Game Thread: Twins @ Yankees, 8/18 @ 6:05pm CT

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I wasn't there, but i think i heard that Molitor called a team meeting before the Toronto series. Then before the home stand, the players called "players only" one. I think it's time for the fans to call a...

 

"fans only" meeting

All Righty Then!

I call this "fans only" meeting to order. Will the clerk call the roll? Oh, we don't have one. Anyone want to be clerk? No? Well, um, all those absent say "absent" so we know...

 

Anyway our agenda:

0. Approve the minutes for the last "fans only" meeting. Yeah. Right...

1. An open mind. Listen. Yes, what you have to say is more important, but it's a lot harder to hear while your talkin'. So pipe down a moment, ingest what others are sayin', perhaps regurgitate it a bit to make sure ya got it, then say your piece. and count to 3.

2. Perspective. First off, it's just a game other people play, leastwise from the role of a fan. You can live and die with the Twins, but you'll notice they don't actually die, and they probably would strenuously object if you actually tried to live with them. And being a game, it's 1 of 162 or so (hopefully more) this year. So it's watered down that much, and yet it's still pretty potent. Be careful with it, and don't take their troubles on the field into your life off the field.

3. Focus. A friend once explained that to the world at large, a Yankee was an American. To a Southerner, a Yankee was a northerner. To a Northerner, he was a New Englander, to a New Englander, he was a Vermonter, and to a Vermonter, he was one who eats apple pie for breakfast. I'm not sure if he was just being entertaining or instructive. Anyway, let's get us some apple pie today!

4. One game at a time. Today's tilt 'gainst them will bring problems associated with a scoring off this fella named Sabathia. He's been around for a while, in the olden days which are not forgotten, he played for the Cleveland team. We just took 2 o' 3 from 'em, so this should be a walk in the ballpark... And walking is usually a good idea. But he won't walk us so much unless we put the fear o' the batted ball into him. So stroke those strikes where they ain't. And we may be running like there's hay feaver in cold season. It's still their job to raise the white flag (by which i mean the handkerchief or kleenex)

5. Pelfrey. Let's catch the ball behind him. And in front of him, if he turns around. He'll keep us in the game.

6. Alright, ya got me. I got no idea how to run a "fans only" meeting. This is the internet after all. But i had fun tryin' to invoke a sanity check. And i hope i adequately morphed to a game thread intro? Anyway, I promised to run an errand shortly, so i'm off and running. But i'll be back well in time for the game.

So let's take it to them, and thank y'all for followin' the game, especially to the moderator what updates the line ups and weather on my behalf. Forecast at the moment says there's an air quality alert. But isolated thunder storms expected before 3pm or after 3am. It portends to be another strange game.

(line up place holder)

Minnesota Twins:

Pitchin': Mike Pelfrey {R}

lineup tba

New Amsterdam Yankees:

Pitchin': C.C. Sabathia {L}

lineup tba

Meeting is now recessed for refreshments, and will resume around 6:05pm CT

(Bangs Gavel with the imaginary authority of a Sano swing...)

[AlwaysinModeration]

I hereby move that the Twins go halfway towards winning this series today. All in favor, please signify by clicking "like."

 

Also, may I suggest to management that today is actually an ok day for the bunting.

[SwainZag]

Pelf needs to be his normal self today and keep the ball down.  It would also be really nice to knock Sabathia around after watching all those times of him shutting down this lineup.  

[DaveW]

 

Today is actually an ok day for the bunting.

It's accurate and funny because CC Needsabathia is fat

[Pitz]

 

Pelf needs to be his normal self today and keep the ball down.

 I'd prefer is Pelf was his better than normal self today. Actually, if he as a better than Cy Young self, today would be a good day to be that Pelf self. 

[Halsey Hall]

If we need a closer tonight it might be May, is certainly won't be Perkins. 

[Craig Arko]

Absent.

 

(I have a note from Epstein's mom).

[SwainZag]

 

If we need a closer tonight it might be May, is certainly won't be Perkins. 

 

Forget the closer's role and play matchups.  With O'Rourke, Jepsen and May you should be able to get most matchups in your favor, not that it always works out....

[Squirrel]

 

Also, may I suggest to management that today is actually an ok day for the bunting.

The last time we faced CC, I think I called for a bunt every at bat. 

[Platoon]

I just hope nothing happens that Is caught on slow mo video! The Nunez gaffe was dissected with more fervor than the Zadruper (sp) film, and easily as hotly debated. The only thing that saved us from the "grassy knoll" controversy is that there's no grass on the knoll in baseball!

[Jerr]

Present, now...absent soon. Headed to St. Cloud to surprise my Granddaughters one 6 and the TWINS       turning 1 on this Friday

[JB_Iowa]

Not inspired by the line-up.

 

Maybe Joe needs to sit?

 

 

[Shane Wahl]

 

I just hope nothing happens that Is caught on slow mo video! The Nunez gaffe was dissected with more fervor than the Zadruper (sp) film, and easily as hotly debated. The only thing that saved us from the "grassy knoll" controversy is that there's no grass on the knoll in baseball!

 

I barely touched that tread . . . was there a debate about where Nunez was *clearly* throwing all along . . . ?

[formerly33]

 

The last time we faced CC, I think I called for a bunt every at bat. 

And if I remember correctly A-Rod bunted three over the fence ... not that you were calling for him to bunt ... but we should react to his bunts the way CC would to ours, correct?

[Platoon]

I barely touched that tread . . . was there a debate about where Nunez was *clearly* throwing all along . . . ?

Yes. Apparently PBS will be doing a documentary on it in 2040 on the 25th anniversary.

[D. Hocking]

 

Yes. Apparently PBS will be doing a documentary on it in 2040 on the 25th anniversary.

 

Yes - but it will probably be on during pledge week and with all the pledge interruptions it will take longer to watch than last night's game.  

 

I did hear they are going to have Red Green be the narrator, and after the airing he is going to make a special announcement that Mauer will be taking over the role of his nephew on a relaunch of his show.

 

[Cap'n Piranha]

Dear Mr. Molitor; why is Robinson playing in lieu of Rosario, exactly?

[Brock Beauchamp]

If this game isn't "must win", it's as close as one can get to that point without reaching it.

 

This is a long road trip against AL playoff hopefuls. The Twins might be sunk if they start off the ten game set 0-2.

[DaveW]

Shane Robinson gets his 4th start in 9 games I believe...

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Shane Robinson gets his 4th start in 9 games I believe...

 

Where's the unlike button?

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

I hereby move that the Twins go halfway towards winning this series today. All in favor, please signify by clicking "like."

Also, may I suggest to management that today is actually an ok day for the bunting.

WORLD SERIES BUNTING?

[Platoon]

Yes - but it will probably be on during pledge week and with all the pledge interruptions it will take longer to watch than last night's game.  

 

I did hear they are going to have Red Green be the narrator, and after the airing he is going to make a special announcement that Mauer will be taking over the role of his nephew on a relaunch of his show.

 

One of them will have to lose the beard, or it will look like Duck Dynasty!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I missed a 1-2-3 top of the first, eh?

 

But i'm back. Let's get this meeting underway...

[Platoon]

Shane Robinson gets his 4th start in 9 games I believe...

Luckily he's not taking any playing time away from anyone else!

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Not inspired by the line-up.

 

Maybe Joe needs to sit?

Are you suggesting that he sits down while he hits against Sabathia? I've never seen that, but it may work. Anything is worth a try. I played in a game where on a 3-0 count the batter turned around and faced backwards and let the pitch go by. Not very professional, but funny at the time.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Pelfrey hit 95mph with that fastball.

 

Huh.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Are you suggesting that he sits down while he hits against Sabathia? I've never seen that, but it may work. Anything is worth a try. I played in a game where on a 3-0 count he turned around and faced backwards and let the pitch go by. Not very professional, but funny at the time.

 

If he's sitting he could put his elbows on his knees, and theoretically have no strike zone.  His OBP would be off the charts.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Come on, Bert. There are maybe two players in baseball not named Pablo Sandoval who would even think about barreling into Sabathia at first base.

 

That's a great way to hurt yourself and the way Sabathia was stuttering toward the baseline, I can't fault Joe for hesitating.

 

Joe loses in that collision every. single. time.

[ScrapTheNickname]

Is that Joe West umpiring over their at third? Man, he's got MOVES!

[Brock Beauchamp]

God, I wish announcers would tell us useful stats.

 

Bert giving us Bird's MiLB RBI total for the season...