Game Thread: Twins vs. Detroit 5:10 PM PST (7:10 PM CDT) 8/23/2019

[Blake]

After the Monday game against Chicago, with the attending, shall we say, interesting, strike zone, I thought I'd dust off and recycle this blast from the past: *

 

strikezoid: noun
pronounced strike ĕh (tip of the cap to our northern neighbors) zoid
antecedent: strike zone

 

Definition: a curious shape that defies normal geometric conventions. This shape, which changes from minute to minute, is designed to drive both batters and fans insane. In fact, this shape, while correctly known as a "strikezoid" is often confused with the "strike zone." However, since strike zones are rectangular in shape, the distinction quickly becomes obvious. (although, someone did point out that, in fact, a true "strike zone" has 7 sides. But, adding up all those sides is math and we all know math is verboten game threads. Unless it isn't)

 

Back to the subject at hand: strikezoid. It has become apparent the umpires have designed a new shape for the strike zone. Henceforth known as the "strikezoid."

 

Curiously, the strikezoid seems to be somewhat of a shape shifter, favoring first one team, then the other. I'm not sure why this is, however, I'm just your humble observer and offer no explanations.

 

*Also trying to appease the Thread Writers Guild. They seem to take electron quotas very seriously!

 

With that, on to Detroit, a team that is showing signs of life, if one defines "life" as the same reading given by an electrocardiogram attached to a bowl of jello.

 

We should have a great game to watch this evening. And, by great game, a game in which the Twins turn Detroit into rubble and make the rubble bounce.

 

And now, for some stuff to think about. Okay, maybe not ponder so much as, reader poll! (Yes, I am trying to find out if anyone actually reads this stuff!)

 

1. Classic horror films: Dracula or Frankenstein?

2. Classic Screen beauties: Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman?

3. Classic Screen Presence: John Wayne or Cary Grant?

4. Classic Big Band Singers: Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra?

 

Lineups:

 

 

5. Play ball!

[Blake]

Disclaimer: We, of the Greater Thread Writers Council, heartily endorse the recycling of game thread openers. There is no reason to waste our precious resource, electrons, on frivolous musings and meanderings while perfectly good threads remain archived, languishing, yet yearning to be brought forth into the light again.

 

Huzzah to the author.

 

Thank you.

 

Grand Poobah and Inquisitor, Superior Chair, Greater Thread Writers Guild.

[USAFChief]

I'm reminded of that great old Labelle classic, written about playing the Tigers:

 

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, day-twah?

Hey Gardy...you wanna give it a go?

[big dog]

I wonder how much longer the Ghost of Miguel Cabrera will play for the Tigers. He was such a terrifying hitter.

[ashbury]

I wonder how much longer the Ghost of Miguel Cabrera will play for the Tigers. He was such a terrifying hitter.

Relax, Tiger fans - you have only 4 more years of dead money to work around.

[USAFChief]

I follow baseball pretty closely, yet there are 7 players in Day-twah's lineup I've never heard of.

 

Perhaps I don't follow baseball as closely as I think.

 

Harold Castro? Ronny Rodriquez? Jake Rogers??

[USAFChief]

 

I wonder how much longer the Ghost of Miguel Cabrera will play for the Tigers. He was such a terrifying hitter.

When Cabrera goes 8-13 in this series, with a dinger and 7 RBI, we'll know who to blame.

[big dog]

I would blame that series preview before blaming me, but I confess that the same thought crossed my mind.

But when Harold Castro bloops a single, that’s all on you.

[bighat]

Four days and counting since we've last had a Mitch Garver sighting.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I follow baseball pretty closely, yet there are 7 players in Day-twah's lineup I've never heard of.

 

Perhaps I don't follow baseball as closely as I think.

 

Harold Castro? Ronny Rodriquez? Jake Rogers??

 

Response #1: I would tell you how Jake Rogers was acquired, but then I'd have to kill you..

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I follow baseball pretty closely, yet there are 7 players in Day-twah's lineup I've never heard of.

 

Perhaps I don't follow baseball as closely as I think.

 

Harold Castro? Ronny Rodriquez? Jake Rogers??

 

Response #2: You really want to go there, don't you.  

[SwainZag]

 

Four days and counting since we've last had a Mitch Garver sighting.

 

He started the 2nd game of the CHW series.  Not that one game is enough, but he did start.

[mrtwinsfan]

More garver - less Castro ,  What i want to see is our Boys tighten up the mental and goofy errors, - Do not keep playing to your competions level, this is Detroit!!!!   gotta win the series, sweep would be nice

[PDX Twin]

 

I follow baseball pretty closely, yet there are 7 players in Day-twah's lineup I've never heard of.

 

Perhaps I don't follow baseball as closely as I think.

 

Harold Castro? Ronny Rodriquez? Jake Rogers??

 

I was thinking the same thing. And if Goodrum had not been in the Twins system, it would have been 8 for me.

[MMMordabito]

Four days and counting since we've last had a Mitch Garver sighting.

Falvine probably thinks playing Castro more will give them a better competitive balance round pick.

[FlauerPauer]

Big game for Berrios here. If he struggles, I don't see how they don't give an IL stint to give him a rest. The way he's pitched the last couple games does not inspire confidence come playoff time if the Twins make it.

[FlauerPauer]

Oh and let's go Royals!

[MMMordabito]

Oh and let's go Royals!

We don't want Cleveland getting too far back. They might move some guys before the waiver deadline and improve their farm.

 

Oh, wait ... Yeah, go Royals.

[ashbury]

Big game for Berrios here. If he struggles, I don't see how they don't give an IL stint to give him a rest.

The party line is mechanics. We'll see.

[FlauerPauer]

 

The party line is mechanics. We'll see.

 

Metrics schmetrics, I don't care what they say. The eye test says he needs to have a good rest of the season for him to be my Game 1 starter. I honestly would rather have Pineda start that first game right now. Obviously things can and probably will change, but Berrios just seems like he's got an air about him. He needs to throw his changeup way more and not just flop over hittable curveballs. Again, just my opinion.

[ashbury]

What's wrong with my TV? The Twins' uniforms look like the clubhouse attendant put bleach in the washing machine.

[ashbury]

Jake Cave with an opportunity to impress after a nice play on the carom..... aaaaaand, that's gone. Not a major league throw. Goes as a double in the box score, but could have been single and throw-out.

 

Berrios just goes ahead and notches the strikeout on the next batter.

[big dog]

Well Chief...Castro hit a double. As he slid into second I heard him yell “have you heard of me now???”

[mrtwinsfan]

 

Metrics schmetrics, I don't care what they say. The eye test says he needs to have a good rest of the season for him to be my Game 1 starter. I honestly would rather have Pineda start that first game right now. Obviously things can and probably will change, but Berrios just seems like he's got an air about him. He needs to throw his changeup way more and not just flop over hittable curveballs. Again, just my opinion.

Berrios wont do a slide step, thats what bothers me, And ALL The coaches have been trying to get him to,

[FlauerPauer]

 

Berrios wont do a slide step, thats what bothers me, And ALL The coaches have been trying to get him to,

 

Easy to run on. I wonder if he tries to develop a fourth pitch during the offseason.

 

Definitely throwing more changeups through the first inning.

[mrtwinsfan]

Cmon Berrios , its Niko Goodrum,,  geez another walk

[FLTwinsGuy]

Jose wants to get his 5 innings in and call it a night apparently

[FlauerPauer]

That's pathetic pitching right there. Friggen Niko Goodrum. Dude wouldn't even roster on the Twins. What a terrible first inning.

[FlauerPauer]

Got lucky there.

[mrtwinsfan]

Same Berrios, Hope he can get it together,