Game Thread: Twins vs. Milwaukee 5-19 @ 6:10 PM CT

[Vanimal46]

 

ANNND Welcome Weirdos! To another episode of Minnesota Twins Whine Line: Get it Off Your Chest! Edition. I'm your host for the next 2 days, Vanimal. Along with my trusty sidekick, the Intern. It's been a frustrating season so far, and it's BAD for your health to keep it to yourself! Today we decided to transform our studio into a therapist office... That way we can get it off our chest! Before we dive into the REAL and weird, let's do the baseball stuff.

 

It's going to be a BRISK day in Minneapolis. 61 degrees and cloudy at first pitch. REAL FEEL of 58 degrees. Winds out of the NNE at 12 MPH.

-

Minnesota Twins (18-22):

 

 

P - Fernando Romero ( R) - 23 year old hot shot! 79 overall on MLB the Show!

 

Milwaukee Brewers (27-18):

 

 

P - Freddy Peralta ( R) - 21 year old hot shot! 13 K in 5.2 IP in his MLB debut...

 

 

If you've followed Minnesota Twins Whine Line over the years, you'll know that we embrace the WEIRD... Today will be no different! The intern has been stress eating over the last 6 weeks because he's been holding in his frustrations about the team. Let's CHANGE that today, and get things off our chest! 

Byron Buxton isn't that good: Before you try to strangle me through the computer, hear me out! I want nothing more than for him to figure it out at the plate... But a ton of my frustration stems from him continuing to struggle at the plate. He's been touted as having star potential, and we've been waiting..... and waiting.... Other players his age have BLOSSOMED into stars.... How long do we need to wait?

Jason Castro's injury is a blessing in disguise: Prior to his season ending injury, Mr. Castro had a better chance of getting on base if he walked up to the batter's box without a bat in his hand. Now we get a chance to see if Garver can handle the job, or if we're all fooling ourselves. What better time than now to figure out if the team needs to upgrade the position going forward?

I like Post Malone: It takes a while for me to warm up to new music and new artists... However, Post Malone is my kind of weirdo! If you don't know Post Malone, ask your kids... Or your friend's kids... His new album is great!

Psychological Effect with Colors: I had a sales training this week learning how to "whiteboard" solutions to potential clients... Blue and green are POSITIVE colors! Red and yellow are NEGATIVE.... Which makes me think, is that why people are generally mad about eating at McDonald's?

Intern, is there anything you want to get off your chest?

Intern: Yes, actually I do... One time you got me so worked up about a Twins topic that I spent the rest of the night crying... I'm not going to tell you when that happened. I just want you to sit on that. 

Van: WHAT??! NOOO!! Tell me! 

Intern: Never. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to play MLB the Show. 

Now it's YOUR turn to sit on the therapist chair... What's something you want to get off your chest?

Let's get a win Twins! 

 

[Vanimal46]

We're also debuting a new bit today!

 

My dog's feelings about the Twins' chance of winning today:

[yarnivek1972]

The team needed an upgrade at catcher before Castro’s injury. Garver may be serviceable, but I don’t think anyone feels he is even a league average receiver or that he will hit enough to overcome that. If Rortvedt doesn’t pan out, the Twins catcher “of the future” is likely not yet in the organization.

[Vanimal46]

The team needed an upgrade at catcher before Castro’s injury. Garver may be serviceable, but I don’t think anyone feels he is even a league average receiver or that he will hit enough to overcome that. If Rortvedt doesn’t pan out, the Twins catcher “of the future” is likely not yet in the organization.

I like how you said feels... It hit me right in the FEELS! What else would you like to get off your chest today?

[ashbury]

We're also debuting a new bit today!

 

My dog's feelings about the Twins' chance of winning today:

Who's a good dog? WHO'S a good DOG? I feel as though this is a good dog!

[Vanimal46]

Who's a good dog? WHO'S a good DOG? I feel as though this is a good dog!

Your feelings are correct! This may be biased but he's the sweetest little boy I know!

[ashbury]

I like Post Malone: 

I feel old when I look him up on YouTube and listen briefly to the first two selections offered, seeing as my review would sound a whole lot like my grandmother's synopsis of rock music way back in the day.

[USAFChief]

Outstanding job yet again, Van.

 

Also, am I to understand “post-Malone” ISNT a reference to the Twins current starting staff? Without Tommy?

[Vanimal46]

I feel old when I look him up on YouTube and listen briefly to the first two selections offered, seeing as my review would sound a whole lot like my grandmother's synopsis of rock music way back in the day.

Did you have an image in mind what he looked like before youtubing his songs?

[Vanimal46]

Outstanding job yet again, Van.

 

Also, am I to understand “post-Malone” ISNT a reference to the Twins current starting staff? Without Tommy?

If VH1 still existed we would figure out that answer in...

 

Behind the Music - Post Milone

[USAFChief]

We're also debuting a new bit today!

My dog's feelings about the Twins' chance of winning today:

Life advice: be the person your dog thinks you are.

[USAFChief]

Did you have an image in mind what he looked like before youtubing his songs?

My bet: he looks the same before and after Ash youtube’s him.

 

Also, “youtube” is a verb?

[ashbury]

Did you have an image in mind what he looked like before youtubing his songs?

Not really. You said you had warmed up to his music so I gave it a try. Is his image central to his appeal?

[ashbury]

Life advice: be the person your dog thinks you are.

That has a better chance of success than trying to be the guy my wife thought she was marrying.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Life advice: be the person your dog thinks you are.

What if i got no dog?

[Vanimal46]

What if i got no dog?

How does not having a dog make you FEEL? Take a seat in the Whine Line HAWT therapist seat...

[sampleSizeOfOne]

How does not having a dog make you FEEL? Take a seat in the Whine Line HAWT therapist seat...

Still talkin' hypothetical here?

 

If i had a hypothetical dog, maybe i'd know what it thought of me.

 

And what i should be trying to be.

 

So... like Buxton and the hypothetical fastball they throw him in a 2 strike count.

[Danchat]

Joe Mauer (neck) will likely be placed on the disabled list Saturday.

Mauer left Friday's game against the Brewers with neck stiffness and wasn't listed on the Twins' lineup card for their game Saturday. Robbie Grossman started at designated hitter Saturday, but it's unclear who would get the bulk of the playing time -- manager Paul Molitor may mix and match depending on the opposing pitcher -- in Mauer's absence.

Source: Dan Hayes

 

[jtkoupal]

Help me out here....

 

I know Bobby Wilson is a "reliable" veteran backup catcher, but I do not understand why he is now receiving the majority of the playing time.

 

Garver is the prospect and the bat plays. I know the defense is a work in progress, but Bobby Wilson isn't a realistic piece of the future. 

 

Wilson has been a woefully below average hitter for his entire career while Garver has been approximately league average at the plate this year and has shown power.

[Craig Arko]

Mauer to DL. Jake Cave up and playing CF.

[Danchat]

Brewers
Freddy Peralta ®

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B
2. Max Kepler (L) RF
3. Eddie Rosario (L) LF
4. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B
5. Logan Morrison (L) 1B
6. Robbie Grossman (S) DH
7. Jake Cave (L) CF
8. Ehire Adrianza (S) SS
9. Bobby Wilson ® C

 

Twins
Fernando Romero ®

 

1. Lorenzo Cain ® CF
2. Christian Yelich (L) LF
3. Jesus Aguilar ® DH
4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B
5. Domingo Santana ® RF
6. Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B
7. Jonathan Villar (S) 2B
8. Manny Pina ® C
9. Orlando Arcia ® SS
 

 

Mauer has been placed on the 10 day DL and Jake Cave has been called up. Cave will make his first career start at CF.

[Danchat]

For a bit more on Cave: he's 25 and spent was on his 3rd season at the AAA level. Last year he had a spectacular .921 OPS with 15 HRs in just 297 PAs at AAA, though, his numbers are down since he's been traded to the Twins (.711 OPS with 1 HR in 155 PAs at Rochester).

 

Time played in the outfield in the minors: CF 67%, LF 21.7%, RF 11.3%.

[Nine of twelve]

A bit of somewhat more ominous news regarding Mauer: The Strib reports that his placement on the DL is due to a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms.

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

Brewers
Freddy Peralta ®

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B
2. Max Kepler (L) RF
3. Eddie Rosario (L) LF
4. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B
5. Logan Morrison (L) 1B
6. Robbie Grossman (S) DH
7. Jake Cave (L) CF
8. Ehire Adrianza (S) SS
9. Bobby Wilson ® C

 

Twins
Fernando Romero ®

 

1. Lorenzo Cain ® CF
2. Christian Yelich (L) LF
3. Jesus Aguilar ® DH
4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B
5. Domingo Santana ® RF
6. Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B
7. Jonathan Villar (S) 2B
8. Manny Pina ® C
9. Orlando Arcia ® SS
 

 

Mauer has been placed on the 10 day DL and Jake Cave has been called up. Cave will make his first career start at CF.

Is this the right time to begin spelunking?

 

 

[Vanimal46]

Is this the right time to begin spelunking?

It's never a WRONG time to start spelunking...

[Vanimal46]

Help me out here....

 

I know Bobby Wilson is a "reliable" veteran backup catcher, but I do not understand why he is now receiving the majority of the playing time.

 

Garver is the prospect and the bat plays. I know the defense is a work in progress, but Bobby Wilson isn't a realistic piece of the future.

 

Wilson has been a woefully below average hitter for his entire career while Garver has been approximately league average at the plate this year and has shown power.

Something, something, blah blah VETERAN something.

[USAFChief]

Brewers

Freddy Peralta ®

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B

2. Max Kepler (L) RF

3. Eddie Rosario (L) LF

4. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B

5. Logan Morrison (L) 1B

6. Robbie Grossman (S) DH

7. Jake Cave (L) CF

8. Ehire Adrianza (S) SS

9. Bobby Wilson ® C

 

Twins

Fernando Romero ®

 

1. Lorenzo Cain ® CF

2. Christian Yelich (L) LF

3. Jesus Aguilar ® DH

4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B

5. Domingo Santana ® RF

6. Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B

7. Jonathan Villar (S) 2B

8. Manny Pina ® C

9. Orlando Arcia ® SS

 

 

Mauer has been placed on the 10 day DL and Jake Cave has been called up. Cave will make his first career start at CF.

We swapped rosters with the Brew Crew?

 

Falvine are genius!

[DocBauer]

No offense to Cave, but why not LaMarre? Great ST, decent when he was up and on fire for Rochester.

[DocBauer]

My whine for today:

 

INJURIES! I know they happen. But Santana out. Sano out. Buxton missed time...his bat is still "out". Castro out. Mauer out. Polanco out. (Yes, I know Polanco isn't injured, but his suspension hurts the team and hurts my feelings, so I'm including him here).

[Vanimal46]

My whine for today:

 

INJURIES! I know they happen. But Santana out. Sano out. Buxton missed time...his bat is still "out". Castro out. Mauer out. Polanco out. (Yes, I know Polanco isn't injured, but his suspension hurts the team and hurts my feelings, so I'm including him here).

Now you're in the spirit Doc! I'm FEELING your feels today...