Game Thread: Twins @ Kansas City, 7/20/18 @ 5:15 PM PT (7:15 PM CT)

[Blake]

The home town nine went into All Star break on a roll, having gone 9-2 on this home stand. The Twins going 9-2 was enough, that it made this last week a bit hard because, well, no Twins to watch.

 

 

*Maybe not Ronnie James Dio, but, front man does a good job.

 

What do we have to look forward to, now that the team seems to have hit its stride? Will the All Star break be a momentum killer?

 

 

*Hard to believe this is the same gal who fronted for 'Til Tuesday and did, "Voices Carry."

 

 

The long wait is behind us and the Twins get to pick up where they left off and baseball's second half is in front of us. And what will the second half hold in store for us? 

 

 

*That wraps up this part of the opener!

 

More thoughts on thoughts worth thinking:

 

 

Some observations about the last game the Twins played and other thoughts:

 

1. Another Dozier walk off homer. How much fun is that?

2. Team didn't quit which was good.

3. Berrios, All Star pitcher!

4. Rosario: Oh so close!

5. Interesting spot to use Mr. Rodney. 

 

Play ball!

 

Pitching:

 

 

 

[Blake]

And, we're off!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I hope we win!

 

But i'll be satisfied with playing well, having fun, and a few funny jokes for ever widening definitions of funny.

 

If i'm not very talkative here, please just imagine me doing my homework for the good of the team.

[USAFChief]

 

And, we're off!

To be fair, "off" is a permanent description of most of us here.

[Jerr]

Loved going to K.C. to see the Twins play, such a great bunch of baseball fans and city. Let's hope the Twins start out right where they left off at the break. Win it Twins!!!!

[Jerr]

I want to Twins be "hard to handle" and play like this kid sings:    

 

 

[Don Walcott]

I predict Duffy will throw at Rosario in this game. I'd love to see Rosario crush him and have a Duffy melt-down tonight.

[AlwaysinModeration]

I looked up the Baseball Prospectus playoff odds report. Twins chances of making the playoffs: 1.5%.

 

I don’t know, that seems low to me. Not because they won 9 of 11 coming in, although that was nice. But more because the team severely underperformed in the first half. I expect better performances in the second half from Lynn, Odorizzi, Morrison, Polanco (obviously), Mauer, Dozier, Sano and Buxton.

 

And maybe catcher, after they trade for Realmuto

[TheMatt]

Any chance that Belisle didn't make the trip?  Kinda giving the matts a bad rap

[Squirrel]

Going to the Cubs game this afternoon. No, I most definitely am not becoming a Cubs fan ... free tickets, are free tickets! And they're playing the Cardinals, so should be a fun baseball game to be at. It's a pretty heated rivalry.

 

Maybe I'll watch the Twins game tonight if I can stand two games in one day!

[Mill1634]

great, Twins recall Motter.

 

Yikes. 

[Puckett34]

 

great, Twins recall Motter.

 

Yikes. 

 

 

...back

[FlauerPauer]

My biggest complaint with the FO is that it seems like they feel they need to prove that the guys they brought into the organization was a good decision. Motter sucks. He has sucked his entire career. Couldn't hit a lick at AAA or AA for that matter. 0-14 up in the MLB. This is an absolutely bonehead decision. These guys gotta go. 

[Don Walcott]

Going to the Cubs game this afternoon. No, I most definitely am not becoming a Cubs fan ... free tickets, are free tickets! And they're playing the Cardinals, so should be a fun baseball game to be at. It's a pretty heated rivalry.

 

Maybe I'll watch the Twins game tonight if I can stand two games in one day!

Looks like a good game to see at Wrigley, if you don’t like the Cubs.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

 

Maybe I'll watch the Twins game tonight if I can stand two games in one day!

Pro-tip:

 

Sit for the game at Wriggley.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Just crossed me a bridge with the sign Julia B Buxton memorial bridge on it. I don't see that last name very often outside of this site. Maybe it is a sign? ( well, of course it was a sign, but...)

 

Anyway, prepare ye the way for Buxton. As a voice crying in the wilderness or something. Wildernesses can be scary.

[John Kelsey]

 

Looks like a good game to see at Wrigley, if you don’t like the Cubs.

 

I can't believe the Cubs of all teams are still trotting out Brian Duensing. 

[Blake]

Lineups:

 

[Blake]

 

I can't believe the Cubs of all teams are still trotting out Brian Duensing. 

Maybe we can trade Belisle for Duensing?

[mrmpls]

Looks like were Buyers --Minnesota Twins acquired outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash . OH BOY!!

[mrmpls]

 

Lineups:

Which Dozier and escobar, will have a better game ??

[Blake]

 

Which Dozier and escobar, will have a better game ??

Yes.

[VATwinsFan]

 

great, Twins recall Motter.

 

Yikes. 

Darn it.  Personally, I was hoping for Hazelbaker.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Gibby's pitching!

 

Gibby liberty, or Gibby... some good good pitching.

 

I think that's how the quote goes.

[VATwinsFan]

Min - KC is MLB's free game of the day.

 

Boy, they really know how to pick 'em, don't they?

[VATwinsFan]

And Gibson gets off to a roaring start...........

[Don Walcott]

Okay, Gibson needs to wake up here.

[Don Walcott]

I love Salvador Perez. It’s a park where I play soccer. I also love how Sal just struck out.

[VATwinsFan]

Can Gibson do it?

[yarnivek1972]

wtf was that?

 

That has to be caught.