Article: Game Thread: Twins vs Blue Jays, 9/14 @ 7:10pm CT

[Riverbrian]

The Twins open up a 4-game series with the Blue Jays tonight and you gotta stay focused this time of year. No doubt the players need to be focused but so do the fans, even more so. It isn’t as simple as just watching the Twins right now, we gotta watch the Twins while also paying attention to what the Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Royals, Mariners, Orioles and Rays are doing. The players can get tunnel vision and deal exclusively with the team in the other dugout, but that's the easy job; fans have it harder because we gotta watch them all.

If I were a player, I’d hate to be a fan right now. It’s way too stressful.

Here are some things to think about:

 

1. International Falls – With an estimated population of 6,068, the town that calls itself the "Icebox Of The Nation" is in sharp decline. Back in 1990 the paper mill was going strong and International Falls was bursting at the seams with a population of 87 million plus. That was the apex of the population curve because since that time, we all stopped using paper and International Falls took the hit. Computers rule the new green society as we store our documents electronically, jot down notes on our phones and write reminders to ourselves on our foreheads. Steve Carell had to leave Dunder Mifflin as a result of the across-the-board downsizing in the industry and has been forced to eke out a living by acting.

2. Our Twins – As Polanco was batting in the 10th, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that Rosario was going to end the game. Didn’t care about the Polanco pop up… I was pretty sure Rosario had it. As I was driving home on Tuesday night, listening to the game on the radio, Vargas was hitting in the seventh inning… I had an overwhelming feeling that Vargas was going yard. I used to have these type of premonitions of Twins success last year and they never came true. I’m glad I’m getting better at it.

3. The Blue Jays – If the Blue Jays are going to make the playoffs they will have to climb over seven teams to do it. I know how they feel because I once attempted to move seven spaces up in line (to join my family) at a church fish fry. Which is roughly the same thing.

4. Today’s Joe M Conversation:

Maddon: This makes no sense at all… why do I have to go to jail?

Morgan: That’s the way it goes sometimes.

Maddon: I have followed the rules. I’ve always been honest. I’ve done nothing wrong. Jail!!! I’m in Jail!!! I’m not sure how I can face anybody now. How do I explain this to my wife… my kids… the Cubs organization, the city of Chicago? How do I explain this to others when I can’t explain it to myself?

Montana: I don’t know… this is what PR departments are for.

Maddon: Jail… like I’m a criminal or something.

Mauer: OK… that’s enough... it’s my turn… rolled a seven… Marvin Gardens… I’ll buy it.

Rock Concert – Back in the 80’s I went to a Molly Hatchet concert. The ticket taker and security guard were slightly distracted so I took off at full speed and ran right past them into the venue. It wasn’t unnoticed and this led to a lengthy chase around the arena. After 15 minutes of this, I was getting worn out so I decided to stop and show him my ticket.
____________________

Lineups:

BLUE JAYS
Richard Urena SS
Josh Donaldson 3B
Justin Smoak 1B
Jose Bautista RF
Kendrys Morales DH
Kevin Pillar CF
Russell Martin C
Ezequiel Carrera LF
Ryan Goins 2B

Brett Anderson P

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

Jose Berrios P

Weather: Clear and sunny (until sunset at 7:27pm), 84 deg F, winds at 10mph from the SSE. Enjoy!

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[twinssouth]

I believe those boys are having a Coors Light. Not sure if true but read once, more beer is consumed at a baseball game then a football game, excluding tailgating.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

 

If I was a player, I’d hate to be a fan right now. It’s way too stressful.

...

You'd get to sign your own ball paraphernalia...

 

To RiverBrian. Thanks for all the encouragement! I'll dedicate my next golden sombrero to you!

-RiverBrian

PS... The "hey batta swing batta-batta" gets old after a while... you might try doing it in waltz tempo, just to keep it new and interesting" Or perhaps listen to Stravinsky sometime.

Edited September 14, 2017 by sampleSizeOfOne

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

 

Mauer: OK… That’s enough… It’s my turn… Seven… Marvin’s Garden’s… I’ll buy it.

 

...

I'd consider staying a night at a motel in Mauer's Garden.

 

(Fine use of apostrophe, in my book)

[Squirrel]

 

I'd consider staying a night at a motel in Mauer's Garden.

(Fine use of apostrophe, in my book)

This is what happens when posters get a hold of things before Brian's editor can take a look.

[ThejacKmp]

That was a great Joe M conversation.

[Puckett34]

 

1. International Falls –  Steve Carell had to leave Dunder Mifflin as a result of the across-the-board downsizing in the industry and has been forced to eke out a living by acting.

 

 

 

Whenever somebody makes a The Office reference in a thread:

 

http://i.giphy.com/yidUzriaAGJbsxt58k.gif

[Circus Boy]

Big series against a team the Twins have always had trouble beating. I believe the home team will do well.

[Riverbrian]

 

This is what happens when posters get a hold of things before Brian's editor can take a look.

 

They are tricky. 

 

Possessive at times

[Squirrel]

 

They are tricky. 

 

Possessive at times

I have a suggestion for what Minnesota town you should have in your next thread ... I'll PM or text it to you.

[twinsnorth49]

No more Bautista home runs, k?

 

Thx.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

This is what happens when posters get a hold of things before Brian's editor can take a look.

Sorry. I wasn't playing fair, was i?

[ashbury]

Rock Concert – Back in the 80’s I went to a Molly Hatchet concert. The ticket taker and security guard were slightly distracted so I took off at full speed and ran right past them into the venue. It wasn’t unnoticed and this led to a lengthy chase around the arena. After 15 minutes of this, I was getting worn out so I decided to stop and show him my ticket.

Concur. That is gen-you-wine authentic Molly Hatchet fan behavior.

 

PS. That was the band that began the groundswell to fire Paul Molitor.

[Blake]

 

No more Bautista home runs, k?

Thx.

Concur.

[Blake]

 

Sorry. I wasn't playing fair, was i?

Fair? Game thread? 

 

I didn't know it was a thing.

 

Interesting.

[Riverbrian]

 

Concur. That is gen-you-wine authentic Molly Hatchet fan behavior.

 

PS. That was the band that began the groundswell to fire Paul Molitor.

 

Since the fall of the peacemakers

[USAFChief]

Let's hope Berrios spends little time tonight flirtin' with disaster.

[Riverbrian]

IMO

 

Berrios has good nights when that breaking pitch is sharp. 

 

Looking sharp so far

[Riverbrian]

 

Let's hope Berrios spends little time tonight flirtin' with disaster.

 

I'm travelin' down that lonesome road
Feel like I'm dragging a heavy load
Yeah I've tried to turn my head away,
Feels about the same most every day

 

You know what I'm talking about, Chief?

[mikecgrimes]

Lets get some goals

[USAFChief]

 

I'm travelin' down that lonesome road
Feel like I'm dragging a heavy load
Yeah I've tried to turn my head away,
Feels about the same most every day

 

You know what I'm talking about, Chief?

I don't know about yourself or what you want to be, RB

When we gamble with our time,
We choose our destiny

[snepp]

Wasn't looking at the TV, Bremer got me again.

 

 

*sigh*

[USAFChief]

Buxton catches that.

[USAFChief]

 

Wasn't looking at the TV, Bremer got me again.

 

 

*sigh*

drink

[mikecgrimes]

Joe Mauer hit #1970  Your 1970 AL MVP Boog Powell

[snepp]

YES! Inside-out swing, I knew it was coming.

 

 

 

Drink!

[USAFChief]

"Mauer squirts one down the left field line."

 

ish.

[USAFChief]

BRB, time for dinner.

 

Meatloaf, fried potatoes, candied carrots.  Cold glass of milk.

 

Health food.

[Riverbrian]

Some Nerd: Paul... we are facing the left hander Brett Anderson tonight. According to his splits... oddly... lefthanders are hitting .423 off of him so my recommendation is to play lefthanders. 

 

Molitor: OK... Kepler is in

 

Some Nerd: Not so fast... Kepler is hitting .129 against lefthanders. 

 

Molitor: Do me a favor... take this note to Falvey.

 

Some Nerd: I will... what does it say. 

 

Molitor: Fire the guy handing you this note.

[Aggies7]

What's with all the empty seats at TF? Not the best look.