Blake

Gametime Forecast: 70°F • Overcast • 0% PoP According to the Twins Daily Style Sheet supplied by USAFChief, I'm allowed to write just about anything but have to avoid "excessive negativity." Excessive negativity seems to be somewhat of a subjective term so, we'll let loose and see where things go. Last night the Twins were bad, then good, then awful. I didn't know the Twins could show three different personalities in one game. Instead of the "Three Faces of Eve" we had "The Three Faces of the Twins." That said, I think it is time to quote Donald Sutherland in "Kelley's Heroes:" Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change? Words to live by when it comes to baseball. Now, on to better things and a new day at the ballpark. I have confidence our favorite team (everyone knows there are only two sports: Baseball and everything else.) will turn things around PDQ. This is not your father's Twins team. JR Graham is starting today and I am looking forward to seeing a legitimate flame thrower take the mound. On the other side, we have ex-Twin Matt Garza who has enjoyed some success with teams not named "The Twins" but has not fared well with Milwaukee so far this year. It has all the makings of an excellent pitching matchup that should be fun to watch. Go Twins!!

Sigh. Double sigh.

I wonder if one can get fired from something you do for free? More lulling, I'm sure of it. Lull away Twins...as long as you win!!

Great, I do a game thread and the Twins decide to give up a couple of runs right away. I'm quite sure it's part of the master plan, though. Lull the Brew Crew to sleep and then ambush them.

Where did you find the lineups? Thanks.

Rookie mistake: Lineups to follow should have been on the second post. Ah well, live and learn.

Friday 6/5, 7:10 PM CT at Target Field TV: FS-N; Radio: Go 96.3, TIBN Weather: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Lineups: BREWERS (18-36) 1. Segura, SS 2. Parra, RF 3. Gomez, CF 4. Lind, DH 5. Lucroy, C 6. Ramirez, 3B 7. Peterson, LF 8. Rogers, 1B 9. Perez, 2B Kyle Lohse, RHP (3-6, 6.50 ERA) TWINS (32-21) 1. Dozier, 2B 2. Hunter, DH 3. Mauer, 1B 4. Plouffe, 3B 5. Nunez, RF 6. Roszrio, LF 7. Suzuki, C 8. Escobar, SS 9. Hicks, CF Kyle Gibson, RHP (4-3, 2.61 ERA) Special guest appearance: Bob Uecker and the late Paul Giel. I'm sure most people think "Carlos Gomez and what could have been" when Milwaukee is in town. My mind initially went there, but, unfortunately, that train of thought blew right through the station, careening out of control...much like Mr. Gomez during his stint with the Twins. But I digress from the original madness of my method. On to the real story. Once upon a time, in a land full of swamps, sloughs, mosquitoes and the occasional lake there strode a giant figure of a man, Mr. Bob Uecker. However, we will now turn this narrative over to the late Paul Giel who told this incredible tale of a "Catcher in the Wry." *(heard during a KQRS morning broadcast) According to the late Mr. Paul Giel, he played minor league baseball at the same period of time as Bob Uecker. As fate would have it, Mr. Giel and Mr. Uecker met, on the playing field, during a tremendous minor league battle. Paul Giel strode to the plate, waving his lumber as Mr. Uecker crouched behind the dish. Mr. Giel settled into his batting stance and put his steely gaze on the pitcher. Suddenly, a voice: "Fastball coming." Mr. Giel did a double take and: "Excuse me?" Uecker: "I don't like this guy, fastball coming." Mr. Giel, not born yesterday, snorted, got ready and "strike 1" fastball down the heart of the plate. Mr. Giel, again, not born yesterday, decided to listen and went on to have a tremendous day at the plate, hitting .700 on the day.** The end. *Actual name of a book by Mr. Uecker. **I admit to some artistic license in describing the scenes and dialogue. The basic story, however, is accurate, if memory serves. _______________________________________ Yes, some people may think "Gomez and what could have been" whereas when Milwaukee hits town, I think of Bob Uecker and that marvelous interview I heard one morning decades ago. _______________________________________ Since no Uecker post is complete without a Miller Lite commercial, I l close with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcITdN3TQNM _______________________________________ Lineups to follow later.

Wow, I barely have time to get the coffee iv going and the game thread is up.

One thing that has not been mentioned is Paul Molitor and his base running philosophy. Molitor tells his players to take the base(s) they are given and then try to take more. From what I understand, Molitor wants his players to run hard for the given base, which puts pressure on defenses to get the ball back in. It also puts the base runner in position to take advantage of a defensive miscue or lackadaisical fielding. How many times in the past have we seen a player all of a sudden realize he potentially has an extra base, but because he didn't run hard for that first base, he lost his chance? It's all well and good to talk about clutch hitting, but if players are not doing the things that will put them in scoring position, there is no clutch hitting.

Mike Pelfrey: Staff...Ace? It may have been a loss, but Pelfrey certainly did his job. Along with the guys behind him. I wonder how Buckholtz feels about giving up two runs in two contests against the Twins and only getting 1 win?

Fenway: the only park where Mauer's patented "fly ball lifted to left" automatically becomes a hit.

Last year, I looked forward to off days. This year, off days lead to baseball withdrawal. I'm not sure if this off day is a good thing or a bad thing for the bullpen. I suppose if at least one of the starters goes 8 innings in the split double header, it's a good thing.

Hmm, seems to me that in order for the numbers to normalize, players who are currently under-performing would have to over-perform for a while.

The article ignores the return of Ervin Santana. Pretty much the equivalent of a trade at the deadline without actually trading someone. Also, there are some very good bats and arms at Rochester. Plus, the longer the Twins continue to win, the closer they come to a point where .500 ball the rest of the season translates into a playoff appearance.

Another "stick a fork in ________________ " (fill in the blank) type thread? Cool. Santana will now go on a tear.

The play by Rosario and Santana was perhaps a difference maker in this game. Very heads up baseball.

I don't know, the Sox and Sox sweep were huge.

I think today's game will force the Twins hand. Either Nolasco goes on the DL or Stauffer is DFA'd to make room for another pitcher from Rochester. I expect Stauffer is DFA'd if Nolasco is truly day to day.

Boyer? Boyer? Closer, no problem. Next day, 8th inning...no problem. Stauffer, on the other hand...

JR Graham to the starting rotation. Nolasco to clubhouse attendant.

Rob Ford, panache, style or just plain crazy? Enquiring minds may not really want to know. The only problem with baseball season is that it starts getting very warm in my neck of the woods. Although, it does give me an excuse to stay inside and enjoy the Twins.

Expanded strike zone plus a somewhat specious interference call. Wow.

Saturday and the Twins and a game thread. Life is good. I really hope Colabello pops up every single pitch he sees from here on out. (When he's hitting against the Twins. Everyone else, he can go yard)

We would bash the front office no matter what. Picture this: "So what if we won 99 games! With one more bat, we could have had 101 wins!! Why didn't Ryan DFA Hitty McDefense and spend to get Defense Mchitty? As fans, we deserve better!!"

Okay, everyone, back away slowly...and what neighborhood do you live in, kind sir? (people wearing highly detailed bird costumes while passed out drunk are natures way of saying "stay away."*) *Concept shamelessly stolen from Gary Larson