All posts by freealonzo

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 82 — Twins v. Brew Crew

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First half of the season done and the Twins are um... on a 70-92 pace. Ugh. This first half has stunk, the Twins stink, injuries, suspensions, poor base running, bullpen disasters, walk off losses, disappointing performances by key players.... You name it, The Twins built this.

Jake Odorizzi against Junior Guerra today. Odorizzi righted his ship last start as he went 6 strong innings after a bunch of disastrous starts. Guerra is one of those decent guys that the Brewers typically toss out there.

3:10p game and its only broadcast on something called Facebook Live. Seems like a good place to have the game as only the olds are on Facebook these days. Also, Willians Astudillo playing second base today, so that's something. Wasn't he a catcher? At this rate he may take a 9th inning pitching spot before he sees time behind the plate.

Go Twins.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 75 — Twins at White Sox

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Twins embark on the great Upper Midwest Baseball Tour(TM) with a three game stint against the Southside Pale Hosers. At 25 games under .500, the Sox are as bad as advertised so it would be nice to take all three games this week before heading into the friendly confines of Wrigley over the weekend.

Lance Lynn on the mound for the Twins. He's as excruciating slow as ever, but at least he's been productive with a 4-1 record and 1.73 ERA in his last 5 starts. Reynaldo Lopez on the mound for the White Sox, coming off a pretty bad outing against Cleveland (or was it Toronto?). Game may take 3.5 hours but I like the Twins chances.

First pitch at The Rate. Potential for rain is receding in Chicago, so hopefully the tour can start off with a win.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Travel Music

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Today I'll be off on my annual 175-mile weekend bike trip on the Paul Bunyan trail. It's a lot of fun and even though I will burn probably over 10,000 calories riding my bike, I will also consume close to that same amount of beer (and food).

I'm long past the day when I would listen to music while I rode, way too dangerous for this guy with all the distracted drivers out there but I know people who still do. But it got me thinking about travel music. Is there a certain band or kind of music you like to listen to while traveling? For me driving doesn't matter, I can take any kind of music. However, for some reason I have always thought R.E.M. goes well with train travel. Back when I lived out east and also was in Europe, I would always listen to R.E.M., it just kind of brought me back in time and was complimentary to the motion of the train.

Any specific travel music you enjoy? Or not. Don't forget to drop your lists.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Nice Game 69 — Red Sox and Twins

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The Boston Red Sox come into Target Field for their annual sojourn to Minneapolis. After a blistering hot start, Boston find themselves in a virtual tie for first in the AL East with the Yankees. Given that they are 25 games over .500, I think it’s pretty safe to assume that either the Red Sox or Yankees will be one of the two AL Wild Card teams this fall.

Jose Berrios on the mound for the Twins and he’s been lights out again recently. Chris Sale for the Sox and has put up some good numbers. But it’s the Boston bats that the Twins need to worry about as the Red Sox lead the league in Slugging and among the league leaders in OPS, OPS+ and runs scored (5.08 runs per game). Oh and former Twin, and decent dude, Eddy Nunez playing second in place of the injured Dustin Pedroia.

Rain should let up by the 7:10p first pitch and given that Sales and Berrios work fast, it could be quick game.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 63 — Old Gardys versus New Gardys Round 2

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It seems like I just wrote this game log. Twins and Tigers battling for second place... Twins need to win these kind of games if they are going to make any noise in the later half of the season.... Fun playing against Gardy again... Basically the Twins have been treading water for a while now so it may be sink or swim time.

Jake Odorizzi on the mound for the Twins. I've liked what he's given the team, and expect more of the same tonight. Blaine Hardy on for the Tigers and he's been decent this year as well.

6:10p start time. Hopefully the #mprraccoon caper will be over and we can concentrate on some AL Central Division baseball.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Liz Phair

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Liz Phair was at the Turf Club this past Monday. Since the Turf Club only holds 350 people it sold out immediately and I was bummed I couldn't get tix (or was unwilling to pay $150 for a ticket). By all accounts a great show. This was a short little tour of smaller clubs (her L.A. gig was in a 150 seat bar) and is basically a warm up for a larger tour that will hit First Avenue in September (also immediately sold out). Phair has somewhat kept in the public eye and has done some touring, but for some reason has seemed to spark more interest lately than in the immediate past. Not sure why, but it's welcome.

Any other acts, still around, you'd wish would have a second half career resurgence?

Drop your lists.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game Log Games 56 and 57 — White Sox and Twins

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We have a doubleheader today and it's one of those old fashioned doubleheaders where they don't clear out the stadium between games. In celebration, we'll have a doubleheader game log too. No need to find a new game log for game two. All its all right here.

Twins against White Sox and again, if the they want to be competitive in the AL Central, sweeping the double against the Whities is imperative for the Twins.

Twins putting up a couple of rookies against Chicago. Fernando Romero in game 1, and Zack Little in game 2. According to the Strib, Zack Little was "acquired from the Yankees for Jaime Garcia last July, was 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA at Class AA Chattanooga before being promoted to Class AAA Rochester. He’s 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in five outings for the Red Wings, including four starts. In 28 innings, Littell, 22, has given up eight earned runs on 20 hits and 10 walks with 30 strikeouts." he's only up for the doubleheader so hopefully he takes the opportunity to impress Molitor and the gang, while also enjoying some sweet big league perks.

White Sox are putting up someone called Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito who have records and stats you would associate with a team 20 games under .500 on June 5th. Both are young however. Not sure if they fit in the Sox overall plan.

First game at 3:10. Looks like a gorgeous day for baseball. Let's play two!

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 50 — Twins at KC

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Twins play the second game against the scuffling Royals after winning 8-5 on Memorial Day. These are the games the Twins need to keep winning if they want to keep pace with the Clevelanders, especially given their upcoming four game series this weekend at Target Field against the dreaded [redacted].

Danny Duffy on the mound for KC and he’s been a bit of disappointment after a 2016 breakout season. 6.14 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 2-6 record shouldn’t strike fear in the Twins’ batters hearts. Gibby pitching for the Twins and he’s been much better than his 1-3 record would indicate.

No Hockey or NBA Playoffs tonight so the Twins can have your undivided attention. 7:15p start, so grab some KC-style bbq, your favorite beverage and enjoy.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 44: Old Gardys versus New Gardys

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Game two in the showdown series between the Twins and Tigers as both teams battle for second place in the AL Central. Twins took game 1 and look to solidify their second place standing. Lance Lynn on the mound for the Twins and the less said about him the better. Matthew Boyd on for the Tigers and he's been decent with a 1.06 WHIP, winning record, etc.

Twins only have a 7 man bullpen so let's hope the batters can give Lynn a nice cushion so that he can turn it over to the bullpen by the 5th inning and win this game in memory of Phil Hughes.

Game time 7:10p at Target Field.

Friday Music Day

FMD — The Current’s Essential 893

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As part of their Spring Member Drive The Current did a list! The 893 most essential songs. Apparently they got in over 4,000 entries with nearly 12,000 different songs. No surprises at the top as Purple Rain takes honors, Bohemian Rhapsody 2nd, and Heroes third. I had 2 songs place in the 893 (Bastards of Young, Into the Mystic). Of course I have quibbles all over the place but was surprised that 20th Century Boy by T Rex didn't make the list at all. That is practically the definition of an essential rock song. Also I would've thought that I Am a Scientist and Motor Away from Guided By Voices would have been in the 500s or 600s. But that's just me.

Here's the entire 893

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18x40ssTjXIC5kF24qQMkob9IjQGoljvoitdbjtYuZ5g/edit#gid=0

Comments? Drop your list (it doesn't have to be 893 songs long, but I'm not stopping you).