I see that hungry joe has a draft post, but I don't have any ability to publish it, so this will have to do. hj, if you want to import what you wrote here and delete this, feel free to do so. Go Twins!
Tag Archives: MLB.TV Free Game Of The Day
Game 129 in progress
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Game 95: Tigers @ Twins
It's July 20th and the Twins are still only (somehow) a 1/2 game back of the Clevelanders for first in the ALC. Its truly mind-boggling when incorporating the information that they just sent out an old-as-dirt Bartolo Colon to start a game. But hey, I'll take it.
Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 6.08 ERA, 5.58 FIP) vs. Ervin Santana (11-6, 2.99 ERA, 4.76 FIP)
The Tigers have entered rebuild mode (and abandoned fly-ball mode), which is sort of fun to see since they've been near the top of the division for a while now. That should hopefully make things a bit easier for the Twins to keep pace with the Spiders. I have to imagine we'll see Verlander trying on some new clothes fairly soon, eh?
Games 39 & 40: Royals at Twins
Ian Kennedy and TBA vs. Phil Hughes and Adalberto Mejia
The Twins keep making more history this season. Today, it will be the first true doubleheader in Target Field history. Normally, the Twins choose to have a day/night doubleheader so they can charge fans separately for each game (and honor tickets for the rained-out game), but since the Twins have had or will have a total of 3 day/night doubleheaders, the players have to approve any more going on the schedule, so the consensus was to play the second game today 30 minutes after the first one ends.
A straight doubleheader always reminds me of the one I went to. It was a scheduled doubleheader at the Metrodome on Aug. 31, 1985, against the Red Sox. My brother was home from college and took me to the games. This was before I followed the Twins on an everyday basis.
That doubleheader got me started thinking baseball was pretty exciting after all. The Twins rallied with 2 outs in the ninth to win the first game on a Ron Washington RBI single and then held on in the second game despite the better efforts of He Who Shall Not Be Named trying to blow the game.
That day left a lasting impression on me, but that's largely because I smashed my thumb in the heavy first safety door between our garage and our house before leaving for the games. My thumb was bandaged and throbbing for both games, and I dealt with infections and scar tissues for months after. To this day, my damaged left thumb is noticeably longer than my right after being smashed flat.
As for these games, the Twins just need a split today after winning dramatically on Friday. There's no truth to the rumor that the ball Kennys Vargas hit opened a hole in the sky that caused yesterday's rainout.
Phil Hughes and Adalberto Mejia both need a good outing to keep their tenuous hold on their own rotation spots. Hughes' veteran status and contract has helped him remain in the rotation, but it's unclear how patient the new regime will be, especially with the Twins still with a slim lead in the division.
Fortunately for them, the Royals come into the day with the majors' worst offense. It's hard to believe this team won the World Series less than 2 years ago.
Game 31: Minnesota Twins @ Chicago White Sox
Phil Hughes (4-1, 4.32 ERA, 93 ERA+, 4.33 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, 6:21 BB:SO, 33.1 IP)
-v-
Derek Holland (3-2, 2.02 ERA, 192 ERA+, 3.68 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 12:30 BB:SO, 35.2 IP)
I can't touch free's open from last night, so I won't even try.
Also ... "Guaranteed Rate Field" ... I know, I know, this is just the logical result of "Fenway Park" and "Wrigley Field*" (but seriously)?
*
2017 Game 19: Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers
So, at what point do we resign ourselves to another crappy season of baseball? While we all enjoyed the 5-0 start, I don't think many of us felt any corners had been turned (okay, I'll admit to experiencing a few pangs of optimism (certainly nothing reaching socal levels), but they quickly subsided). Should we acknowledge it at all, or just try to remain as ignorant as Andie McDowell? Seems more pleasant that way. More wet though.
In any case, I suppose it's too early to start reaching for the alarm levers, however, I've seen this movie before, and I have a feeling I know where it's headed. Anyway, onto less existential topics:
The Twins flee Target Field, managing a meager 2-7 on the home stand. Kyle Gibson and the Twins (the former of which is pretty sure the Tigers were stealing signs) were clobbered yesterday in a messy affair to the tune of 13-4. They now hit the road for a 6 game trip, where hopefully their fortunes will improve. Tonight, they send Phil Hughes and his bulky ERA to the mound. Ol' Phil only made it 3.1 innings last time, so hopefully he can give the bullpen a little bit of a break tonight. If not, I may have to update the "Aces Through The Years" banner again.
The Rangers began the year a little iffy, however they're fresh off a 4-game sweep of the Royals, so their fortunes may be improving. Perez is also coming off a less than spectacular start, managing an extra .1 innings more than Hughes. Both pitchers will be fighting for redemption! And their mother's love (perhaps)!!
In other news, Boshers, one of the few brights spots of yesterday's pitching, was unceremoniously dumped back to AAA as a thank you. They will bring up Spring Training invite Nick Tepesch who has been pitching well in Rochester as of late. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, Ryan O’Rourke was moved to the 60-day DL.
Continue reading 2017 Game 19: Minnesota Twins vs. Texas Rangers
Game 16. Twins hosting Detroit
Torii Hunter in the TV booth. Mute button is on standby.
Hector Santigo for the Twins, Justin Verlander for the kittys.
Game 85: Twins at Rangers
Just past the halfway point of the season (2nd half started on Monday).
Following the win against Oakland last night, this is the first time all year the Twins have won back-to-back series' and (courtesy of socal) only the second time they've managed to avoid losing multiple games in a row. I'll go out on a limb and say that there is very little chance for this team to climb back into contention, but a couple of bright spots:
-They don't hold the worst record in baseball (ATL is 28-57).
-Over his past 5 starts, Ervin Santana is 2-1, with a 2.76 ERA and 20 K's - 5 BB in 32.2 innings of work (including a complete game, 2-hit shutout last night against Oakland).
-After an atrocious offensive April & May, Brian Dozier has managed to pull himself up to a respectable .252/.336/.456 and leads the team with a 1.8 WAR.
-Over 44 games with the team, Robbie Grossman is batting .281/.420/.473 (and, though short of the req'd AB's, leads the team in OPS and OPS+) ... plus, an outfielder playing in the outfield!!!one111
Tonight, we'll see if young Mr. Duffey can build on his 8-Inning, 2 Hit, 1 Run performance in New York last week, and add another W to his team-leading 4 Wins.
For those interested (and out of market I presume) MLB.TV's free game of the day.
game: rangers @ twins
today, duffey tries to make another good start against the rangers. will he be able to do this? signs point to 'absofreakinglutely'.
Game 34. What is baseball?
The Twins are 1-11 in their last 12 games. Yuck. The Twins are on a 7 game losing streak and thats not even their longest losing streak of the season. Yuck. The Twins are 5 wins behind the second worst team in the American League. yuck. Why am I still watching? Well I'd rather be golfing but its 40 degrees outside and the river has flooded wiping out some holes. So Its brutal baseball. Yuck.