Game Thread: Twins v White Sox, 9/3 @ 10:10am PT (12:10pm CT) Bloop Hit Edition

[Blake]

Here we are, September 3 and the Twins are contending for a playoff spot.

 

As we all know, make the playoffs, anything can happen. See: Kansas City, last year.

 

Am I expecting the Twins to make the playoffs? I hope they do, because I want a playoff game thread. Though, with all the work by Riverbrian, USAFchief, chitown, always33, Hosken Bombo Disco, glunn and others, it may take a bit of Tanya Harding magic to make that happen. (think keyboard across the wrists)

 

The Twins were dreadful initially, wonderful in May, tanked after the All Star break and turned their fortunes around on the road against the AL East. Yes, you read that right, a winning road trip. 6-4 no less. A road trip that could have easily been 7-3 if the Ray's somewhat eccentric ballpark would not have robbed Mr. Sano of a home run. But hey, that's baseball. Anyone remember the speakers at the Metrodome being in play? Good times, memories and World Series wins.

 

After the series against Houston, the "good team, bad baseball," to use Hawk's phrase, came to town. I was looking forward to see if Chicago is still trying or trying to go through the motions. However, it seems Chicago has reached the point where the harder they try, the worse they get.

 

So far, the Twins have taken 2 of 3 with assists by Sox fielding. Can the Sox fielding carry the day again for the Twins? Although, since last night was a shutout, Sano's home run actually carried the day. Sox fielding merely added some salt to the road rash of the Sox skid.

 

Ah, baseball and mockery of opposing teams. I much prefer being the mocker rather than the mockie. Since these last few years have been on the somewhat lean side for Twins fans, it's nice to be magnanimous and humble during this fun year.

 

Oh, who am I kidding? The Sox are the Keystone Cops of baseball when playing the Twins.

 

 

Enough said.

 

Go Twins!

[Blake]

Pitching probables:

 

CWS:Samardzija

 

Twins:Gibson

 

Lineups to follow later.

[Craig Arko]

Wonder if Sano's hammy gets a day off and we see Vargas instead.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Sorry i missed out on yesterday's excitement.

 

I'll try to read the thread archive before today's game.

 

Just wanted to report i saw a license plate yesterday that reminded me of Chief.

 

It said "HUMMAH"

 

3 guesses what kind of car it was on...

[D. Hocking]

 

Sorry i missed out on yesterday's excitement.

I'll try to read the thread archive before today's game.

Just wanted to report i saw a license plate yesterday that reminded me of Chief.

It said "HUMMAH"

3 guesses what kind of car it was on...

 

I know his first car was a Model T.

[Dr. Evil]

When Hicks comes back will he be in left field and Rosario in right?

[drock2190]

Sano is sitting. Vargas at 1st.

[Blake]

Lineups:

 

CWS:

 

CF Adam Eaton

1B Jose Abreu

LF Melky Cabrera
RF Avisail Garcia
DH Adam LaRoche
SS Alexei Ramirez
C  Geovany Soto
2B Carlos Sanchez
3B Tyler Saladino

 

Twins:

 

2B Brian Dozier
SS Eduardo Escobar
DH Joe Mauer
3B Trevor Plouffe
1B Kennys Vargas
RF Eddie Rosario
LF Shane Robinson
C Chris Herrmann
CF Byron Buxton 

[Jerr]

Be listening on the radio at work, SWEEP'Em Twins!!!

[James]

 

Sorry i missed out on yesterday's excitement.

I'll try to read the thread archive before today's game.

Just wanted to report i saw a license plate yesterday that reminded me of Chief.

It said "HUMMAH"

3 guesses what kind of car it was on...

I'm assuming that plate was on some sort of Fiat. 

[mickeymental]

 

Sano is sitting. Vargas at 1st.

sitting but perhaps primed for one ideal at-bat ...

[James]

Wasn't Danks originally suppose to start this game?  I thought I read that in the game thread for the first game.  Did this change, or incorrect information? 

[SwainZag]

 

sitting but perhaps primed for one ideal at-bat ...

 

I am hoping they jump out to a lead and they don't need that AB so he can give that hammy a little rest.  He's been moving awfully slow and gingerly these past few games.

[jimmer]

Funny thing on MLB Network this morning.  They were doing trivia.  One host was asking Ken Rosenthal questions.  Question #3 was, 'Who finished 3rd in the highly-debated 2011 AL MVP race?' The question was posted right on the screen, 

 

Then the host went on to talk about how the debate for first was between Trout and Cabrera, but who came in 3rd.  The supposed answer was Beltre.

 

I listened to that and was thinking, wait.  Trout won his 1st MVP last year in 2014, and Cabrera won back to back in 2012 and 2013  What are these guys talking about?  That was the year the debate was about Verlander and Ellsbury for 1st and Bautista finished 3rd.  I looked it up and BAM.

[SwainZag]

 

Funny thing on MLB Network this morning.  They were doing trivia.  One host was asking Ken Rosenthal questions.  Question #3 was, 'Who finished 3rd in the highly-debated 2011 AL MVP race?' The question was posted right on the screen, 

 

Then the host went on to talk about how the debate for first was between Trout and Cabrera, but who came in 3rd.  The supposed answer was Beltre.

 

I listened to that and was thinking, wait.  Trout won his 1st MVP last year in 2014, and Cabrera won back to back in 2012 and 2013  What are these guys talking about?  That was the year it was Verlander and Ellsbury and Bautista finished 3rd.  I looked it up and BAM.

 

Yes, 2012 was Cabrera, Trout and Beltre in Miggy's triple crown year

[jimmer]

 

Yes, 2012 was Cabrera, Trout and Beltre in Miggy's triple crown year

yeah, and if the question was about 2012, it would have made sense :-)

[James]

 

I am hoping they jump out to a lead and they don't need that AB so he can give that hammy a little rest.  He's been moving awfully slow and gingerly these past few games.

I was trying to answer my question on Danks by looking at the White Sox website.  I didn't get an answer but I found this little gem:

 

 

After a seven-game winning streak right before the Trade Deadline, the White Sox decided to hang on to starter Jeff Samardzija. He responded with one of the worst months of his career, going 0-6 with an 8.82 ERA in August. Batters hit .338 against Samardzija, and he gave up 33 runs in just 33 2/3 innings.

 

So, hopefully he keeps up his August performance.  

 

Also, I feel like I need to take a shower.  I just feel gross for looking at the White Sox website.  

[stringer bell]

When Hicks comes back will he be in left field and Rosario in right?

Most are assuming Hicks in right and Rosario in left, I think it should be the other way around. Hicks played right in Rochester last night IIRC.

[stringer bell]

Well, Robinson for Hunter, the board won't mind but misses Hicks. Vargas at first, Mauer DH and Sano sitting, also makes sense.

[DaveW]

 

sitting but perhaps primed for one ideal at-bat ...

Hopefully they dont need him.

[DaveW]

 

 

I am hoping they jump out to a lead and they don't need that AB so he can give that hammy a little rest.  He's been moving awfully slow and gingerly these past few games.

Just have him pull a kirk gibson

[Hrbowski]

I bet teams are happy they didn't trade for Samardzija.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Most are assuming Hicks in right and Rosario in left, I think it should be the other way around. Hicks played right in Rochester last night IIRC.

Really, I don't think it matters. As far as I can tell, Rosario and Hicks are largely interchangeable in the outfield. Hicks might have more range and a better arm but Rosario's arm is accurate and his field awareness is top-notch. His range is very good as well.

[DaveW]

I liked Gibson a lot better when he didn't pitch like ****

 

He seems to give up more hard hit XBH when he is up 0-2 1-2 then anyone on the staff

[DaveW]

Really, I don't think it matters. As far as I can tell, Rosario and Hicks are largely interchangeable in the outfield. Hicks might have more range and a better arm but Rosario's arm is accurate and his field awareness is top-notch. His range is very good as well.

Yeah it really doesn't matter too much, all 3 are natural CF.

[70charger]

Wait, what just happened? 

 

That was weird.

[Hrbowski]

 

Wait, what just happened? 

 

That was weird.

LaRoche swung at a pitch that hit him.

[drock2190]

I did that in little league once.

 

Pretty sure I cried too lol

[70charger]

Dozier went the other way! 

 

 

Also weird.

[Hrbowski]

It looks like Vargas has opened his stance some.