Game Thread: Twins vs Tigers 8/25/16 @ 12:10 PM

[Platoon]

It seemed like a good idea at the time! An often thought but many times regretted canard. The latest involved a request for GT volunteers. You know the drill. Anyone who wants to help, take one step forward. Suddenly you turn around, and find out everyone else took a step back, but you. Your habitual lack of attention which manifested itself somewhere around kindergarten, has finally caught up with you, there is nowhere to run. So you Sally forth. (When I typed that, it suddenly dawned on me that is where the name for that comic strip came from. It's amazing how dense one can be over that many years.)

 

One of the defined requirements for a GT is positivity, which eliminates virtually all Twins related baseball talk. Leaving us with politics, religion, and Detroit. Leaving us with in essence, Detroit.

 

One question I have always wondered about, well maybe not always, is why are the Detroit Tigers, the Tigers? Is it because Cincinnati stole the Bengals? Or because the oblong ball team took the Lions? What up with Detroit and large kitties? I can see the Minnesota Twins, the Dallas Cowboys, the LA Angels, and the Washington Generals. But I know of no tropical jungles in Detroit suitable for large cat habitat. That said, maybe there are large felines roaming the streets, which brings us to.........

 

Outward flight. It's well known that Detroit proper has been losing population for years, but the emigration reached a preposterous level recently when 1500 Detroitians tried to sneak into Canada, across the St. Clair river via rafts, inner tubes, and other non bouyant vessels. Braving carp infested waters, these emigrants left Detroit with only the clothes on their backs, and looking at some pics, not even that much. The ever alert Homeland Security forces in Sarnia quickly captured the interlopers. Wishing to avoid another Bay of Pigs public relations disaster, the US and Canadian governments quickly organized an exchange wherein Canada bussed the miscreants back across the river in exchange for Justin Morneau, Celine Dion, and the Stanley Cup. But Canada being Canada, all were first given a free medical exam, and gift certificates to Tim Hortons, eh.

 

Since Detroit is in Michigan I think a comment or two on the state itself is warranted. Michigan has those unique 'Michigan Left Turns'. Wherein you turn right, drive halfway to Kalamazoo, make a U-turn and try and make up for lost time. And in an effort to make driving more confusing, have intersected I69 and I96 in Lansing. Due to the lack of attention referenced in Par 1, I found myself headed westbound, staring at a sign that said Grand Rapids, 40 miles, while attempting to go to Toronto. While my lack of awareness, was a mitigating factor, the MDOT decision to have these two freeways intersect at all, was irresponsible at best.

 

The weather. It's gonna be gorgeous! No chance of a lost Dozier home run to bemoan, no weather related short starts taxing the BP, and no watching a FSN video about past Twins greats. Actually I don't think any FSN at all. Too bad, as Berrios is scheduled to hurl.

 

Today's lineup:

 

 

Tigers

Daniel Norris (L)

 

1. Ian Kinsler ® 2B

2. Tyler Collins (L) CF

3. Miguel Cabrera ® 1B

4. Victor Martinez (S) DH

5. J.D. Martinez ® RF

6. Justin Upton ® LF

7. Casey McGehee ® 3B

8. James McCann ® C

9. Andrew Romine (S) SS

 

 

 

Twins

Jose Berrios ®

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B

2. Jorge Polanco (S) SS

3. Robbie Grossman (S) LF

4. Trevor Plouffe ® 1B

5. Miguel Sano ® DH

6. Max Kepler (L) RF

7. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B

8. Juan Centeno (L) C

9. Danny Santana (S) CF

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I would love to see Norris in person some time--this is the guy who lived out of his van and then beat cancer. Only 22.

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/162979090/daniel-norris-beats-cancer-looks-ahead-to-2016/

[wsnydes]

You know we're having fun when the only positive topic that you can come up with is Detroit!  

 

Nicely done, sir!

 

With all of these Berrios starts not televised, I'm starting to wonder if he's just a myth or creation of the Twins PR department gone strangely wrong.

[Platoon]

When looking at the two lineups, I struggle to discern which 3-4 tandem I would go with? Grossman/Pluffe or Cabrerra/Martinez? Hmm, I might have to mull that over a bit? I will get back to this later...........

[Squirrel]

I would love to see Norris in person some time--this is the guy who lived out of his van and then beat cancer. Only 22.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/162979090/daniel-norris-beats-cancer-looks-ahead-to-2016/

I remember reading in the Fort Myers News-Press about his trip to ST a couple years ago when still with the Jays. Even then I thought that he seemed very grounded and very ... unaffected, in a good way.

[USAFChief]

Impressive debut, rook.  

 

But I will need to see some sustained performance.  Plenty o' game threads still available.

 

 

[Kwak]

Since the game isn't televised it's nice that in addition to pitching Berrios will also hurl--since we won't be watching!

[Platoon]

Since the game isn't televised it's nice that in addition to pitching Berrios will also hurl--since we won't be watching!

If I was pitching this game, and turned around and looked at this defense, I would hurl also!

[wsnydes]

 

If I was pitching this game, and turned around and looked at this defense, I would hurl also!

If you were pitching this game, I'd imagine there would be lots of souvenirs in the outfield, which would make me hurl.  

[Halsey Hall]

I hurled just reading Plouffe's name.

[SwainZag]

I am predicting an improved start for Jose today.  7 innings, 1 ER, 8K.  

 

And looks like Mauer is having some quad issues

[wsnydes]

 

I am predicting an improved start for Jose today.  7 innings, 1 ER, 8K.  

 

I'm sure the bullpen would appreciate that sort of effort.

 

I know I would, because that means I see less of the bullpen.

 

And I want to see Berrios succeed.

[wsnydes]

Tigers' radio guys are talking about Berrios' delivery with the hand and grip showing for so long that hitters can see it, essentially tipping his pitches.

 

Has anyone heard about that here and I have just missed that?  They made it sound as if the team is working on that with him.

[wsnydes]

walks...too many walks...

 

50% walk rate on the day so far.

[Winston Smith]

Game is on MLB Network, 3-0 Tiger.

[wsnydes]

 

Game is on MLB Network, 3-0 Tiger.

*sigh*

I was hoping Gamecast was wrong.  It's 3-0 there too.  Defense has left much to be desired.  Berrios not sharp either.

[wavedog]

On a positive note....other than pitching, defense and hitting,  we are doing pretty good today so far!  

[gocgo]

I feel like when it is 3-0 in the 2nd inning, the game is over.  Is it just me?

[jimmer]

 

  Defense has left much to be desired.  .

there's a reason they sit at 29th in defense. :-)

[wavedog]

We may make it a 1-run ballgame - then they will score 5 runs off the bullpen and we will roll over.   Can't seem to get to that elusive 50 win mark. 

[wsnydes]

 

there's a reason they sit at 29th in defense. :-(

FTFY.

[gocgo]

6-0 and the slide continues.

[wsnydes]

 

I am predicting an improved start for Jose today.  7 innings, 1 ER, 8K.  

 

And looks like Mauer is having some quad issues

Your future telling game is a bit off today.  

[gocgo]

but they should leave berrios out there.

[Winston Smith]

They really look like a bad team in all parts of the game. The record isn't a lie.

[wsnydes]

 

They really look like a bad team in all parts of the game. The record isn't a lie.

The Tigers' radio guys have not been hiding how they feel about how poorly this team is playing.  They've been fairly blunt and it's hard to argue with any of it because you are 100% correct.

[twinsnorth49]

The next time you folks decide to drunkenly tube your way up to Canada, the least you can do is invite us along, and buy the beer.

 

Btw, you owe Sarnia $8k for the ride home, the beer can empty's you left behind doesn't quite cover the fare.

[Aggies7]

I sort of feel bad for Berrios. Clearly he's struggling with confidence and stuff between the ears. No other explanation for such a monstrous drop off when he gets up here. Unfortunately, he's not easing any worries that almost all our stud prospects may be big bustaroo's

[twinsnorth49]

No wonder this game isn't televised    .

[wsnydes]

 

The next time you folks decide to drunkenly tube your way up to Canada, the least you can do is invite us along, and buy the beer.

 

Btw, you owe Sarnia $8k for the ride home, the beer can empty's you left behind doesn't quite cover the fare.

What kind of host expects their guests to supply the beer?!