Things will get back to normal tonight when the Twins open up a 3-game series in Tampa. By normal, I mean just a normal series in a normal location with no chance of abnormal weather changing plans. Don’t get me wrong… I had zero complaints about the 2-game series in San Juan. I was just implying it wasn’t normal because it wasn’t normal. Not normal is perfectly OK. In fact… I believe that MLB should choose a few more alternative sites to play some not normal regular season games. It may be shocking that I have some location suggestions but I actually do. Honolulu – It’s really hard for Hawaiians to see a professional baseball game. The closest major league city is San Francisco and that is 2,397 miles away. That’s a 5 hour non-stop flight and 48 years by car. Let the ball players come to them for a change. London – Baseball is making plans for a series in London in 2019. The NFL has a regular season game at Wembley Stadium every year but the dimensions of Wembley wouldn’t fit for baseball. The solution is to move the games back to America to find a stadium. Make no mistake… MLB is serious about playing some games in London… even if they have to be played in America. Here are some things to think about: 1. Top Non-Trump News Story (Or Stories): A former 911 operator in Houston was found guilty of hanging up on people seeking emergency assistance. Records show thousands of calls that lasted less than 20 seconds were attributed to 44 year old Crenshanda Williams over a span of 18 months. Suspicions were finally raised after an audit detected the high volume of short phone calls. When questioned why, she replied that “she didn’t feel like talking to anyone at those times.” After a jury trial, she was sentenced to a misdemeanor and ordered to serve 10 days in jail with 18 months probation. I have some questions because there isn’t a single part of this story that I can get my arms around. What did she think her job was? How did she get away with it over 1,000 times over a span of 18 months? How is this only a misdemeanor? And why was a jury of peers required to take time off of work to decide a misdemeanor conviction? And… perhaps the biggest question of all… what are the best restaurants in Houston? 2. Our Twins: Byron Buxton was placed on the 10-day DL while Max Kepler is reported to be OK. The Twins were very close to having to offering a contract to Delmon Young to play against the Rays. Here’s another thought… the Twins have played very little baseball in seven days while playing a lot of baseball in two days. 3. The Rays: We will get to watch old traded friends Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Wilson Ramos this weekend. I won’t bring up Chih-Wei Hu who was traded for Kevin Jepsen because I know that trade is still a sore spot. Looking at this closer… it occurs to me that there are more ex-Twins on the Rays roster than ex-Twins on the Twins roster. 4. Today’s Joe M Conversation: Morgan: What are ya doin'? Montana: I’m writing a letter to Preparation H. Mauer: Why? Montana: Because it isn’t working and I want my money back. McCarthy: What does it say? Montana: Dear Preparation H, Your product does not work! I ate the whole tube and it has provided me no relief. I have enclosed pictures that show that it isn’t working. Maddon: Don’t put those pictures in there! 5. Secret of Success: I have been successful at almost everything I’ve done. I will give everyone the secret free of charge: If at first you don’t succeed… redefine what success is. You’re welcome. ____________________ Lineups: TWINS Brian Dozier(R ) 2B Joe Mauer(L) 1B Miguel Sano(R ) 3B Eddie Rosario(L) LF Logan Morrison(L) DH Eduardo Escobar(S) SS Max Kepler(L) CF Robbie Grossman(S) RF Jason Castro(L) C Lance Lynn (R ) RAYS Denard Span(L) LF C.J. Cron(R ) DH Carlos Gomez(R ) RF Brad Miller(L) 1B Daniel Robertson(R ) 3B Joey Wendle(L) 2B Wilson Ramos(R ) C Mallex Smith(L) CF Adeiny Hechavarria(R ) SS Chris Archer (R ) Game-time forecast: Outside it will be lovely. I don't know the indoor specs of the Trop, but it will be playable. Click here to view the article