2024 Regular Season- First Half

[Lance]

Can’t be referring to the Timberwolves as they are going for the sweep tonight, so I assume that’s the Loons?

[Brina]

Tonight I will be offline for 48 more hours and then it’s back to normality for awhile meaning only Saturday offline for the next seven weeks until the next holiday. That said, Cubs have 4/5 of starting rotation either on or just back from IL plus 2/3 of starting outfield. They are helped by fact that NL looks average including Dodgers who look pedestrian not that I’m complaining. Starting Wednesday I hope to be back and posting on a more consistent basis. These last few weeks have been busy but at least I had all the kids home and plenty of time to read.

[C. John]

Lance wrote: "Can’t be referring to the Timberwolves as they are going for the sweep tonight, so I assume that’s the Loons?"

It is. They actually won last night so that's two home wins for them this season. The Soccer newsletter from MLS has actually referred to them as Minnesota Home and Missesota Away, as if they were two different teams.

[C. John]

Brina wrote: "Tonight I will be offline for 48 more hours and then it’s back to normality for awhile meaning only Saturday offline for the next seven weeks until the next holiday. That said, Cubs have 4/5 of sta..."

The Dodgers sure didn't look pedestrian the other night against the Jays. By the way when he got back to the dugout at one point in the game his teammates stared booing him. Guess they saw what happened when the Toronto fans did it and figured they should keep up a good thing. Apparently Ohtani didn't mind the boos. It proved the fans are passionate, which is good.

[Lance]

Another sweep - Twins swept the Angels this weekend, scoring 32 runs in the 3 games. Sure, it’s the Angels pitching - but any time the bats break out like this, it’s exciting. Although now, maybe the visit to the Southside won’t be as easy it it looked a few days ago. Can’t believe they swept the Rays.

[Harold]

MLB is finally listening to player and fan complaints about the new uniforms. New ones are expected next season. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/...

[Lance]

8 straight! First time in 13 years the Twins have won 8 straight. Yes, it’s the White Sox and Angels - but I’ll take it!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Lance wrote: "8 straight! First time in 13 years the Twins have won 8 straight. Yes, it’s the White Sox and Angels - but I’ll take it!"

Always fun to be on a winning streak!

[Harold]

Congratulations Lance

[Ashley Marie]

Lance wrote: "8 straight! First time in 13 years the Twins have won 8 straight. Yes, it’s the White Sox and Angels - but I’ll take it!"

Woohoo!!

[Ashley Marie]

Harold wrote: "MLB is finally listening to player and fan complaints about the new uniforms. New ones are expected next season. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/......"

Took them long enough. Still not sure who decided it was fine to cut so many corners on the unis this year.

[Lance]

Make it 9 in a row! Nice comeback in the 8th and 9th innings to beat the White Sox and Duran is back and as good as ever. First 9 game winning streak since 2008

[C. John]

I see things were buzzing at the Dodgers/Diamondbacks game last night.

[Lance]

C. John wrote: "I see things were buzzing at the Dodgers/Diamondbacks game last night."

The beekeeper is some kind of miracle worker.

[Lance]

10 in a row! Yes, the streak is against poor teams but as I wrote to naysayers in my FB Twins group - a win vs the White Sox means the number in the W column increases by 1 - same for a win vs the Yankees, Orioles, Rangers or any other team.

[Lance]

Although…Buxton left the game early with a knee issue. I think I’ve seen this movie before…

[Harold]

Is Buxton another Trout or is it the other way.

[Lance]

Add Lewis in the mix and they are interchangeable

[Ashley Marie]

Lance wrote: "Although…Buxton left the game early with a knee issue. I think I’ve seen this movie before…"



Edit: Wow sorry that's massive

[Lance]

Love it - and not a Swiftie! Although my favorite Taylor Swift song has an appropriate title for this discussion - Delicate.

[Harold]

I don't know what they are drinking in Oakland, but they are now 15-17 and in third place in the AL West. Yet, they are last in batting average and 14th in OPS.I guess pitching is keeping them in games. They are third in ERA and third in fewest HRs.

[Brina]

Reminds me of Major League. Cheap owner so team has meeting and decides there’s only one thing left to do win the whole bleeping thing.

[Brina]

Cubs won a game with a crazy ending last night. Usually those calls go against them so I’ll take it. This weekend, MLB is billing as WWIII with Brewers coming to Wrigley. Brewers have always thrown at Cubs a lot. I have taken to calling them sleaze bags. This year they have started fights with 3 different teams. And they accuse the Cubs of stealing their manager. Thankful that the first series they play this year is at Wrigley. Things should get verrry interesting.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Was hoping at least one of the Cubs/Brewers woud be free this weekend on MLB App. Nope...the free game (think its Sat or Sun) is Braves/Dodgers. Even though it will hurt Padres in standings I hope Dodgers sweep Braves.

[Brina]

I get MLB.tv so I don’t have to wait for freebies. Meanwhile if I didn’t like it before, I’m really not a fan of the ghost runner aka the Manfred Man. Even when my team wins. Walkoffs aren’t exciting anymore unless it’s in the 9th and even then it’s more the relief that it’s not going into extras with the new rule. Also dislike the fact that you can use a pinch runner for this runner. I wish it would go away. I miss 15 plus inning games with an extra stretch in the 14th. Sadly those are now a thing of the past unless they can tweak this rule.

[Lance]

Agree to disagree with you there - not a fan of those marathon games going 15 or more innings, especially on getaway days. I don’t mind the runner at second, but I would rather see it not put in place until a 13th inning - when both teams have gone through the lineup once.

[Brina]

Even then it seems cheap.Rather they can call up an extra pitcher and relief pitcher each for the next game if a game goes 15 innings or longer. That seems more fair than the Manfred Man. I don’t even like 3on3 hockey overtime. Call me a purist.

[Brina]

And cubs fan site just ripped mgmt for not signing a closer in the off season. On this point I agree with them.

[Lance]

Main reason I don’t like it is the quality of play goes down each passing inning. Worst case was a game I attended several years ago. Last day of the season, Mets vs Nationals, neither team heading to postseason. Mets tied it in the bottom of the 9th - then each extra inning got worse. Batters were only trying for homers to get the game and season over. Went until the 15th inning when Oliver Perez committed two errors - yes, the pitcher -that lead to an unearned run. Then the Mets just swung at everything to end the game. Maybe it was made worse because it was the last day, but a couple of bad high school teams would have put on a better show that those two did - at least in the extra innings.

[Lance]

Brina wrote: "Even then it seems cheap.Rather they can call up an extra pitcher and relief pitcher each for the next game if a game goes 15 innings or longer. That seems more fair than the Manfred Man. I don’t e..."

That would be fine - like the call up for a doubleheader. And…we do agree on the 3 on 3 in OT for hockey. I’d rather have 10 minutes of straight hockey, than the shootout. Just be glad there’s no 3 on 3 in the playoffs.

[Brina]

If there was 3 on 3 in the playoffs it would be cheap. The Blackhawks hosted the Red Wings on national tv. It was a huge deal because the Hawks have seen better days and it was to retire Chelios’ number so all these Chicago celebrities were in attendance. Somehow the Blackhawks played their best game of the year and it went into overtime and everyone in the building knew what was coming. I was talking to Mendel and dropped the phone that I had on speaker I was so angry and he goes, Kane on a line change break away? And through clenched teeth, I go yup. I would rather he beat them in a regular ot period. Meanwhile, today’s Manfred man in 11 shows that walkoffs look cheapened and that the Cubs are in desperate need of a real closer. My thinking, if their minors is loaded and I mean legit loaded, don’t wait for the deadline, trade for a closer now.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Lance wrote: "C. John wrote: "I see things were buzzing at the Dodgers/Diamondbacks game last night."

The beekeeper is some kind of miracle worker."

I enjoyed some of the songs the stadium DJ was playing during the delay. For example "Let It Be." Har!

Fortunately, nothing by Sting.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "...I hope Dodgers sweep Braves."

Aww thanks Peggy. That's music to my ears. :)

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "...I hope Dodgers sweep Braves."

Aww thanks Peggy. That's music to my ears. :)"

RJ...You're welcome! Dodger fans will be packing Petco next weekend!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Wow! Just announced on MLB...Padres are getting infielder Luis Arraez from Marlins and according to our radio announcers Marlins are getting 4 of our young prospects.

His resume looks awesome. I see he was with Twins for a few years. So my question for Lance: does he have any baggage in his history?

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

More info came up on MLB about Arraez trade. One of the prospects Padres are giving up is Jakob Marsee. Sure wish this could have happened without trading Marsee!

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Oh and Lance...Congratulations! Twins win 11 in a row!

[Lance]

Peggy, you’ll like Arraez, He’s a great hitter, can put the ball in play in all areas and rarely strikes out. His main liability is defense - can play a few positions but really isn’t all that great at any of them. When with the Twins, they put him at every INF position as well as LF and wasn’t great at any. Best was probably 2B. Very surprised the Marlins traded him. That’s twice that he has won a batting title and then he gets traded. Although I still like the trade we did for him, getting Pablo López.

[Lance]

And thanks - 11 is great. Passed the Tigers and are now 3rd.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Lance wrote: "Peggy, you’ll like Arraez, He’s a great hitter, can put the ball in play in all areas and rarely strikes out. His main liability is defense - can play a few positions but really isn’t all that grea..."

Sounds like Arraez follows the Tony Gwynn theory on hitting in baseball; " hit em where they ain't"!
Will be interesting on how Padres use him in defense. Tony Gwynn, Jr is our radio color commentator and he would like Arraez to bat 2nd with Profar leadoff who's really hot with the bat recently.

[Lance]

Yes, he is. When he was with the Twins, he reminded a lot of people of Rod Carew - including Carew himself! Carew often comes to spring training with the Twins and Arraez learned a lot from him.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Brina; So caught up in worrying about upcoming Dodgers series I forgot Padres travel to Chicago Mon. Look forward to watching the condensded games as its always special to see Wrigley Field!

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "RJ...You're welcome! Dodger fans will be packing Petco next weekend!"

Well, you have a lovely park and a beautiful city. There are far worse places to spend a weekend! :)

By the way, whenever I come down that way, which is not as often as it used to be, I like to stop at Old Town Mexican Cafe for a Cadillac margarita and a molcajete. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it.

[Lance]

Make it an even dozen! Twins beat the Red Sox 3-1. 6 strong innings from Lopez, Duran came on in the 8th, but not a 2 inning save - that stat went to Cole Sands today. Keep on rolling, boys!

Plus…glad it was a day game so no conflict with the Timberwolves tonight - game 1 vs the Nuggets. Can’t wait for this series.

[Ashley Marie]

Wow, congrats Twins!

The Guardians got torched by LAA last night, which I find insane. And then the Cavs lost too (although they kept it close, the end result is still no bueno). At least the Monsters won :D

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "RJ...You're welcome! Dodger fans will be packing Petco next weekend!"

Well, you have a lovely park and a beautiful city. There are far worse places to spend a weekend! :)..."

RJ... going to reply in Non-bsseball thread since its food related!

[Lance]

Ashley Marie wrote: "Wow, congrats Twins!

The Guardians got torched by LAA last night, which I find insane. And then the Cavs lost too (although they kept it close, the end result is still no bueno). At least the Mons..."

Ah, minor league hockey! Closest for us is the Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL. Started their semi-finals last night and lost 7-4 to the Norfolk Admirals - who I saw play way back when I was stationed at the Norfolk Naval Base.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Arraez doubled on his first at bat!

[Brina]

Is someone hurt? I thought the Padres deficiencies were with pitching. Shows how much I know. I feel for Marlins they are horrible and essentially have a minor league team. And fans don’t show up I wonder why.

[Lance]

When the GM says in early May that they are not a playoff team and start the fire sale, you know there is an issue. First mistake they made is getting rid of Jeter and Ng. They were putting a good team together. Although I wonder why Ng didn’t get another GM job? I think she proved she will be a good one.