News Twins Team Notes

Twins 4, Rangers 1: Zebby tosses a gem

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The night started inauspiciously for Zebby Matthews, allowing a solo homer to Joc Pederson on the second pitch. After giving up 9 runs over 3 innings in his last start, it was not a great omen. However, Matthews settled in and only allowed 3 more hits the rest of his start, tossing 7 innings, allowing no more runs, while striking out 6.

On the offensive side of things, the Twins took the lead in the 3rd inning. Kody Clemens doubled, then Christian Vazquez singled, moving Clemens to 3rd. Byron Buxton grounded out, scoring Clemens. Later, Ryan Jeffers hit an RBI single to put the Twins up 2-1.

In the 6th, Carson McCusker drew his first career walk (and was pinch ran for by James Outman), then Brooks Lee singled. Clemens followed with another single, scoring Outman. After Vazquez was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Austin Martin grounded out to 3rd, scoring Lee and giving the Twins a 4-1 lead.

Kody Funderburk took over for Zebby in the 8th, striking out 2 in a scoreless inning. Cole Sands closed the game out, tossing a 1-2-3 9th.

This was my last game thread of the year, unless maybe MLB decides to let the Twins into the playoffs (I think it would be fun). Thanks for joining these all year, despite how the season ended up going, it was always fun to chat with you all.

Studs:

Zebby Matthews: 7.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Edouard Julien: 2-2, 2B, BB

Kody Clemens: 2-4, 2B, R, RBI

Duds:

NO DUDS TWINS WIN!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minnesota-twins-game-recaps/49315/twins-4-rangers-1-zebby-tosses-a-gem
 
Game 157: Twins at Rangers

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First Pitch: 7:05 PM CDT

TV: Twins.TV

Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy, LosTwins.com

Know thine enemy: Lone Star Ball

Today’s Lineups​

Byron Buxton – CFJoc Pederson – DH
Austin Martin – LFWyatt Langford – CF
Ryan Jeffers – DHAlejandro Osuna – LF
Luke Keaschall – 2BJake Burger – 1B
Royce Lewis – 3BAdolis Garcia – RF
Carson McCusker – RFJosh Jung – 3B
Brooks Lee – SSKyle Higashioka – C
Kody Clemens – 1BCody Freeman – 2B
Christian Vazquez – CEzequiel Duran – SS
Zebby Matthews – RHPPatrick Corbin – LHP
[th]
TWINS​
[/th]​
[th]
RANGERS​
[/th]​

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minnesota-twins-game-threads-2/49312/game-157-twins-at-rangers
 
Rangers 4, Twins 2: I say “bye” with a little help from the pen

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Pointing the Twins directly to the exit. | Jerome Miron / Imagn Images

Hell, this year of Twins was long:
I’d like to drown it in a beer.
And here’s a game where near the end went wrong,
A prime example shining clear.
Can’t hit with RISP and can’t drive with juice;
Ain’t here we want to be.
We hoped the squad would turn things on,
But we’re out of Twinsball to see, yeah.

That’s it for Twinsball here in September,
This was not a season we want to remember.
Four games to play and we’re waiting ‘til next year;
That’s it for Twinsball ‘til the spring premiere…

Well, Buxton launched a leadoff jack,
Taj had Rangers lumber dazed,
But Adams and Cabrera? Painful,
No one at all amazed.
A very Twins loss, same as all,
We knew just how this would be.
It’s not the type of game we like
Running out of Twinsball to see…

That’s it for Twinsball here in September,
This was not a season we want to remember.
Four games to play and we’re waiting ‘til next year;
That’s it for Twinsball ‘til the spring premiere…

Hell, this year of Twins was long,
It’s winding down to disappear.
Tonight, the Comment of the Game was strong:
It’s Zach with Doomy Bullpen Tier.
And as a bonus, have him and Goose
Debating music with glee.
The telly’s done, so turn it off,
Now we’re out of Twinsball to see.

That’s it for Twinsball here in September,
This was not a season we want to remember.
Four games to play and we’re waiting ‘til next year;
That’s it for Twinsball, not a lot to cheer…

That’s it for Twinsball here in September,
This was not a season we want to remember.
Four games to play and we’re waiting ‘til next year;
That’s it for Twinsball ‘til the spring premiere…

That’s it for Twinsball here in September,
This was not a season we want to remember.
Four games to play and we’re waiting ‘til next year;
That’s it for Twinsball, now get out of here…

Yeah, that’s it for Twinsball;
No, we oughtn’t remember.
Yeah, turn off the TV,
Ah-ah-ah…

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minneso...le-help-from-the-pen-byron-buxton-taj-bradley
 
Game 158: Twins at Rangers

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First Pitch: 7:05 PM
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy
Know Yo’ Foe: Lone Star Ball

The season is over — was that a rum year,
Blundering and chundering with plenty to jeer.
They sold half the guys which we can’t overcome,
Then pulled off the market and left us all numb,
No room to be jolly ’cause ownership blows;
You want to kick buttocks? Get started with Joe’s.
Each season, we’ve hopes up, then trouble begins;
If you want to see crazy, then look at the Twins.

It started in spring with a thirteen-game streak
That left us excited for week after week.
The pen was amazing, a wonderful gift,
They would fire it past hitters and all of them whiffed.
Our bats inconsistent but sometimes came clutch
With timely walk-offs that thrilled all the audience much.
The Pohlads announced they’d be selling at last;
Just imagine: this hope was mere months in the past.

The season is over — was that a rum year,
Blundering and chundering with plenty to jeer.
Quadruple-A team and the owners are scum,
With this in September, you see why we’re glum?
They call this Twinsball where I’m from.

But then came July and the deadline for trades,
And moves were announced coming down in cascades.
A week after this came the news of no selling,
And down off the cliffside we were jointly propelling.
Now in the cellar we don’t want to reside,
So thanks to the White Sox, too low for our slide.
Despite all the rubbish that’s left us this mess,
At our core, we are fans of the Twins nonetheless.

The season is over — was that a rum year,
Blundering and chundering with plenty to jeer.
It’s clubbed out a beat like a harbinger’s drum;
We’ve suffered so long, every fan is a chum;
They call this Twinsball where I’m from.

The field is set; we raise a glass:
Joe Pohlad, shove it right up your ass.
Now plop in your seat and crack open a beer,
There’s a game and we live in the present, so stand up and cheer!
They call this Twinsball where I’m from,
They call this Twinsball where I’m from.

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Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minneso...just-five-games-to-go-have-an-early-christmas
 
Twins 4, Rangers 0: 34-24 for Buck

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Byron Buxton hits another leadoff home run for the Minnesota Twins in the rubber match between the Rangers and Twins who are both out of playoff contention.

Buxton was responsible for all four runs crossing home. He hit a home run also in the eighth with two runners on, and that one secured him a nice bag of cash.

💰💰Double cha-ching: Byron Buxton netted another $500,000 on this home run swing, after reaching 533 plate appearances this season.

He’s totaled $1 million via contract incentives. He can add another $3M if he finishes in the top 10 of AL MVP voting. pic.twitter.com/G2NrtJ1ZSD

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) September 25, 2025

This was Byron Buxton’s 10th leadoff homer of the season. It’s the second time this season he has had back-to-back games with leadoff jacks. Now Buxton has 34 home runs and 24 stolen bases. He will need six swiped bags in the Phillies series to become the first Twin to ever record at least 30 home runs and at least 30 stolen bases.

Bailey Ober threw six innings with 5 K and 2 H. This tied his season low in hits and he did not allow a run for the first time this year. As for the rest of the pitching today, Funderburk threw a hitless seventh and Cole Sands struck out one in the ninth.

Twins head to the Phillies Friday to finish out the season against many former Twins. The Phillies have clinched a first round bye in the NL as they are the NL East champions.

First pitch tomorrow is 5:45 p.m. Joe Ryan is on the mound for the Twins.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minnesota-twins-game-recaps/49365/twins-4-rangers-0-34-24-for-buck
 
Game 159: Twins vs. Rangers

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First Pitch: 1:35 p.m.
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM
Know Yo’ Foe: Lone Star Ball

Twins rubber match lineup:

  1. Buxton CF
  2. Martin LF
  3. Larnach DH
  4. Clemens 2B
  5. Lewis 3B
  6. Lee SS
  7. McCusker RF
  8. Julien 1B
  9. Vazquez C

P. Ober

Rangers rubber match lineup:

  1. Pederson DH
  2. Smith SS
  3. Jung 3B
  4. Tellez 1B
  5. Osuna LF
  6. Higashioka C
  7. McKinney RF
  8. Duran 2B
  9. Helman CF

P. Mahle

It’s a rubber match today. Both teams are out of playoff contention as the Minnesota Twins wrap up their final road trip of the season this afternoon as they face the Texas Rangers in the finale of a three-game set in Arlington.

Minnesota (68-90) will hand the ball to right-hander Bailey Ober (5-9, 5.32 ERA.) Texas (80-78), who will start right-hander Tyler Mahle (6-3, 2.20 ERA), saw their slim playoff hopes officially dashed on Tuesday following a 4-1 loss to the Twins — their eighth straight defeat.

Buxton Watch:

Byron Buxton hit his career-high 32nd home run in last night’s game.

It's always nice to be up 1-0 before you get to your seat. Byron Buxton hits his 9th leadoff home run this season (18th career). #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/E6lZPmTJG5

— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) September 25, 2025

He is the first Twin surprisingly since Kirby Puckett to join the 30-20 club for the Minnesota Twins with 30 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases. Those have been the only two Twins to do it. Buxton is six stolen bases shy of 30 this season. It is very unlikely he will join that 30-30 club this year, but I say let him run! Overall the best season for Byron yet in his career, staying healthy and taking away runs in the outfield, on top of an electric bat in the lineup. The centerfielder turns 32 in December.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minnesota-twins-game-threads/49339/game-159-twins-vs-rangers
 
Phillies 3, Twins 1: In binary it’s 11-1

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The COTG is also the “lede.” (We journos call the first paragraph the “lede” because of weird 1920s newspaper printer terminology.) From nagurskiinnortheast: “Nice little rebound from Joe here unfortunately Nola is doing his best Gibson impression”

(At first I wondered “do you mean Kyle?” But he meant Bob. Anyhoo, onto the crappy recap.)

A write a little bit for this baseball blog, and another one with a post about Emile Zola. Z-O-L-A, Zola.

For the intro here, for the gamethread, you see, the pitcher’s name was listed TBD, but it’s Nola. N-O-L-A Nola.

Now I have written some bad recaps before

And intros that made some people snore

But Nola’s on, and I just can’t reisist

Although Matt Monitto would sure say “I insist.”

So, OK, enough of that.

Sad thing: Aaron Nola is from Baton Rouge, LA. Nothing wrong with Baton Rouge; I’ve never been there, but I’m sure it’s a perfectly decent place full of 60% good people, 30% boring people, and 10% a**holes, like most places.

But — if only Aaron Nola was from New Orleans. Which is commonly abbreviated as NOLA.

Alas, his parents did not take advantage of this opportunity to have their son born in the perfect place. Their loss, and a loss for us all.

Radio’s Kris Atteberry at one point talks about a giant spider feature in the outfield, and says it’s big enough “to put a saddle on it.”

I have no clue what this means. I think it means Kris Atteberry lives in a kind of alternate mental universe, where reality and fantasy are inextricably intertwined, and in this universe, there’s a saddle on a spider. I’m all for living an an alternate mental universe; I’d prefer one to the reality that exists in my head. But my alternative fantasy mental universe wouldn’t involve saddling spiders. (There’s a whole “metal universe” thing, which is a different thing, go learn about it!) My fantasy mental universe would probably be a lot of naked gorgeous people or something along those lines.

I typed “naked lady riding spider with saddle” into my search engine and this is the best it came up with:

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OK. that’s pretty good. I almost want to make this the header image but I don’t think the site boss would approve. The horse seems to be doing fairly well despite missing a leg, or the fourth one being REALLY messed-up.

Atteberry says, of Kyle Schwarber: “do you think he presses? I don’t think he presses. He just impresses.”

Look, Kris, I wanna love ya, man. You’re a nerd. I love nerds. I wanna think of ya as the guy who actually still keeps score at ballgames, and has opinions on which is the best Twilight Zone episode. (I couldn’t pick one, but I’m partial to the one where a T.V. writer uses an occult spell to summon Shakespeare from the dead, and the idiot studio execs hate Shakespeare’s script. A bit too on the nose, Rod Serling, but you’re ALWAYS a bit too on the nose, and that’s why we love ya… plus, you’re never gonna get me mad suggesting that Hollywood studio executives are a bunch of tasteless dingbats.)

Not somebody who “presses.” I mean, that’s like Kamail Nanjani from The Big Sick roiding up for a Marvel movie. (You haven’t seen The Big Sick yet? See it! Your library has it! It’s also on Bald Facebook Supervillain channel, but nah, use your library. If you can.)

Probably the key game moment is Edmundo Sosa banging a dinger. (No relation to Sammy Sosa, S-O-S-A corked bat.) Joe Ryan absolutely fooled him on a breaking pitch, and Sosa was strong enough to mistime his swing and park it, anyways. Sometimes that just happens. You make a good pitch and fool the guy, and he happens to luck out and make contact in just the perfect way to get the maximum bat/ball bounce action.

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Christian Rafael Vázquez hit a single in the ninth to make this slightly less dull, and other radio guy Dan Gladden thinks it was closer Jhoan “Dances on the Sand” Duran serving up a cookie, as a thank-you to his former teammate. I mean, I dunno? I generally think every MLB player wants to beat every other MLB player at everything, including who can finish crossword puzzles faster or scarf a pizza in record time. But, as much as I kid Gladden, when he talks about what he thinks he’s seeing on the field, he’s right more often than he’s wrong. So maybe he’s right here.

Second COTG goes to sandwiches for “James, I have your recap for you:

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa”

Sure to get this post adored on Apple News.

Studs: all of you readers who’ve tolerated my bullcrap for 11 years. Duds: me for this crummy recap. I will have better stuff for you folks soon! I’m just a bit beat down at the moment. There’s always gonna be more bizarre baseball players and stupid Manfred decisions to write about. Plus, you know, John Fisher exists.

Tomorrow’s game is at 5:05, and features one Ranger Suárez pitching against one Mick Abel, and 30 seconds ago I had no idea a person named Mick Abel played for the Twins. Sorry I’m not professional enough to know about Abel, except that Lorenzo Cain would have absolutely crushed him.

Enjoy your weekend if you got one!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minnesota-twins-game-recaps/49385/phillies-3-twins-1-in-binary-its-11-1
 
The 2015 Twins take it down to the wire

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As the dog days of August 2015 came to a close, the Minnesota Twins looked to be falling out of the playoff race—even Wild Card contention. The early season mega-optimism had seemingly given way to regression to the mean.

But then, an amazing thing happened…

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From late-August into early-September, the ‘15 Twins ripped off a 10-2 stretch—vaulting them back into the Wild Card hunt (the KC Royals were running away with the Central)!

Hope had been renewed for the home stretch!

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But then—another stumble: five consecutive losses in mid-September looked to again drop the surprising Twins from postseason contention.

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I wasn’t giving up—but things looked grim.

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Yet, the rollercoaster would still continue clacking: an 8-3 run in late September!!! There was that “white-hot winning play” referenced above!

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Heading into the 2015 season’s final weekend, the Twins found themselves a single game behind the Houston Astros (surprise, surprise—although it very much was back in ‘15) in the race for the final Wild Card slot.

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The final obstacle: a 3-game Target Field series with the eventual World Series champion Royals. Despite jumping out to a lead in Game 1 and getting a gem—7 IP, 2 ER—from Ervin Santana, the Twins crashed out versus the Crowns, 3-1.

Game 161 was also meaningful—but again heartbreaking: Not Mommy Tilone Tommy Milone, Blaine Boyer, nor Neal Cotts could do much from the mound—5-1 KC.

Game 162 would be the only meaningless contest of 2015 for our Twins.

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One could argue that 2015 was one of the most exciting and important seasons of Twins baseball ever played. After the 2011-2014 doldrums, this winning bunch brought an energy back to the ballpark—whether Twinkle Toes Torii or Bashing Brian—that revitalized interest in the franchise.

They simply came one game short of extending the fun into spooky season.

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Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minneso...-2015-wild-card-race-eliminated-final-weekend
 
Twins 5, Phillies 0: One More For the Road

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Mick Abel ended his Twins debut season on a high note, turning in arguably the best start of his young career against the team that traded him away just two months prior. Turning six shutout innings with nine strikeouts and only three hits, Abel led the 2025 Twins to a rare complete late-season victory against the Fightin’ Phils, as Minnesota shut out the home team by a 5-0 margin.

That tally started very quickly, with Byron Buxton launching another leadoff homer in the first. For the Truck Driver, it was bomba number 35 on his dazzling season, a round-enough number that will give him plenty to be proud of over the winter.

For his part, it also seemed to inspire some of the fringe position players on the roster to show they had a little left in the tank at the end of a long season. James Outman hit a solo homer in the fifth, and Ryan Fitzgerald hit the fourth of his career in the seventh.

Also in the seventh came a Ryan Jeffers double — number 25 on the year, fielded by Harrison Bader, and scoring Austin Martin.

Beyond that, fans enjoyed seeing the first major-league RBI for Carson McCusker, who grounded into a fourth-inning forceout that plated Kody Clemens.

The Twins had 11 hits tonight, nine of which came against Ranger Suarez in a start that did not make it through the fifth inning. Philadelphia burned four more relivers to finish the game; the Twins were able to get by with Pierson Ohl and Kody Funderburk alone.

But most importantly, the streak is finally over. The Twins decided to win a game for my last recap of ‘25 after not winning on any other Saturday since before the All-Star Break (and losing both games of a Sunday doubleheader that I covered, just for style points.) As I’m sure you’d agree, the real joy of TwinkieTown.com is not keeping up with the Twins, it’s keeping up with me.

And tonight, I’m doin’ just fine.

STUDS:

SP Mick Abel (6 IP, 3 H, BB, 9 K)

RP Pierson Ohl (2 IP, 2 H, 3 K)

DH Byron Buxton (2-for-5, R, RBI, HR)

LF Austin Martin (2-for-4, R, BB)

C Ryan Jeffers (2-for-4, RBI, 2B)

DUDS:

NO DUDS! TWINS WIN! TWINS WIN!

(The Pohlad Family)

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minneso...9421/twins-5-phillies-0-one-more-for-the-road
 
Game 161: Twins at Phillies

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First Pitch: 5:05 pm CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy

KNOW THINE ENEMY: The Good Phight

Every year, for quite a long time now, I write a preview for Game 161. Something about the nature of this game is more melancholy to me than Game 162; that game is final, the foregone conclusion of a long season. Game 161 is more of an acknowledgment — and for some reason, the feeling that something is almost over can be more sentimental than the actual finish.

Today we get to experience that “almost-over” feeling, as this is the last Twins game of the year before the last one, period. It’s usually a game ripe for waxing poetic, an effect amplified by the fact that former Phillie starter Mick Abel will be squaring up against the likes of Jhoan Duran, Harrison Bader, and Max Kepler, in what would have been a head-scratching matchup about 12 months ago.

The Twins are playing mostly to avoid 93 total losses — the tally stands at 91 — as well as get a couple of last looks at some of the guys who might actually be here in 2026. Abel is one, but the lineup is full of question marks, as it’s comprised entirely of fringe major-leaguers and winter trade candidates.

For now, they remain, and this evening at Citizens Bank Park, they play a much more interesting ballclub who is about to make some noise in their fourth straight postseason following an 11-year hiatus.

GO TWINS GO!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minnesota-twins-game-threads/49413/game-161-twins-at-phillies
 
Game 162: Twins at Phillies

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FIRST PITCH: 2:05 PM CDT​

TV: Twins.TV

RADIO: TREASURE ISLAND BASEBALL NETWORK

KNOW THINE ENEMY: The Good Phight

“I know that I can’t take no more—it ain’t no lie”

This is it. The last Minnesota Twins baseball game of the season. It’s never good when your favorite team’s final contest has been scheduled on a calendar for over a year, but here we are.

“Don’t really wanna make it tough—I just wanna tell you that I’ve had enough”

In some ways, Game 162 of 2025 is a mercy. No more bad baseball from a largely uninspiring mix (especially post-trade deadline). It’s time to hit the reset button, take the cartridge out, blow on it a few times, and hope for better results next time.

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“I’m giving up I know for sure—I don’t wanna be the reason for your love no more”

At the same time, this is also a sad moment. We’re all here because we love baseball—and that is now at an end. Sure, the playoffs will continue through October (maybe November—yeesh), but they’ll be enjoyed from a distance—not like this.

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“I’m checking out, I’m signing off—I don’t wanna be the loser and I’ve had enough”

What James Fillmore started back in March, I’ll finish this late-afternoon (I was up early to watch the Vikings, so a “baseball nap” may or may not occur at some point). See ya’ll in the final recap of 2025.

“Baby bye bye bye”
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Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/minneso...s-philadelphia-phillies-game-162-the-last-one
 
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