Game Thread: Twins @ Tigers, 7/20 @ 12:10pm CT

[Shane Wahl]

Forecast-- 81 degrees, with no rain in sight

 

Lineups:

 

Twins:

 

1. Eduardo Nunez, SS

2. Joe Mauer, 1B

3. Miguel Sano, 3B

4. Brian Dozier, 2B

5. Max Kepler, RF

6. Kennys Vargas, DH

7. Eddie Rosario, LF

8. Kurt Suzuki, C

9. Byron Buxton, CF

 

vs. Justin Verlander, RH

 

 

Tigers:

 

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Cameron Maybin, CF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. Nick Castellanos, 3B

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Tyler Collins, RF

8. James McCann, C

9. Andrew Romine, SS

 

vs. Ervin Santana, RH

 

 

Things to think about:

 

1. New Beginnings--I am genuinely happy with the developments of the past month or so for the Twins, both in the front office and in personnel decisions on the field. Things are going to change, and I have to imagine that they will be changing quickly. 

 

2. Verlander and a documentary recommendation--I watched the doc "Fastball" last night. I loved it and highly recommend it. Verlander was essentially the only player past or present to respect the laws of physics when it comes to the notion of the "rising" fastball. I appreciated that from him. 

 

3. Lineup--I really like this Twins lineup, with no offense to Robbie Grossman. There are five young guys on trial here and I love it. And Byron Buxton is playing instead of Danny Santana. This is pretty vital. 

 

4. Speaking of lineup--Kennys Vargas re-emerging would be killer. That is a major bright spot for this season. 1.274 OPS in 39 PA. The man is taking walks and slugging. 

 

5. Convention analogy--Clearly the Detroit Tigers essentially worship satan, are cool with Boko Haram, hate America, and all belong in prison. Tigers are vicious animals that will be preying upon our kids. 

 

6. Player of the game--the aforementioned Vargas, who will homer and double in today's game. 

 

7. Prediction--Twins win 9-5 behind Vargas and Buxton. Santana makes us question everything about him again. 

[Shane Wahl]

Blerg. Can a moderator edit the error in the title? Please and thank you.

 

[wsnydes]

 

 

5. Convention analogy--Clearly the Detroit Tigers essentially worship satan, are cool with Boko Haram, hate America, and all belong in prison. Tigers are vicious animals that will be preying upon our kids. 

 

 

I think it's been proven that they despise apple pie too.

[Vanimal46]

Speaking of Tigers, is anyone familiar with Toygers? 

http://www.pets4homes.co.uk/images/classifieds/2013/11/18/484728/large/toyger-champion-retired-stud-for-sale-528a46d2ab94e.jpg


Domesticated cats that look like little Tigers. My college roommate and I were seriously considering buying one for the house when we lived together. I was hoping it would have some wild blood in it, but unfortunately it's just a normal cat with tiger stripes. 

[stringer bell]

 

Blerg. Can a moderator edit the error in the title? Please and thank you.

Done! Additionally, I had an emergency game thread ready to post, but you got in under the wire!

[Vanimal46]

Also, any time Verlander pitches against the Twins and his fiance is not mentioned, is a total system failure.... 

[big dog]

One hundred big dog dollars to every player who bunts for a hit against Verlander.

 

Of course, you can only spend them in the big dog store, which is currently closed for renovations, but still.

[jimmer]

 

Also, any time Verlander pitches against the Twins and his fiance is not mentioned, is a total system failure.... 

Can we just watch her in the stands and discard the game entirely?  Because I'd be okay with that :-)

[Squirrel]

 

Also, any time Verlander pitches against the Twins and his fiance is not mentioned, is a total system failure.... 

 

Can we just watch her in the stands and discard the game entirely?  Because I'd be okay with that :-)

 

I can't wait until women are in MLB so we can comment during game threads about wanting to watch their husbands instead. Or openly gay male players and watching their spouses, too.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I can't wait until women are in MLB so we can comment during game threads about wanting to watch their husbands instead. Or openly gay male players and watching their spouses, too.

 

I have no issue with that......I think the human body is beautiful, and admiring it should be ok. Staring? Touching? Bad stuff? No.......looking? Sure.

 

edit: admittedly, I'm a guy....so maybe I just can't understand it.

[jimmer]

 

I can't wait until women are in MLB so we can comment during game threads about wanting to watch their husbands instead. Or openly gay male players and watching their spouses, too.

That would be progress :-)  I won't be one of those wanting to watch the male spouses, because none are going to look like Kate Upton (more like Justin or BJ Upton) but I'm all for having equal opportunities.

[wsnydes]

 

I can't wait until women are in MLB so we can comment during game threads about wanting to watch their husbands instead. Or openly gay male players and watching their spouses, too.

That seems fair enough.  Though, even my wife appreciates a beautiful woman.  She wasn't one of those girls that experimented in college either.  Not that there's anything wrong with it if she was.

[jimmer]

 

I have no issue with that......I think the human body is beautiful, and admiring it should be ok. Staring? Touching? Bad stuff? No.......looking? Sure.

 

edit: admittedly, I'm a guy....so maybe I just can't understand it.

I've been around the block a time or two (or twenty) and there are some women that no matter how hard I may try, my gaze keeps coming back to them if they are within sight.  The list is short over my 40+ years alive, but I imagine Kate would be one of them.  not just for her looks, but for the personality she projects.

[jimmer]

 

That seems fair enough.  Though, even my wife appreciates a beautiful woman.  She wasn't one of those girls that experimented in college either.  Not that there's anything wrong with it if she was.

Suuuuuure she wasn't ;-)

[wsnydes]

 

Suuuuuure she wasn't ;-)

If she was, ashamed would not be among the words I would use to describe my thoughts on the situation.

[jimmer]

 

If she was, ashamed would not be among the words I would use to describe my thoughts on the situation.

Nor mine, my friend :-)

[wsnydes]

Mauer gonzoooooo!!!

 

[big dog]

Way to go Joe!!!

[Vanimal46]

I can't wait until women are in MLB so we can comment during game threads about wanting to watch their husbands instead. Or openly gay male players and watching their spouses, too.

There are hot dudes in the world too! Normally I wouldn't comment much on player's wives/girlfriends/boyfriends/husbands, but Kate Upton is an exception in my book...

[jimmer]

 

There are hot dudes in the world too! Normally I wouldn't comment much on player's wives/girlfriends/boyfriends/husbands, but Kate Upton is an exception in my book...

In the dictionary, one of the definitions of the word 'exception' is just a picture of Kate Upton :-)

[wsnydes]

Twins score a run, and give it right back.  Just like clockwork.  :/

[wsnydes]

Santana is getting hit pretty hard so far. 

[Vanimal46]

Maybe another reverse jinx like yesterday is in order...

Can today be Santana's last start to make room for Berrios? God I hope so. 

[wsnydes]

Pretty quite around here Vanimal, even for a day game.  Everybody too busy watching Kate?  I'm stuck with radio, so I can't see her anyway.

[Shane Wahl]

 

Done! Additionally, I had an emergency game thread ready to post, but you got in under the wire!

 

Thanks. And, yeah, time got away from me a little bit this morning.

[Vanimal46]

Unfortunately I only have 2 screens to view at my desk. One of them is used for actual work, the other is used to look at Kate Upton pictures. How's the game shaping up?

[wsnydes]

 

Unfortunately I only have 2 screens to view at my desk. One of them is used for actual work, the other is used to look at Kate Upton pictures. How's the game shaping up?

I'm in a similar boat.  

 

Looks like another pitcher's duel so far.  My money isn't usually going to be on the guy going against Verlander.

[Mike Sixel]

Some scintillating updates on this thread so far......

[wsnydes]

 

Some scintillating updates on this thread so far......

I've come to the conclusion that everyone is either too fascinated by Kate Upton in the stands or Aggies7 was generously allowing everyone to partake in his stash of $14/case local swill last night and they haven't woken up yet.

[Danchat]

Of course, right when our starting pitching is finally sharp, the bats go cold. That's the story of the Twins 2016 season.