Last week my daughter’s partner, Carter Perteet, mentioned that the Phillies would be in town next week. “Let’s go,” I instinctively said. And surprisingly the two of us found a night that worked. Last night I put on my Joe Mauer jersey and drove down Interstate 94 with Carter to watch my favorite team in baseball play the best team in baseball.
What a beautiful night at Target Field. This was the third time this year, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the Twins at Target Field. And though I’ve been at Target Field many times since the picturesque palace opened in 2009, I still pinch myself to be able to enjoy an evening there. During the game Carter asked me if Amy and I watched the Twins much when we lived in Rochester. No. We wouldn’t travel often to watch the Twins play in the Metrodome. But Target Field? The experience is worth the drive. And fortunately my drive now is only 25 minutes.
Many others wanted to watch the game last night—attendance was over 31,000. We still could walk-up and buy a ticket at the ballpark and look forward to the Twins upgrade.
The Twins have a quality club—though they are hamstrung with Carlos Correa, Royce Lewis, and Jose Miranda not playing, arguably their best three hitters. And the lineup revealed their deficiencies. No one who started had an average over .265. And Edward Julien was batting fifth? I’d like someone with more baseball intelligence than me to explain that logic. And with Zack Wheeler pitching it wasn’t a surprise that the bettors had the Phillies as the favorite.
But Simone Woods-Richardson gave the Twins a chance. I watched him more closely than I have in the past. He doesn’t throw many fastballs, but his off-speed stuff baffled the Phillies. He gave up three hits and one walk in six innings. Wow! When he was pitching in the sixth I asked Carter what were the chances that he would pitch in the seventh. Even having thrown 88 pitches at the end of the sixth it seemed he earned another inning. But Rocco—you know who I mean—not surprisingly went to the bullpen to bring out Jorge Alcala in the seventh. With a bullpen game on Thursday and a hot pitcher on the mound, wouldn’t it make sense to keep Woods-Richardson out for another inning? Why not save Alcala for Thursday?
The Twins generated their best opportunity in the eighth. Three walks loaded the bases for Ryan Jeffers—who was the logical choice to pinch hit for Julien. My wife, Amy, called during that inning to see what was happening. I could hardly hear her with the crowd noise, so I had to end our conversation early. The anticipation was burst when Jeffers ended the rally by grounding out on a three and one count.
I am a Minnesota sports fan, so I know what it’s like to lose. But in looking at this team it’s not hard to see the possibilities. Bring the above-mentioned three back and our lineup is excellent. Trade for a starting pitcher or get Chris Paddack back, and we have five quality starting pitchers. Trade or find another set-up reliever. Figure out Duran. All of the above seems possible. I believe the Twins will overtake the Guardians and win the division.
I am a Minnesota sports fan, so I know what it’s like not to have my expectations met. Jim Pohlad didn't help by demanding that thirty million of payroll be cut after last season's success. That money probably could have kept Sonny Gray in a Twins' uniform. His record in St. Louise would be quite an addition to our squad's record. I’m surprised that the media has not been more critical of ownership.
I am a Minnesota sports fan, so I’ll keep rooting and hoping. “You’re
telling me there’s a chance?” Maybe I am dumb, but I still do believe. Despite
ownership and Baldelli, I still put on my Twins hat with anticipation for what
could happen.
