Game Thread: Twins@Indians 5/6 6:05PM

[Riverbrian]

Game-time forecast: Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Temperature around 50.

 

Twins:

SP, Deduno

 

Dozier 2B

Fuld CF

Plouffe DH

Colabello 1B

Kubel LF

Suzuki C

Escobar 3B

Herrmann RF

Santana SS

 

Indians:

SP, Tomlin

 

Morgan CF

Swisher 1B

Brantley LF

Santana 3B

Murphy RF

Cabrera SS

Chisenhall DH

Gomes C

Ramirez 2B

 

--------------------------------------------------------------

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. Sam Deduno -- It's surprising how things work out sometimes. After watching many many Twins games last year. I was of the solid opinion that Sam Deduno was our top starting pitcher last year. I actually believe there was little doubt about that. If it wasn't for his injury late in the year... Sam's ERA was on the low side of 3. With the injury... he closed up shop for the year at 3.83. In comparison to the rest of the staff... that was the best starting pitcher we had and it wasn't really close. So you can imagine my surprise when Sam Deduno was not part of the opening day 2014 rotation. I totally understand the need to acquire arms for depth and I totally understand the need to get Kyle Gibson into the rotation. I was just shocked that the top starter from 2013 was still on the squad and out of the rotation. With the injury to Mike Pelfrey... Sam Deduno is back and starting and that's where I think he belongs. Don't screw this up Sam... Take this job and hold on to it. I don't care if we win or lose... I just don't want egg on my face. It's way past breakfast.

 

2. Eduardo Escobar -- He's been hitting the ball well and Pedro Florimon has not been doing that. Members of Twins Daily are losing their minds that Florimon has remained the starter at SS after careful consideration of what is happening at the plate. Escobar is from Venezuela which is a country just south of Idaho. Average rainfall in Venezuela is yet to be determined because it hasn't stopped raining yet. Venezuela is Spanish speaking but only Chris Colabello can truly understand it.

 

3. The Rubber Band Theory -- It's my theory and it's now officially a theory after advancing from the hypothesis stage with a victory over Cleveland last night. The Rubber Band theory in it's most basic form simply states that the Twins will rise and fall from the median of a .500 winning percentage and immediately snap back to 50/50 as if connected to it by a rubber band. At some point the Rubber band will snap from the pressure of a 162 game schedule and the team will head in the direction the team is determined to go.

 

4. North Dakota -- I spent a lot of time driving the state last weekend... I had a lot of time to think about North Dakota and did some research when I got back. North Dakota was part of the Dakota Territories... "Dakota" comes from a misunderstanding. Early Norwegian Settlers were simply saying "it's Cold Out". With thick Norwegian accents... "It's Cold Out" was misheard as "Dakota" and the rest is history. North Dakota and South Dakota were divided up and granted statehood in 1889. Both states wanted to be called North Dakota and after much bloodshed... the conflict was settled by a coin flip... South Dakota lost and was forced to be called South Dakota forever and ever.

 

5. Regina -- I had a surprise visit today from a friend of mine from Regina Saskatchewan and we went out to lunch. I was surprised by his visit and I wondered why he didn't call me to let me know he was in town. He explained that they don't have cell service in Regina and his rotary phone didn't work in the United States. He was a football player and he moved up to Regina to play football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders but he was confused by the 55 Yard line and ended up taking a job with Creek Management for the city of Regina. The City of Regina was built along the Wascana Creek. The Mighty Wascana became important in the growth of the city as transportation of goods and services shipped on Toy Boats... one box of crackers at a time. In his job... He routinely walks the entire length of Wascana Creek from Vibank to Tyvan making sure that all the frogs are well fed. He says the hardest part of his job is catching all the flies himself and hand feeding the frogs... he is also annoyed by the occasional slipping into the creek and getting his socks wet. After an IQ test determined that he was one of the brightest people in the city... He has decided to change careers... enrolling in the RCMP National Training Centre. He was always a fan of Dudley Do-Right and plans to spend his career as a Mountie policing Victoria Park... protecting all from Snidely Whiplash and helping people find their way back after getting lost visiting the Cenotaph. He has a wife named "Nell" and a Horse named "Horse". That isn't all that surprising since 64 percent of Reginese people own horses and 82 percent of them are named "Horse" The other 18 percent are named "Donkey". The City Council actually has two Appaloosa's serving a two year term representing the Germantown and South Albert Street districts. He's doing well and enjoys visiting Grand Forks but it's a little hilly for him. On a clear day... he can see Saskatoon 160 miles away from his back porch and Russia from his front porch.

[jokin]

Santana in his 1st start. Mauer in his 2nd day on the bench. Eddie at 3rd. That's just how I roll.

[Craig Arko]

Spoilers: Escobar at 3rd, Santana at short. Still no Mauer.

 

 

Going to miss the first few innings for Agents of SHIELD, because that's how I roll...

[Richie the Rally Goat]

LEN3 tweeted tonight's lineup. With Mauer out again Plouffe to DH, Escobar playing third, and Santana making his first mlb start at SS.

 

Exciting evening ahead for Mr. Santana and Twins fans alike!

[ScottyB]

Most important - no Florimon!! Tonight's one-man bench - Pinto. (Mauer injured, Pedro worthless)

[Mike Sixel]

Congrats to Mr. Santana.

[iTwins]

Glad to see Gardy finally worked Danny into the lineup. He showed last night that his speed can be a game changer - I hope he gets a few chances to swipe some bases tonight.

 

That being said, this is an interesting night to start him. Deduno has historically been a ground ball pitcher - and Santana has a well documented history with errors (He has 5 in Rochester this year already). He might have a lot of opportunities tonight...

 

It's true that Deduno's ground ball rate is lower this year and his K% is higher, but one has to wonder if that's just the small sample size of working out of the 'pen throwing things off.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Games like last night are 11-dimensional chess matches.. I predict we win tonight on a Pinto squeeze bunt that scores Florimon..

[Craig Arko]

Games like last night are 11-dimensional chess matches.. I predict we win tonight on a Pinto squeeze bunt that scores Florimon..

 

Hollywood couldn't script it better.

[Boom Boom]

I'm sure Chris Herrmann is a great guy, but shouldn't there be another (real) outfielder on the roster by now?

 

Pinto's not even DHing and Herrmann is still out there.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Hollywood couldn't script it better.

The killer rabbit might also make an appearance for you

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I'm sure Chris Herrmann is a great guy, but shouldn't there be another (real) outfielder on the roster by now?

 

Pinto's not even DHing and Herrmann is still out there.

 

It's not like Herrmann can't catch a fly ball--- oh wait

[Mike Sixel]

Gardy keeps running Herrmann out there, because he was promised he would hear some of the Hermits music after a month or two. sigh. I am much better at complaining than writing jokes. I'll do better later, after I've been out, "working".

[Guest USAFChief]

Gardy, Gardy, Gardy...you have a guy on your team OPSing 2.000 as a DH and you decide to play him at SS??!?

[Craig Arko]

Gardy, Gardy, Gardy...you have a guy on your team OPSing 2.000 as a DH and you decide to play him at SS??!?

 

This guy knows.

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v32650533/gardy-gnome-giveaway-is-june-7-at-target-field/?partnerId=as_min_20140506_23364974

[twinsnorth49]

Game-time forecast: Partly cloudy. Winds blowing in from right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Temperature around 50.

 

 

 

5. Regina -- I had a surprise visit today from a friend of mine from Regina Saskatchewan and we went out to lunch. I was surprised by his visit and I wondered why he didn't call me to let me know he was in town. He explained that they don't have cell service in Regina and his rotary phone didn't work in the United States. He was a football player and he moved up to Regina to play football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders but he was confused by the 55 Yard line and ended up taking a job with Creek Management for the city of Regina. The City of Regina was built along the Wascana Creek. The Mighty Wascana became important in the growth of the city as transportation of goods and services shipped on Toy Boats... one box of crackers at a time. In his job... He routinely walks the entire length of Wascana Creek from Vibank to Tyvan making sure that all the frogs are well fed. He says the hardest part of his job is catching all the flies himself and hand feeding the frogs... he is also annoyed by the occasional slipping into the creek and getting his socks wet. After an IQ test determined that he was one of the brightest people in the city... He has decided to change careers... enrolling in the RCMP National Training Centre. He was always a fan of Dudley Do-Right and plans to spend his career as a Mountie policing Victoria Park... protecting all from Snidely Whiplash and helping people find their way back after getting lost visiting the Cenotaph. He has a wife named "Nell" and a Horse named "Horse". That isn't all that surprising since 64 percent of Reginese people own horses and 82 percent of them are named "Horse" The other 18 percent are named "Donkey". The City Council actually has two Appaloosa's serving a two year term representing the Germantown and South Albert Street districts. He's doing well and enjoys visiting Grand Forks but it's a little hilly for him. On a clear day... he can see Saskatoon 160 miles away from his back porch and Russia from his front porch.

 

Friends with Mark Zuckerberg and Jimmy Wales I assume? Very informative fellows.

[Tibs]

Excited to see Santana and Deduno!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

 

4. North Dakota -- I spent a lot of time driving the state last weekend... I had a lot of time to think about North Dakota and did some research when I got back. North Dakota was part of the Dakota Territories... "Dakota" comes from a misunderstanding. Early Norwegian Settlers were simply saying "it's Cold Out". With thick Norwegian accents... "It's Cold Out" was misheard as "Dakota" and the rest is history. North Dakota and South Dakota were divided up and granted statehood in 1889. Both states wanted to be called North Dakota and after much bloodshed... the conflict was settled by a coin flip... South Dakota lost and was forced to be called South Dakota forever and ever.

 

 

Funny! Did they ever keep the coin? I bet it's worth a lot due to its historical significance.

 

Though i remember listening on the radio when Dakota was reunified a while back. I was under the impression the state was arbitrarily split up because other states were afraid it would be too square. Anyway, people were very happy at the time. I think the news program i heard it on was... let's see... Prairie Home Companion. But it's been a while...

[Reider]

That's quite the story about Regina considering that's where I live. When did they start putting meth in your mouthwash? Also, what former Rider are you friends with?

 

I agree with you on most of your opinions about the Twins (re: Deduno, Escobar etc..). I"m happy Santana is getting the start at SS today. I want to see what he has. I wasn't impressed with his defense in spring training. I hope he's ready to go.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Mauer still not available to pinch hit? Pop some ibuprofen old man, the bench is looking mighty thin tonight (I'm not counting Flori as a PHer, I just can't do it).

[Reider]

Mauer still not available to pinch hit? Pop some ibuprofen old man, the bench is looking mighty thin tonight (I'm not counting Flori as a PHer, I just can't do it).

Florimon is a good pinch runner and a good late game defensive replacement for Santana if he boots the ball around, like he did in Spring Training. He's definitely not a late game pinch hitter.

[twinsnorth49]

That's quite the story about Regina considering that's where I live. When did they start putting meth in your mouthwash? Also, what former Rider are you friends with?

 

I agree with you on most of your opinions about the Twins (re: Deduno, Escobar etc..). I"m happy Santana is getting the start at SS today. I want to see what he has. I wasn't impressed with his defense in spring training. I hope he's ready to go.

 

Regina you say?........

 

 

Best game ever!....................ok I'm a Bomber fan, give it your best shot, you have plenty of ammo.

 

 

http://www.clubsask.com/images/13thman.jpg

[Riverbrian]

Gardy keeps running Herrmann out there, because he was promised he would hear some of the Hermits music after a month or two. sigh. I am much better at complaining than writing jokes. I'll do better later, after I've been out, "working".

 

Something tells him... He's into something good...

 

We are not sure what that something is.

[Riverbrian]

what former Rider are you friends with?

 

Umm... Dudley Do-Right Dressler?

[Reider]

Regina you say?........

 

 

Best game ever!....................ok I'm a Bomber fan, give it your best shot, you have plenty of ammo.

 

 

http://www.clubsask.com/images/13thman.jpg

 

I'm not sure why you'd bring up the 13th man year to try and hurt my feelings. The Riders won the Grey Cup last year. They also won it in 2007 against your Bombers. Sure, there was the 13th man year in 2009, which sucked, but looking at the big picture, it's still better being a Rider fan.

 

The Bombers haven't won the Grey Cup since 1990 and the last time they had the opportunity, they lost to the Riders! I don't think Bomber fans, of all fans, have any room to talk. However, I do feel bad for Milt Stegall the touchdown regal for never having won a Grey Cup.

[Riverbrian]

Regina you say?........

 

 

Best game ever!....................ok I'm a Bomber fan, give it your best shot, you have plenty of ammo.

 

 

http://www.clubsask.com/images/13thman.jpg

 

Below is the official flag of Regina...

 

Its awesome because the Flag is a guy holding a Flag.

 

[Riverbrian]

I'm not sure why you'd bring up the 13th man year to try and hurt my feelings. The Riders won the Grey Cup last year. They also won it in 2007 against your Bombers. Sure, there was the 13th man year in 2009, which sucked, but looking at the big picture, it's still better being a Rider fan.

 

The Bombers haven't won the Grey Cup since 1990 and the last time they had the opportunity, they lost to the Riders! I don't think Bomber fans, of all fans, have any room to talk. However, I do feel bad for Milt Stegall the touchdown regal for never having won a Grey Cup.

 

13th Man??? The Metric System just messes everything up!!!

[Reider]

Umm... Dudley Do-Right Dressler?

Holy cow, we love Weston in Sk! Good luck to him in the NFL, but I hope he comes back! The guy is a stud.

[Reider]

13th Man??? The Metric System just messes everything up!!!

The Riders had too many men on the field in the 2009 Grey Cup against Montreal with no time left on the clock. Montreal missed the field goal, but due to the penalty, they were allowed to kick the field goal again and they made it, beating the Riders. It was the most devastating loss in Roughrider history. Hence the 13th man jokes.

[Riverbrian]

Holy cow, we love Weston in Sk! Good luck to him in the NFL, but I hope he comes back! The guy is a stud.

 

North Dakotas own... By way of Bismarck and Grand Forks.

 

All the best Canadians come from North Dakota... Weston Dressler... Jonathan Toews... Neil Young.