SiouxScore

These last two days in LA could be the beginning of the end. Twins blow a 3-0 8th inning lead last night and then lose again this afternoon to the lowly Angels and a pitcher that got absolutely lit up his last time out. The pitching has been hit and miss all year but now the offense is really struggling too. Twins are now tied for 2nd with the White Sox at 2.5 back and absolutely have to go on a winning streak here if they want to stay in it. Cleveland has 4 with Detroit and 3 with the White Sox this week, Chicago has 4 with the Astros before the Cleveland weekend, and the Twins have 3 with the Royals and 4 with the Rangers Thursday-Monday. Looking ahead Twins still have 3 with Houston and 4 with the Yanks left, Chicago's toughest is the 4 with the Astros this week and then 3 with Seattle and San Diego in early September and October, while Cleveland has the easiest remaining schedule 2 with San Diego coming up, 7 still with Seattle, and then 3 with the Rays late in the season.

Just atrocious and the worst part is usually it seems like they neve overturn that one. Loved Rocco's reaction and finally showing some emotion though.

The U.S. will play their first game Tuesday night at 9 against Germany. The rest USA's prelim schedule is Thursday 9 vs. Switzerland, Saturday 1 vs. Austria, and Sunday 9 vs. Sweden. Quarters are Wednesday 8-17, Semis Friday 8-19, and medal games Sunday 8-20.

Top line was easy for me but other than that it seemed harder than most years. Tried to balance mixing some experience with freshmen while also factoring in the type of player. Lots of options and seems like there should be solid balance 2-4. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jamernik start with a top 6 role to begin the season either. Gaber-Schmaltz-Blake Hain-Costantini-McLaughlin James-Jamernik-Caulfield Kunz-Senden-Portz Albrecht-Ness-Montgomery-Strinden Kleven-Frisch Jandric-Farmer Moore-Johnson Bast-Sidorski Hellsten/DeRidder Johnson

Like the additions today. Povich is solid but getting Lopez who has another year on his contract for basically him is a easy yes. Fulmer is solid and I don't really know the prospect they gave up. Mahle they paid a big price for as all 3 of those guys could be really good but you gotta give something to get something. Really like Haajar the lefty from Michigan they gave up.

Gray has not been real sharp at all lately and the big grand slam has blown this one open. Twins offense not helping either, ton left on lately not coming through with RISP or even getting productive outs. Can't have a leadoff triple and not score.

That was what the one tweet had when he committed but I think it was wrong. Wherever he was from he has played for Maple Grove.

I think if they move both are far more likely for the Big 12 than the B1G. Think adds Notre Dame and then the decision is do you want all 3 of Oregon, Stanford, and Washington to go to 20 or just 1 for 18 while waiting for some of those ACC teams to become free of their grant of rights a few years down the line.

It sure seems like it and that is what they are waiting on before they decide on anything else.

Greg Flugar on twitter started speculating on it like a year ago. He has had some real solid info on Gopher Illustrated 24/7 the past year or so with things really picking up the last couple months as the TV deal approached. Notre Dame is absolutely who they are waiting on right now and things seem to look good, the question is if/when Notre Dame accepts which way do they go. Pick one of Oregon/Washington, add both and then another like Kansas or Stanford or someone to get to 20? ACC teams like North Carolina would be high on the list but not sure they are realistic with their grant of rights at this point.

I kinda like the all-in type mentality, gave up a lot and wish they could've kept Beverly but overall I'm good with it. The West is still an absolute grinder with the Warriors, Clippers, and Suns above the Wolves in my opinion while the Wolves are probably in that next tier with Denver, Dallas, and probably Memphis although I like the Wolves roster better than both now the latter two and I'd actually have Denver closer to that first group with Murray back. After that you have the Pelicans who I think are surging up with the Lakers probably getting back in the playoff mix as well and you have Utah and San Antonio pretty clearly taking a step back this offseason. OKC has some young talent but will be looking to win the lottery same with Houston, Portland should be better and maybe could get into the play in and I think Sacramento will be in that mix as well.

I think they will aim for 20. I can think of 3 pretty logical choices in Washington, Oregon, and Notre Dame but not sure who my 4th would be maybe Colorado or Kansas.

$$$$$$ Big time increase in TV money.

In some ways yes but other times no. The whole bullpen outside of Duran and for the most part Jax scares me, Duffey has been better as of late. Need a major overhaul out there.

YUCK! Why keep putting him out there in tight games? That bullpen needs a major overhaul.

Finn Brink of Minnetonka commits to Wisconsin

When I looked at the pitching matchups for this series against the Yankees I gave the Twins no chance to even win a game and didn't really feel any would be real close, they have really impressed me these last two series.

Seriously 6 trades already from Kwesi and we aren't through the 4th. So far I'd say he is at about 50% on making solid deals, couple have been real bad like the first round one and then the one today giving up a mid 4th for two 5ths makes no sense.

Kwesi seems to be improving. The trade with the Packers was better value than last night although I still think they should have got more and I don't like giving 2 division opponents WRs who could be big time deep threats for the future. The trade with the Colts to move up was actually a win for the Vikings, moved up 11 spots but gave up a 3rd and got a 4th back in exchange for a 6th. When the Vikes have actually made picks I've liked the guys they have landed. One more tonight and I'd love to see them go with Nakobe Dean, David Bell, Leo Chenal, or Drake Jackson.

I actually really like Cine and think he will be a solid starter for years but we didn't get much value at all with the trade. Move down 20 spots and basically pick up a 3rd? Kwesi definitely got taken advantage of. I would have sprinted in the card with Hamilton as he was my favorite prospect in the draft. Would have been fine taking Williams there as well as after Olave and Wilson he was my next favorite WR.

It will have to be the right opportunity, he is very happy in Mankato and is pretty selective about which schools would interest him.

He might be unhappy about it but they all pretty well look like guys that Motzko likely had a conversation with and said you don't have a spot on the team next season. Opening up spots for their talented group of commits.

Believe this is another one they are after

God I hope Buxton's injury isn't a long term thing but that reaction was concerning