Article: Game Thread: Twins @ Astros, 9/4 @ 7:10pm CT

[Riverbrian]

The Astros continue to try and prove that they belong with the Big Dogs. The Twins are trying to prove the same. It's a match up of young teams that have won more than they have lost.

It has all the ingredients of entertaining baseball.

Here are some things to think about:

 

1. Houston -- It's just a matter of time... It's not a question of if... it's a question of when. At some point in time... the city of Houston will be destroyed and will simply no longer exist. Destroyed either by a massive hurricane that grew to larger than normal proportions because of the warmer waters created by global warming, or destroyed by a massive riot sparked by the words of President Trump. FEMA and cartographers will team up and leap into immediate action at that moment and make sure that all maps no longer include Houston. If it wasn't for the Houston Rockets in the 90's... the city of Houston would have never produced a championship in any sport. The Rockets won a couple of titles back then with the help of Hakeem the Dream, but now they have Kevin McHale so that's over.

2. The Astros -- I'm trying to think about the Astros without mentioning the big grey and sometimes brown dog with a limited vocabulary owned by the Jetsons. A dog so large and flexible that it could stand up and put his arm around George. I don't want to think about Astro because it's too obvious. Astros... Astro... I think we all get it. So... I've decided to not devote thought number two to Astro and instead I'll focus my thoughts on George.

3. George Springer -- The 'Stros have activated George Springer from the disabled list and he's back in the lineup tonight in time to face our Twins. Isn't that wonderful timing... Let's just hope he's rusty from all the inactivity. Tin Man rusty with no oil can or Dorothy to help out. The Kid hasn't proved himself as the elite player that most expect him to be... yet... but that's only because of health, folks. He has that power and speed package found in the game's best players.

4. Eduardo and Eddie-- If you have either of these names, you are top 5 in
slugging% for the season on our Twins' roster. If you don't have the name Eddie or Eduardo... you need to be named Miguel or Brian. If you have any other name... you are not leading the Twins in slugging percentage. This concludes my research on names and their relationship to slugging percentage on the Twins' roster for the 2015 season.

5. Family Photos -- I'm still meeting and learning about all my new co-workers. A co-worker was talking about his family when he decided to grab his phone and show me a photo. I noticed a wife (I assumed)... 3 kids and a big dog. The first thing he points to... is the dog and he says... "That's Max." It was a nice looking dog but I wondered why he chose to introduce the dog first.

--------------------
Game-time forecast: 92 deg F, mostly cloudy, 15% chance of precipitation, winds from the SE at 8mph.

Lineups:

TWINS
Hicks CF (yay!)
Dozier 2B
Mauer 1B
Sano DH
Plouffe 3B
Rosario LF
Hunter RF
Suzuki C
Escobar SS

Pelfrey P

ASTROS
Springer RF
Altuve 2B
Correa SS
Gattis DH
Lowrie 3B
Gomez CF
Rasmus LF
Valbuena 1B
Conger C

McHugh P

Go Twins! Play ball!

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[Blake]

Your co-worker chose to introduce the dog first, because the dog is the best behaved of the bunch?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Your co-worker chose to introduce the dog first, because the dog is the best behaved of the bunch?

Max is a fan of Astro, thus connecting thoughts 2 and 5.

 

Now we only need one more for a three dog game thread...

[Squirrel]

I always thought the Jetson's dog's name was Rastro.

[Squirrel]

Yay! Hicks is back in the lineup!

[ScrapTheNickname]

As official scorer, I must give you an error, Riverbrian, because you didn't give Sano a "yay!" like you did Hicks. Tsk.

Edited September 4, 2015 by ScrapTheNickname

[formerly33]

<Points proudly>

 

That's Clover!!

 

Edited September 4, 2015 by always33

[formerly33]

 

As official scorer, I must give you an error, Riverbrian, because you didn't give Sano a "yay!" like you did Hicks. Tsk.

Blame ChiTown, not Riverbrian. I'm sure she's the one who said "yay". Tsk, tsk ... 3 1/2 years in the system and you still can't tell your moderators apart.

[Squirrel]

 

As official scorer, I must give you an error, Riverbrian, because you didn't give Sano a "yay!" like you did Hicks. Tsk.

The yay was from me. And I did it because he's been activated from the DL; Sano was out just one game, but yay, glad he's back in the lineup, too. However, I wish that Hicks was in in place of Hunter, but I think Bux needs a game off.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I hope Pelfrey can keep the Astros somewhat in check tonight. Either that, or Sano, Dozier, and Hicks all homer and the Twins score double digits. Certainly facing some tough pitchers this weekend. They are gonna have to earn a fifth series win in a row....

[Blake]

 

Max is a fan of Astro, thus connecting thoughts 2 and 5.

Now we only need one more for a three dog game thread...

Thus making it a "Three Dog Night."

[Craig Arko]

Here's Cody. He just came home after spending two nights in the Emergency Vet hospital at the U.

 

Good to have you back, buddy.

[Craig Arko]

And for space to go with the dogs, this spectacular launch of the Atlas V came on Wednesday.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/2/9244277/this-mornings-atlas-v-rocket-launch-created-a-beautiful-multi-colored

[HitInAPinch]

 

Yay! Hicks is back in the lineup!

And back where he belongs in centerfield!

[Bark's Lounge]

Houston, we have a problem...

 

[formerly33]

 

Houston, we have a problem...

HWHAP.jpg

It used to only Sano in winter ... now it Sanos in summer too, and Houston is not immune!

[DaveW]

Houston's offense is very feast of famine, hopefully it's the latter tonight and Pelfrey can get 7 IP with 3 R or less.

 

Ideally the Twins win by about 7 runs as well, so they can "save" May and Jepsen as much as possible.

[Riverbrian]

 

As official scorer, I must give you an error, Riverbrian, because you didn't give Sano a "yay!" like you did Hicks. Tsk.

 

OK... I owe ChiTown a Bunch... So I'll take the error. 

[Riverbrian]

 

Houston, we have a problem...

HWHAP.jpg

 

LOL...Bark...  It is wonderful to have you back. 

 

 

[DaveW]

Fun fact about Houston:

Their drinking water has literally been full of Dallas Poop.

 

http://swamplot.com/yes-youve-been-sipping-what-dallas-has-been-flushing/2014-05-14/

[Riverbrian]

 

Fun fact about Houston:

Their drinking water has literally been full of Dallas Poop.

 

http://swamplot.com/yes-youve-been-sipping-what-dallas-has-been-flushing/2014-05-14/

 

Yet another way that the city of Houston will be destroyed. 

[jimmer]

Fangraphs chat today:

 

Q: It seems like most relievers are essentially recycled starters. Does any team regularly acquire guys specifically to be relievers (ceiling = closer, of course) through the draft or international signings?

Jeff Sullivan: You see relievers get drafted on occasion, but I don’t think it’s part of any organization’s routine plan. Everybody wants starters; everybody believes they can turn failed starters into relievers

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

Blame ChiTown, not Riverbrian. I'm sure she's the one who said "yay". Tsk, tsk ... 3 1/2 years in the system and you still can't tell your moderators apart.

Give me another 3 1/2 years of seasoning and I'll figure it out.

[glunn]

 

Joey (as a puppy)

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

The yay was from me. And I did it because he's been activated from the DL; Sano was out just one game, but yay, glad he's back in the lineup, too. However, I wish that Hicks was in in place of Hunter, but I think Bux needs a game off.

I have reversed the call ... base hit!

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

It used to only Sano in winter ... now it Sanos in summer too, and Houston is not immune!

This one is under review.

[formerly33]

Riverbrian has turned this into National Twins Daily Dog Day. I'm going to post pictures of our other dogs ... I try not to inundate you guys with posts like I used to, but in this instance I'm going to post the pictures separately because I'm curious to see who likes what kind of dog.

 

My sister's German Shepherd, Willow ... the self-proclaimed queen and protector of the family, afraid of nothing.*

 

 

*Popping hardwood floors are nothing.

[jimbo92107]

Aaron Hicks to lead off.

[ScrapTheNickname]

20% chance of rain and they have the roof closed. Orange Juice Stadium.

[jimbo92107]

Isn't Colin McHugh one of those guys with a high-rpm curve ball?