MINNESOTA SPORTS FAN DAILY: Sunday, August 27, 2017

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MSF Daily: 8/27/17

Twins LOSE @ Toronto in game 2 of 3:

The Twins’ bats started off slow. The scoring started with a Morales homer in the 2nd that would make it 1-0. Bautista got an RBI off of a SAC Fly in the 3rd to make it 2-0, Jays.

The Twins would finally answer in the 5th when Escobar got them on the board x2:

Apparently, Escobar’s HR pissed the Blue Jay hitters off. They would come to the bottom of the 5th and unload all the stresses in their lives with a 6-run inning. Here is one from Donaldson that started the whole thing:

Rosario hit a SAC Fly in the 6th inning, scoring Mauer. The score was 8-3 heading to the 7th. In the 8th, Kepler came to the plate with Mauer, Rosario, and Buxton on base. Then this happened:

That made it 8-7 heading to the bottom of the 8th. Donaldson wouldn’t let the Twins come back. He doubled to right field, scoring Carrera. Donaldson would score on a wild pitch later in the inning. It was 10-7, going to the 9th.

It wasn’t over yet. Dozier singled in Granite with nobody out in the 9th and it was 10-8 with Mauer coming to the plate. Then, Mauer hit into a double play. It scored Escobar but left 2 outs and nobody on for Polanco. He grounded out to shortstop to end the game 10-9.

Now, they need a win tomorrow to close the series. They need to win these series. The Blue Jays are BAD.

Tomorrow, it will be up to Kyle Gibson……………..

He will be up against Joe Biagini who is even worse than Gibson…. maybe.

Alex Kirilloff taking first swings since injury:

Alex Kirilloff was the Twins’ 1st round pick (#15 overall). He was tearing up the Appy League last year after being drafted. In 55 games he hit .306 with 33 RBI and a .341 OBP. He had Tommy John surgery, unfortunately. But here he is taking his first swings after coming back:

Fleck talks about his TV appearances and how they help:

Randy Johnson, of the StarTribune, has a piece that has PJ Fleck discussing why his TV appearances, especially the ones on ESPNU, helps his recruiting.

It undoubtedly does. And for those of you that don’t like his hooing and rawing, just know 1 thing:

He doesn’t care.

He doesn’t care what you nor I think. He doesn’t care what older Gophers’ fans think.

He cares about what the 17-20 year olds think. They love watching that shit. So he will continue to do it. And as long as he wins, everyone else will be happy.

Here are some of his quotes.

“It’s a dead period in August, but there was one team that wasn’t dead on national television, and that was the University of Minnesota”

“You make sure people know that we’re going to be on TV at this time, and now Mom, Dad, brother, sister, the recruits are sitting in that room watching it, when no one else [among college coaches] can have the contact with them”

Vikings vs 49ers Sunday Night Football – 7 PM

The Vikings play the most telling preseason game of the year on Sunday night. San Francisco comes to town and the game will should me much more insightful than the previous two games.

It looks like the Vikings are healthy for the first time since the preseason has started. Rumor has it that the whole offensive line should be on the field and in front of Sam Bradford. That includes Sam’s new Left Tackle, Riley Rieff, who will play in his first preseason game with the Vikings. Mike Remmers will hold down the right side of the line. They will be assisted on the inside by Alex Boone at the left and Joe Berger the Right Guard spots.

The Center position is more of a question mark tonight AND going into the season. This game could definitely dictate who wins the starting Center spot to face New Orleans in week 1 of the regular season. Nick Easton has held down the starting spot most of camp/preseason. But the Vikings are set on giving Elflein a chance. They both rotated 1st team reps this week in practice. (Andrew Krammer – StarTribune)

Even Laquon Treadwell is said to be playing in this game. We will see if he can take over the 3rd Wide Receiver spot while Michael Floyd sits for the first four games of the season due to suspension.

The starters normally play at least a half in the 3rd preseason game. So this will be the best preseason game to get a feel for how the team will look in the regular season.

Here is what I would call a successful game checklist:

  1. NO INJURIES
  2. NO INJURIES
  3. NO INJURIES
  4. A first half where the offense moves the ball and the O-Line holds up in the run and pass game
  5. The offense puts a TD or two on the board
  6. A disruptive defense that covers well opposite Xavier Rhodes

If the top 6 things go well, these would be nice bonuses or the “cherry on top” so-to-speak:

  1. Laquon Treadwell has a night. How about like 7 catches for 85 yards and a TD between starters and backups through all 4 quarters..
  2. Tray Waynes has a good night and gets an INT.
  3. Dalvin Cook explodes in his first big chuck of playing time. How about 110 total yards and a TD on 10 carries and 3-5 receptions? Yes.

#SKOL

MSF Daily by Eric Strack @RealMNSportsFan

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