Official Twins/Gophers Game Thread: Wed. March 4 @ 6 p.m.

[KirbyHawk75]

Any guesses?

[youngpadawan]

Looks like Berrios is starting! Yay!

[JB_Iowa]

I haven't seen a lineup but Puckett's Pond has a list of those expected to play.

 

http://puckettspond.com/2015/03/03/twins-announces-players-tilt-gophers/

[JB_Iowa]

Oh and in case anyone wonders, the game is on FSN+ not FSN.

[youngpadawan]

I am pumped for an exhibition game.... that almost doesn't sound possible when the team I'm pumped about has been one of the worst in baseball for 4 years. Just shows what high end prospects can do for a fan base.

[formerly33]

I'm so excited that Berrios is starting! He's my favorite up-and-coming Twins pitcher.

[T.C.]

Good to see Berrios being rewarded for the work he's put in this offseason.

[Seth Stohs]

I love that they're televising this game! And I really love that they're playing the prospects... and Perkins. 

 

For me... we always get to see the regulars... I want to see the minor leagues!

 

Thursday when they play the Red Sox, the starters will get a few innings at least. 

[Halsey Hall]

I'm just hoping they don't start charging the 10 bucks for parking til noon at least.  They are greedy here for the money. 

 

Only 4 infielders listed, so more than that will play.  I might go get me a ticket. 

[nater79a]

I'm just hoping they don't start charging the 10 bucks for parking til noon at least.  They are greedy here for the money. 

 

Only 4 infielders listed, so more than that will play.  I might go get me a ticket. 

 

Yeah, looks like Sano, Nunez, Beresford and Vargas around the infield. Unless Rosario gets some time at 2B.

[nater79a]

Do the Gophers use aluminum bats for this game?

[twinscowboysbulls]

Good question. I would assume the answer is yes.

[Seth Stohs]

According to this Gophers report, this is the first time that the Gophers and Twins have played an Exhibition Game since April of 1987, a game the Twins won 11-0. 

 

It also notes that the two teams intend to play an exhibition every other year.

[Seth Stohs]

Gophers OF/P (he's done both this year already) Matt Fiedler just tweeted:

 

 

I've grown up a huge @Twins fan and idolize many of their players.. Going to be a very surreal moment playing against them tonight

[Seth Stohs]

Gophers Catcher Matt Halloran tweeted:

 

 

Get to play my favorite MLB team today @Twins Going to be something I'll remember for the rest of my life! Check it out on FSN plus @ 6

 

It's got to be a thrill for these Minnesota kids to get to play against the Twins, even if the regulars aren't going to get into the game... except for Perkins.

[Seth Stohs]

Paul Molitor on playing the exhibition against John Anderson and the Gophers...

 

 

I'm going to exchange lineup cards with a former college buddy of mine who just happens to be one of the best college coaches in baseball history.

[Halsey Hall]

So I was told while watching the minor leaguers this morning that there is a meal at 5 tonight for fans with a ticket, but the ticket window knows nothing about it, and I can find anything on line about it. 

 

The Twins have a meeting at 3 this afternoon and then will hit the fields for practice. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

BEISBOL!

[Seth Stohs]

Lineup from Tyler Mason (FSN):

 

#MNTwins vs. #Gophers: Buxton CF, Nunez SS, Herrmann DH, Vargas 1B, Sano 3B, Rosario LF, Fryer C, Beresford 2B, Robinson RF, Berrios SP.

[Parker Hageman]

Do the Gophers use aluminum bats for this game?

 

 

What has been customary in the college vs pro games is that the pro teams supply the wood bats. 

[Willihammer]

Remember when that Baltimore community college beat the Orioles in spring training 2012 and fans joked about how godawful the O's season was going to be?

 

I'm pulling for the Gophs in this one.

[jokin]

Lineup from Tyler Mason (FSN):

 

#MNTwins vs. #Gophers: Buxton CF, Nunez SS, Herrmann DH, Vargas 1B, Sano 3B, Rosario LF, Fryer C, Beresford 2B, Robinson RF, Berrios SP.

 

For some reason, this lineup with these 5 guys, healthy and ready, reminds me of the giddy anticipation in the old Dark Star commercial  (@ 0:45 second mark):

 

"Baseball... So close you can taste it!"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=HWb7OHloc58#t=45

[Otto von Ballpark]

This should easily be an annual event, and possible multiple per year too -- oftentimes, they could probably schedule an exhibition in Minnesota just before the season starts (either at Target Field or the new Vikings stadium, probably).  Both sides might field B-squad teams but it would be fun.

[tobi0040]

18 of the 33 Gopher players are older than Berrios.

[gbg]

I got my tickets a few days ago, and I'm thrilled to see this lineup!

 

The things is, pretty much all of the starters won't be starters for the Twins on opening day, and yet it's a pretty danged good lineup. We certainly wouldn't be able to say that the last few years.

 

Halsey - I hope that meal is coming - I could eat!

[Parker Hageman]

https://twitter.com/GopherBaseball/status/573229594934947841

[Mill1634]

I'm just ready for some baseball. Interesting to see that Buxton and Sano are playing in the first game.

[Craig Arko]

As both a Twins fan and a U of M alum, I smell victory.

 

Want to see Sano throw, and Buxton fly.

[diehardtwinsfan]

As both a Twins fan and a U of M alum, I smell victory.

 

Want to see Sano throw, and Buxton fly.

 

I'd like to see them both hit.

[Giles Ferrell]

I'd like to see them both hit.

I'm just excited to see them in general