Game Thread Twins @ Red Sox 6:10 PM 7/28/18

[stringer bell]

Hello again! 24 hours after the last game thread was posted, the Twins have traded two players for prospects, leaving no doubt that they are sellers. Yesterday's events on the field featured aging veterans Fernando Rodney and Matt Belisle giving up the tying and game-winning home runs respectively. Tonight, the Twins face Rick Porcello, whom they handled quite well when he was a Detroit Tiger, but who has been one of the winningest pitchers in baseball since being traded to Boston. The Twins counter with Jake Odorizzi, who often labors, but who usually keeps the team in the game. Odorizzi averages just five innings per start, so the bullpen will be tested.

 

Random thoughts on a beautiful midsummer afternoon:

 

Most teams play on Saturday night, which makes sense, but it used to be fun to watch Saturday afternoon games back in the day.

 

Eddie Rosario is entertaining! Great at-bat and then an outstanding defensive play at third base!

 

I had an opportunity several years ago to go to Fenway, to watch the Red Sox play the Dodgers, but instead went on a Boston city tour. I will regret that decision until i get to see a game there.

 

It will be interesting to see how Sano performs, both at the plate and in the field, after his demotion to the minor leagues, and return yesterday.

 

Boston looks like it has the goods to win it all--hitting, defense, pitching, speed and power. The outfield of Betintendi, Bradley Jr., and Betts looks like they could be special for a long time.

 

Lineups:

 

Minnesota 48-54

 

Mauer (L)  1B

Rosario (L) LF

Polanco (S) SS

Dozier ® 2B

Morrison (L) DH

Sano ® 3B

Grossman (S) RF

Garver  ®  C

Cave (L)  CF

 

Odorizzi (RHP)

 

 

Boston 72-33

 

Betts ® RF

Benintendi (L)  LF

Martinez ®  DH

Moreland (L) 1B

Bogaerts ®  SS

Devers (L) 3B

Nunez  ®  2B

Leon (S)  C

Bradley Jr. (L)  CF

 

Porcello (RHP)

 

Enjoy the game!

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Lineups:

 

Minnesota 48-54

 

Mauer (L) 1B

Rosario (L) LF

Polanco (S) SS

Dozier ® 2B

Morrison (L) DH

Sano ® 2B

Grossman (S) RF

Garver ® C

Cave (L) CF

 

Odorizzi (RHP)

 

 

Boston 72-33

 

Betts ® RF

Benintendi (L) LF

Martinez ® DH

Moreland (L) 1B

Bogaerts ® SS

Devers (L) 3B

Nunez ® 2B

Leon (S) C

Bradley Jr. (L) CF

 

Porcello (RHP)

 

Enjoy the game!

RB’s post about flexibility must have made its way to Molitor with Sano playing 2B!

[stringer bell]

Typo! I’ll fix it.

[AlwaysinModeration]

RB’s post about flexibility must have made its way to Molitor with Sano playing 2B!

Don’t worry, Rosario’s got 3B covered from LF.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

RB’s post about flexibility must have made its way to Molitor with Sano playing 2B!

The shift is so prevelent these days...

[AlwaysinModeration]

A win tonight would be big. The team would have gone 14-6 over their last 20, and sets them up for a series win over Boston heading into an important series against the Indians. I think the bats are going to break out tonight. I expect at least 7 runs from the Twins.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Typo! I’ll fix it.

Is that typo positive or negative?

[Blake]

The down side to the game today: Aging veterans who have no business being on a team that's waving the white flag.

 

The upside to the game today? Let me work on that and get back to you.

[Blake]

 

Is that typo positive or negative?

neutral.

[Platoon]

Sano will be a focus tonight, but hopefully not at 2B. . There will probably be more moves, and then I hope the team starts auditioning players for deserved advancement. And, while I doubt it will happen, make a decision on whether Molitor will actually use the new additions.

[Platoon]

Sano will be a focus tonight, but hopefully not at 2B. . There will probably be more moves, and then I hope the team starts auditioning players for deserved advancement. And, while I doubt it will happen, make a decision on whether Molitor will actually use the new additions.

This is what happens when you type a post, and your granddaughter comes over before you send it. And then hit send without refreshing screen.

[Squirrel]

Sano will be a focus tonight, but hopefully not at 2B. . There will probably be more moves, and then I hope the team starts auditioning players for deserved advancement. And, while I doubt it will happen, make a decision on whether Molitor will actually use the new additions.

No worries on Molitor making any decisions tonight since he opted to go to the HoF ceremony instead of being with his team.

[launchingthrees]

Sano is looking noticeably more fit.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Despite a game about to start, i think i'm thinking of food...

[Squirrel]

Ugh, I dislike NESN

[Squirrel]

Despite a game about to start, i think i'm thinking of food...

I just had some leftover chicken rama... very tasty.

 

Now I’d really like a raspberry Fruitfull frozen treat.

[tvagle]

 

Is that typo positive or negative?

I believe the appropriate answer to this is: Yes

[nicksaviking]

No Kepler in the lineup and Dick's response was "More on that later".

 

That's ominous. Anyone have a clue?

[Squirrel]

No Kepler in the lineup and Dick's response was "More on that later".

That's ominous. Anyone have a clue?

I read a report today that he’s pretty sore from that crash into the outfield wall last night, so he’s sitting tonight but is available off the bench.

[Han Joelo]

Ahh, Saturday afternoon baseball on national television.  On a hot summer day on the farm, it sure was nice during the dog days to be able to sit and doze through some afternoon baseball from time to time.

[Squirrel]

Ugh, I dislike NESN

I take that back ... ugh, I hate NESN.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Don’t worry, Rosario’s got 3B covered from LF.

 

first year T-ball, my youngest fielded a ball hit to third, from RF....while the other players stood around.....

[Han Joelo]

I was just thinking that the most depressing thing about Morrison is that there is no obvious choice to replace him--unless Rooker is ready.  And right on cue...

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Well he didn’t strikeout. That’s a start.

[Squirrel]

first year T-ball, my youngest fielded a ball hit to third, from RF....while the other players stood around.....

You should relay that story in Brian’s thread on positional flexibility. I’m sure he’d appreciate it.

[adorduan]

 

Well he didn’t strikeout. That’s a start.

no, just tried to pull a outside pitch.  we've seen that rerun to many times..

[adorduan]

 

I take that back ... ugh, I hate NESN.

Why are you watching NESN?

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Catching up briefly on game while waiting in line. Kudos to Morrison for tying the score.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I take that back ... ugh, I hate NESN.

Sound like going forward on it to me.

 

Welcome to New England... er, Sports Network.

[TwinsCD]

Look at all these 2-out hits!!!

 

Need to score a lot of runs tonite because the Fernando Rodney Experience is still closed after last nite's mechanical breakdown and sickness.