Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 6-19-23.
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No Taylor Swift tickets for us this week, there’s a slight opening for anyone to take Dad of the Year from me.
The Atlanta Braves had to change first pitch plans last minute after they designated Charlie Culberson for assignment. His dad had been set to throw out the first pitch. Awkward.
Tigers Fading No More After Weekend at Target Field
The Detroit Tigers came into Target Field the coldest team in MLB and left blazing, taking three of four from the Twins. Minnesota is back to .500 (36-36), 2.5 games up on Cleveland and five on the Tigers, who were left for dead just a week ago.
What’s wrong with this team? Plenty to choose from, including these courtesy of The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman.
Byron Buxton is 0-for-21 and hitting .136 in his last 25 games.
Joey Gallo hitting .133 with 0 homers in his last 15 games.
Max Kepler hitting .130 with 1 homer in his last 20 games.
Christian Vázquez hitting .183 with 0 homers in his last 38 games.
I’ve got a not so serious look at ways to make this completely average team more (or less) exciting. Nothing worse than average, am I right?
I said the goal for this Twins team would be to win seven on the 10-game homestand. They’re 3-3 with four games left against the Boston Red Sox, who had to play a doubleheader including a Sunday night game against the Yankees, then fly to Minnesota.
Reliever Jorge Lopez went on the 15-day injured list due to mental health reasons. Lopez has really been off lately - allowing 12 runs in his last 12 innings. Let’s hope he gets himself right.
Wyndham Clark Wins U.S. Open
Wyndham Clark was steady if not spectacular, making par after par as Rory McIlroy couldn’t keep up and Rickie Fowler faded in the fourth round, shooting a 75.
It was a relatively uninspiring fourth round, although Clark did make two bogeys late to make the 18th interesting. McIlroy didn’t make a putt outside what, five feet? Clark made fewer mistakes than the rest, winning by a single shot over McIlroy to take home $3.6 million.
Clark’s caddie, John Ellis, lives in Minneapolis according to his Linkedin profile.
Couple interesting tidbits - Clark hadn’t won a single PGA event till a month ago, now has the Wells Fargo and his first major.
From ESPN:
● Clark’s previous best major finish - tied for 75th - was the worst previous-best finish by any champion.
● Clark hadn’t made a cut in two prior U.S. Opens. He’s just the fourth golfer in the last 100 years to win the U.S. Open the same week of making his first cut.
● McIlroy has 19 top 10 finishes in majors since his most recent title (2014 PGA Championship).
Lynx Thwacked in Las Vegas
The Lynx had won back to back games for the first time this season, before falling behind by 13 at halftime and never recovering in a blowout loss in Las Vegas last night. Like it’s been many nights this season, it was the Napheesa Collier show, but just not much depth behind her.
Minnesota visits L.A. on Tuesday - the Lynx beat the Sparks by five on Friday in L.A.
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