Game Thread: Twins @ Orioles, 8/23 @ 12:35pm CT

[Squirrel]

I've barely been able to watch the games lately they've been so … well, you know. Sometimes I just can't take it. And sometimes, despite it all, I just can't help it and watch anyway. It's like watching an accident. Even when you want to just drive by, and I'm usually pretty good at that, something impedes you … other gawkers … and you are forced to catch a glimpse. TD has been one big gawker for me … and I can't help but take a peek. Even if I don't watch the game every day … I'm still reading about it all. I just can't seem to turn away. Not sure what that makes me … a true fan? A masochist? An idiot? (Chief says 'yes.') Anyway … whatever it makes me, here I am; and today is another day. And tomorrow will be, too.

 

1. Our post-season chances have gone from 4% a few days ago to 7.5% today. I'm not sure what goes into figuring out these probabilities and I'm not sure I want to know. Mind-boggling isn't what I want during my vacation. But I'm looking at this chart and we're 1.5 games behind for the 2nd WC spot and we are at a 7.5% chance to get a WC spot. Tampa is also 1.5 GB but they are at 23.3%. What? Okay, so there is a lot that goes into it that I don't know, but shouldn't those percentages be a little closer? My brother could probably figure it all out. He's good at that. And I think he actually likes to do that.

 

2. We are now 6-0 against Baltimore this year. A win today would complete the season sweep. How can we be 'so good' against Baltimore and 'so horrible' against the Yankees? I have no answers. But a win today would not only give us the sweep, it would move us ahead of Baltimore in the WC hunt. They sit 1 GB to our 1.5 GB. We'd change places. But Baltimore has a 16.3% chance of making it … would our percentages switch, too? But, we need this win. What a boost it would give all around, not just in the WC standings, or in our percentage to make the post season, but it would give us a huge confidence builder going into Tampa on Tuesday. Tampa plays Oakland today ... go A's!

 

3. Pelfrey has done pretty well in August, after our clamoring that he was done and should be moved to the pen. I still think the pen is a better spot for him all around, but, he's been pulling his weight in the rotation this month … not that it has done any good, but he's been pretty solid. So, here's hoping? But let's take a look at what Pelf has done this month … there was the game against Seattle. He went 8 innings and gave up no runs. We were up 1-0. We lost 4-1. No fault to Pelfrey on that. None. Then there was the game against Cleveland … well, yuck. He only last 3.2 innings, gave up 7 runs, 4 were earned. Still, not a good outing to say the least and yes, that was his fault. Then there was that game in Texas. He went 7 innings and only gave up 1 run. And it was a blowout for us. Yay! Then there was the 8-4 loss to the Yankees. Pelfrey went 5.1 and gave up 1. Yeah, BP implosion. But Pelf mostly did his job, although not lasting longer in the game, so maybe a little fault to Pelfrey but mostly not. And here we are today. Pelf has done pretty well in August, so here's hoping.

 

4. Sano and Buxton. There's really not much to say about these two. It's Sano and Buxton, I don't need to say anything. They are part of the reason I keep watching the accident because, well, they aren't accidents. They are a joy to watch and that's something. I think everyone should make them one of their 'things to think about' from here until the end of the season, whenever that is.

 

5. I went to the store last night to buy some milk, honey and some berries … I like breakfast smoothies … 1 C milk, 1/2 C berries (or a banana), 1/4-1/3 C oatmeal (and if I use that banana instead of berries, I add a little PB and honey) - put it all in the blender and blend away. It's amazing, easy, tasty, filling … But I was a little peckish when I went to the store last night and I came home with milk and berries … but I also came home with PB Cap'n Crunch. <eyeroll> I had 'bad for you' cereal for breakfast this morning while writing this game thread.

 

--------------------
Game-time forecast: 80 deg F, overcast, 0% chance of precipitation, winds from the NNE at 3mph.

 

Lineups:

 

TWINS

Buxton CF

Dozier 2B

Mauer DH

Sano 3B

Plouffe 1B

Rosario LF

Escobar SS

Hermann C

Robinson RF

 

Pelfrey P

 

ORIOLES

Machado 3B

Parra RF

Jones CF

Davis 1B

Clevenger DH

Schoop 2B

Urritia LF

Joseph C

Flaherty SS

 

Gausman P

 

Go Twins! Play ball!

 

Oh, and P.S. ... Happy birthday to glunn!

[Jerr]

I said before the first game of this series that it is a big series and Twins will be back in that playoff race after it!!!

Go Twins, LET'S SWEEP THESE BIRDIES!!!!!!    

[stringer bell]

Great job, Chi-Town! I have experienced the same "look away, can't look away" since the first game in New York. I'm probably too excited by the pitching from Fien, May, and Jepsen. If we could also get back pre-All Star Perkins and May Boyer, the bullpen wouldn't be too bad.

[Jerr]

I love making smoothies, just get lazy at it, but adding oatmeal ( which I only like in baked goods) has inspired me,to add some granola to mine. And not gonna be lazy about it any more!

 

One learns so much on these game threads! Nice opening...now we need to WIN!!!!

 

 

[Bark's Lounge]

 

5. I went to the store last night to buy some milk, honey and some berries … I like breakfast smoothies … 1 C milk, 1/2 C berries (or a banana), 1/4-1/3 C oatmeal (and if I use that banana instead of berries, I add a little PB and honey) - put it all in the blender and blend away. It's amazing, easy, tasty, filling … But I was a little peckish when I went to the store last night and I came home with milk and berries … but I also came home with PB Cap'n Crunch. <eyeroll> I had 'bad for you' cereal for breakfast this morning while writing this game thread.

 

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

 

Oh, and P.S. ... Happy birthday to glunn!

I know it is important to have a healthy, enriching breakfast, but never hang your head over having Peanut Butter Captain Crunch. We can't rely on the children of this country to defeat the Soggies all the time, it is a good thing when the adults can pitch in to this never ending fight.

 

Birthday Salutes to Glunn! Make it a great one my dear friend!

[SheboyganBrats]

Anyone have an idea why sometimes it's Shane Robinson in LF and Rosario in RF, and sometimes (today) they're flipped?  I assume it has to do with the other team's hitting tendencies, but it feels like maybe Molitor just flipped a coin?

[Craig Arko]

Anyone have an idea why sometimes it's Shane Robinson in LF and Rosario in RF, and sometimes (today) they're flipped?  I assume it has to do with the other team's hitting tendencies, but it feels like maybe Molitor just flipped a coin?

Having watched him play, I think Rosario is better in left. Pure eyeballing, though.

[Jerr]

Sounding like another cricket day here, but it is early......

[TwinsCD]

I mentioned this late in last nite's thread so I'll reiterate it today -- I will be beyond giddy if the Twins win this game today.  It would make up for the horrors I dealt with while going to college in Baltimore during the height of the Orioles playoff runs.

 

Smoothies are great.  So many different directions you can go IF you're disciplined enough not to go off the rails with bad stuff.  I have a mouth full of sweet teeth and I want to go over to the dark side but I stay good and put the green stuff in it.

[SheboyganBrats]

 

Having watched him play, I think Rosario is better in left. Pure eyeballing, though.

Good point, and I'd agree.  And maybe Molitor is trying to give him more regular playing time at one position, instead of moving him back and forth.

[Craig Arko]

Nice Fall-like day in the TC today; by far my favorite season of the year. Pretty wild and crazy last night, as the reports from the Bank indicated.

 

Nice seeing Sano in the field again. Gotta think Plouffe is a major trade chip this winter.

[Jerr]

 

 

 

I mentioned this late in last nite's thread so I'll reiterate it today -- I will be beyond giddy if the Twins win this game today.  It would make up for the horrors I dealt with while going to college in Baltimore during the height of the Orioles playoff runs.

 

Smoothies are great.  So many different directions you can go IF you're disciplined enough not to go off the rails with bad stuff.  I have a mouth full of sweet teeth and I want to go over to the dark side but I stay good and put the green stuff in it.

"green stuff" in smoothies sounds like veggies to me; tell me "not veggies", just healthy things    .

[TwinsCD]

 

"green stuff" in smoothies sounds like veggies to me; tell me "not veggies", just healthy things    .

 

 

Yep, it's mint and limes and Granny Smith apples.  

 

(but it's really spinach and kale)

[spinowner]

My daughter sometimes puts avocados in hers.

[spinowner]

 

"green stuff" in smoothies sounds like veggies to me; tell me "not veggies", just healthy things    .

 

 

Yep, it's mint and limes and Granny Smith apples.  

 

(but it's really spinach and kale)

My daughter sometimes puts avocados in hers.

[Jerr]

 

 

Yep, it's mint and limes and Granny Smith apples.  

 

(but it's really spinach and kale)

Apples? GREAT idea, never done it until tomorrow  

[D. Hocking]

 

Sounding like another cricket day here, but it is early......

 

It is never too early for cricket.

 

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65000000/jpg/_65000362_mike_hussey2_getty.jpg

[spinowner]

 

1. Our post-season chances have gone from 4% a few days ago to 7.5% today. I'm not sure what goes into figuring out these probabilities and I'm not sure I want to know. Mind-boggling isn't what I want during my vacation. But I'm looking at this chart and we're 1.5 games behind for the 2nd WC spot and we are at a 7.5% chance to get a WC spot. Tampa is also 1.5 GB but they are at 23.3%. What? Okay, so there is a lot that goes into it that I don't know, but shouldn't those percentages be a little closer? My brother could probably figure it all out. He's good at that. And I think he actually likes to do that.

The thing about your brother is that he rarely has the time and/or attention span for that sort of thing.

[Squirrel]

My daughter sometimes puts avocados in hers.

I sometimes do, too! GMTA! She could be related to me!

[Squirrel]

The thing about your brother is that he rarely has the time and/or attention span for that sort of thing.

Hmm, Rail Baron begs to differ. Lol.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

 

I know it is important to have a healthy, enriching breakfast, but never hang your head over having Peanut Butter Captain Crunch. We can't rely on the children of this country to defeat the Soggies all the time, it is a good thing when the adults can pitch in to this never ending fight.

 

Birthday Salutes to Glunn! Make it a great one my dear friend!

 

I myself am a fan of the chocolate frosted sugar bombs, but i can never find where to get them, so i must settle for lesser cereals. Captain Crunch is fine substitute.

 

Of course, being an adult, i suppose i can just get a bag of sugar and a spoon. Though i also suppose many would argue that is not the action of an adult. It's kind of a catch 22, eh?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

 

 

It is never too early for cricket.

 

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65000000/jpg/_65000362_mike_hussey2_getty.jpg

No it is not.

 

What little i know, i whole heartedly approve of the objective strike zone of cricket, bein' the wicket.

 

But of course those who think Yankee's-Redsox games are long would never last through a match. On the other hand, don't you know exactly when the game will end? And if i remember, a crucial element of strategy is leaving enough time to get the other side out...

[spinowner]

 

I myself am a fan of the chocolate frosted sugar bombs, but i can never find where to get them, so i must settle for lesser cereals. Captain Crunch is fine substitute.

 

Of course, being an adult, i suppose i can just get a bag of sugar and a spoon. Though i also suppose many would argue that is not the action of an adult. It's kind of a catch 22, eh?

I know an adult who would occasionally take a spoon of packed brown sugar, soak it with half-and-half and eat it.

[TwinsCD]

Gabe Morales...consistently showing us why he needs to be back in AAA rather than at the major league level.

[Squirrel]

 

 

 

Smoothies are great.  So many different directions you can go IF you're disciplined enough not to go off the rails with bad stuff.  I have a mouth full of sweet teeth and I want to go over to the dark side but I stay good and put the green stuff in it.

 

I make a green smoothie, too. It includes spinach, kale, Greek yogurt, fresh ginger, carrot juice, apple juice (fresh, pressed ... not Mott's or that kind; fresh apple cider, if it's available), avocado, cucumber. It's awesome!
 

 

[Ultima Ratio]

You betcha!

[JB_Iowa]

The Legend grows....

 

Yea, Sano!!!

[Brock Beauchamp]

This Sano kid might have a future in the game.

[70charger]

So I, for one, am looking forward to many, many more "Joe Mauer sets the table and Miguel Sano knocks 'em in" moments over the next few years.

 

Great, great way to begin this game.

[TwinsCD]

SANO!!!!  DON'T YA KNOW!!