Don Walcott

You think that’s something? Well, I dropped Cron and Schoop from my fantasy team. . . . Though that was a month ago. . . . So probably no connection there.

The Twins would not even hurt a Fry.

Challenging a play up 7? Rocco trying to get Rosario plunked?

Unfortunately, you can’t trust those sleeper agents.

Nice job, Jose. Looks like the curveball is back.

Was going to say something last night, but didn’t want to jinx it . . . .

Love this new pitcher. How many times will DickBert have to stop themselves from saying “Oh ****”?

Cease and desist!

Cron!!!

Caveman!!

Is this our Piranha lineup? Edit: Ninja'd.

And BURN IT!!

I was unable to copy an image to the Game Thread, so I copied the location of a bunch of images of Zozobra. Enjoy!

Today is August 29, 2019 and the Minnesota Twins are in first place in the Central Division by 3.5 games with a game in hand. We're also 4 games back in the loss column to the Yankees and Astros, with 3 and 2 games in hand on them respectively. We also have the easiest schedule for the rest of the season -- on paper. Of course, games aren't won on paper. We can't just mail it in. Having meaningful games in the last month of the season was definitely the goal before the season started. Back in Spring Training, this is where we would have hoped our team would be in the best case scenario. Of course, Mildaddy pointed this out yesterday, advising that we all "sit back and enjoy the ride." I think Mildaddy expressed that sentiment perfectly. However, it does seem like one of the functions of this site is to allow passionate Twins fans to express their angst, frustrations, and even anger. It can be a cathartic thing, when it doesn't become toxic. And this brings me to an annual tradition here in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Tomorrow will be the 95th burning of Zozobra. This is a tradition started by some artists in Santa Fe. Will Shuster designed a 50-foot tall puppet who is also known as "Old Man Gloom." Every year, people write down things that caused them anguish over the past year and deposit them in boxes around the City. These boxes are collected and the writings are put into the 50-foot tall puppet. Then, in a ceremony that is the highlight of a week known as Fiestas de Santa Fe, there is an elaborate dance presentation, while a crowd of 50-60,000 people chants "Burn Him, Burn Him." Ultimately, the dance concludes with the dancers lighting Zozobra on fire and setting off a huge fireworks display. https://www.google.com/search?q=zozobra+images&tbm=isch&source=univ&client=firefox-b-1-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV6bHMw6jkAhWTtp4KHVRLClIQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1920&bih=966 Maybe this would be a bit much for Twins fans. Probably more appropriate for Vikings fans. But in any case, to build on Mildaddy's sentiment from yesterday, maybe it is a good time to write down our Twins "gloom" for the last calendar year, and be rid of it as we enter into the final month of this incredible season. For example, remember Matt Belisle? That was pretty brutal. However, I'm ready to let it go . . . . Jose Berrios RHP 10-7, 3.53 ERA, 155 SO v. Dylan Cease RHP 3-6, 5.76 ERA, 50 SO MIN Lineup Luis Arraez (L) 3B Jorge Polanco (S) SS Nelson Cruz ® DH Eddie Rosario (L) LF Ehire Adrianza (S) RF Jake Cave (L) CF C.J. Cron ® 1B Jason Castro (L) C Jonathan Schoop ® 2B CWS Lineup Leury Garcia (S) RF Ryan Goins (L) SS Jose Abreu ® DH Yoan Moncada (S) 3B James McCann ® C Eloy Jimenez ® LF Matt Skole (L) 1B Yolmer Sanchez (S) 2B Adam Engel ® CF GO TWINS!! Disclaimer: No giant puppets were harmed in the making of this Game Thread. But one huge one is going to burn to the ground tomorrow night!!

Winnah!!

Sit down, Sergio!

Buxton gets second standing on that hit.

Schoop!!

Time for insurance runs.

Good job, Jake!

Mosquito bite, most likely.

Good job, Jake. Give us 6, please.

Good job, Eddie Trade Bait.

Do you pitch to Cruz here?

Watching the replay, Schoop is a big, strong, dude.