Riverbrian

Admit it… you all had the Astros, Yankees and Dodgers circled on the July Calendar. You were all overlooking Detroit in between and now the Tigers are in town for a 3-game series and they must be dealt with. It was the Astros, Yankees and Dodgers that were supposed to knock the Twins out of contention but that hasn’t happened yet. The Twins came out of the break 2.5 games behind the Indians. The Twins faced the Astros and Yankees while the Indians had the lowly A’s and Giants. The Twins went 3-3 while the Indians went 1-5 and now we are .5 games back so it’s back to the drawing board because you all need a new plan. Here are some things to think about: 1. Detroit Lakes – In the French language… Detroit means strait. In the English language… a strait is defined as a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water. Yet another example of the French moving about our country and naming cities something nonsensical as a practical joke. Detroit Lakes is the Red Stick (Baton Rouge) of the North and the French are still laughing at us today. The latest census lists the population as 8,569 but during the summer months (as a result of tourism) the population swells to 8,585 and 10 of those extra tourists are simply showing up yearly to search for the strait. 2. Our Twins – Buyer mode has begun. Jaime Garcia is supposedly on his way to Minnesota. My wife and I have been married 27 years today. I was already planning on giving my wife a Jaime tonight. Now I’ll have to think of something else. 3. The Tigers – Seller mode has begun. J.D. Martinez has been traded to Arizona and rumors are swirling that Verlander, Wilson, Avila and maybe more are soon to follow. If Avila is traded… that will be Dad trading his son. Umm… Son… I’ve traded you to the Minnesota Twins… go see the traveling secretary and remember to call Mom. 4. Today’s Joe M Conversation: Mauer: Joe!!! Are you OK? Maddon: Joe!!! It’s me Joe… can you hear me? Mauer: This isn’t good… he just slumped over… what should we do? Maddon: How should I know? Joe… are you OK? Mauer: I’m calling 911 Montana: 911… what’s your emergency? Mauer: Joe is that you? Why are you answering my 911 call? Montana: I work here a couple of days a week. I find that it relaxes me. Mauer: Listen… we haven’t got time… McCarthy just fell over. Maddon: I think he’s dead… yep, he’s dead. Mauer: He’s dead, Joe… do something… what do we do? Montana: Ok… we are going to take this in steps... are you ready? Mauer: What do we do? Tell me what to do? Montana: Step one… you got to make sure that he is deceased. Mauer: OK… hold on. Montana: Joe… Joe… wait. (LOUD BANG) Mauer: OK… he’s dead for sure now. Montana: You shot him? Mauer: Yep…. what do we do next? I'm ready for step two? 5. Foul Balls – I was watching a foul ball in flight. I noticed that the baseball seemed to get bigger and bigger the closer it got to me. I was wondering why that was…. was this a simple matter of physics? Of perspective? And then it hit me. ____________________ Lineups: TIGERS Ian Kinsler 2B Alex Avila C Justin Upton LF Miguel Cabrera 1B Nick Castellanos 3B Victor Martinez DH Mikie Mahtook CF Alex Presley RF Jose Iglesias SS Anibel Sanchez P TWINS Brian Dozier 2B Zack Granite CF Joe Mauer 1B Miguel Sano 3B Max Kepler RF Robbie Grossman DH Eddie Rosario LF Ehire Adrianza SS Jason Castro C Ervin Santana P Weather: mostly cloudy, 77 deg, 15% chance of rain. Click here to view the article

At playoff time the Twins could be better than the 2016 Clevelanders. I agree with your second to the last paragraph. The Indians had Kluber start 6 games and then 9 games were started by Tomlin 4, Bauer 4 and Ryan Merritt 1. That incredible Indian rotation was injured and Tomlin and Bauer was all they had left. At the plate... it wasn't like Cleveland was loaded in the playoffs either. Rajai Davis Coco Crisp Lonnie Chisenhall in the OF Roberto Perez was the Catcher Even the so called Elite Indians were not that elite Napoli Santana Kipnis Those are decent players but they are not elite talents IMO. The Indians looked pretty average on paper but look what happened. They almost did it.

Doc describes it perfectly with another level. May God give you the strength to carry on Tom!

The end result wasn't great last night but I was very impressed with his first trip through the lineup. The guy knows how to pitch and I wouldn't mind seeing another start and I don't believe it's an automatic disaster if he makes the next start. He could get lit up... He may not. Let's take a look.

The Yankees just added Robertson and Kahnle The Yankees we're already very strong in the bullpen with Chapman, Betances and Warren. If a strong bullpen feels the need to get better? The Indians reached the World Series with their bullpen The Royals reached the World Series in 2015 and 2014 with their bullpen. I'd like the Twins to get real bullpen serious.

Grand Forks, Fantastic Knives and Wonderful Spoons.

Both places are poor imitations of a Valley or Canada.

If Judge was just a little bit taller.

Or a very tiny low pressure system in CF with tight isobars. But usually when that happens... Granite would not be in Kansas in anymore.

Dick said the Wind is blowing in from Left and out toward Right. I stopped for a second and pondered if that was even possible. I'm going to stop pondering and go back to making up my own weird stuff to say.

Sometimes it just takes the opportunity. The Twins have been great at giving opportunity.

Automate the Strike Zone. if the ump is gonna miss by that much. I was against it before but not anymore. That called strike 3 on Vargas was way off the plate.

I may have mentioned this once or twice on Sunday but Grossman didn't yesterday.

Post of the Night

Go get em DOC!!!

C'mon you can do it. Grab a Red Bull... Down it and go for it.

I'm Vargas fan and I agree with you. It doesn't mean that Vargas is horrible defensively... it means that Mauer is pretty damn good.

A Justice Error

WOW That really bit But was kind of cool to see at the same time.

Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO Don't try to kill the ball SANO

Granite tries hitting it to SS and it worked. Nice

Granite is getting real good at hitting the ball toward the 2nd baseman.