So this game is meaningless. At the beginning of the season, all I hoped for was for the Twins to be playing meaningful games in September. And then this happened. We can't win enough games to catch the Yankees for home field advantage. We've already won the division, so losing games now doesn't matter. We're now playing meaningless games in September -- just as I had feared. I signed up to do the opener for a meaningless game because, of course I did. And I sense many of you also feared this would happen. So much thought and emotional energy has gone into doubting this team: The front office didn't do anything to address our bullpen in the off-season.The front office didn't do enough to address our bullpen before the trade deadline.One of the two relievers we did trade for during the season, played badly, hardly played, and is now done for this season and possibly next season.The front office didn't do enough to address our starting pitching in the off-season.The front office didn't do enough to address our starting pitching at the trade deadline.Martin Perez went from early season Cinderella to late season pumpkin.The 2-year investment in Michael Pineda ended in a suspension for Big Mike, just when we were starting to like him.Kyle Gibson selfishly sacrificed his health to help people in a spit-hole country, only to get E-Coli.Kyle Gibson then played through colitis to help the team, and ended up doing more damage to himself (again, how selfish!)Sano got himself into the best physical condition of his life, only to have a cut on his heel that wouldn't heal, after celebrating a championship in the DR (I hope everyone was careful with Miguel last night).Buxton looked like an MVP candidate who literally hit a wall . . . well, actually several walls, and at a speed that would qualify for a serious car wreck, from which mere mortals would not recover.We found out that Buxton is also a mere mortal.Our big signing in the off-season turned 39 and ruptured his "extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon." Most of us mere mortals don't even have this tendon, which is clearly a freak extension of arm strength caused by tens of thousands of years of natural selection, ever since our species learned to wield a club.We learned that Nelson Cruz is not a mere mortal.Rocco leaves his starters in too long.Rocco pulls his starters too quickly.Rocco is too stringent in his batting order.Rocco's batting orders are like the bizarre random ramblings of a lunatic.The shift never works, except for the times it does.Our closer can't pitch on consecutive days.Tim Laudner was somehow allowed in a television booth, and was not committed to an institution.We have now witnessed 299 home runs and listened to approximately 598 Bremergasms.We can't beat good teams.We can't beat the Yankees.There was a "historic" collapse from 11.5 games up to second place.There were other less than historic collapses.We are, after all, a Minnesota sports franchise. . . . And yet, here we are. 98 wins and Central Division Champions. But don't worry!! We can still fret over the fact that we'll never be able to beat the Yankees or the Astros or the NL Champions or anyone else in the playoffs. And since this game is meaningless, and the rest of the games this season are meaningless, we might as well start now. Or maybe just enjoy this team for the season they had? What was the best part of this season for you? Devin Smeltzer (Rochester) LHP 1-2, 3.68 ERA, 34 SO v. Jordan Zimmermann (Detroit) RHP 1-12, 6.85 ERA, 80 SO Red Wings Lineup Ian Miller (L) LF Luis Arraez (L) 2B Willians Astudillo ® 3B Jake Cave (L) RF Jonathan Schoop ® DH Jason Castro (L) C Ryan LaMarre ® CF LaMonte Wade Jr (L) 1B Ronald Torreyes ® SS Detroit Lineup Victor Reyes (S) CF Brandon Dixon ® LF Miguel Cabrera ® DH Ronny Rodriguez ® 2B Dawel Lugo ® 3B John Hicks ® 1B Travis Demeritte ® RF Jake Rogers ® C Willi Castro (S) SS Let's see how these rookies play with a hangover!!
