Game Thread, Twins vs. Red Sox, 5/27 @ 12:10 pm CT

[Shane Wahl]

Forecast: 75 degrees and clear

 

Lineups:

 

Boston Red Sox

 

1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

2. Mookie Betts, CF

3. Pablo Sandoval, 3B

4. Hanley Ramirez, LF

5. David Ortiz, DH

6. Mike Napoli, 1B

7. Xander Bogaerts, SS

8. Brock Holt, RF

9. Blake Swihart, C

 

Pitching: Rich Porcello ®

 

Minnesota Twins

 

1. Brian Dozier, 2B

2. Torii Hunter, RF

3. Joe Mauer, 1B

4. Trevor Plouffe, 3B

5. Eduardo Escobar, DH

6. Eddie Rosario, LF

7. Chris Herrmann, C

8. Aaron Hicks, CF

9. Danny Santana, SS

 

Pitching: Phil Hughes ®

 

 

Things to think about:

 

1. The chance to move to 10 games over .500. I was mildly optimistic about this team, but that optimism was based on a few things happening. None of them have happened, and yet the Twins are currently 27-18. Danny Santana and Kennys Vargas regressed significantly instead of maintaining 2014 performance, Joe Mauer--though RBI lovers are silent for once--is not hitting very well at all, and looks like he is not returning, ever, to even being close to the old Joe, and Nolasco has only really shown the potential to be a major league starter just very recently. And yet . . . a win today and the Twins are 28-18. Inconceivable!

 

2. Jealousy. The Red Sox looked to bounce back after last season and reload for another WS attempt. Right now they are 21-25 and are having trouble scoring runs. The David Ortiz era is finally actually eding and it isn't so pretty. The Red Sox have to be looking at the Twins with envy. Both teams have excellent farm systems to draw on nd both have begun the process, but the Red Sox would be six and a half games back of the Twins if they were in the same division.

 

3. Sweep. After sweeping the White Sox about a month ago, the Twins are poised to sweep the Red Sox with a win today. I also have to sweep my entire house in preparation for moving out of this house and into a new one soon. One would be good and the other is always very bad.

 

4. Catching. Chris Herrmann behind the dish today after the late night game last night. I am predicting two hits and an RBI for Herrmann today. He isn't going to be the man of the hour, but given that his days have got to be numbered (right?), it will be nice for Herrmann to have a good game and end (right?) this stint with the Twins on a good note. I am willing to call Josmil Pinto myself (right?).

 

5. Holt. Brock Holt will be the one (one, I tell you!) guy to really hit Hughes today.

 

6. Porcello. Rick seemed to be righting the ship before his last outing, which was a bit of a disaster. Let the Twins cause even more pitching turmoil in Bean Town with a smackdown today.

 

7. I don't actually think that will happen. I am predicting a 4-2 Twins win. I am calling out Joe Mauer to be the offensive leader today with three hits and two RBI. Phil Hughes will make us happy with another strong outing, relieving any worries still lingering. I also think he will strike out six in seven today.

[Shane Wahl]

Does the ® mean "registered" like in they registered their firearms?

[Squirrel]

 

Does the ® mean "registered" like in they registered their firearms?

Ha! I learned that trick early on ... when you use an 'R' inside parentheses, it translates into a trade mark.

 

Great write up, though ... trademark notwithstanding!

[twinsnorth49]

 

Does the ® mean "registered" like in they registered their firearms?

Are you talking to yourself?  

 

[USAFChief]

Thanks Shane!

[Jerr]

Let's go TWINS!!!!!!

 

I am ready!!!!

[John Kelsey]

I think I'm going to call an audible and take a half day to head over to the ballpark today. It's too nice to sit inside and stare at a computer screen. I'd rather sit outside and eat 6 or 7 hot dogs. 

[JB_Iowa]

Good Opening.

 

And, I always need a lot more than a broom when moving into or out of someplace.  (:

[Jerr]

 

I think I'm going to call an audible and take a half day to head over to the ballpark today. It's too nice to sit inside and stare at a computer screen. I'd rather sit outside and eat 6 or 7 hot dogs. 

Sick at home here, I hate you....just kidding, bring sunscreen and enjoy

[stringer bell]

Nice job Shane! Let's hope a) the LH bats get going (Mauer, Herrmann) and that the Royals lose while the Twins win, resulting in a FIRST PLACE TIE on May 27th. Whodathunkit?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Hurrah!

 

Another Twins game to watch.

 

Life is good, even if i can't make it to the ball park or gorge myself on 6 or 7 hot dogs.

 

Well, if they're spaced out, that's nothing. That's one every inning and a half.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

 

I think I'm going to call an audible and take a half day to head over to the ballpark today. It's too nice to sit inside and stare at a computer screen. I'd rather sit outside and eat 6 or 7 hot dogs. 

As Humphrey Bogart once said, " A dog at the ballpark is better than a steak at the Ritz"

[JB_Iowa]

No TV????

[sampleSizeOfOne]

A sibling is a fan of the following:

 

A buddhist goes up to a hotdog stand and says "make me one with everything."

[Jerr]

No TV????

nope! Radio is good!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

4 up, 3 down, the other marooned at second.

 

A half inning Circus Boy Update (half applies to inning, not Circus Boy)

[twinsnorth49]

What a Bogaerts

[sampleSizeOfOne]

What a Bogaerts

In Xander's glove did Bogaerts a speedy spheroid smother there...

 

Evidently Coleridge i am not.

 

Anyway, Naught Naught through 1 and a half (is that 1.5 or 1.3?) in lieu of a CBU.

[Cap'n Piranha]

What does a baseball fan consider to be a seven-course meal?

 

A hot dog and a 6-pack of beers.

 

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.

[Blake]

with mlb.tv you get the beantown broadcast.

 

However, living where I live, it's a bit difficult to hit the ballpark.

[Halsey Hall]

zip after two.  Twins tendency to not score after this could make for a quick game. 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

5. Holt. Brock Holt will be the one (one, I tell you!) guy to really hit Hughes today.

...

A wheels double in front of Hunter. Pretty sharp call there so far.

[USAFChief]

Hey everybody!

 

I am looking for some game thread vols for upcoming series:

 

Jun 1, 2, 3 @ Bos

 

Jun 5, 6, 7 vs Mil

 

Jun 8, 9, 10 vs KC

 

Jun 12 @ Tex

 

Who can help us out?  It's EASY!

[USAFChief]

Pedroia sucks.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Pedroia sucks.

Yeah, sacrifice flies aren't for the fans to catch.

[Jerr]

Hughes giving up alot of dingers this year.

[formerly33]

 

Hey everybody!

 

I am looking for some game thread vols for upcoming series:

 

Jun 1, 2, 3 @ Bos

 

.........

 

Who can help us out?  It's EASY!

Hm, I'd like Jun 1, but I'm not sure if I can do the whole series.

 

And.....it is??

[GCTF]

and that happens.

 

[formerly33]

TORII!! Tie game!!

[Blake]

The Boston broadcast isn't too bad, surprisingly.