It will be a tough game especially without Boluran. USA definitely carries a lot of momentum out of this game though. Seattle is a great soccer atmosphere. Go USA. Go Twins!! Hopefully we can finish this one out and be two for two on the day.
Red Card for U.S. leading scorer in the tournament Folarin Balogun* . U.S. will play short-handed for the rest of this game. I reccomend that anyone with a casual interest in world cup football should tune into this game for the last 30. Still up 1-0. Go U.S.
Imai can't pitch to first baseman. The 4 first basemen* the Twins have today have combined to be 3 for 4 with two walks, 5 RBIs, and 2 Runs.
*Bell, Lewis, Clemens, Caratini
Zero chance the Blue Jays would be willing to trade Varland back for anything reasonable. Most teams don't trade guys under cheap team control for years to come. The Blue Jays found a gem in Varland and will be unwilling to give him up. I don't mind most of the trades from last years trade deadline, but the Louie Varland trade made almost no sense. It didn't make sense at the time and it makes even less sense now.
It is meaningful this year because the American League is so bad. If the Twins finished at .500, they would be tied for a wild card spot with the Mariners. In most years .500 won't cut it, but their is a good chance that .500 can get you into a playoff spot this season.
I don't know why Rojas is down in AAA. My guess is they are doing a reverse rehab assignment. They needed him for a couple of innings against the Dodgers, but are trying to stretch him out for a potential starting role down in AAA.