Game Thread: Twins @ Indians, 8/30/16 @ 6:10pm CST

[twinssporto]

Welcome to another installment of the Twins Daily Game Thread!  The Twins have now lost 11 games in a row.  Last night was a tough loss.  The Twins actually had some decent pitching.  Too bad the offense didn't pick up the slack. Oh well, tonights another night and anything can happen.

 

It will be interesting to watch Andrew Albers pitch tonight for the Twins.  It will be his 14th career big league appearance and his 1st MLB start since 2013.  Will Albers be the one that gets this team off the losing streak?  We will find out tonight.

 

If Albers and the rest of the Twins team can't shed this losing streak tonight, I've come up with 11 ideas that the players, coaches and front office can do to get the team back into the win column.

 

Here they are:

 

1. Fire someone - Fire anyone.  At this point just do something.  The fan base is seething.

 

2. Practice more - Practice infield drills, practice outfield drills, PLEASE PRACTICE BUNTING.

 

3. Players please call someone -  Call your parents, friends, Little League coaches, etc.  Tell them your troubles and remind them to tell you how lucky you are to be playing this great game.  It will probably help you put this season into perspective.

 

4. Play loose - The best teams always play loose and with confidence.  Even if you don't believe it pretend.  It can't be any worse than what your doing now.

 

5. Pitchers - Go to the State Fair and play some games.  Go throw fastballs at the milk jugs and try to knock them off the table.  No pressure there.  Remind yourself how much fun it is to pitch.  Most people standing around won't even recognize you or know your name.

 

6. Get angry - If playing loose isn't your thing get angry.  It may help you get the confidence back.  If need be go fight the opposing team.  Mix it up a little.  If they aren't scared of your fastball or bat maybe they will fear your right hook.

 

7. Step up and be a leader - Remember Puckett in 91'?  I think he said something like, "jump on my back, I'm gonna carry this team."  Remember what Jack Morris said in 91'? "In the immortal words of Marvin Gaye, let's get it on..."

 

8. Come up with a great marketing campaign for 2017 - Something about how great we're going to be.  Start the positive vibes now!

 

9. More joking in the clubhouse - Yes, joke around more.  Please do it behind closed doors though.  If fans see you having too much fun with a .320 win average it may not go over so well.

 

10. Play some golf - I've heard it can screw up your baseball swing but at this point who cares...

 

11. Play like you have nothing to lose.

 

Go Twins!!

 

LINEUPS:

 

TWINS

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B

2. Joe Mauer (L) DH

3. Trevor Plouffe ® 1B

4. Miguel Sano ® 3B

5. Max Kepler (L) RF

6. Eduardo Escobar (S) SS

7. Eddie Rosario (L) LF

8. Kurt Suzuki ® C

9. Logan Schafer (L) CF

 

Andrew Albers (L) SP

 

INDIANS

 

1. Rajai Davis ® CF

2. Jason Kipnis (L) 2B

3. Francisco Lindor (S) SS

4. Mike Napoli ® 1B

5. Carlos Santana (S) DH

6. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B

7. Brandon Guyer ® LF

8. Abraham Almonte (S) RF

9. Chris Gimenez ® C

 

Josh Tomlin ® SP

 

Game-time weather:  78 degrees and mostly cloudy.  0% chance of rain.  

[Kwak]

Final Score: 8 - 7. 8 winning!

[jimmer]

Man I guess it doesn't matter who our 25 man is, he's going to play waaaaaay more than he should.  Go Schaffer! :-)

[big dog]

Here's what I would like to see tonight.  I'd like to see Logan Schafer take a couple of pitches.  He was out twice last night, seeing a total of two pitches.

 

Well, there are lots of things I'd like to see, but that's probably the easiest one to get so I'll just hope for that.

[jimmer]

This is the 'let's put our worse defense out there lineup.'  Our best fielding 1B is DHing.  Our best fielding 3B is playing 1B (where he becomes our 3rd worst fielding 1B) and our worse fielding 3B is playing 3B.

 

I suppose Grossman could be playing LF...

[Platoon]

I have given up caring about the Twins. I watched that Vike preseason game Sunday, and the new stadiums is absolutely phenomenal, the defense was fierce, and it finally looks like Bridgewater is ready to lead us deep into the playoffs. I can't wait. Finally a QB of our own, not some import from WI! It's gonna be awesome. Who need the Twins anymore!

[Platoon]

This is the 'let's put our worse defense out there lineup.' Our best fielding 1B is DHing. Our best fielding 3B is playing 1B (where he becomes our 3rd worst fielding 1B) and our worse fielding 3B is playing 3B.

 

I suppose Grossman could be playing LF...

You can't have everything you want. Look at the bright side, we have our number 1 catcher going, and our original starting SS. Strong up the middle at least!

[big dog]

 

I have given up caring about the Twins. I watched that Vike preseason game Sunday, and the new stadiums is absolutely phenomenal, the defense was fierce, and it finally looks like Bridgewater is ready to lead us deep into the playoffs. I can't wait. Finally a QB of our own, not some import from WI! It's gonna be awesome. Who need the Twins anymore!

About that QB...

Hey, who wants to play some Oregon Trail?

[Mr. Brooks]

I have given up caring about the Twins. I watched that Vike preseason game Sunday, and the new stadiums is absolutely phenomenal, the defense was fierce, and it finally looks like Bridgewater is ready to lead us deep into the playoffs. I can't wait. Finally a QB of our own, not some import from WI! It's gonna be awesome. Who need the Twins anymore!

Do you live in a cave, or trying to be clever?

[jimmer]

MLB tonight just opened the show talking about Tebow's workout, complete with video.

 

Tebow. 

 

While I applaud him chasing this dream, I gotta say, 'REALLY?!!!! THAT is what starts off MLB Tonight?'

[Platoon]

Do you live in a cave, or trying to be clever?

Or, when you are a sports fan in MN, it's clever to live in a cave!

[jimmer]

 

You can't have everything you want. Look at the bright side, we have our number 1 catcher going, and our original starting SS. Strong up the middle at least!

you're on a roll!

[Vanimal46]

 

About that QB...

Hey, who wants to play some Oregon Trail?

I'm always down for Oregon Trail! Follow that up with Backyard Baseball and that's a typical day for 11 year old Vanimal. 

[jimmer]

When taking into account time on DL, who has played a higher % of games when they were available to play: Escobar or Danny Santana?

[Aggies7]

I have felt as physically ill as a sports fan can feel since I heard the news about Teddy. I think part of the reason I even still watch the twins has something to do with knowing the Vikings were starting soon and have (had?) a shot at winning. Now that those plans have been blown to pieces, I simply don't know if I have the stomach to watch the twins tonight. Not with the losing streak as it is and who we have starting. I don't think my penchant for sports can handle any more, at least today.

[bluechipper]

 

I have felt as physically ill as a sports fan can feel since I heard the news about Teddy. I think part of the reason I even still watch the twins has something to do with knowing the Vikings were starting soon and have (had?) a shot at winning. Now that those plans have been blown to pieces, I simply don't know if I have the stomach to watch the twins tonight. Not with the losing streak as it is and who we have starting. I don't think my penchant for sports can handle any more, at least today.

It's not like the Vikings were slinging the ball around last year either. Teddy's injury is really sad and I'm a huge fan of his, but there's still hope for this season I think.

[Aggies7]

 

It's not like the Vikings were slinging the ball around last year either. Teddy's injury is really sad and I'm a huge fan of his, but there's still hope for this season I think.

There certainly is hope, teddy wasn't putting up video game numbers, BUT he wasn't a turnover machine and judging by what I've seen so far this preseason, he seemed even more improved. Easy to forget, last year was his first full season, and he was absolutely abused last year because of the horrid Oline. I hated that they didn't make a move to get a better backup on the roster, especially considering the shoddy line and knowing that shaun hill was always one play away from being the guy. So now they are faced with trying to sign someone that nobody else wants and try to have him learn the offense in 12 days. Yeah, there is hope, but the expectations coming into the season weighed heavily upon Teddy remaining healthy. I just hope it's not a career ender. 

[Mr. Brooks]

It's not like the Vikings were slinging the ball around last year either. Teddy's injury is really sad and I'm a huge fan of his, but there's still hope for this season I think.

They may not have slung the ball around, but Bridgewater did have the highest completion percentage of under 25 year old QB in the history of the NFL. And was poised to take a big step forward this year.

There is no hope now, none, unless you enjoy mediocrity. The gap between Bridgewater and Hill is astronomical.

The Vikings went from legit SB contenders to a .500 club in an instant.

And if the injury is as bad as Sporting News is reporting, this could be a career threatening injury.

The Vikings are cursed.

[Craig Arko]

This all reminds of me of the glory days of Gary Cuozzo, Norm Sneed, and General Bobby Lee.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Final Score: 8 - 7. 8 winning!

Sounds about right.

[bluechipper]

 

They may not have slung the ball around, but Bridgewater did have the highest completion percentage of under 25 year old QB in the history of the NFL. And was poised to take a big step forward this year.
There is no hope now, none, unless you enjoy mediocrity. The gap between Bridgewater and Hill is astronomical.
The Vikings went from legit SB contenders to a .500 club in an instant.
And if the injury is as bad as Sporting News is reporting, this could be a career threatening injury.
The Vikings are cursed.

The Broncos just won the Super Bowl with awful quarterback play. I don't think the Vikings defense can be as good as the Broncos were, but no hope at all is a little harsh. I'm going to try to stay optimistic.

[Kwak]

 

I have given up caring about the Twins. I watched that Vike preseason game Sunday, and the new stadiums is absolutely phenomenal, the defense was fierce, and it finally looks like Bridgewater is ready to lead us deep into the playoffs. I can't wait. Finally a QB of our own, not some import from WI! It's gonna be awesome. Who need the Twins anymore!

Your Bridgewater comment jinxed him!

[Craig Arko]

The Broncos just won the Super Bowl with awful quarterback play. I don't think the Vikings defense can be as good as the Broncos were, but no hope at all is a little harsh. I'm going to try to stay optimistic.

Thems strange words to hear on this here site. Is that French?

[big dog]

Dozier!!!  Cranking one out, and silencing all 42 people at Cleveland!

 

I will be sorry if they trade him, no matter how much sense it might make.

[Platoon]

Your Bridgewater comment jinxed him!

I checked with Apple, my sarcasm ap is covered by my extended warranty. . There sending me a new one in the mail.

[Platoon]

Plouffe with the ever popular productive out!

[70charger]

Just tuned in. What is this? We're winning? What?

[jimmer]

The one thing Kepler needs to learn on defense is when to dive and when not to dive.  Love the effort, but that's a mistake of youth.

[Winston Smith]

Albers looks sharp!

[big dog]

OK, 8-7 is looking a little light here.

 

Last one out please turn out the lights.