Blake

I'm glad to hear this. My biggest beef with Joe has been the fact that he has not changed his approach at the plate while the rest of the league has adjusted to Joe Mauer. Final line: 280 with 10 HR. (Joe seems to be looking to pull more balls, which is good)

The Twins are in an interesting position this year. They're close to contending this year, but I do not think the players needed for the future should not be traded to win this year. Of course, if the Twins have truly turned the corner when it comes to pitching and actually have an abundance, then perhaps there is some trade value there. Although, the idea of trading pitching comes with some caution. It's all to easy for pitching to go south in a hurry.

Are we talking Cubs fan crazy or just ordinary baseball fan crazy?

Nah, I'll pay attention to the Giants when the Twins meet them in the Series.

Well, I may have been confirming that which my wife already knew.

So, we get a bit of wind storm, which covers the backyard with debris from our redwoods. I head out to clean up, knowing we're going to get hit with a good old fashioned MN thunderstorm..in Central CA. It was great to be outside with the rain falling as I raked. My wife thinks I'm insane. I didn't want to leave the crap on the ground, because the dogs would have dragged it into the house. That was my excuse to be out during a thunderstorm, anyway.

While I'm not pleased that the home town team lost, these are the kinds of losses that show promise for the future. Starting pitchers are keeping the Twins in the game against some very good teams. Definitely a step in the right direction. I was getting tired of seeing the bullpen crank up in the second/third/fourth inning.

bwahahahah.....I now have fodder for another gameday thread....bwahahaha.... ummm...ooopps..uhhh...no, not volunteering, I've done my time, I swear that I have no desire to thrust myself once more unto the breach...

I am getting really tired of Joe Mauer giving away a strike when he's batting third. It appears the rest of the league has adjusted to Mauer but Mauer is incapable of making his own adjustments.

And the game starts with a blunder. Lull, baby, lull.

I have to admit, eaglets would have my attention over the Twins. We have a pretty good aviary in our backyard. We get roosting owl once in a while, along with assorted finches, mocking birds, blue jays, and, of course, doves.

There are rules to writing a gameday thread? Really? I thought the only rule was to avoid "excessive negativity."

Just as it used to be that I cringed when a ball was hit to Trevor Plouffe, I also cringed when Mike Pelfrey took the mound. Neither one of those things is true this year. I think this last start plus the two starts against Boston is probably a sign it is not a fluke.

I'm starting to think that if Mike Pelfrey continues his run of success and the Twins are leading the division at the trade deadline, Mike Pelfrey cannot be traded. If the Twins truly are trying to "win now" the Twins cannot afford to get rid of the guy who is the staff ace this year. The Twins cannot continue to "build for the future" because the future could very well be this year.

Basically a Twins Farm System futures game? Not a bad idea at all.

If Pelfrey keeps this up, how do the Twins not offer him an extension? Obviously, not more than a couple of years, but still... The Twins have been desperate for a staff ace and right now, Pelfrey is an ace.

Rosario is something else. Hopefully, Hicks gets his bat turned around soon. Although, I do appreciate Hicks' play in center field.

Unless it is opposite day. I recommend everyone try the gameday thread experience. Mainly because I want everyone to know what it's like to be under deadline pressure. But hey, no pressure.

Due to commitments this morning, I will be handing off lineup duty to the estimable USAFChief. Thanks, Chief.

Senior Circuit rules, Junior League rules and ground rules With the NL Brewers in town, I thought I'd take a stab at one of the most controversial things currently happening in America. Real America. The America of Apple Pie, hot dogs, beers, brats, baseball parks, and, of course, baseball. But there is seething cauldron of discontent simmering beneath the placid and joyful existence of Real America. That discontent is, shudder, Senior Circuit rules versus Junior League rules. Yes, I'm talking about the dreaded "DH" versus "pitcher flailing wildly" rule. While I know it is a sore subject for a lot of baseball fans, I thought the controversy should be brought to light once again because, well, controversy sells. Interesting side note, the so-called "Junior League" started in 1901 whereas the Senior Circuit started 25 years earlier, according to Wikipedia. Both leagues seem rather Senior to me, but what do I know? Anyway, watching a pitcher flail wildly is the stuff of jokes and cringe-worthy moments. Whereas when an all bat limited glove player strides to the plate, it tends to make opposing pitchers cringe. No matter where you come down on this controversy there are a few things worth pointing out: 1. Watching American League pitchers flail wildly is awesome. 2. Watching National League pitchers flail wildly is awesome. 3. Watching NL pitchers realize they don't get a break in the opposing lineup is awesome. 4. Watching AL pitchers realize it's their turn to bat is awesome. Even though I have poked a bit of fun at pitchers swinging a bat, in the end, I love the fact that ground rules rule, even during interleague play. Having American League teams deal with pitchers hitting when in National League parks is outstanding and a great part of the game. Just as watching National League teams deal with the DH rule at American League parks is another great part of the game. And in the end, if it adds to the enjoyment of the game of baseball, isn't that what it's all about? Lineups: Milwaukee (20-36) Carlos Gomez 8 Jonathan Lucroy DH Ryan Braun 9 Adam Lind 3 Aramids Ramirez, 5 Gerardo Parra 7 Jean Segura 6 Martin Maldonado 2 Hernan Perez 4 Mike Fiers 1. (2-5, 4.06) Minnesota (32-23) Brian Dozier 4 Kurt Suzuki 2 Joe Mauer 3 Torii Hunter DH Eddie Rosario 9 Eduardo Escobar 7 Eduardo Nunez 5 Aaron Hicks 8 Danny Santana 6 Mike Pelfrey 1 (4-2, 2.59)

Your lips to Ryan's ears.

I leave for lunch, a bad lunch..a lunch so bad that I told my wife it was one of those dining experiences that makes you appreciate the good dining experiences. Stauffer makes me appreciate the value of DFA'ing pitchers and the value of good pitchers.

Thank you.

Maybe J.R. Graham will show us a 74 pitch Carlos Silva type complete game.....

Lineups. Twins; Debuting as a starter for the Twins, Pitcher JR Graham!! 1. Brian Dozier 2. Shane Robinson 3. Joe Mauer 4. Trevor Plouffe 5. Torii Hunter 6. Eddie Rosario 7. Chris Herrmann 8. Danny Santana 9. Aaron Hicks Pitching for the Brew Crew: Matt Garza 1. Carlos Gomez 2. Jonathan Lucroy 3. Ryan Braun 4. Adam Lind 5. Aramis Ramirez 6. Gerardo Parra 7. Jean Segura 8. Shane Peterson 9. Luis Sardinas Thanks to JB_Iowa for supplying the links to track down starting lineups.