Game Thread: Twins @ Milwaukee Brewers @ 7:10 pm CT

[diehardtwinsfan]

Welcome baseball’s rivalry week. We get to travel to Packer’s territory, as our hometown heroes get to travel to Milwaukee. Football seasons is right around the corner, and given how well we are playing, we probably have a better shot at beating Green Bay at baseball than we do Milwaukee. So with that, let’s think about football… or just Milwaukee.

 

• The Vikings – like the Twins, the Vikings are riding some pretty high expectations going into the season. The obvious big difference is that the Vikings made it all the way to the NFCCG before being eliminated, whereas the Twins got to game 163. I’m hoping that there’s some sort of universal law preventing two Minnesota teams from exceeding expectations and the Vikings have stolen a lot of wins from the Twins for a Super Bowl run in 2018/19.

 

• Milwaukee – It’s a nice city to be honest. I lived in Kenosha, WI for about 6 years and got to make a few trips north to Milwaukee including one trip to Miller Park. It’s a nice field, and well worth the visit for those of you in the Minneapolis area thinking about a 6 hour road trip.  Speaking of Kenosha, they used to have a Twins minor league affiliate. Their only claim to fame is a lot of real good Italian restaurants as the city used to be a vacation destination for Al Capone and company and the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

 

• Beer – The Brewers get their name from brewing beer, which would be impressive except that everyone in Milwaukee drinks the local brand Miller. Even for one such as myself who has never acquired a taste for beer, I have to admit, I just don’t get that.

 

• Harley Davidson – also from Milwaukee is the iconic motorcycle company. If you’re looking for something to do, go get a Harley or just visit their headquarters.

 

• Starting pitching – Kyle Gibson takes the mound for the Twins today hoping to bounce back from his last start, which was uncharacteristically bad (at least this year) for Gibson. Gibson has certainly earned an arb award next year and has been a pleasant surprise on a team where most things have gone wrong. He faces Brent Suter, who is not only a decent MLB pitcher, but a Harvard grad.

 

Lineups TBD.

 

Here’s my solute to the 2018 season.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w6m-nhUcos

 

And for wsnydes and OperationMindcrime...  A fitting tribute to the Twins' season

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHG2oizTlpY

[sampleSizeOfOne]

First!

 

(Wonder when that childish practice died out?)

 

But i gotta do something to acquire a nickname like Who...

[ashbury]

(Wonder when that childish practice died out?)

Apparently it has not.

[Nine of twelve]

Thanks dhtf for doing the opener. I had received communication that I might have to do the honors and I was trying to prepare myself to do so but this takes the pressure off.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Thanks dhtf for doing the opener. I had received communication that I might have to do the honors and I was trying to prepare myself to do so but this takes the pressure off.

 

Chitown posted a request in the mod forum last night (this morning) but didn't mention she had a backup. Feel free to toss your own in here. I threw this together in about 10 minutes if that... it shows

[Richie the Rally Goat]

It really is nice on the East side of the St Croix.

 

Go Pack!

 

I mean....

Go Twins!

[Squirrel]

Chitown posted a request in the mod forum last night (this morning) but didn't mention she had a backup. Feel free to toss your own in here. I threw this together in about 10 minutes if that... it shows

He was told I’d let him know. And he’s been told ‘no worries, covered.’

[Squirrel]

We have some openings for game thread volunteers. Ewen is on for tomorrow but after that July 5 through 8 (vs Baltimore) and 12 through 15 (vs Tampa Bay) are awaiting your eagerness! Please send a PM to BOTH me and Chief letting us know which ones you want. Multiple dates are accepted!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Apparently it has not.

Good to know.

 

Then maybe there is still hope?

 

Not that i would know...

[operation mindcrime]

Thanks for the shout out diehardtwinsfan! That video made my day & it almost made me cry! \m/

[Squirrel]

Lineups:

 

TWINS

1. Joe Mauer (L) 1B

2. Eddie Rosario (L) LF

3. Brian Dozier ® 2B

4. Robbie Grossman (S) RF

5. Jorge Polanco (S) SS

6. Willians Astudillo ® 3B

7. Max Kepler (L) CF

8. Bobby Wilson ® C

9. Kyle Gibson ® P

 

BREWERS

1. Brad Miller (L) SS

2. Eric Thames (L) RF

3. Jesus Aguilar ® 1B

4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B

5. Ryan Braun ® LF

6. Nate Orf ® 2B

7. Manny Pina ® C

8. Keon Broxton ® CF

9. Brent Suter (L) P

[S.]

Oof at Dozier and Grossman in the 3 and 4 spots. Also, oof at the whole lineup.

[scottz]

Grossman in the 4 hole.

 

DID WE WIN YET?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Grossman in the 4 hole.

 

DID WE WIN YET?

Yes.

[VATwinsFan]

Buxton hit a leadoff home run this afternoon for Rochester (#2), Vargas hit one a couple of batters later (#10).

[Vanimal46]

Oof at Dozier and Grossman in the 3 and 4 spots. Also, oof at the whole lineup.

In fairness, it's a split squad game today....

 

Oh wait, it's July?! This isn't spring training?

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

It will be interesting to see how the small market Twins fare against the big-spending, first place, Milwaukee Brewers.

[h2oface]

So many players continue to be playing out of position. The new catcher with a bat is at third while .134 Wilson and still on the roster gets yet another start behind the plate(s). Grossman in the field and batting clean up. And Belisle still on the 25 man. WTF is this FO (and manager) doing? Are they just trying to tank this year? 

[Danchat]

This Nate Orf guy is a 28 year old rookie who's never had an MLB AB in his career. He was hitting .307 with .875 OPS at AAA - I'm interested to see if he'll hit against the Twins.

[David HK]

 

So many players continue to be playing out of position. The new catcher with a bat is at third while .134 Wilson and still on the roster gets yet another start behind the plate(s). Grossman in the field and batting clean up. And Belisle still on the 25 man. WTF is this FO (and manager) doing? Are they just trying to tank this year? 

All of the above looks a lot like NBA-quality tanking.

 

It's like they're not even trying to win anymore. Kind of sad when just one look at the lineup- and ongoing roster- makes you sigh and just forget about the game and go back to work...

[David HK]

 

This Nate Orf guy is a 28 year old rookie who's never had an MLB AB in his career. He was hitting .307 with .875 OPS at AAA - I'm interested to see if he'll hit against the Twins.

Heh.... "if?!"

[Blake]

 

Chitown posted a request in the mod forum last night (this morning) but didn't mention she had a backup. Feel free to toss your own in here. I threw this together in about 10 minutes if that... it shows

Yes, it shows you know how to battle your tail off and get after it.

[Aggies7]

Hey Kyle, I don’t want to be pessimistic, but we really reallyyyyy can’t afford another short start. So maybe start getting some outs?

[Aggies7]

Clown shoes!

[S.]

Good lord, Aguilar makes Jim Thome look like Byron Buxton.

[Aggies7]

How does a major league second basemen do that right there???

[Aggies7]

There's some serious little League level play there.

 

WhT was worse on that play?

Dozier not getting the force out

Mauer’s throw

Eddie trying to barehand that ball and missing

[operation mindcrime]

Glad to see were already losing!

[Aggies7]

I like this austudillo fella

[Aggies7]

I don’t much care for this Wilson fella