Game Thread: Twins @ Rays, 8/27 @ 6:10pm CT‏

[jimmer]

This morning, two people on one of MLB Network shows gave credit to Shane Robinson and his walk for being the key factor in last night's game.

[Cap'n Piranha]

 

Probably need a separate thread for this.  I know we would all like to think that any team that makes the playoffs has a shot at getting hot and winning it all, but really there aren't that many teams that are truly good teams this year.

 

KC, St. Louis, Toronto, Houston?

 

I don't watch the Mets or the Dodgers to really get a feel for them.  Yankees aren't anything special unless they play us.

 

The rest of the pack is just a bunch of mediocre mush followed by the rebuilders.

 

Who has a legitimate shot of winning this?

 

There are 4 contenders, and 4 contenders only.  KC, due to defense, a great home-field advantage, and a good bullpen.  St Louis, due to general excellence across the board.  LA, because it'll be tough to beat Grienke/Kershaw twice in the same series.  The Mets, because they can throw the best top 3 out there.

 

The Jays don't have enough pitching outside of Price.  The Yankees have the best 1-2 pen punch in the league, but that's about it.  The Astros strike out way too much, and will have trouble getting runs.  The Pirates don't have the difference makers, and the Cubs don't have the pitching.

[JB_Iowa]

Was watching KC beat Baltimore and almost forgot that Baltimore losing is a good thing!

[Brock Beauchamp]

I think outside of KC, the AL has been pretty mediocre.

In the AL, KC and Toronto are the best. After that it's Houston and... uh... other teams. I continue to believe the Yankees are going to get really old really fast before the season is over. They're good but really not much better than the rest of the pack.

[Gibby]

  It has to be tough to play in front of 8 people every home game.

[Riverbrian]

I get to watch a baseball game tonight. Life is back to normal. 

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

I get to watch a baseball game tonight. Life is back to normal. 

The Thread misses you when you're doing useless things like not watching the Twins.

[Squirrel]

In the AL, KC and Toronto are the best. After that it's Houston and... uh... other teams. I continue to believe the Yankees are going to get really old really fast before the season is over. They're good but really not much better than the rest of the pack.

It seems to me that's been said about the Yankees for years. The Jays improved enough at the deadline to bump them up. Houston has been good, but I'd still lump them with everyone else in the middle, but maybe toward the top of the middle.

[twinsnorth49]

(misdemeanour if you are twinsnorth49 or any other Canadian)

 

ISWYDT................................well played.

[Squirrel]

I get to watch a baseball game tonight. Life is back to normal.

 

Personally, I think you are better when you're abnormal.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

 

  It has to be tough to play in front of 8 people every home game.

What if the fans were induced to do The Wave? Ugly.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

 

ISWYDT................................well played.

idkwyuatiatihtluoti

[ScrapTheNickname]

idkwyuatiatihtluoti*

 

I don't know why you use all those internet abbreviations that I have to look up on the internet.

[Riverbrian]

 

Personally, I think you are better when you're abnormal.

 

[D. Hocking]

 

Personally, I think you are better when you're abnormal.

 

Wait -- that would mean you have seen him normal?  Is that true?

 

Re Yankees not going the distance -- there has to be some negative karma from A-ROD that will come back to haunt them.  

[SwainZag]

Maueskii.  Knock him in Sano!

[D. Hocking]

 

 

Resulting in this...

 

http://i2.wp.com/phindie.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/6.-JWarhola-Alfred-E.-Neuman-as-Frankenstein-MAD-magazine.png

[Riverbrian]

 

Wait -- that would mean you have seen him normal?  Is that true?

 

Re Yankees not going the distance -- there has to be some negative karma from A-ROD that will come back to haunt them.  

 

I'm normally... umm... abnormal. 

[Riverbrian]

If he hits that at the SS it's a DP. If it gets into CF it's runners on the corners... 

 

What does this tell you?

 

Don't walk the lead off guy.... DUH

[twinsnorth49]

Wait......where's Rosario? Why are Hunter and Robinson in the same outfield?

 

 

[stringer bell]

Not looking good early.

[Riverbrian]

I've already decided that I'm having Ice Cream tonight... It's just a question of when. 

[Hrbowski]

We are gonna have to do some catching up, but we will.

[drock2190]

Rays have been crushing lefties this year.

 

Looks like that hasn't changed.

[twinsnorth49]

Well this is a good start. Bullpen by 3rd? Who? 

[jimbo92107]

See, if the Twins make the playoffs, then Tommy Milone can go to the bullpen, where his fastball will gain a few mph and blow people away at 90...

[Hrbowski]

 

Well this is a good start. Bullpen by 3rd? Who? 

That isn't so bad, our pen has won 5 in a row.

[Riverbrian]

 

Rays have been crushing lefties this year.

 

Looks like that hasn't changed.

 

They should trade Smyly... Moore and McGee so they get put into circulation. 

[Hrbowski]

Rochester Bottom of the 1st
Danny Santana doubles (9) on a fly ball to right fielder Caleb Ramsey. Danny Santana advances to 3rd, on a fielding error by right fielder Caleb Ramsey.
James Beresford singles on a ground ball to right fielder Caleb Ramsey. Danny Santana scores.
Xavier Avery walks. James Beresford to 2nd.
Kennys Vargas singles on a fly ball to right fielder Caleb Ramsey. James Beresford to 3rd. Xavier Avery to 2nd.
Josmil Pinto hits a grand slam (7) to left field. James Beresford scores. Xavier Avery scores. Kennys Vargas scores.
Danny Ortiz pops out to second baseman Scott Sizemore.
Eric Fryer homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.
Oswaldo Arcia pops out to second baseman Scott Sizemore.
Jose Martinez flies out to left fielder Rick Hague.

[twinsnorth49]

 

That isn't so bad, our pen has won 5 in a row.

Uhhh, that's the problem son.