Good afternoon Twins Daily readers and thank you for making your way back to another exciting game thread! We saw a lot of offensive action last night for both teams...I'd prefer to see a little less offensive action tonight from the Royals.
Since we didn't have anyone signed up to open the game thread tonight I told Stringer Bell I would throw something together to kick this game thread off. Since I didn't have a lot of time to plan something fun, I'm just going to spew random thoughts that come to my mind regarding the Minnesota Twins while I write this.
Random thought #1: I think we have a better than legitimate shot at going the distance this fall. Consider the Yankees, I think we can beat them in October. Their pitching is really atrocious. At least the Twins made some moves at the deadline to help the club. Yankees didn't or couldn't make a move. The playoff series between these two teams will turn into a hitting fest when they meet up in the playoffs. It will be a nail biter and I'll probably be physically sick watching it but boy will it be an event to witness. I think the pitching is a push between the two teams but our bats are better and our outfield defense is better. I'd bet good money we can win the day with the Yanks. No fear!
Random thought #2: I'm not as intimidated by the Astros either. Maybe I should be but all of these top four to five teams in the American League are all elite. I've seen great hitting over take great pitching and I've seen great pitchers nose dive in the playoffs. Anything can happen and you can bet a playoff series with the Astros will be a nail biter as well. I highly doubt the Astros or Yankees staffs will want to pitch through this lineup. Remember the 87 Twins? They weren't supposed to get past the Tigers....
Random thought #3: The Twins have sucked so bad the last decade or so that I'm just thrilled we have a great team to cheer for and a team that's contending (and a serious contender at that). As a life long Twins fan I'm really enjoying this season. I still get worked up and swear at the TV during the games but for some reason I'm at peace with where this team is going and what they can accomplish.
Random thought #4: The team for the most part is set and this is what we're most likely going to be watching for a lineup and pitching staff in October (barring injuries of course). I like our odds. Obviously I would like a stronger staff and bullpen but maybe a few guys will step up and take their play to the next level. It happens every year with players all the time. I'm hopeful a couple of guys on our pitching staff and bullpen will take that next step.
Random thought #5: Quit worrying about Dyson. He's a professional and very talented. He'll turn things around and be the dominate reliever he's been the last few years. He's on the team and not going anywhere.
The Twins are gonna roll big time tonight over the Royals. The bats are hot and getting hotter. My pick the click for tonight is Cruz. Gonna play the hot hand!
Go Twins!
Twinssporto
Founder, Chairman and CEO of the 2019 Twins World Series Champions Club
Lineups:
TWINS:
1. Mitch Garver C
2. J. Polanco SS
3. Nelson Cruz DH
4. M. Gonzalez RF
5. Miguel Sano 3B
6. Max Kepler CF
7. C.J. Cron 1B (welcome back)
8. J. Schoop 2B
9. Luis Arraez LF
SP: Kyle Gibson R (10-4) 4.10 ERA
ROYALS:
1. W. Merrifield 2B
2. Alex Gordon LF
3. H. Dozier 3B
4. Jorge Soler DH
5. C. Cuthbert 1B
6. Nicky Lopez SS
7. B. Starling RF
8. M. Viloria C
9. B. Hamilton CF
SP: Danny Duffy (5-5) 4.42 ERA
Nice weather tonight. Only a 4% chance of rain.