Article: Game Thread: Rays@Twins 5/15 7:10PM

[Riverbrian]

Well... Let's not sugar coat it. Yesterday's game against the Tigers Stunk!!!

 

In the past 4 games... Our Twins are 1-3 and the rose certainly smelled sweeter when we were 9-1 in the 10 games before that.

 

The talented Tigers certainly had a lot to do with it and I'm glad that we are done playing them but now comes the Tampa Rays and they are playing quite well thus far.

 

Here's hoping the Twins had a chance to clean up... take a shower and get into some brand new duds for this series at home.

 

Here are some things to think about:

 

1. Hot Streaks going Cold -- It happens all the time in baseball. You are on top of the world and just like that you are on the bottom of the world. From Yellowknife to Patagonia in a heartbeat. It's the fastest mode of transportation known to man. It happens so fast that it isn't visible to the naked eye. You need a high speed camera to fully get your arms around it and when you look at it frame by frame here is what you see. Everything is going along as normal when a bunch of Tigers appear into focus and force a severe re-route. Hopefully we can get back on the path to Yellowknife tonight. Yeah... Yellowknife... That's where we want to be... because deep down we all want to be Canadian.

 

2. The Rays -- Nobody expected anything from the Rays this year. Nobody expected much from the Twins either and here they are... both battling for playoff position in Mid-May. The change in the Rays organization in the off season was stunning and from the top down. Andrew Friedman left for a job as President of the Dodgers... This triggered an escape clause for Manager Joe Maddon and off he went to the Chicago Cubs and this led to a re-working of the roster and away went Wil Myers and Ben Zobrist and Matt Joyce and a bunch of others. It was like they were saying... Let's rebuild this thing right now when the cupboard wasn't totally bare. Replacing all of these guys... Matt Silverman segued from President to President of Baseball Operations which would be like Dave St. Peter replacing Terry Ryan. Silverman then hired Kevin Cash to replace Joe Maddon. Silverman probably figured that hiring Cash was the only way to infuse actual Cash into the payroll and they replaced Myers and Zobrist with... well... Some guy named Souza and... and... Well... This is where the mystery begins. Regardless of all the changes... It seems to be working rather nicely thus far.

 

3. Aaron Hicks -- It's actually kind of nice to see Aaron Hicks in Center Field. That's because it feels a little different this time around. The First time we saw Hicks it was a disaster. He wasn't ready and did it ever show. Hicks 2.0 wasn't much better and it kind of led us all to feel that Hicks just wasn't going to be the player we wanted him to be. Hicks 3.0 just feels a little different to me... Here's why... I was watching his stats in Rochester and judging by the stats alone... He seemed like he was figuring some things out. No Eyeball on it... Just looking at the stats alone... That's why this version of Aaron Hicks feels a little more comfortable. I have no idea what happens when Shane Robinson comes back. I wish Shane the best for his family's sake but while he's away... Aaron Hicks is auditioning... quite possibly for his job. Someday... Arcia will come back from the D.L. and the Twins will have some OF decisions to make. Hicks has to prove he belongs and I certainly like that scenario much better. Hicks proving he belongs instead of... Here's the Job... I sure hope you belong.

 

4. Jake Odorizzi -- Giving it some thought... To be Odor Easy... That would be a great. You wouldn't have to worry about purchasing any of those colognes or deodorant because you are... Odor Easy. It's not about smelling great... You'd walk into any room and just not smell at all... We'd all take that. Of Course... I'm married so I stopped worrying about what I smell like and my wife has given up worrying about it. So I guess... in my own unique way... I am odor easy... Because I just don't care anymore. If you were hoping for a breakdown on who is pitching for the Rays tonight... you came to the wrong place. He has a 2.09 ERA in 2015. That's pretty good. His numbers certainly don't stink.

 

5. Big Screen Televisions -- I'm shopping for a new television and I'd like to get a monster TV for my in-home entertainment. It turns out that my wife is not shopping for a new television she is talking about moving my chair closer.

 

Game-time forecast: 68 deg F, overcast (sunset at 8:35pm), 0% chance of rain, winds from the east at 5mph

 

LINEUPS:

 

RAYS

Kevin Kiermaier CF

Steven Souza RF

Evan Longoria 3B

James Loney 1B

Logan Forsythe 2B

David DeJesus DH

Asdrubal Cabrera SS

Joey Butler LF

Rene Rivera C

 

Odorizzi P

 

TWINS

Dozier 2B

Hunter RF

Mauer 1B

Plouffe 3B

Suzuki C

Escobar LF

Vargas DH

Hicks CF

Santana SS

 

Hughes P

 

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[Blake]

I like this years Twins due to the fact there are options in the system that can be brought up. In fact, there may even be a surplus that can be traded for a need, which is cool.

 

 

[JB_Iowa]

Are you really moving to Michigan?

 

If so, shouldn't you be shopping there?

[ashbury]

Maybe his new employer is paying all the relocation costs, so he's buying up what he can in ND so as to get his money's worth from the movers. Used riding mowers, concrete blocks, bushels of topsoil, lead pipes. He can sell any excess in Michigan.

[D. Hocking]

 

Are you really moving to Michigan?

 

If so, shouldn't you be shopping there?

 

This is going to be a major blow to the North Dakota tourist industry - losing one of their premier residents.

 

I am excited we are actually playing someone different.  It feels like we have played the same few teams over and over again this season.  I would not mind going awhile without seeing the Tigers again.

[JB_Iowa]

 

Maybe his new employer is paying all the relocation costs, so he's buying up what he can in ND so as to get his money's worth from the movers. Used riding mowers, concrete blocks, bushels of topsoil, lead pipes. He can sell any excess in Michigan.

 

Well, yeah, and you do have to compare ND prices and sales tax w/Michigan.

[Blake]

Someone is leaving ND for Michigan? Why? Okay, granted, Michigan is probably a bit warmer in the winter. (although, -20, -40...it's all cold) But still, ND seems like a pretty cool place to hang out. Although, I hear good things about the UP.

 

At times I miss Minnesota. And it did cause me amusement when Mom called me in December to tell me how cold it was in CA. Another chuckle worthy moment was telling my brother-in-law, on Christmas Day, that it had turned really nice, 28 degrees, sun was shining, new snow on the ground, etc. I'm pretty sure my brother-in-law thought I was insane.

[USAFChief]

Maybe his new employer is paying all the relocation costs, so he's buying up what he can in ND so as to get his money's worth from the movers. Used riding mowers, concrete blocks, bushels of topsoil, lead pipes. He can sell any excess in Michigan.

I hear lead pipes fetch a pretty penny in Michigan.

[Craig Arko]

Minnesota: it's supposed to be in the 80's on Sunday and the 30's on Monday. Happily, my tickets are for Sunday's game, although it may take great consumption of fluids to make it through.

[Bark's Lounge]

Rumor has it that Brian's new job in Michigan is that he is now in charge of killing the remaining population of Wolverines that inhabit Michigan's forests... 3 in total. His position is called "Coordinator of State Identity Change".

 

Word is the state wants their new symbol to be an Art Deco Illustration of abandoned buildings and smokeless smokestacks.

 

Wipe em' out Brian!!! Nugent has your back!!!

 

It's a Free for All!

[Bark's Lounge]

 

 

Minnesota: it's supposed to be in the 80's on Sunday and the 30's on Monday. Happily, my tickets are for Sunday's game, although it may take great consumption of fluids to make it through.

Hey CRArko. Thanks for making me sad.

[Craig Arko]

Hey CRArko. Thanks for making me sad.

I sorry.

[D. Hocking]

It still surprises me that he could leave all this (hopefully MI will at least have a Herberger's)

 

 

http://www.pitt.edu/~edm27/fargowinter.jpg

 

 

 

[Squirrel]

Minnesota: it's supposed to be in the 80's on Sunday and the 30's on Monday. Happily, my tickets are for Sunday's game, although it may take great consumption of fluids to make it through.

Don't forget the sunscreen!

[formerly33]

Guess who's celebrating their birthdays today! Brian Dozier AND Justin Morneau!! I love them both so much!

 

 

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Justin+Morneau+Colorado+Rockies+v+Miami+Marlins+LOqU57av8NMl.jpg

 

Maybe Bark can make Morneau a birthday card since apparently the Rockies aren't as advanced as the Twins when it comes to technology. I'm not asking for much. Just a simple Happy Birthday and maybe a cake with the Rockies' logo on it. Don't bother with the candles (though I would have requested that a year ago...a birthday card by Bark for Morneau's platinum birthday would have been so special).

 

By the way, I think I mentioned a while back that if I could legally change my birthday I would. Now that I know the date, all I have to do is wait for the government to legalize it.

Edited May 15, 2015 by always33

[twinsnorth49]

 

Someone is leaving ND for Michigan? Why? Okay, granted, Michigan is probably a bit warmer in the winter. (although, -20, -40...it's all cold) But still, ND seems like a pretty cool place to hang out. Although, I hear good things about the UP.

 

 

You should visit sometime, you'l likely change that stance. Especially with RB gone.

[JB_Iowa]

Also celebrating her birthday today is Seth Stoh's 9 year old daughter, Jozie.

 

He's very proud of her!

[twinsnorth49]

 

It still surprises me that he could leave all this (hopefully MI will at least have a Herberger's)

 

 

http://www.pitt.edu/~edm27/fargowinter.jpg

 

Wow, that looks alarmingly similar to Manitoba, minus the Herbergers

[Bark's Lounge]

 

Rumor has it that Brian's new job in Michigan is that he is now in charge of killing the remaining population of Wolverines that inhabit Michigan's forests... 3 in total. His position is called "Coordinator of State Identity Change".

 

Word is the state wants their new symbol to be an Art Deco Illustration of abandoned buildings and smokeless smokestacks.

 

Wipe em' out Brian!!! Nugent has your back!!!

 

It's a Free for All!

Preliminary Concept Art for Michigan's New Logo

 

[ashbury]

 

http://www.pitt.edu/~edm27/fargowinter.jpg

Ah yes, my drive back from Indianapolis to Minneapolis entirely via US 52 one Christmas Holiday season. I was a stubborn youth and would not deviate from my master plan.

[Blake]

 

Wow, that looks alarmingly similar to Manitoba, minus the Herbergers

Please, that could be anywhere in the Upper Midwest, including MI.

 

I left a car on hwy 62 due to a blizzard. Was not a fun walk to shelter. Fortunately, the plows didn't hit the car, though it was neatly plowed around.

[Bark's Lounge]

WTF?

 

[Craig Arko]

WTF?

 

WTF.jpg

They call him Flipper, Flipper,

Faster than lightning.

[Bark's Lounge]

 

They call him Flipper, Flipper,
Faster than lightning.

Until the Japanese got a hold of him.

[Winston Smith]

Is Rosario in the dog house?

[Platoon]

WTF?

 

WTF.jpg

I had no idea those Japanese Flying Carp got that large?

[Blake]

 

Guess who's celebrating their birthdays today! Brian Dozier AND Justin Morneau!! I love them both so much!

 

 

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Justin+Morneau+Colorado+Rockies+v+Miami+Marlins+LOqU57av8NMl.jpg

 

Maybe Bark can make Morneau a birthday card since apparently the Rockies aren't as advanced as the Twins when it comes to technology. I'm not asking for much. Just a simple Happy Birthday and maybe a cake with the Rockies' logo on it. Don't bother with the candles (though I would have requested that a year ago...a birthday card by Bark for Morneau's platinum birthday would have been so special).

 

By the way, I think I mentioned a while back that if I could legally change my birthday I would. Now that I know the date, all I have to do is wait for the government to legalize it.

Are we talking day and month, or day, month and year? (I'm guessing the latter) Legally changing the birth year would also impact the legal drinking age. 

 

Sounds like a concept.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Is Rosario in the dog house?

Don't know, but i expect he's no more in the dog house than Torii was yesterday.

 

But that's a good question. Does Molitor have a dog house?

[Platoon]

It is more likely Brian's wife wants him to sit closer to the TV, so he is farther from her! This could, or could not have something to do with his aforementioned disregard for bodily odor(s)!

[Hrbowski]

 

Are we talking day and month, or day, month and year? (I'm guessing the latter) Legally changing the birth year would also impact the legal drinking age. 

 

Sounds like a concept.

I think she was talking about all.