Spoilers (the half baked the better) and let's check again next week on who should be the next MLB Insider at ESPN.

Twins Game Log 83 – White Sox at Twins

Assuming the rain/storms predicted for today hold off or are done, White Sox back at Target Field for 2nd game of a three game series. White Sox have actually been fairly pedestrian lately but their stranglehold on the AL Central hasn't lessened, mainly because every other team is bad too, including the recent 1-9 Cleveland baseball team.

Jose Berrios on the mound for the Twins looking for his 8th win. Carlos Rodon for the Whities and he's been pretty dang good this year with a .94 WHIP and 122 Ks already.

First pitch at 7:10 assuming no rain delays.

Twins Lineup
3B - Arraez
2B - Polanco
DH - Cruz
LF - Kirilloff
C - Jeffers
RF - Kepler
1B - Sano
CF - Celestino
SS - Simmons

2021 Game Log 77 — Twins at White Sox

It's the first of 7 6 games against the White Sox in the next two weeks and with the Twins at 10 games under .500 and 11.5 games behind the Sox, one would normally think who cares, GOSO right? But the White Sox are struggling: losing 7 of their last 9 games and the numerous injuries they have suffered are finally catching up with them, especially at the plate and in the field. So if the Twins are going to salvage the season, the time is now.

Meada v. Geolito so should be a fun pitching match-up. Twins have actually fared pretty well against Geolito as he has a 5-7 record with an ERA of 4.74 and 77 strikeouts in 14 appearances against the Twins in his career.

First pitch as 7:10 although there is still some chance of rain. I have a feeling they will try to get the game in regardless.

Twins Lineup
LF - Arraez
3B - Larnach
RF - Cruz
DH - Cruz
CF - Kepler
2B - Polanco
1B - Kirilloff
C - Jeffers
SS - Simmons

Twins Game Log 73 – Reds at Twins

Rare Tuesday afternoon game as Reds finish up a 2-game series at Target Field.

Bailey Ober on the mound for the Twins and he's look o.k. Seems like the Twins were able to squeeze a few more mph out of that 6'9' frame and it's made all the difference. Wide Miley on for the Reds.

Twins bullpen has been lights out lately and really the key to the Twins current 5-game win streak. Just think if Twins relievers had pitched like this all season? But this being Minnesota sports, we have to temper that improved bullpen with a Buxton broken finger. You can't have too many nice things apparently.

12:10a first pitch on a beautiful day. If I wasn't so dang busy at work, it would be perfect to play some hooky and take in a game.

Twins Log Game 60 – Yankees and Twins

Here we go. Two division heavyweights who have been eyeing each other all season, waiting to see how they match up in perhaps an early playoff preview as they finally get to test their mettle against the best baseball has to offer....

Dang, I shouldn't prewrite these game logs in April apparently. Yankees in town and while we all are familiar with the Twins disappointments this year, the Yankees are only 2 games over 500, mired in 4th place in the AL East, also besot with injuries. Jordan Montgomery on the mound for the Yanks and he's okay I guess, but definitely the Twins can tee off on him a bit. Big Mike Pineda for the Twins coming off a pretty disappoint start last Tuesday.

Will be a steamy one at Target Field tonight but our good friend Twayn will be there making sure everyone is fully hydrated, finds their seat ok, and generally acts civil. Hey Twayn, it's ok if you give the old dude in a crisp Jeeter shirsey the twice over. Those guys are always trying to move into seats they didn't buy.

First pitch back at 7:10p. Let's go Twins!

Twins line-up
RF - Garlick
DH - Donaldson
2B - Polanco
1B - Sano
C - Jeffers
LF - Larnach
CF - Refsynder
3B - Astudillo
SS - Simmons

2021 Game Log 54 – Twins at Orioles

Wow, game 54. That means after tonight the season will be 1/3 over. Besides June 1 being the start of "meteorological summer," it can also mean we are heading into the meat of the baseball season. Twins in the second game against the Orioles looking for their 17th win in a row against this team. Wow, that's hard to do, especially since they only play some 6-7 games a year, so the win streak goes back to 2018 or 2019 (I didn't check).

Big Mike on the mound tonight and he's been what you would expect from a 3rd or 4th guy on your staff, steady performance. Some better than others, decent numbers, Ks, etc. Bruce Zimmerman for the O's and he's been pretty lousy on a lousy team including a 5.15 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Woof.

Game time a 6:05p and should be a glorious night for baseball in Baltimore. Let's keep that streak alive Twins!

Twins Lineup
LF - Garlick
3B - Donaldson
DH - Cruz
C - Garver
RF - Kirilloff
2B - Polanco
1B - Sano
CF - Refsnyder
SS - Simmons