Spring Training - Game 25 - 3/26/12 - vs Tampa

[Seth Stohs]

Here's the Twins lineup today versus the Rays:

Denard Span CF
Jamey Carroll SS
Joe Mauer C
Justin Morneau DH
Josh Willingham LF
Ryan Doumit RF
Danny Valencia 3B
Chris Parmelee 1B
Alexi Casilla 2B

SP: Scott Baker (Hendriks, Burnett, Fien, Gray, Manship)

Rays
Ben Zobrist RF
Luke Scott DH
Evan Longoria 3B
Carlos Pena 1B
Jeff Keppinger 2B
Jose Molina C
Elliot Johnson SS
Will Rhymes LF
Jesus Feliciano CF

SP: Jeff Niemann

Earlier today, the Twins send Brendan Wise back to minor league camp so the team is down to 38 players in big league camp.

[edavis0308]

Side note, I believe this is televised on FSN.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Opening Day lineup?

[denarded]

Opening Day lineup?

My thoughts exactly. And not bad

[Seth Stohs]

From Mackey, Willingham pulled with a "very minor ankle tweak." Revere will play LF and bat 8th.

[mikeee]

Opening Day lineup?

Geez. I wish I was at home to try it out on the new TV!!

[Mauerpower]

so mauer @ catcher, Span @ cf, and Valencia @ 3rd. Those are the only real locks right now. all the other positions are basically up in the air and dependent on health and other factors

[mnfireman]

Baker not looking good. Bad location and no movement.

[minn55441]

Looks like Baker has given up a couple hits and one walk through 2 innings. How has his velocity been? Back in the 90's yet?

[minn55441]

spoke too soon. Grand slam and they are still batting in the second. I guess he doesn't have his good stuff back yet.

[mikeee]

Homer for Doumit.. 4-1

[Nick Nelson]

Baker is not looking at all sharp. Tossing soft fastballs down the middle and they're getting crushed. I will say that the hitters are looking a lot better than they have in previous spring games I've had the chance to watch.

[Dilligaf69]

Ben Zobrist a very mediocre player again kills Twins....Hey Gardy you fat idiot how about plunking him..This craphole coaching staff just not smart enough to figure it out.. Typical Baker will be so glad when this guy is gone..

HAHA please GO AWAY!

[Cap'n Piranha]

Ben Zobrist a very mediocre player again kills Twins....Hey Gardy you fat idiot how about plunking him..This craphole coaching staff just not smart enough to figure it out.. Typical Baker will be so glad when this guy is gone..

Because the solution to this team's problems is beaning people? I think you're a little too worked up over a spring game there, my friend.

[DrJubal]

Rocket bats!

Looks like Baker's in mid-season form already.

[mikeee]

I am practicing my booing in spring training....

BOOO!!!!! Baker gives up a dinger!!!!!

[Gernzy]

Hopefully Baker can get back into form soon. At least I got to see Doumit's bomb during lunch.

[Harrison Greeley III]

I got confused when he called Ben Zobrist a mediocre player. He is in reality what people have always perceived Michael Cuddyer to be.

[Seth Stohs]

Not sure why, but I 'm not worried about Baker. Assuming his elbow is fine and strong, it'll just take a couple of starts to get back to form. He's going to give up some HR, so that doesn't bother me. Will be good to see more of that movement that he normally has on his pitches.

As for Zobrist, he is a pretty good ball player. I believe he's been an All Star. He has hit many HR. And yes, he's a guy who has the Twins number. That's one of those weird things...

Hitting someone in a spring game is pretty ridiculous.

[Mr. Ed]

DL Baker. Please. There is no way to survive getting mid-upper 80s "fastball" thrown over the middle of the plate.