Game Thread: Twins @ Tigers, 9/26/19, at 12:10 p.m. Central -- VICTORY LAP!

[Don Walcott]

So this game is meaningless.

 

At the beginning of the season, all I hoped for was for the Twins to be playing meaningful games in September. And then this happened.

 

We can't win enough games to catch the Yankees for home field advantage. We've already won the division, so losing games now doesn't matter. We're now playing meaningless games in September -- just as I had feared. I signed up to do the opener for a meaningless game because, of course I did.

 

And I sense many of you also feared this would happen. So much thought and emotional energy has gone into doubting this team:

• The front office didn't do anything to address our bullpen in the off-season.
• The front office didn't do enough to address our bullpen before the trade deadline.
• One of the two relievers we did trade for during the season, played badly, hardly played, and is now done for this season and possibly next season.
• The front office didn't do enough to address our starting pitching in the off-season.
• The front office didn't do enough to address our starting pitching at the trade deadline.
• Martin Perez went from early season Cinderella to late season pumpkin.
• The 2-year investment in Michael Pineda ended in a suspension for Big Mike, just when we were starting to like him.
• Kyle Gibson selfishly sacrificed his health to help people in a spit-hole country, only to get E-Coli.
• Kyle Gibson then played through colitis to help the team, and ended up doing more damage to himself (again, how selfish!)
• Sano got himself into the best physical condition of his life, only to have a cut on his heel that wouldn't heal, after celebrating a championship in the DR (I hope everyone was careful with Miguel last night).
• Buxton looked like an MVP candidate who literally hit a wall . . . well, actually several walls, and at a speed that would qualify for a serious car wreck, from which mere mortals would not recover.
• We found out that Buxton is also a mere mortal.
• Our big signing in the off-season turned 39 and ruptured his "extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon." Most of us mere mortals don't even have this tendon, which is clearly a freak extension of arm strength caused by tens of thousands of years of natural selection, ever since our species learned to wield a club.
• We learned that Nelson Cruz is not a mere mortal.
• Rocco leaves his starters in too long.
• Rocco pulls his starters too quickly.
• Rocco is too stringent in his batting order.
• Rocco's batting orders are like the bizarre random ramblings of a lunatic.
• The shift never works, except for the times it does.
• Our closer can't pitch on consecutive days.
• Tim Laudner was somehow allowed in a television booth, and was not committed to an institution.
• We have now witnessed 299 home runs and listened to approximately 598 Bremergasms.
• We can't beat good teams.
• We can't beat the Yankees.
• There was a "historic" collapse from 11.5 games up to second place.
• There were other less than historic collapses.
• We are, after all, a Minnesota sports franchise. . . .

 

And yet, here we are. 98 wins and Central Division Champions.

 

But don't worry!! We can still fret over the fact that we'll never be able to beat the Yankees or the Astros or the NL Champions or anyone else in the playoffs. And since this game is meaningless, and the rest of the games this season are meaningless, we might as well start now.

 

Or maybe just enjoy this team for the season they had?

 

What was the best part of this season for you?

 

Devin Smeltzer (Rochester)
LHP
1-2, 3.68 ERA, 34 SO

v.

Jordan Zimmermann (Detroit)
RHP
1-12, 6.85 ERA, 80 SO

 

Red Wings Lineup
    Ian Miller (L) LF
    Luis Arraez (L) 2B
    Willians Astudillo ® 3B
    Jake Cave (L) RF
    Jonathan Schoop ® DH
    Jason Castro (L) C
    Ryan LaMarre ® CF
    LaMonte Wade Jr (L) 1B
    Ronald Torreyes ® SS

 

Detroit Lineup

    Victor Reyes (S) CF
    Brandon Dixon ® LF
    Miguel Cabrera ® DH
    Ronny Rodriguez ® 2B
    Dawel Lugo ® 3B
    John Hicks ® 1B
    Travis Demeritte ® RF
    Jake Rogers ® C
    Willi Castro (S) SS

 

Let's see how these rookies play with a hangover!!

[laloesch]

I really hope they get to 100 wins. That is a pretty big achievement for a team that lost 100+ games 4 seasons (including 2019) ago.

[Puckett34]

Now thats a day after clinching lineup.

[big dog]

So I was away, more or less out of internet availability, for the first two weeks of September.  Did Adrianza run over Baldelli's dog or something?  Or is it just the awesomeness of Sano and Arraez keeping him on the bench?  Minor injury?

 

I'm not a relative of his or anything, just wondering.

 

I hope the thread doesn't explode or anything if Torreyes isn't lifted for a pinch hitter in the 7th.  I'm emotionally exhausted, can't imagine what the players are going through.

[mrtwinsfan]

 

Now thats a day after clinching lineup.

one regular- Arriaz,   awesome

[Puckett34]

 

So I was away, more or less out of internet availability, for the first two weeks of September.  Did Adrianza run over Baldelli's dog or something?  Or is it just the awesomeness of Sano and Arraez keeping him on the bench?  Minor injury?

 

I'm not a relative of his or anything, just wondering.

 

I hope the thread doesn't explode or anything if Torreyes isn't lifted for a pinch hitter in the 7th.  I'm emotionally exhausted, can't imagine what the players are going through.

Adrianza has a strained oblique, I believe. Improving, but may not get back in time

[Squirrel]

lol @ the lineup ... but I don't care ... but still ... lol

[Puckett34]

 

one regular- Arriaz,   awesome

You expected more? I think if there were more position players on the roster, he wouldn't be playing either.

[Puckett34]

 

lol @ the lineup ... but I don't care ... but still ... lol

I think I read somewhere that Wade has literally never played 1st base

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzDYgRc6eic

[stringer bell]

I was trying to figure what the lineup would look like. Wade at first was one I didn’t think of.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

We can do it!

[big dog]

 

I was trying to figure what the lineup would look like. Wade at first was one I didn’t think of.

I hope this lineup connects for a half dozen homers!

Jordan Zimmerman...hmmm...I would take the under, but I wouldn't bet a lot of money.

[MMMordabito]

Here's hoping Ian Miller hits Bomba #300!!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Oh, and here's to the huberis of hope "Central Division Champion Minnesota Twins" does not age well.

[bighat]

 

I was trying to figure what the lineup would look like. Wade at first was one I didn’t think of.

I hope this lineup connects for a half dozen homers!

 

Watch 'em score double digits and win 12-5.

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

And fantastic intro by the way!

 

I didn't know how badly our front office messed up. I shoulda been paying closer attention.

 

When i grow up, i hope i can write like you!

 

(although if i could write like RiverBrian, i'd probably prefer to do it that way if they'd let me. But positional flexibility is important too. And all that said, i won't ever give up bein' able to write like me and my "less is more" super powers. Maybe i shoulda stopped a sentance or two ago...)

[MMMordabito]

 

Red Wings Lineup

    Ian Miller (L) LF
    Luis Arraez (L) 2B
    Willians Astudillo ® 3B
    Jake Cave (L) RF
    Jonathan Schoop ® DH
    Jason Castro (L) C
    Ryan LaMarre ® CF
    LaMonte Wade Jr (L) 1B
    Ronald Torreyes ® SS

 

Let's see how these rookies play with a hangover!!

 

Castro:  "Looks like White Claw."

 

Schoop: "Dumbasses."

[jimbo92107]

See how many guys are wearing sunglasses in the dugout!

 

[mrtwinsfan]

 

You expected more? I think if there were more position players on the roster, he wouldn't be playing either.

No  No No  , The line up is Perfect,  just stating 1 regular,  as it shoud be TODAY

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Fantastic intro Don!

 

As cruddy and hung over as the lineup (probably) is. I still think we got a good shot at winning today! Go Twins!

[MMMordabito]

 

Fantastic intro Don!

As cruddy and hung over as the lineup (probably) is. I still think we got a good shot at winning today! Go Twins!

 

Zimmerman throws strikes and La Regatugamambastro hits strikes.  Definitely a good shot.

[Jham]

I get that we clinched and everyone's hung over if not still drunk, but we're batting a dude with 0 career hits lead off?

[70charger]

 

 

So this game is meaningless.

 

At the beginning of the season, all I hoped for was for the Twins to be playing meaningful games in September. And then this happened.

 

lulz

[denarded]

Historical fact I assume: No team has ever had 248 HR's sitting on the bench

[MMMordabito]

This is the game where Zimmerman hopes to get under $100 mill/WAR point.

[big dog]

I get that we clinched and everyone's hung over if not still drunk, but we're batting a dude with 0 career hits lead off?

Rocco is getting him the most at-bats possible so he can get a hit

[DocBauer]

Great intro!

 

I am at work, but I am 100% honest when I say I love that lineup and wish I could watch this game.

 

Twins clinch and now Rochester gives them all a day off. Outstanding!!

[Don Walcott]

 

This is the game where Zimmerman hopes to get under $100 mill/WAR point.

Going against a lineup with only two guys who didn't play in the minors this year, you'd think this would be about his best opportunity. . . . And those two guys are Schoop and Castro.

[Bomba2026]

I want the Twins to win 100 games as well so I will not mention the D lineup! I am so happy we beat the entitled Indians...yeah thats you Clevinger and that lazy azz Puig. Go find a barber in the off-season Mikey! Maybe the wind will be blowing out today so we can get a Bomba to impress you....I do not fear the Yankees in the playoffs and Vrelander has been beat 6 times....so bring em on!

[mrtwinsfan]

 

I get that we clinched and everyone's hung over if not still drunk, but we're batting a dude with 0 career hits lead off?