Game Thread: Twins @ Chicago Cubs @ 11:20 am PT (1:20 pm CT)

[Blake]

I got up this morning, wondering what, exactly I was going to write about. Finally, it came to me: We need a break from our regularly scheduled game thread. So, with that, here we go:

 

 

*Don't judge. I was looking for an excuse to use this particular song!

 

As a Twins fan, I believe I'm a relatively intelligent person, yet, this seems to be what happens when I follow the Twins this year. I mean, I have great expectations that this time it will be different, and, well...:

 

 

*Sadly, I can relate. But, that's another story for another day.

 

All joking aside, as Carole said so eloquently yesterday, baseball is always fun to watch, because something will always happen that makes you go, "Did I just see that?" What's not to like about a sport that's been around over a hundred years, yet, one can count on at least one thing to happen that's never been seen in a lifetime. 

 

 

*Video is a hoot and well worth watching all the way to the end. The announcers are having a great time through all of it.

 

With that, I leave you with these completely irreverent thoughts:

 

 

*These are getting hard to find. I may have to look another direction.

 

Some random observations from yesterday:

 

1. Bats did good.

2. Pitching did not so good.

3. Cubbies should maybe be worried?

4. I'm not sure if Maddon had a method to his madness or if he was just messing with Molitor's head when he moved his players around.

5. It's a new day of baseball!

 

Pitching for the Twins:

 

Lance Lynn.

 

Pitching for the Cubs:

 

Jon Lester.

 

Play ball!

 

[Blake]

I may not be back in time to post lineups.

 

May everyone have a great day!

[Danchat]

I wonder if the Twins aren’t making any roster moves? They could really use a fresh arm in the bullpen...

[yarnivek1972]

I wonder if the Twins aren’t making any roster moves? They could really use a fresh arm in the bullpen...

Or 3.

[Squirrel]

Lineups:

 

TWINS

1. Robbie Grossman (S) RF
2. Eddie Rosario (L) LF
3. Eduardo Escobar (S) SS
4. Brian Dozier ® 2B
5. Logan Morrison (L) 1B
6. Willians Astudillo ® 3B
7. Mitch Garver ® C
8. Jake Cave (L) CF
9. Lance Lynn (S) P

 

CUBS
1. Ian Happ (S) CF
2. Jason Heyward (L) RF
3. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Javier Baez ® 3B
6. Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
7. Willson Contreras ® C
8. Addison Russell ® SS
9. Jon Lester (L) P

 

There are still excessive heat warnings out for Chicago and the heat index will still be well over 100 today. But it will be cooler than yesterday.

[Danchat]

Well, it’s clear their philosophy is to overuse relievers and not bring up fresh arms when needed. I don’t see our bullpen holding up for the next few days...

 

Also, Astudillo doesn’t seem to be here as a backup catcher - I wonder if Polanco will take his roster spot tomorrow, in that case. I’m interested to see how good he is defensively. Maybe they could DFA Grossman to get Polanco up, that’d open a 40 man spot as well.

 

I do like that Cave is starting every day over LaMarre. Might as well play the guy with a little potential over the non-prospect.

[VATwinsFan]

Another fun fact: yesterday all 5 teams in the AL Central Division lost for the second day in a row. 

 

The division as a whole is now 72 games under .500.

 

 

[Han Joelo]

I'd be super bummed if Astudillo got bumped after two games.  He has the look, though.  I think he has a good day at the plate today.  At any rate, his play is what has me interested enough to pay attention today.  Carole predicted yesterday that baseball was unpredictable, and that game paid off.  If Rosario-Buxton-Kepler is the nothing but raindrops outfield, what is Morrison-Astudillo-Grossman?  Nothing but sweat drops?

 

In these highlights from yesterday, I like Astudillo's look and body language.  Also, check out the frame they froze Wilson on--he looks like he's puffing on a Marlboro.

 

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/3-twins-players-exit-game-with-heat-illness/c-283649756

 

Looking forward to Jorge Day tomorrow.  My earlier prediction stands--he ignites the team, they make the playoffs, and flop without him.

[Blake]

 

Lineups:

 

TWINS

1. Robbie Grossman (S) RF
2. Eddie Rosario (L) LF
3. Eduardo Escobar (S) SS
4. Brian Dozier ® 2B
5. Logan Morrison (L) 1B
6. Willians Astudillo ® 3B
7. Mitch Garver ® C
8. Jake Cave (L) CF
9. Lance Lynn (S) P

 

CUBS
1. Ian Happ (S) CF
2. Jason Heyward (L) RF
3. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Javier Baez ® 3B
6. Kyle Schwarber (L) LF
7. Willson Contreras ® C
8. Addison Russell ® SS
9. Jon Lester (L) P

 

There are still excessive heat warnings out for Chicago and the heat index will still be well over 100 today. But it will be cooler than yesterday.

thanks Carole!

[drock2190]

I didn't know the Twins haven't scored 10+ runs all season but it makes sense!

 

[Squirrel]

Here’s where I am today for as long as I can stand the heat. I’m in the shade for now so that will prolong my stay.

[Vanimal46]

Sigh... Dick claiming the heat is a factor why the Twins' pitchers can't throw strikes.

 

In April it was too cold to get a feel to throw strikes. Now is it because their hands are too sweaty?

 

Honest to God... The excuses all year long are ridiculous. It's okay to say they just don't have it on a particular day.

[Han Joelo]

Provus just recommended reading this Berardino article about Escobar:

 

https://www.twincities.com/2018/06/30/twins-eduardo-escobar-has-turned-into-ozzie-guillens-greatest-discovery/

 

Gonna give it a read now.

[mrmpls]

Morrison = silly , couldn,t of joe rested monday, And of course k looking!!
 

[Aggies7]

Simply can’t go down looking there.

[mrmpls]

 

Sigh... Dick claiming the heat is a factor why the Twins' pitchers can't throw strikes.

In April it was too cold to get a feel to throw strikes. Now is it because their hands are too sweaty?

Honest to God... The excuses all year long are ridiculous. It's okay to say they just don't have it on a particular day.

Spot on !!

[Aggies7]

Sigh

[Squirrel]

Astudillo looks like he has the figure of Danny Devito in his prime.

[Danchat]

I always expect the Twins to leave the bases loaded, so it never surprises me to see stuff like that happen.

[jun]

I really don't want to see Morrison in the lineup. This guy is all mouth no action. Bases loaded 1 out, strike out looking? 2 called strike. What a pathetic player. He needs to be released now!

[drock2190]

Mauer would have caught that!

[Aggies7]

Sigh again

[operation mindcrime]

Maybe Dick will blame Escobar's throw on the heat!

[Aggies7]

Look at that, situational hitting.

[jun]

Morrison isn't even trying like Wilson. No talent is one thing, not trying is something way above that. This signing might be one of the worst in ML.

[Aggies7]

Maybe Dick will blame Escobar's throw on the heat!

I was surprised to find out this is the first time MLB has experimented with playing part of their schedule in the summer. Been a big failure if you ask me!

[operation mindcrime]

Sigh... Dick claiming the heat is a factor why the Twins' pitchers can't throw strikes.

 

In April it was too cold to get a feel to throw strikes. Now is it because their hands are too sweaty?

 

Honest to God... The excuses all year long are ridiculous. It's okay to say they just don't have it on a particular day.

What's the excuse for ideal weather?

[jun]

Please please please let Morrison, Motter and Wilson go. They made this offense really really really bad. Astudillo, Sawyer and Polanco can take their spots for now.

[Danchat]

 

Morrison isn't even trying like Wilson. No talent is one thing, not trying is something way above that. This signing might be one of the worst in ML.

Isn't that on the coaching staff to motivate the players? Plus Morrison is in a contract year, so you'd think he'd be motivated...

[yarnivek1972]

Captain CAVE maaaaaan!