woolywoolhouse

I've worked at Target Field the last two years, and yes: there are still people who enjoy going to the park for the games themselves, particularly when there's history to celebrate (Hall of Fame weekends) or happening (Mauer's last game.) There haven't been too many sell-outs these last two years (even with the Twins in the Wild Card hunt in 2017) but there are still thousands of fans every game intently watching, scrutinizing, keeping score, cheering and booing at the appropriate times. But then yeah, there's people who spend the entire game in one of the many in-park bars, never once looking down at the field or even up at the screen; there's kids who want to play at the playground (which will be even bigger this year) the entire time; and there's people spending the whole game on their phones; and you just want to shake your head in the most dad-way possible.

I mean, I'd tell the Twins' batting coaches to leave me alone, too, after getting tinkered with for years but also watching my predecessor in Aaron Hicks struggle with the Twins, go to NY, flourish under them, and just sign a 7 year/$70 million contract.

Universal DH has been a long-time coming, particularly with the move to three five-team divisions within each league, necessitating in at least one inter-league series at all times. I'm not sure how often this scenario has played itself out, but imagine a contending team - say, the Twins - is in the hunt for another Wild Card slot, and their last series of the year is an away series against an NL team. That would mean they'd either have to bat without their DH in the line-up (for argument's sake, let's say it's still Nelson Cruz, and that he's had an amazing, MVP-caliber year) or they'd have to pull Max Kepler (again, argument's sake: he's played Gold Glove defense all year) to get Cruz's bat in the line-up, leaving a huge hole in the outfield. Not even mentioning that then the AL team is relying on getting some offense from pitchers who swing the bat 5-10 times a year at most. Some will argue that's where a manager's strengths in strategy come into play; I argue that it's handcuffing a team by taking away potentially the most important pieces that got them to this point in the season. You don't have that in any other sport. Peyton Manning doesn't get to the post-season only to be told "Over here quarterbacks have to kick their own extra points." Lebron James never has to adjust his approach because 1/5 of the season free throws must be made from half-court. And, because I believe in the comedy Rule of Threes, Zach Parise has never had to make the switch from hockey stick to cricket bat during a crucial late-season run. (For the record, this scenario won't happen to the Twins this year, as their last road-series again an NL team is vs. Milwaukee August 13-14.)

Can't bat either Castro nor Garver in front of Buxton, unless you want to see some triples turning into doubles, or some runs from first base having to be held up at third.

I'll ask the obvious question everyone is wondering: does Mitch Garver give up #23 for Cruz?

Not that history can always repeat itself... but the last time the Twins signed an older power-hitter to be their primary DH, it worked out pretty well, as Jim Thome helped power the Twins to their last AL Central Title in 2010.

Last year with Mauer set to start at first the Twins signed a left-handed bat from Tampa Bay after he had a career year at the plate. This upcoming season, they have Austin ready to take over and start at first and they sign a right-handed bat from Tampa Bay after he had a career year... Is there a glitch in the Matrix?

My avatar? All seriousness, there are a lot of statues around Target Field of the all-time greats swinging. Why not one of his batting stance that didn't change one bit from 2004-2018? Or in his catcher's position, for the kids to pose next to without being dwarfed?

I've said it before: all the Twins need to do to knock some sense into a player on their team with all the talent in the world to succeed is have Torii Hunter punch Nick Punto.

Hope a new manager is named relatively soon. Twins have to look at free agency for Starting Pitchers, Relief Pitchers (closer?), and probably an infielder or two: it's going to be tough signing any top-end free agent to Minnesota anyway, let alone without a manager (and coaching staff) to help sell a team philosophy.

Opposing teams' management should impose fines on their pitchers: $500 for every pitch they throw Sano in the strikezone.

Dating back to 2016, the Twins have not lost any game my daughter has attended. (That includes a dozen last year and two so far this year.) If they'd like to provide her two season tickets next to Rosario's family, I think we'd have the pennant wrapped up this year.

If the Twins wants to fix Sano's attitude, there's only one proven way to do it: Have Torii Hunter punch Nick Punto.

To be fair, Romero had one hard-hit ball that was almost a run; Eddie Rosario ended up catching it and robbing a homerun. https://www.mlb.com/twins/video/rosario-robs-fowler-at-the-wall/c-2018320983?tid=51231442

Going to the game tonight in Chicago? Try to get there early! https://sports.theonion.com/white-sox-promotion-puts-first-9-fans-at-ballpark-in-st-1825752230

Can someone confirm that this is the MLB Lance Lynn the Twins signed and not someone with the same name? Have the Twins demanded a DNA test from his agent?

Forget Molitor... How much longer will Alston have a job?

When Santana comes back can he take three spots on the pitching staff?

Hey, it was 5-1 after the first then I watched a couple of episodes of "A Series Of Unfortunate Events" on Netflix with my kids, and it appears that's the best way to describe Twins pitching staff's performance since the first inning.

If my math is correct: Between games 1 and 2, the Twins scored two more runs, while the Yankees pathetically scored six less! So that should mean Game 3's final score will be: 5-2 Twins! And Thursday's Game 4 will seen the Twins win 7-0 (because you obviously can't go into negatives people; be realistic.)

There'd better be a report of a players only meeting tomorrow. This needs to stop. The poor two-strike pitching. The terrible at-bats with runners in scoring position. Infield pop-ups on homerun cuts. More Ks than hits. Just everything.

Theory: The Twins got swept in Tampa Bay so they could use the "we're in a bit of a slump" excuse in New York. Everyone is playing their part. The plan started early, so players like LoMo and Grossman have been slumping all season; Sano and Rosario have been inconsistent; and Dozier and Kepler have been "trying." Does it hold water? We'll find out against Cincinnati next.

There's gotta be a Cricket field in London MLB could use. Maybe it would even help if they found a couple of teams to just play a Cricket match?

I learned all of the Spanish I know from Bumblebee Man on The Simpsons. With the problems they've been getting into with Apu lately, I'm sure that's a bad thing and I should be ashamed.

Hasn't Sano come close to charging the mound already? He had to be restrained by McCann and an umpire when Boyd threw behind him, leading to a benches-clearing... not full on brawl... a benches-clearing shoving match.