Game Thread: Twins vs. Angels, 7/5/17 @ 7:10 PM Central

70charger · July 5, 2017

Well, we’re back to real life after a good, long weekend. I hope we’ve shaken off our hangovers, at least gone through the motions of another workday, and are ready for some more Twins baseball.

I had quite a lot of time recently to think about the Twins and what they mean to me. You see, I took an intercity bus ride yesterday afternoon that was supposed to last four hours and took nearly nine, all the while sitting in the seat directly in front of a woman whose voice was slightly more pleasant than a war crime. I made it through the ordeal, which is, incidentally, just about all that can be said for the experience of being a Twins fan the last several years. Knowing that I had my first game thread to write the next day, I thought about my own fandom, and sitting in bumper to bumper traffic in the middle of Mexico, Twins baseball made me think of home.

Jerry Seinfeld said that loyalty to any one sports team is hard to justify. When it comes down to it, he said, we’re cheering for clothes. Maybe that’s easier to assert when you live right in the middle of Yankees territory, where hiring expensive mercenaries has been the norm and, let’s face it, those expensive mercenaries do a lot of winning. If all I wanted to do was a watch a winner, I could probably do a lot worse than to pick the Yankees as the laundry I root for. So why don’t I? Am I just a glutton for punishment? I mean, I sign up for nine hour bus rides and 162 games a year of Twins fandom.

But these things can’t really be looked at objectively, can they? The Twins take me home, and for a guy like me that has no permanent home, that can be too easy to understate.

Twins fandom has delivered a lot of losing of late, but over the years it has delivered a whole lot more than that. It delivered quality time with my dad for my brother and me when we were both young enough to believe him when he told us that the left field nosebleeds were actually the best seats in the house because you can see the entire field. It delivered the Cinderella champions of ’87, whose game seven we watched while “hiding” behind the living room loveseat because we were up past our bedtime. My parents knew and totally let it slide. It delivered “And we’ll see you tomorrow night!”, game 163, and the hometown hero bringing home batting titles.

In order to justify our fandom - and, we hope beyond hope, not simply to rationalize it - there has to be something to it beyond the bare numbers of the win - loss columns. And for me, there certainly is. The Twins haven’t done much winning this decade, but to me, they’re still delivering.

—

I can’t do my first game thread without a “Things to Think About” section, so with apologies to Riverbrian, here are mine:

Enjoy those fireworks last night? Thank China, where they were first developed around the 7th century. Gunpowder is considered one of the “Four Great Inventions” of China. The others are dim sum, Chinatowns, and fully-assembled iPhones.* 
The biggest and best fireworks display I have ever seen was midnight on New Year’s 2015-2016 in Utrecht, Netherlands. I climbed up to the roof and watched fireworks go on from every direction of the compass** for more than an hour straight. The Dutch love their New Year’s fireworks so much that they pay quite a price for it: a few years ago there were reported the following fireworks-related injuries in the Netherlands: 700 injuries total; 236 eye injuries, 91 with permanent damage, 23 cases of blindness; 5 hands amputated, along with “several” fingers***; and all of this went along with 233 fire trucks dispatched. 
Did you know that the Bastille Day fireworks on July 14 from the Eiffel Tower in Paris are actually under copyright, according to what the Daily Mail calls “an obscure clause in EU copyright rules”? I don’t abide by EU rules, so here’s a picture I took of the fireworks last year. Suck it, France. 
I visited the pyramid at Cholula here in Mexico recently, and as I got out of the car, I almost immediately heard a gunshot-like noise, which definitely made me jump a bit. Turns out it was just a firework, set off by pilgrims to the church that’s now on top, La Virgen de Los Remedios. That must have been a starting gun of sorts, because sure enough, the parade of pilgrims headed down the pyramid after, toting a very large Mary statue with them. An odd sight for what was once surely a place of both human and animal sacrifice, to the Mesoamerican god Quetzalcoatl.  
I’m all out of fireworks-related stuff (and let’s be honest, it was already getting tenuous), but in case you’re big on bar trivia, The pyramid at Cholula is the largest pyramid in the world by footprint if not by height, measuring 400 meters per side; by comparison, the largest pyramid at Giza in Egypt had roughly 145 meter sides. It was so big, the later Aztecs named it Tlatchihualtepetl, literally “artificial mountain,” and ascribed its construction to the god Xelhua.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is also the largest monument in the world, by volume. In other news, there is someone out there whose job description includes measuring the volume of the world’s various monuments.

* This is not true.
** Actually one of the Four Great Inventions, along with printing and papermaking.
*** Why is this inconclusive!?

—

I know it’s kind of a taboo here on game threads, but we should probably talk about baseball, at least for a minute. The Twins are facing the Angels of California Anaheim Somewhere Near Los Angeles, or whatever they’re called these days, in the rubber match of a series in which the good guys have already taken two. Can we bring the brooms out tonight?

And will we see hot or cold Erv? Ervin Santana still sports a sparkling ERA of 3.07 despite being a Jekyll and Hyde case of late. Last time out, he gave up 5 runs. The time before that 0. The two times before that, 6 and 5 respectively. The time before that, 0. The time before that, 7. The two times before that, 1 and 0. Let’s hope he’s on his game against his former team. He’ll be facing rookie pitcher Parker Bridwell, traded by the Orioles earlier this year. I could tell you more about him, but I’d just be copy-pasting Wikipedia. Sorry.

Lineups to be posted when available.

Win Twins!

gocgo · July 5, 2017

Well done sir! I will be expanding on that fireworks theme in Friday's game thread as it is Fireworks Friday.

Riverbrian · July 5, 2017

—

I can’t do my first game thread without a “Things to Think About” section, so with apologies to Riverbrian, here are mine:

No need to apologize... I'm flattered and impressed.

Nice Job... I look forward to your 2nd, 3rd and 5th.

I skipped the 4th because there is only so much looking forward that I can do.

pbrezeasap · July 5, 2017

He’ll be facing rookie pitcher Parker Bridwell, traded by the Orioles earlier this year. I could tell you more about him, but I’d just be copy-pasting Wikipedia. Sorry.

I can tell you that he is a real nice guy, my youngest son had hitting and pitching lessons with him over last winter. He's from Hereford, TX (pronounced Herferd by the locals). The Angels announcers have pronounced it like its spelled, so I'm curious to see how Twins announcers say it, if at all. I'm routing for a complete game shutout by Ervin and a couple runs by the Twins off the Angels bullpen for a 2-0 win and a sweep.

Also, he will chew the heck out of some gum during the game.

70charger · July 5, 2017

Lineups:

Angels of California Anaheim Somewhere Near Los Angeles:

Cameron Maybin ® CF
Kole Calhoun (L) RF
Albert Pujols ® DH
Yunel Escobar ® 3B
Luis Valbuena (L) 1B
Andrelton Simmons ® SS
Cliff Pennington (S) 2B
Martin Maldonado ® C
Eric Young, Jr. (S) LF

Pitcher: Parker Bridwell, ®

--

Minnesota Twins:

Brian Dozier ® 2B
Robbie Grossman (S) DH
Miguel Sano ® 1B
Max Kepler (L) RF
Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B
Eddie Rosario (L) LF
Jorge Polanco (S) SS
Jason Castro (L) C
Byron Buxton ® CF

Pitcher: Ervin Santana ®

FunnyPenguin · July 5, 2017

Ervin's final line will be 6 IP 5 H 2 ER 1 BB 5 K

Sano will homer and Dozier with an RBI double. Buxton will get a hit again. 6-4 Minnesota win.

PDX Twin · July 5, 2017

Your introduction made me think about how one chooses a team for which to cheer when there is no obvious geographical or other tie. I faced this ten years ago when I first (got cable and) started following English football. As I reflected on my decision, I realized that I was looking for the most Twins-like team in a lot of ways. More ways than I had initially reckoned: five years of downward spiral in the table followed by inevitable relegation!

Yet, somehow, once that random allegiance has been formed, I can't give it up. My wife asks me why I keep rooting for them in the second division when I can't even watch them on TV any more. It must be some combination of Minnesota-bred loyalty and Minnesota-bred stubbornness. I pointed out to her that she shouldn't complain; she's had a few losing seasons over the years but I'm still married to her!

sampleSizeOfOne · July 5, 2017

...
I'm routing for a complete game shutout by Ervin....

We are pleased.

Er... and so am i.

Thanks for sharing the first hand account!

Gum is good stuff.

Is there anything in the rules against blowing bubbles on the mound?

Cap'n Piranha · July 5, 2017

No need to apologize... I'm flattered and impressed.

Nice Job... I look forward to your 2nd, 3rd and 5th.

I skipped the 4th because there is only so much looking forward that I can do.

Looking forward to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th is exactly as much looking forward as the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. Unless what you meant to say is you can only look forward to two similar things in succession before needing a break.

Cap'n Piranha · July 5, 2017

Lineups:

Angels of California Anaheim Somewhere Near Los Angeles:

Cameron Maybin ® CF

Kole Calhoun (L) RF

Albert Pujols ® DH

Yunel Escobar ® 3B

Luis Valbuena (L) 1B

Andrelton Simmons ® SS

Cliff Pennington (S) 2B

Martin Maldonado ® C

Eric Young, Jr. (S) LF
Pitcher: Parker Bridwell, ®

--

Minnesota Twins:

Brian Dozier ® 2B

Robbie Grossman (S) DH

Miguel Sano ® 1B

Max Kepler (L) RF

Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B

Eddie Rosario (L) LF

Jorge Polanco (S) SS

Jason Castro (L) C

Byron Buxton ® CF
Pitcher: Ervin Santana ®

Joe Mauer is currently slashing .304/.382/.444/.826 against righties.

Jorge is currently slashing .250/.306/.357/.664 against righties.

I get needing to keep Esco's bat in the lineup, but do we need to keep Polanco's at-bat in the lineup so bad that we're willing to sacrifice over 150 points of OPS?

drock2190 · July 5, 2017

I sure would hate to be an Angels fan and have to root for that lineup.

Could you imagine the debate on here if that was the Twins lineup?

Riverbrian · July 5, 2017

Your introduction made me think about how one chooses a team for which to cheer when there is no obvious geographical or other tie. I faced this ten years ago when I first (got cable and) started following English football. As I reflected on my decision, I realized that I was looking for the most Twins-like team in a lot of ways. More ways than I had initially reckoned: five years of downward spiral in the table followed by inevitable relegation!

Yet, somehow, once that random allegiance has been formed, I can't give it up. My wife asks me why I keep rooting for them in the second division when I can't even watch them on TV any more. It must be some combination of Minnesota-bred loyalty and Minnesota-bred stubbornness. I pointed out to her that she shouldn't complain; she's had a few losing seasons over the years but I'm still married to her!

What team?

Riverbrian · July 5, 2017

Joe Mauer is currently slashing .304/.382/.444/.826 against righties.

Jorge is currently slashing .250/.306/.357/.664 against righties.

I get needing to keep Esco's bat in the lineup, but do we need to keep Polanco's at-bat in the lineup so bad that we're willing to sacrifice over 150 points of OPS?

I'm a rotate your guys around type fan. The cool thing is that you don't sacrifice over 150 points of OPS all in 1 game.

Riverbrian · July 5, 2017

I sure would hate to be an Angels fan and have to root for that lineup.

Could you imagine the debate on here if that was the Twins lineup?

Twins Daily Members Are Always Reasonable In All Assessments When It Comes to Player Personnel.

The Folks on Angels Daily are simply out of control!!!

PDX Twin · July 5, 2017

What team?

Aston Villa. I liked their style of play, their colors, the fact that they had a charity on their shirts rather than a betting company (no longer), their strong academy to allow to build from within rather than buying players, the fact that they were not one of the Big Four but were challenging them for Champions League spots, and the American connection through goalkeeper Brad Friedel and owner Randy Lerner.

Well, they still have the same kit colors!

ashbury · July 5, 2017

Aston Villa. I liked their style of play

Didn't Aston Villa used to be led by someone considered the most hated man in the sport?

Cap'n Piranha · July 5, 2017

Twins Daily Members Are Always Reasonable In All Assessments When It Comes to Player Personnel.

The Folks on Angels Daily are simply out of control!!!

Careful googling Angels Daily--I have a feeling that might lead to some sites distasteful to the googler.

Riverbrian · July 6, 2017

Aston Villa. I liked their style of play, their colors, the fact that they had a charity on their shirts rather than a betting company (no longer), their strong academy to allow to build from within rather than buying players, the fact that they were not one of the Big Four but were challenging them for Champions League spots, and the American connection through goalkeeper Brad Friedel and owner Randy Lerner.

Well, they still have the same kit colors!

Being totally honest... Aston Villa, West Ham and Burnley are all teams that I've decided not to like because I can't immediately tell who I'm watching because they all wear those similar Claret and Blue Jerseys. I also scratched all the big money teams off my list and any team that has stripes.

Although... Aston Villa isn't as bad as the team that I originally latched on to... Portsmouth who dropped all the way to League Two.

Back in 2006... It was a Saturday Morning and I flipped on the TV and ran across a Portsmouth vs. Arsenal game. I started watching the game and just got intoit because the game is really quite beautiful to watch.

Anyway... the announcers kept talking about relegation throughout the broadcast and I hadn't heard of that before so I started reading about it while the game was going and I loved the concept... The Bottom 3 teams going down a level. I actually wish American sports would take that approach because it creates drama at the top and at the bottom of the standings. Yeah I know the Twins would be AA by now but I love it anyway.

Portsmouth was fighting to stay in the Premiere League and badly needed a point to survive and they were facing Arsenal who was at the top of the table and loaded with high priced talent so I started cheering for Portsmouth because I love the underdog.

I found myself really starting to care and the game was intense with Arsenal generating chances and missing on those chances while already up 1-0. It wasn't looking good and the game was coming to an end when a player by the name of LuaLua scored for Portsmouth and the crowd went nuts.LuaLua after scoring did a backflip and actually hurt himself in the celebration. I was immediately hooked and Portsmouth was my team.

Then they things went horribly wrong and they were relegated all the way down to League Two and I can't watch them anymore. So... I've latched on to Leicester until Portsmouth gets back maybe a decade from now.

jimmer · July 6, 2017

Is Marney drunk?

drock2190 · July 6, 2017

Careful googling Angels Daily--I have a feeling that might lead to some sites distasteful to the googler.

I took the chance. All I got was some book saying Daily advice from Angels. Pretty distasteful I tell you!

jimmer · July 6, 2017

Being totally honest... Aston Villa, West Ham and Burnley are all teams that I've decided not to like because I can't immediately tell who I'm watching because they all wear those similar Claret and Blue Jerseys. I also scratched all the big money teams off my list and any team that has stripes.

Although... Aston Villa isn't as bad as the team that I originally latched on to... Portsmouth who dropped all the way to League Two.

Back in 2006... It was a Saturday Morning and I flipped on the TV and ran across a Portsmouth vs. Arsenal game. I started watching the game and just got intoit because the game is really quite beautiful to watch.

Anyway... the announcers kept talking about relegation throughout the broadcast and I hadn't heard of that before so I started reading about it while the game was going and I loved the concept... The Bottom 3 teams going down a level. I actually wish American sports would take that approach because it creates drama at the top and at the bottom of the standings. Yeah I know the Twins would be AA by now but I love it anyway.

Portsmouth was fighting to stay in the Premiere League and badly needed a point to survive and they were facing Arsenal who was at the top of the table and loaded with high priced talent so I started cheering for Portsmouth because I love the underdog.

I found myself really starting to care and the game was intense with Arsenal generating chances and missing on those chances while already up 1-0. It wasn't looking good and the game was coming to an end when a player by the name of LuaLua scored for Portsmouth and the crowd went nuts.LuaLua after scoring did a backflip and actually hurt himself in the celebration. I was immediately hooked and Portsmouth was my team.

Then they things went horribly wrong and they were relegated all the way down to League Two and I can't watch them anymore. So... I've latched on to Leicester until Portsmouth gets back maybe a decade from now.

Sorry, but it's all about Manchester United, baby!

PDX Twin · July 6, 2017

Didn't Aston Villa used to be led by someone considered the most hated man in the sport?

I'm not sure who that would have been. Randy Lerner was pretty unpopular with the Villa fans by the time he sold out last year. Sir Doug Ellis, the previous owner, was also pretty unpopular, but my sense is that most of the animus was internal, not external. At the time I became a fan, Martin O'Neill was the manager (currently managing Republic of Ireland side), but he was both respected and popular. Quit in a huff in August 2010 when Lerner sold my favorite player James Milner to the sheik at Man City.

PDX Twin · July 6, 2017

Being totally honest... Aston Villa, West Ham and Burnley are all teams that I've decided not to like because I can't immediately tell who I'm watching because they all wear those similar Claret and Blue Jerseys. I also scratched all the big money teams off my list and any team that has stripes.

There's a reason why they all wear claret and blue. West Ham stole Villa's shirts after a game between the clubs and have been wearing those colors ever since. The "Clarets" of Burnley didn't steal the actual uniforms, but did explicitly copy them.

Portsmouth made one big mistake: Harry Redknapp. He overspent and didn't get the wins that would have paid the bills. Villa fans are chuckling because their arch-rivals Birmingham City hired him last year.

Danchat · July 6, 2017

I'm pretty sure Calhoun has around 5 HRs against the Twins this year.

UPDATE: I looked it up. It's actually 5 - I was right on the dot!

Puckett34 · July 6, 2017

With Calhoun, I'm glad this is the last time the Twins face him.

Blake · July 6, 2017

Wow, the Angels Announcers are trying really really hard to put lipstick on the pig of a contract the Angels are paying Pujols.

They were just going on and on about the 600th home run Pujols hit against Santana.

Someone should point out to the announcers that 600th home run was a month ago and since then, Pujols has managed on 3 more to bring his season total to 12.

The Angels are paying a lot of money for a one dimensional player.

I admit, I griped a lot about Mauer and his contract compared to his hitting. (although, this year, Mauer seems to be putting all that behind him)

Mauer's contract is a bargain compared to what the Angels are paying Pujols.

jimmer · July 6, 2017

I'm pretty sure Calhoun has around 5 HRs against the Twins this year.

that's what they said

yarnivek1972 · July 6, 2017

Maybe pitch Calhoun differently. 5 HR in 7 games is poor pitch selection and/or poor scouting.

The guy isn't Jim Thome.

jimmer · July 6, 2017

A righty on the mound and no Mauer.

Puckett34 · July 6, 2017

The guy isn't Jim Thome.

Just wait, the way Twins are pitching him, he might hit the flagpole yet.

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