Article: Game Thread: Twins v Brewers, 8/7@7:10pm CT

[Riverbrian]

Four games against the Rangers, right into 4 games against the Brewers. It doesn’t count as a 4-game series because it’s a home and home so that means that it’s a two two-game series against the same team back to back. Two starting tonight in Minneapolis followed by two in Milwaukee. I know that it is indeed a two two-game series and not a 4-game series because I write each game thread series opener and I’ll have to write something on Wednesday, therefore, I know.

Here are some things to think about:

 

1. Superior – There isn’t a single place in Minnesota that has more Brewers fans than Twins fans. However, there are places in Wisconsin that have more Twins fans than Brewer fans, and Superior is one of those places. Welcome to Twins Territory in the state of Wisconsin. Superior along with Duluth are the twin ports and are connected by two bridges, the Bong and the Blatnik. I don’t have a joke but I’m imagining someone on their cell phone explaining that he or she is on the Bong and should be home soon. According to the dictionary, to be 'superior' you must be higher in rank, status or quality. I researched this by checking every single city ranking ever put out in the history of published rankings and Superior is not in the top spot in any of them. The closest they came was a 3rd place ranking in cities with the most people who smell funny per capita. Still, the ladies come to Superior in large numbers looking for a Superior Man. They are looking in the wrong place because I live elsewhere.

2. Our Twins – The Twins hit 3 home runs yesterday and even after careful consideration of that power outburst, I can’t help but say… call up Kennys Vargas immediately! Or Byung Ho Park! Or Daniel Palka! Or Mitch Garver, if he is that guy? Or trade for Aaron Judge! Or bring Dave Kingman out of retirement. With Sano out of the lineup on Saturday we had Chris Gimenez batting cleanup and Adrianaza playing 1B, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that being reduced to a single power threat at the very top of the lineup isn’t enough, especially in this day and age. The 1985 Royals didn’t have a ton of power and won a title, however, they had Steve Balboni to join George Brett and Frank White. We got Balboni in the minors, Brett injured and this leaves Frank White batting leadoff for the 2017 Twins. That isn’t enough power to electrocute a small rodent.

3. The Brewers – Hats off to the Brewers! They are young and they are exciting and I don’t think it’s fair to discount them because nobody predicted them before the season began. They've got speed, power, defense and they are getting some pitching, so let’s give them the respect they deserve. I listen to MLB radio frequently and I heard Casey Stern declare the Brewers “a legit contender” to begin July; and I heard the same Casey Stern say that the Brewers were never legit after the Cubs reeled off a winning streak to pass the Brewers toward the end of July. The Brewers are currently a half game back. I don’t know what to think about that, so I’ll have to tune into Casey Stern so I can find out today’s opinion on the Brewers.

4. Today’s Joe M Conversation:
Maddon: I’m going to the freezer to get some ice cream… anybody want some?

Montana: None for me… I usually eat it too fast and I don’t like the headaches.

Mauer: My wife won’t let me have any. I’ll pass.

McCarthy: None for me either.

Morgan: I’ll take some. I’d like Vanilla… do you need to write that down?

Maddon: No… I got it… vanilla ice cream. Easy enough.

Morgan: And strawberries… can you put some strawberries on top?

Maddon: Ok… we got strawberries… I can do that.

Morgan: Do you need to write that down? Can I get you a notepad?

Maddon: No… I got it… vanilla ice cream with strawberries on top.

Morgan: And whipped cream!

Maddon: OK… I can do that.

Morgan: Will you remember?

Maddon: I got it… I got it… I got it… vanilla, strawberries and whipped cream… I got it... now will you let me go get it? I’ll be right back.

(Time goes by and Maddon returns with a plate of bacon and eggs.)

Maddon: Here ya go

Morgan: You forgot the toast.

5. Keep an open mind – I have always considered new ideas. I told my wife that I have always been very open minded and she agreed with me. She also thinks it a plausible explanation for how my brain fell out.
_____________________

Lineups:

BREWERS
Domingo Santana RF
Ryan Braun LF
Travis Shaw 3B
Jesus Aguilar DH
Eric Thames 1B
Hernan Perez 2B
Orlando Arcia SS
Keon Broxton CF
Andrew Susac C

Brent Suter P

TWINS
Brian Dozier 2B
Joe Mauer 1B
Robbie Grossman RF
Eduardo Escobar DH
Eddie Rosario LF
Byron Buxton CF
Ehire Adrianza 3B
Jason Castro C
Jorge Polanco SS

Ervin Santan

Weather: Looks like nice night for baseball!

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[spinowner]

I mentioned this the other day but I'll mention it again. The Brewers are the only team against which Ervin Santana, tonight's starter, has never recorded a win.

[gocgo]

I'm feeling a streak coming on...it might be winning...it might be losing...it might be me running around the house naked...but there will be a streak!

[Puckett34]

 

I'm feeling a streak coming on...it might be winning...it might be losing...it might be me running around the house naked...but there will be a streak!

Streaks in large part are good.   Two of the three you just described are not.   Here's to a winning streak! 

[Craig Arko]

 

Streaks in large part are good.   Two of the three you just described are not.   Here's to a winning streak! 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm feeling a streak coming on...it might be winning...it might be losing...it might be me running around the house naked...but there will be a streak!

 

I am working from home today, I'll let you know.....

[gil4]

It seems likes spotting the other team 5 runs is the new winning strategy.  Do you think MLB will change the rules so we don't have to waste the pitchers' arms, we can just tell the umpire to put 5 on the board to start the game? It would work sort of like the intentional walk thing.

 

If they don't go for that, I guess we could just intentionally walk the first 5 guys and then balk 3 times to bring everyone in.  That seems more time-consuming than it needs to be.

[Blake]

Santana has never recorded a win against the Brewers so he's due.

 

And, on top of that, Belisle for the save!

 

Go team!

[FunnyPenguin]

 

It seems likes spotting the other team 5 runs is the new winning strategy.  Do you think MLB will change the rules so we don't have to waste the pitchers' arms, we can just tell the umpire to put 5 on the board to start the game? It would work sort of like the intentional walk thing.

 

If they don't go for that, I guess we could just intentionally walk the first 5 guys and then balk 3 times to bring everyone in.  That seems more time-consuming than it needs to be.

Or just count Sano's BP home runs 

[gocgo]

 

boogity boogity

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I apologize. Yet again i leave Minnesota without catching a game at Target Field.

 

But i did retrieve a hard cover copy of Mort and return a beloved coffee mug, as well as tuba related errand or two. Not a total waste.

 

Gosh, how could Maddon forget the toast? That's like throwing the inside high fastball to Dozier!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

It seems likes spotting the other team 5 runs is the new winning strategy. Do you think MLB will change the rules so we don't have to waste the pitchers' arms, we can just tell the umpire to put 5 on the board to start the game? It would work sort of like the intentional walk thing.

 

If they don't go for that, I guess we could just intentionally walk the first 5 guys and then balk 3 times to bring everyone in. That seems more time-consuming than it needs to be.

Sounds like a good plan to me, but wouldn't be surprised if some teams balked at it.

[wavedog]

Dang - no Sano again and facing a lefty.  Hope he gets well soon.   Big void with him out of the lineup - Escobar in the 4 hole.  I have given up asking for Vargas or Garver to be called up.  

[PDX Twin]

 

Dang - no Sano again and facing a lefty.  Hope he gets well soon.   Big void with him out of the lineup - Escobar in the 4 hole.  I have given up asking for Vargas or Garver to be called up.  

 

At least we have a Dozier. What a pathetic bench we could have if both of them were out. (Of course, it's pretty pathetic even with them in.)

[yarnivek1972]

And still no attempt by Falvine to give Molitor an extra position player. It was inexcusable Saturday. 3 days later it is just plain stupid.

[Danchat]

Ervin Santan

 

Whoa, I think he lost an "a", let's just hope he doesn't lose that first "n".

 

 

And still no attempt by Falvine to give Molitor an extra position player. It was inexcusable Saturday. 3 days later it is just plain stupid.

Yup, I'm on board with you there, it would have been really helpful to get another bench player up. We've had 2 complete games in the last 5 days, we don't need an 8 man bullpen.

[spinowner]

There are (legitimate, IMHO) complaints about the rivalry series being played as back-to-back weekday 2-gamers. Here's my suggestion: If it has to be 2 2-game series, which it probably does, then do all of them right before and right after the All-Star break. It would be unusual to have a series end on a Friday and have another series start on a Sunday but that can be worked out.

[Winston Smith]

This may set a record for fewest comments on a game thread at game time.

 

...cricket sound...

[SwainZag]

Let's go Santan!

[Puckett34]

Just how you draw it up for the 2nd out of the game

[Riverbrian]

 

This may set a record for fewest comments on a game thread at game time.

 

...cricket sound...

 

Yeah

 

Not even a page yet. 

 

Correction - Exactly a page 

[ashbury]

 

Carnac: "Superior, Wisconsin."

Ed: Superior, Wisconsin.

Carnac: Superior, Wisconsin.

Ed: That is the answer to the question found in the envelope you are holding?

Carnac: You catch on faster than Burt Reynolds buying drinks for Loni Anderson.

Ed: No one could aspire to that kind of speed, mental or otherwise.

Carnac: No one?

Ed: WIth the exception of yourself, of course.

Carnac: You are too kind. Correct, but kind.

Ed: We all are awed by your presence.

Carnac: Really? That's it? No veiled gibe? This is unexpected.

Ed: Simple as that.

Carnac: May the fleas of a thousand camels leave you alone this once.

Ed: Thank you, Your Magnificence. Would you be so kind as to open the envelope?

Carnac: "What city is ranked nationally just behind Inferior, Minnesota?"

[DocBauer]

Thank goodness that we have 8 RP on staff tonight as the ML leader for complete games is on the mound for us.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

This may set a record for fewest comments on a game thread at game time.

 

...cricket sound...

No comment.

[yarnivek1972]

Thank goodness that we have 8 RP on staff tonight as the ML leader for complete games is on the mound for us.

Two of whom did not pitch at all in the last 7 days. And yet the Twins have essentially a two man bench, one of whom is the back up catcher.

[Winston Smith]

 

Two of whom did not pitch at all in the last 7 days. And yet the Twins have essentially a two man bench, one of whom is the back up catcher.

and he's also a relief pitcher! 

[Danchat]

I like this Suter guy, he doesn't waste time in between pitches and he gets outta there fast. If there's anything I can't stand, it's a slow and laborious pitcher who takes way too long to throw the ball.

[Riverbrian]

That ball was hung

[S.]

Our defense has been embarrassing as hell this last week. 

[Winston Smith]

Brian I think tonight shows why you never start a game thread with math.