The Twins are 12-18 at home and 20-9 on the road. I’m fully aware of this yet still excited for some baseball played at Ole’ Target Field. It’s been a trip on the Oregon Trail and back. It’s a homecoming celebration with 4 games against the Seattle Mariners. A King and Queen must be elected… a parade, a dance and perhaps a spiked punch bowl. We have to get something done by the afternoon… there is a lot to do. Everybody get started on your float for the parade… I’ll contact the city and get the streets blocked off. Here are some things to think about: 1. Stillwater – With only 19,000 residents, perhaps no other Minnesota city has as much Minnesota history dripping off of it. It is referred to as the birthplace of Minnesota because the territorial convention that began the process of becoming a state was held in Stillwater. During the convention they needed to decide where the State Capital would be and where the State University would be and where the State Prison would be. The clever folks of Stillwater carefully considered the options and chose the prison because the other two things would be way too much responsibility. Glen Perkins is from Stillwater; he did 18 years for Bank Robbery. Jessica Lange is also from Stillwater, and the large ape was from across the river in Wisconsin. 2. Our Twins – Normally when you come home from a 10 game road trip with a 6-4 record, you are satisfied. However… I can’t help but be bugged by the knowledge that it could have been an 8-2 road trip if it wasn’t for the bullpen coughing up two leads. Bullpens will blow leads from time to time but the spectacular fashion in which they occasionally do it is quite unnerving. Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe that the worst bullpen ERA in baseball now belongs to the Minnesota Twins. This may require an immediate reassignment of high leverage and low leverage roles. Belisle should be moved to low leverage and Goose Gossage should be signed for high leverage. 3. The Mariners – The Mariners have struggled on the road and the Twins have struggled at home. Las Vegas has looked at the home and road splits of each team and decided not to handicap the games because they felt that both teams were already handicapped. 4. Today’s Joe M Conversation Mauer: I just got back from the Mall of America and I brought you all some free gifts. McCarthy: That was nice of you… how much do I owe you? Mauer: Nothing, Joe… they are gifts. Maddon: You said “free gifts.” Gifts are things given to someone without payment. Why did you need to say “free” in front of gifts? Mauer: I don’t know Montana: People said I had a gift for winning football games. Mauer: You guys might be overthinking this a little. McCarthy: Will 20 dollars cover it, Joe? Mauer: No… I bought them for you guys… McCarthy: Here’s 20 dollars. Mauer: Umm… alright… 20 Dollars… thanks, Joe. Maddon: Here’s a ten and two fives. Montana: Do you have change for a 50? Mauer: I do now McCarthy: What did you get us? Mauer: Cinnabons… I got you all you guys Cinnabons…. Surprise!!! Maddon: Joe… I hate to tell you but these things are like 4 bucks… you got ripped off. 5. Remodeling – My wife wants to remodel the house a little but it’s pricey. We went for a walk and talked about it and we agreed that with two kids in college we should probably put it off for a little while. During the walk we came across one of those wanted posters with a 10,000 reward. My wife called the number and said that I did it… the remodeling starts next week. ____________________ Lineups: MARINERS Ben Gamel LF Mitch Haniger RF Robinson Cano 2B Nelson Cruz DH Kyle Seager 3B Danny Valencia 1B Mike Zunino C Guillermo Heredia CF Tyler Smith SS Yovani Gallardo P TWINS Brian Dozier 2B Robbie Grossman LF Joe Mauer 1B Miguel Sano 3B Max Kepler RF Kennys Vargas DH Jason Castro C Byron Buxton CF Ehire Adrianza SS Adalberto Mejia P Weather: Oh meh, blecht, yuck, waaa. Raining ... might be a window in there somewhere ... stay tuned. Click here to view the article