Game Thread: Twins@Royals 4/18 7:10PM

[Riverbrian]

Game-time forecast:

Clear. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Temperature around 65.

 

Twins:

SP, Nolasco

 

Darin Mastroianni LF

Brian Dozier 2B

Joe Mauer 1B

Chris Colabello RF

Trevor Plouffe 3B

Josmil Pinto DH

Kurt Suzuki C

Aaron Hicks CF

Pedro Florimon SS

 

Royals:

SP, Vargas

 

Aoki RF

Infante 2B

Hosmer 1B

Perez C

Gordon LF

Butler DH

Moustakas 3B

Maxwell CF

Escobar SS

 

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Things to Think about:

 

1. The Royals -- It's our 2nd look at them. Our 1st look at them was wonderful. This time it's in Kansas City. They've hit a couple more homeruns so maybe the bats are starting to unthaw a little. I imagine that Royals fans are saying finally... Everytime they've hit the ball over the fence. Because I imagine that's what we'd be saying on Twins Daily if the Twins couldn't find the seats.

 

2. 8-7 -- The Twins are over .500 for the 1st time since last May? Since 1965? It's been awhile... The Twins are just a half game out of first place. It's time to start making those pennant chase deals. The D-Backs may be sellers. Let's go get... Umm... Matt Williams?

 

3. 8 Walks in 1 inning -- I'm not sure what happened last night actually happened. 8 walks in one inning. How does an entire bullpen lose it like that...at the exact same time. 3 different pitchers combined for that moment in time. 6 Runs scored on 1 hit... UN-REAL.

 

4. Chris Colabello -- I'm loving it. Nuff Said...

 

5. Barbecue -- I'm a fan of Kansas City barbecue. That Tomato and Molasses based sauce is right in my kitchen. Kansas City really doesn't have an original style. It became Kansas City original by melding different styles from across the country. If it wasn't for the Barbecue... There would be little reason to slow down when driving south on I-29... And... They barbecue everything... Memphis and the Carolina's are known for what they do to Pork... Texas is known for Beef. Kansas City will barbecue anything and if they burn the ends... They sell that to you. Kansas City makes it all taste good... Pork... Chicken... Fish... Bicycle Seats.

[Boom Boom]

I'll have the barbecued bicycle seat as long as it's vinyl polymer and not natural leather.

[Squirrel]

I love 'cue. Too bad it gives me heartburn. But sometimes I just go for it anyway.

[Squirrel]

Guess it was time to give Kubel a day off.

 

Did Nunez get sent back to AAA then? (No, those aren't related statements. Just two separate thoughts.)

[twinsnorth49]

[Boom Boom]

 

Wow, if that sign's still up I need to head there and load up on cornbread and mashed potatoes... as long as they don't have meat in them. Then we'll see who's "hahaha-ing".

 

Upon further inspection, this place doesn't have mashed potatoes... I'll have to get the cole slaw instead.

[Shane Wahl]

Good lineup against the lefty.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Twins win this series.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Guess it was time to give Kubel a day off.

 

Did Nunez get sent back to AAA then? (No, those aren't related statements. Just two separate thoughts.)

 

Yup, Nunez was the 26th player they allow for double headers.

 

In yesterday's game thread, it got discussed that they're only allowed to play in the second game if the double header is a make up double header.

 

And announcers on the Toronto feed were explaining that slight change (that they're only allowed to play in the second game) was due to logistics, in that some AAA affiliates are much further away, and couldn't always make travel arrangements in time for the first game.

 

Leastways, that's how i understand the reasoning.

 

As far as a day off for Kubel, it probably also is a day on for Mastrioanni. I hope he has a good game!

[blindeke]

They should give Hicks a day off once in a while.

[Squirrel]

Yup, Nunez was the 26th player they allow for double headers.

 

In yesterday's game thread, it got discussed that they're only allowed to play in the second game if the double header is a make up double header.

 

And announcers on the Toronto feed were explaining that slight change (that they're only allowed to play in the second game) was due to logistics, in that some AAA affiliates are much further away, and couldn't always make travel arrangements in time for the first game.

 

Leastways, that's how i understand the reasoning.

 

As far as a day off for Kubel, it probably also is a day on for Mastrioanni. I hope he has a good game!

 

Yes, but does that mean he is the one sent down, too? I wouldn't expect otherwise, but just wondering.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Yes, but does that mean he is the one sent down, too? I wouldn't expect otherwise, but just wondering.

 

You're right, i was just assuming he'd be sent back down. It doesn't have to be the same person sent down.

 

But looking at the milb gameday for Rochester, he's listed as available off the bench.

 

(And Syracuse just got 2 walks, a strike out, a double and a sac fly off of Meyer to go up 3-2, while i'm at it)

[BigTrane]

You had to bring BBQ into it... ok.

 

I was born in Fort Worth, so naturally BBQ = beef for me, and nothing beats the beef brisket sandwich from Angelo's. Shhh! Keep it on the down-low...

 

KC BBQ is nothing to sneeze at, tho, but comparing with Memphis and Carolina styles, I'd say Texas has it all the way. Keep your bike seat. Gimmie some nice, marbled beef brisket or beef ribs, smothered in mesquite goodness.

 

Oh, baseball?

 

Now we see if the last series was a fluke. I had the Brew Crew as my NL Dark Horse, and KC as My AL Dark Horse. Are they for real? Can anyone not named Gibson actually pitch for the Twins? Is our offense for real? This looks like a great series, and should answer a lot of early-season questions.

[Mr. Brooks]

Bernadino reporting that Bartlett is retiring.

[Tibs]

Well Jason Bartlett says he plans to retire

[Craig Arko]

Retire and open a BBQ restaurant.

[Jerr]

No letting up, Twins! Let's win this series:)

Wish I was down there, tonight. Did a road trip there and had the time of my life, though it was really cold that April. Need to see Kauffman with all the remodeling being finished.

[Gibby]

I'm going to continue to not comment during the game. We have won every time. Figures you guys are talking barbeque. That's what I do for a living.

[BigTrane]

Retire and open a BBQ restaurant.

 

Is there any good BBQ in Mpls any more?

Out of the loop here... last fave place was Smokehouse on 4th & Lake, don't know if they're still there...

[Jerr]

I'm going to continue to not comment during the game. We have won every time. Figures you guys are talking barbeque. That's what I do for a living.

 

So, you comment about not commenting????

Just kidding....

 

edit: "during the game" oops, missed that and first pitch hasn't happened.

[Gibby]

I think it's the Bautista beard, that is fueling Colabello,

[Gibby]

Is there any good BBQ in Mpls any more?

Out of the loop here... last fave place was Smokehouse on 4th & Lake, don't know if they're still there...

 

No...I'm hard pressed to find a good restaurant in Mpls. I haven't tried much bbq here, so I cant really say.

 

I don't think the Smokehouse is still there. This looks intriguing though. http://www.northboundbrewpub.com/

[Winston Smith]

6. think about that favorite Bartlett memory from this season. Think fast or it will be gone!

[Jerr]

6. think about that favorite Bartlett memory from this season. Think fast or it will be gone!

 

His retirement.

[longstrangetrip]

Good lineup against the lefty.

That was my first thought too, until I looked at Vargas' splits. He's more effective against RHBs than lefties...both this year and for the past three. I still like the lineup except letting Florimonster bat RH.

[Craig Arko]

Is there any good BBQ in Mpls any more?

Out of the loop here... last fave place was Smokehouse on 4th & Lake, don't know if they're still there...

 

I'm partial to Rudolph's, but I tend more to Vietnamese and Thai food.

[snepp]

Yay, made it home before the 9th inning for once.

 

 

I probably just cursed them.

[BigTrane]

I'm partial to Rudolph's, but I tend more to Vietnamese and Thai food.

 

Vietnamese? Pho Quan. End of story.

BBQ? "Challenged" sounds polite; "screwed" sounds accurate.

[Jerr]

You can buy bottled fountain water at Kauffman for $10. Sealed with epoxy and not drinkable.

What a great country we live in!!!!!

[BigTrane]

No...I'm hard pressed to find a good restaurant in Mpls. I haven't tried much bbq here, so I cant really say.

 

I don't think the Smokehouse is still there. This looks intriguing though. http://www.northboundbrewpub.com/

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out next time I'm back!

If they do it low and slow, then it should be good.